Last week, we began to tell you how it was possible to spend 24 hours in Las Vegas without ever stepping foot inside a casino. In case last week’s post didn’t provide enough proof, here are a few more suggestions for non-gambling fun in Sin City.
Get outside
One of the Valley’s gems is the relatively new Springs Preserve. Located a short drive from the hustle of The Strip, the Springs Preserve highlights Las Vegas history, as well as provides gorgeous outdoor trails through a wetland habitat, museums, galleries and special outdoor events. General admission is $9.95.
There’s also Red Rock Canyon, which has tons of hikes ranging from easy to you-better-be-in-seriously-good-shape-if-you-even-think-about-climbing. Head up in elevation to Mt. Charleston, the highest peak in Southern Nevada, for year-round activities including skiing and snowboarding, hiking and biking. On the east side of town, rent a boat and bask in the vast blue water of Lake Mead. If that still isn’t enough, a few miles from there is Boulder Dam where visitors can walk over the immense structure or take a tour.
Shop ‘til you (nearly) drop
And then there is shopping. A multitude of fantastic shopping abounds outside of the world of casinos. There are two (yes, two) outlet malls, one south of The Strip on Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas Premium Outlets South, an indoor mall, and the outdoor Las Vegas Premium Outlets, north of The Strip off of Charleston Blvd. and the outdoor awesomeness of Town Square, packed with name-brand stores, restaurants and a movie theater. For those traveling with kids, there’s a great playground there, too. Go Downtown
Still have time left in the 24-hours? Take a trip to the burgeoning Arts District 18B downtown. Galleries, antique stores and more await those hungry for a little bit of culture in Las Vegas. If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, be sure to swing down – there’s a street festival that includes food, music and tons of art vendors that starts around sunset and wraps at 10 p.m. If you’re still in the mood to hang out, a few blocks away are where the locals go to celebrate First Friday at the popular watering holes – The Griffin, Don’t Tell Mama, Beauty Bar, The Beat Coffeehouse & Records, Downtown Cocktail Room and Vanguard Lounge. Even if it’s not First Friday, these hot spots are a great way to get a feel for local living.
Take in a show
There’s a new show in town – “Absinthe.” It’s located in front of Caesars Palace in an authentic Spiegel tent, so technically not in a casino. This show is pure adult goodness packed with Cirque-esque acrobatics, raunchy jokes and some near-nudity. It’s not for the faint of heart or those who are easily offended. But, this show, which opened April 1, is quickly becoming Las Vegas’ newest sweetheart. An added bonus – there’s a fun beer garden where ticket- and non-ticket holders can hang out, drink beer and even play Dom Pong (champagne beer pong). Tickets are $69 - $100. But, this brilliance won’t last forever. The talented and acrobatic crew packs their bags and the tent in September.
Airport R & R
When you’re all done enjoying the non-casino side of Las Vegas, head back to McCarran for some rest before boarding the plane. There’s slots. There’s food. There’s shopping. Then, there’s sleep once you board. After all, packing that much in to 24 hours can be exhausting.
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Diana Edelman is a travel blogger who resides in Las Vegas. In 2010, she decided to take a career-break and quit her job, put her life in storage and headed across the Atlantic for seven months of solo backpacking through Europe and Africa. You can follow her on Twitter or check out her blog, where she documented her backpacking experiences and continues to provide readers with tips and travel notes on her popular site, The Adventures of D. When she isn’t traveling, or planning to travel, she works in PR for a restaurant group in Las Vegas.
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