Red Rock Canyon
One of the truly must-do’s in Nevada is hiking through Red Rock Canyon. You’ll need hiking or walking shoes. There are various trails (long and short) ready for all types of walkers and explorers. If your mobility is limited, there’s a great 13-mile drive so you can take in all the natural majesty. If you’re going straight from Las Vegas, you might like a guided tour with stops at Valley of Fire and Elephant Rock.
Red Rock is about 15 miles from Vegas, and has a storied history among Native Americans. The area was home to several Native American cultures and there are petroglyphs (rock art) visible today. The visitor center at Red Rock will tell you more about finding rock art (and other activities).
Fountains of Bellagio
One of the most famous attractions in the city is a musical fountain show at the Fountains of Bellagio. The fountains are just a 5-minute walk from Bally’s / Paris Las Vegas Monorail Station. It’s a popular tourist area so there are plenty of highly rated hotels if you want to make the fountains your base for the trip. All the famous hotels, such as Bellagio Las Vegas and Hilton Grand Vacations, have internet access included so you can watch Netflix, send your vacation photos to friends, or play slots accessible to players from Sweden and elsewhere. Some hotels, such as Hilton Grand Vacations, are right by the casinos at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino complex.
Museums
Las Vegas isn’t only about the night-time. There are plenty of things to explore in the daytime: not least the famous museums such as Madame Tussauds and The Neon Museum. Although the latter might make you think it’s night-time, due to the blazing neon signs. It’s open Monday to Sunday from 3pm and if you’re traveling with kids, you might want to look at the summer camps teaching animation and engineering.
Madame Tussauds, of course, is the home of amazingly lifelike wax figures of celebrities and historical giants. It’s open most days from 10am to 8pm (last entry 7:45pm) so there’s plenty of wiggle room with your other activities. The museum also hosts events like screenings of a special 4D Marvel Universe film.
Live music
It may not be what you think of when you picture Las Vegas, but live music is a major part of the city. Everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Barry Manilow have gigs lined up this year. Among the other artists set to arrive are the Pretenders, Santana, Tom Jones, Dead & Company, Jungle, Janet Jackson, Keyshia Cole, and David Guetta.
Dead & Company, or rather the Grateful Dead, were part of Pat Christenson’s “Rock Vegas: Live Music Explodes in the Neon Desert”, a critically acclaimed book on the city’s history of live music.
It’s not only huge artists who play the city, of course. There are various venues such as Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall & Bar-B-Que, Losers Bar, and Stoney’s Rockin’ Country that host country music and line dancing. Then there are places like Rockhouse hosting DJs for a high-energy night.
A few quick FAQs
How hot is Vegas in the summer?
Summers are extremely hot. Daytimes often reach 100°F (38°C). Plan any outdoor activities for early morning or late evening, and stay hydrated!
Is Vegas family friendly?
Resorts often have kid-friendly pools and activities. There are various family-favorite activities like Adventuredome Theme Park and Shark Reef Aquarium.
What should you pack?
Bring a hat, lightweight clothing, and a reusable water bottle. Also pack some dressier clothes if you’re planning on visiting upscale restaurants or seeing a show. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you’re hiking.
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