Las Vegas - Further Afield
Surrounding Las Vegas, the Nevada desert isn’t quite as lifeless as it first looks. It is in fact, one huge open-air adventure playground all of its own. Only this time, nature’s in control, not ‘the house’!
The Red Rock Canyon is a dazzling rock formation formed by a geological fault - where the Earth’s Crust has been ripped apart. You can take a mesmerising tour of the canyon from Las Vegas, for around $20 - don’t forget your camera!
Lake Mead (Highway 97) is a tropical oasis in the middle of the Nevada Desert - you can take a stately and elegant cruise of the waters, and take afternoon tea on board. How very civilised!
The Southern Nevada Zoo and Botanic Park (1775 North Rancho Drive) is home to the last family of Barbary Apes in the US, as well as chimpanzees, emus, talking parrots, and preening flamingos, as well as botanical displays of endangered cacti and orchids.
The impressive Hoover Dam, originally completed in 1935, has a fascinating visitor centre with the best views of the Black Canyon precipice below. While 100 miles or so away, the silent expanse of Death Valley is the largest national park unit outside of Alaska and contains the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.