Las Vegas Explore Local With RVshare

This guide is perfect for those living in or near Las Vegas who want to get to know the city even more. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Las Vegas, this is the guide for you!

*Note: Some of the suggestions may not be doable due to coronavirus closures, but keep this list handy for when things start opening back up more! Be sure to check individual pages for specific operation details.

Las Vegas is smack-dab in the middle of some of the most stunning red-rock-strewn desert landscapes in the country. Here are our guides to some of the state parks and national parks in and around Las Vegas, NV.

• Death Valley National Park is located nearby in California and is known for being both the hottest and driest place in the continental United States. It’s also got both the lowest and highest elevation, making it a land of extremes for sure.

• Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique flora, though the “trees” it’s named after are actually just large succulents! It’s a great place to go hiking, but given its desert location, it’s important to bring plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing. We also recommend getting an early start!

• Valley of Fire State Park is right outside of Las Vegas, and is a great place to view some local wildlife like lizards, snakes, coyotes, kit foxes, spotted skunks, black-tailed jackrabbits, and antelope ground squirrels. It’s also got some great hiking trails to explore, but again, be prepared! The desert is no joke.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Located just outside of the city itself, Red Rock Canyon is a great place to go hiking, even if you just have a few hours to spend. It’s got trails for every fitness level, from easy, flat rambles to more strenuous, hilly grades.

Some of our favorite trails in this conservation area include Calico Tanks Trail, a moderate-rated 2-mile out-and-back trail. It moves past an agave roasting pit and features some stunning views, and is open to leashed dogs. Pine Creek Canyon is another option, which is longer, but easier: it’s a 3.4-mile, heavily trafficked trek that doesn’t see much elevation gain at all but also has some bouldering opportunities for climbers.

There are dozens of other hiking trails in the 195,000+ acre boundaries of Red Rock Canyon, but there are other outdoor recreational opportunities in the area, too.

Other Hiking Trails

Las Vegas Overlook Trail gives visitors a sweeping view of the entire city, though it’s a strenuous journey of 9 miles round trip and more than 1,700 feet in elevation gain. Although it’s very close to Red Rock Canyon, it’s technically outside of the park, and thus often doesn’t have the same amount of crowds that the park trails do.

If you’re looking for a relaxing diversion after a long, hot day of exploring the strip, Arizona Hot Springs is a great place to kick back in a natural hot tub. There are several different ways to get to the springs, but all of them require some effort: if you don’t hike in, you could choose to paddle or float the river to your destination.

Frenchman Mountain is the option for hikers looking for a more strenuous adventure that ends with a summit. Pets are allowed, but if you tackle this one, be sure everyone in your party is ready for a serious undertaking — this hike is no joke!

Chances are all that hiking worked up an appetite! Here are some o the very best restaurants in Las Vegas, whether you’re after Mexican, sushi, a vegan meal, or something else entirely.

My Mother’s House

Searching for the best Italian restaurants in Las Vegas will reveal a wide variety of options, but we like this one, which is far off the Strip and known for its combination of delicious, traditional eats and a casual atmosphere.

Kabuto-Edomae Sushi

There’s no shortage of Asian restaurants in Las Vegas, but this sushi hot spot stands out from the rest with its hand-picked selections.

Secret Pizza

If you want your meal with some intrigue, find your way to Secret Pizza. It’s tucked away on the third floor of The Cosmopolitan hotel and features a New-York-style walk-up counter.

Violette’s Vegan Cafe & Organic Juice Bar

Known as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Las Vegas, Violette’s is a great place to grab a salad, wrap, or smoothie.

Wondering what other things there are to do in Vegas this weekend — or anytime you may visit? Here are some of our favorite options whether you’re traveling with kids, your partner, or just yourself.

Cheap Things to Do in Vegas

It’s really easy to spend way too much money in Las Vegas — but there are affordable things to do, too! Here are some suggestions.

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

Paris Las Vegas is a sight to behold almost on par with the real thing over on the Continent. You and your sweetheart can take in the view at the top at prices starting under $20 per person, and there are regular specials that drop that price even lower.

Fremont Street Experience

Basically, an ongoing downtown block party, the Freelance Street Experience is a section of town that’s got tons of live entertainment, dining, and other activities no matter what time of day you go. You can walk through totally for free, though some of the diversions will obviously cost you for entry.

The High Roller

Okay, hear us out, because, in the context of a Ferris wheel, the High Roller is anything but cheap… but considering this very special Ferris wheel takes you soaring more than 500 feet over the Vegas strip (in one case with an in-cabin open bar!), its sub-$50 price of entry is actually a bargain.

Prices are even lower during the day, or for youths who can get on for as little as $8.50.

Things to Do for Families and Kids

It’s considered an adult playground, but Vegas has a lot to offer the kiddos, too. If you’re traveling with the family, here are some options to consider adding to the to-do list.

SlotZilla Zipline

While you’re meandering down Fremont Street, look up! See those people zipping by on the zipline? You could be one of them! The SlotZilla Zipline is a thrilling adventure only for the bravest visitors, flying you up to 11 stories over the bustle of Vegas below. Fly seated or “super-hero style” for less than $50 (or $30 for the shorter adventure), and save $5 if you fly before 5 p.m.

Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

In operation since 1990, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat offers visitors of all ages the chance to come face-to-face with some exotic new friends. You’ll meet bottlenose dolphins, white tigers, lions, and leopards, and get the opportunity to interact with trainers and experts who can answer all of your questions.

Adventuredome at Circus Circus

Widely regarded as one of the best things to do in Las Vegas, Adventuredome is a great option for kids or for rainy day fun! From mini-golf and mini-bowling to indoor rock climbing and bungee jumping, there are tons of cool things to do at this attraction.

Hoover Dam

One of the most popular family things to do in Las Vegas off the strip is to visit the Hoover Dam. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and is used to generate power, control floods, store water and regulate the area’s water system. It also impounds Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir in the United States and also another great option for visitors looking for an outdoor recreation opportunity.

Free Things to Do in Las Vegas

Bellagio Fountain Show and Botanical Gardens

While you’re walking down the Strip, you’ll doubtless see the majestic Bellagio hotel — and the equally majestic fountains in front of them. Running every half hour during the daytime and every fifteen minutes at night, the pools come alive with a water and light show… and once you’ve sat through that, be sure to venture inside and take a gander at the indoor gardens and the roof covered in Chihuly glasswork.

Seven Magic Mountains

This outdoor installation is on public lands near Jean Dry Lake and Interstate 15, only ten miles or so outside of Las Vegas. If you’re into weird and wacky roadside attractions, it’s a worthwhile stop to add to your itinerary… and totally free!

Spas in Las Vegas

Sahra Spa, Salon and Hammam

Tucked inside the Cosmopolitan hotel, this spa offers a wide range of services from massages and skincare to hot baths and other body services, all in a relaxing and chic atmosphere. The Sahra Spa, Salon and Hammam also offers immersive, full-body experiences including body buffing, mud masques, and more.

South Point Spa

Located close to, but not directly on, the Las Vegas strip, the South Point Hotel offers its own proprietary casino and spa along with its own 16-screen movie theater, 64-lane bowling alley, and more. The spa is a standout, with more than 40,000 square feet of treatment rooms, couples’ suites, saunas, steam rooms, and more.

Best Gyms & Yoga Studios

Las Vegas Athletic Clubs

With several locations strewn throughout the city, Las Vegas Athletic Clubs might be the best-known gym option in town — and for good reason. Offering a full suite of athletic equipment as well as group classes, personal training, and more, this gym has you covered no matter what your preferred way to move may be.

Sin City Yoga

Balance out the “sin” of Sin City at Sin City Yoga studio, which offers a wide variety of yoga classes as well as Reiki, teacher training, and more.

Rhyolite Ghost Town

En route to Death Valley, you’ll drive by this little ghost town, which was once a thriving mining town at the turn of the 20th century. It came crashing down during 1907… but it still stands today as an excellent photo opp.

Area 51

If you’re a believer — or even if you’re not — be sure to add this stop to your list. It’s just over an hour outside of Vegas… but be forewarned it *is* an active U.S. Air Force Facility with extremely classified goings-on, so you won’t actually be getting very close to the buildings.

Local National Parks

Thanks to its desert location, Las Vegas is within easy driving distance of a lot of great national parks. (After all, they call this area the Grand Circle for a reason!)

It might be worthwhile to turn the day trip into a weekend getaway, however, as most of these parks have a lot to offer and much more to see than you’ll be able to get to in an afternoon.

Joshua Tree is located in southern California and is only about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas and gives you the opportunity to get some photos with its iconic plants.

Death Valley is less than two hours away, though you could certainly spend an equivalent time or longer attempting to drive across it and get the overview.

Finally, even the Grand Canyon isn’t too far from Vegas. This four-hour drive is perfect for a weekend getaway from the city! We recommend staying (or at least stopping) in Flagstaff, a small college town filled with fun coffee shops, eateries, shops, and more.

As a final reminder, some of these activities may need to wait until businesses fully reopen from coronavirus closures. However, there is still much to see and experience in Las Vegas that you can enjoy today! What are your favorite spots in Las Vegas? Send them our way to [email protected] or by tagging us on Instagram @rvshare and using the hashtag #rvsharelocal.