Top Day Trips You Can Take From Las Vegas

While there is more than enough to see and do within the city itself, you might want to venture further afield during your stay and experience other nearby attractions. We get it—as great as this location is, sometimes you’re just looking for variety. Luckily for you, we have a whole host of day trips from Vegas that will take you on a wonderful out-of-town adventure.

As you might imagine, there are more places to visit than the ones we mention here, but it’s a fantastic starting point (especially if you’ve never holidayed in Vegas before). The Strip is lit, but NGL embarking on an adventure in the great outdoors once in a while hits different.

1. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon has been a must-see, colossal rock formation since 1919, when it was awarded National Park status in order to preserve it for years to come.

You will want to start your day at the visitor’s center in Mather Point where you can acquire maps, find out about guided activities, and decipher the weather for the day. Remember that once you get down to the bottom of the canyon (it takes about five hours when riding a mule), the temperature can increase by 100 degrees! Make sure to pack sunscreen, friends.

2. Chloride Mining Town

Chloride Mining Town used to be inhabited by people who traded ore. However, nowadays there are only a few hundred people who reside here. Some of these occupants put on weekend shows of gunslinging and rodeo riding, giving you a real taste of the Wild West.

You’ll also notice the lack of garden flowers. This is because the soil is so dry (it’s the desert, after all). Instead, people decorate their gardens with whimsical glass artwork, which will certainly impress you. If culture is what you’re after, you will definitely be immersed here!

3. Extraterrestrial Highway

Highway 375 was dubbed the Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996 due to the many UFO sightings in this place. This highway goes through a town called Rachel, which is the closest inhabitable space to Area 51.

You can have a wild time on a tour with others from the Las Vegas Strip, which takes you on a 150-mile journey to the aforementioned place. Of course, the aim of the guided route is to get you to Area 51, but a lot of the stops are non-alien related.

You may be lucky enough to see animals such as coyotes, elk, bobcats, mountain lions and desert tortoises in their natural habitat as you drive along (or at one of the many pit stops). Just be mindful of their well-being and don’t partake in anything that could upset them! Coz TBH, disrupting the peace in the animal kingdom is high-key cheugy.

But on another note, don’t forget to @ us if you spot a UFO—pics or it didn’t happen!

4. Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is situated in Black Canyon, which is extremely close to Las Vegas. It has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century—quite the accolade, if you ask us.

If you’re unsure about what this actually is, then we are here to negate all uncertainty! Put simply, it is the highest dam in the Western Hemisphere. Its 17 generators produce a whopping four billion kilowatts of electricity (madness!), which makes it America’s biggest power facility.

Since you are so close by, it’s definitely worth a visit!

5. Lake Mead

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is only 30 minutes away and makes for a wonderful Las Vegas trip (especially if you are fed up with the dry landscape!) Like hey, people are like plants—we need water too.

The park itself spans 1.5 million acres, which includes 820 miles of shoreline—we know, your friends will think you’re insane—there’s no expanse of water in Vegas, right?! Amazingly, Lake Mead was actually made due to the Hoover Dam, so you can sort of get a bonus and see both the concrete structure and its off-shoot creation!

6. Nevada Southern Railway

Situated in Boulder City, this blast from the age-old past is only half an hour away from the Strip. It still utilizes the original track, which brought the materials needed for the Hoover Dam, for your authentically historic 45-minute weekend ride.

You can choose to sit in an open-air car or in a lovely, air-conditioned one. For those photographers among us, you will want to choose the one in the elements so you can capture clear shots of the landscape.

7. Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is known as the greatest wax museum in the world. Whether you wanna strike a pose next to Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball or immerse yourself in a super-lit 4D Marvel Universe experience, Madame Tussauds gotchu, fam.

Oh, and don’t forget to cap this star-studded experience off with a gondola ride. We totally recommend this—coz it’s a surefire W.

8. Kayaking in the Colorado River

For scenery that will take your breath away for a minute, you will fall in love with a kayak adventure in the Emerald Cave Express.

This three-hour tour is a sweet escape from the Sin City glitz and glamor as you paddle through the canyon on a four-mile round trip into the Colorado River. Aside from learning more about the stunning history of this natural wonder, you’ll also get some double-tap-worthy pics for your Insta!

Back to the Neon Partyscapes

Once you’ve fed your soul with magic from Mother Nature on your day trips out of Las Vegas, it’s time to feed your inner party animal by heading from the landscapes back to the neon partyscapes of the Strip!

The Exodus Festival is the place to be for high-energy parties. With a lineup of world-famous DJs spinning the beats, your Las Vegas getaway will be unforgettable.

Grab your tickets today!