Cheap Day Trips Outside of the City
One of the main reasons people travel is to visit family. My family just happens to be lucky enough to have close family that lives in Las Vegas. We have gone many times in the past 20 years. When we first started going to Las Vegas my husband and I didn’t have any kids, but soon enough we had two. Traveling to the “City of Sin” with two kids can definitely seem daunting, especially if you’re not made of money.
In the 1990s, Las Vegas made a move to attract more families by adding arcades, an exploding volcano on the stripe and even adding an amusement park called Adventuredome at the Circus Circus Casino Hotel. But the percentage of families coming only increased a little and by the 2000s, the big hotels went back to focusing on the grownup kids.
The nice thing about Las Vegas is that it is surrounded by so much wonderful nature creating boundless opportunities for exploring . In addition to that, there are tons of free and inexpensive things families can do there besides the usual very pricey attractions.
Below are just a few of the experiences we have enjoyed in the areas surrounding Las Vegas over the years on a budget. Pack some food, a phone charger and definitely some extra water plus a tank of gas and you’re set.
Valley of Fire State Park
Colorful Rock Formations & Ancient Petroglyphs
The Valley of Fire is seriously one of the coolest places we have been to. The topography is so striking with an assortment of rusty hues to muted tans and red sandy earth to the typical Mohave dirt. In the spring, mix in with that a beautiful contrast from the green sage brush and wildflowers blooming throughout the area in crevices and along paths. Another cool thing is there are some petroglyphs that date back 4,000 years on the one trial, which is only half a mile long and very easy for kids to handle.
There is so much to do there besides hiking. There are campsites, areas for rock climbing and a visitor center that the kids will love which is filled with all kinds of cool things about the area. The park is about 50 minutes northeast of Las Vegas, near Lake mead, and costs $10.00 per vehicle.
The Hoover Dam
An Insanely Large Amount of Concrete Tucked Between Rock
I have been to the Hoover Dam a few times over the years and once stopped on the scenic Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge lookout on our way to the Grand Canyon. If you’re afraid pf heights, I would avoid this particular stop. The Hoover Dam is free to go to but the parking on the Nevada side cost $10 when we went. If you continue over the actual Hoover Dam road to the Arizona side, you’ll find some free parking there. But you should go early because it will fill up fast.
The Hoover Dam is definitely a sight to see and that’s even without the paid “Hard Hat” tour. The Hoover Dam is only 45 minutes from Las Vegas.
Mount Charleston
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
Mount Charleston is by far my favorite place outside of Las Vegas. My family lives in north Las Vegas and it only takes thirty minutes from their house to get right up into the middle of the peaks. From downtown Las Vegas, it’s only about an hour if the traffic is rolling without jam. This is a really cool trip for kids to see how elevation can affect the surrounding environment. You’ll leave the dry desert valley and rise up to beautiful evergreens , snowcapped mountains, maybe spot bighorn sheep, and endless views.
When we went it was in March and though it was balmy in the valley it was pretty chilly in the mountains. You can expect a decent temperature drop of about 15 degrees up there if you go in the spring. At that time the ground plants are coming in and the streams look so lovely with the thaw. The path we were on in the Deer Creek picnic area boasted beautifully tall trees, an ice flow and plenty of fallen tree trunks and boulders for the kids to explore on. Of course, there were plenty of picnic tables along the route to enjoy a small lunch at. The website for the area is very informative and has downloadable trial maps. I definitely suggest a stop at the visitor center.
Seven Magic Mountains
A Spectacular Land Art Installation in the Nevada Desert
“7 Magic Mountains” is an art installation located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, the installation consists of seven 35-foot-tall dayglo-colored towers made of painted boulders stacked on top of each other. The towers are arranged in a line and intended to serve as a colorful contrast to the natural surroundings of the Mohave desert. It was created as a temporary public art installation, but it became so popular its installation continues to be extended.
The “7 Magic Mountains” art installation is located approximately 10 miles south of Las Vegas. It is easily accessible by car and is located off of the I-15 freeway. This is free to visit and the kids will love it. It makes for impressive pictures, too.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Exploring the Natural Beauty of a Nevada Treasure
Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful desert area located just west of Las Vegas. The scenery is striking and there’s a lot of hiking paths, areas for rock climbing, and of course scenic drives. Red Rock Canyon is also home to several campgrounds, picnic areas, and lookout points. The area is known for its distinctive red sandstone formations. In addition, the area boasts a variety of wildlife and plant life. You may even spot some Big Horn sheep. One of the coolest things though, is that with the $20 entrance fee a variety of ranger-led activities, including guided hikes and nature walks, are included. Red Rock Canyon is about 40 minutes from Las Vegas.
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