As we travel through these summer days, some of us have travel on the mind. But it doesn't have to be an extensive (or expensive) vacation. We have plenty of things to see near our beloved Henderson/Boulder City area. I gathered a list of easy-to-get-to locations. A few of these involve the great outdoors so it should be noted that you should check with the conditions ahead of time. If you want to visit during the day, be sure to stay safe, hydrated and keep it short and sweet during the hot summer months. Do your research on the trails to decide what your family is able to do since they all have varied levels of hikes. Any of the national parks mentioned have entrance fees. If you think you will visit more than one this year, consider buying the America The Beautiful Pass, an annual pass for $80, covering one car or four individuals. Also, if you have a 4th grader, they gain your family access to many of the parks through the Every Kid Outdoors Program. Enjoy and make those memories!
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- Seven Magic Mountains An art installation in the desert. These brightly colored rocks can be seen from the freeway. They were created by Swiss-American artist Ugo Rondinone. Free to visit. You can call (702) 381-5182 to get information about the art.
- Lake Mead Right next to its neighbor, Boulder City, you can rent all kinds of watercraft and lounge by the lake. Hiking at the Historic Railroad Trail and visiting the nearby Willow Beach can help you relax. Check out the Visitor's Center for all the to-do's.
- Red Rock Canyon The Visitor Center has exhibits to check out and live Desert Tortoise habitats. There is a 13-mile scenic drive to check out the park without having to get out in the heat. There are many trails to check out and the site has special links to Wildlife Wednesday and Flower Friday to give the kids a chance to learn about what lives there.
- Hoover Dam Special tours that teach you all about the function and engineering of the dam for $30 and there's also the Power Plant Tour for $15. There is some remodeling going on so you may want to contact them first and see if you would still want to visit. Claustrophobia Warning-tight elevators and tunnels are part of the tour. If anyone is interested in engineering, this is a must. It's named as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.
- El Dorado Canyon/Techatticup Mine A ghost town that has been featured in various movies for its amazing backdrops. Mine Tours are available at 9am, 12pm and 2pm $20/adults $12.50/kids. After the tour, you are able to pan for gold just like the prospectors of the 1880's.
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- Mount Charleston A close break from the heat of the Vegas Valley, heading up the mountain gives us a nice change of scenery. Plenty of trails to check out. The Visitor Center plans out various fun programs for the kids, including junior rangers and stargazing. Lee Canyon Ski resort has fun things to do, even in summer. A visit to the Retreat on Mount Charleston can bring on lunch, either in their restaurant or a quick "sack-lunch" in the gift shop.
- Valley of Fire This park has lots of popular photo-worthy highlights. It gets busy and hot so getting there early is always better. $10 entry fee for Nevada residents. Some recommended sights are Mouse Tank Rd, Fire Wave, White Domes and Elephant Rock.
- Extraterrestrial Highway/Tonopah I was gonna say Area 51, but we all know that isn't allowed. There are, however, other fun things to see along Hwy 375. Take a picture next to the ET Hwy sign, get some Alien Jerky, get some souvenirs at the Alien Research Center, have lunch at Little A'Le'Inn and then leave the visitors a note or offering at the Black Mailbox. If you're feeling ambitious, continue down the road another couple hours to Tonopah. Here you can keep the space exploration going and walk in a real Lunar Crater. See the Historic Mining Park and the infamous Clown Motel.
- Death Valley At this time of year, this one may be better as a "night" trip. There are amazing sights, such as the Natural Bridge Trail and Artist's Palette. You can make a late day visit to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. They'll have fun exhibits and activities for the kids. Visit Stovepipe Wells or the Toll Road Restaurant for dinner and then wait for nightfall. Death Valley has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park because of the minimal light pollution. It makes stargazing a beautiful experience.
- Zion Utah is so close and such a relief from the heat. Zion and the town of Springdale are wonderful to spend some time in. Until November, there is only a shuttle to take you through the park. Some fun for the kids include hikes like the Narrows (paying careful attention to water levels) and the Emerald Pools. The Visitor Center will have fun kid activities, including the Junior Ranger program. When you've worked up an appetite the Village and Springdale offer lots of options.
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These trips are not for the faint of heart
- Grand Canyon The good thing is driving can be a big part of this trip, not getting out in the heat. There is a shuttle you can utilize, too, stopping only at the highlights. Plenty of visitors and very popular world-wide, since it is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A quick google search can direct you to a surplus of helicopter tours that will fly you over. If you are going in on your own, the consensus seems to be to head to the South Rim. Lots to see and do. Milling around Grand Canyon Village is nice, also.
- Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, Hoodoos, Hoodoos. Seeing the plethora of those tall, thin spires of rock is impressive. Another drive through park. You can get by stopping at all the highlighted areas on your own, but there is also a shuttle. The popular spots are Rim Trail, Queens Garden Trail and hitting viewpoints at Inspiration Point, Rainbow Point and Sunset Point. Bryce is another nice spot for stargazing as it is also included in the International Dark Sky Parks. So morning, day or night, you can't go wrong.
- Glen Canyon The furthest point on our list, this also includes many spots. Starting at Glen Canyon and working your way to various hotspots such at Lone Rock, Antelope Canyon and ending with Horseshoe Bend (which will cost an additional $10/vehicle). Antelope Canyon requires a guide and the whole area wants you to limit your time in the sun but the sights are well worth the trip. Visit the nearby Page, Az to grab some lunch, if you don't bring your own.
At the end of any of these trips, the kids will be nice and worn out. There's something so peaceful about the sleeping babes in the back of the car on the way back. And the pictures will last a lifetime!
