Three Great Las Vegas Day Tours

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., and with good reason. The lights, the food, the shows and of course the gambling make this a popular spot for people of all backgrounds. But there are also some great options for people who want to get out of town for the day. Here are some amazing day trip options for when you just need to get away from The Strip.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is one of most popular destinations for a day trip from Las Vegas with almost one million people visiting every year. Located just 35 miles from The Vegas Strip, it’s an easy and interesting getaway.

The dam was built in the 1930's to provide power and water to the surrounding states and has been a tourist attraction almost since the beginning. It was the largest dam in the world when it was built and is still considered an amazing accomplishment in engineering.

Once you are at the dam you will want to take the Power Plant Tour. This tour takes you down into the structure and explains the history of the dam and how it works. I have taken this tour twice and really like seeing all the big machinery and learning more about the dam.

Tip: Visit the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge for a birds-eye view of the dam, easily accessible by pedestrian walkway.

Red Rock Canyon

The Red Rocks Canyon National Conservation Area Park may only be 17 miles from Vegas, but it is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature and witness some extraordinary rock formations. The park features a 13 mile scenic drive that will reward you with closer views of the beautiful scenery. There are also hiking and biking trails throughout the park, making it a great option for thrill seekers.

Tip: Bring water to stay hydrated and snacks for quick energy as you explore the trails.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is not in Nevada but it is close enough that it gets a lot of day trip visitors from Las Vegas. There are many options for visiting the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas including: driving, flying tours, helicopter tours and bus tours.

Before choosing your trip you will have to decide where in the canyon you want to visit and how much time you want to devote. The flying tours to the canyon are more expensive but are also shorter than bus tours or self-drives.

The three options of areas to visit in the Grand Canyon are:

• The South Rim - The most visited area of the Grand Canyon. This is the longest tour if you drive or go by bus. The helicopter or plane tours will be shorter but more expensive.
• The North Rim - It is less crowded than the other areas but is only open May through October. There are fewer tours to the North Rim because it is less accessible, but some may find that appealing.
• Grand Canyon West -This area is part of the Hualapai Tribal Nation and is home to the popular Grand Canyon Skywalk. This is the closest part of the canyon to Las Vegas and one of the most popular parts of the National Park. The Skywalk is a glass bottomed U-shaped bridge that extends out over the canyon where you can look down to the river 4,000 feet below you. The walk isn’t for those afraid of heights, but luckily the views from the rim of the canyon are just as good.

Tip: Bring extra camera batteries and memory cards for all of those photos you will take!

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.