Mount Charleston

Looking for some fun in the snow near Las Vegas then head to Mount Charleston. Charleston Peak, is the highest mountain of the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada and is about 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas. A 45 minute drive takes you to a different world where it is possible to ski, snowboard or have a snow ball fight. The ski area is not not nearly as big as the major resorts but with such a short drive it's worth a visit. Weekends can get busy so if you don't come on a weekday, you'll find yourself in line for one of the two lifts for quite a while. To get to the ski resort from Las Vegas, take U.S. Highway 95 north to Highway 156, Lee Canyon. Follow Highway 156 for 17 miles to the resort. The highway ends at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort.

Springs Preserve Las Vegas Winter Lights Festival

Springs Preserve is holding it's annual winter light festival with over a half-million sparkeling Christmas lights decorating the grounds. Guests will enjoy entertainment from roaming performance groups, carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus and Theater Las Vegas' original puppet show "Dickens Done Over."
Holiday-inspired treats and green gift options will be available throughout the Preserve. The Festival runs 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, 5 to 9 p.m. daily from Dec. 22 to 24 and Dec. 26 to 30 (the Preserve is closed on Christmas). Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 to 17 and free for Annual Pass members and children 4 and under. Entry includes admission to all museums and galleries. Springs Preserve 333 S. Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada (between US 95 and Alta Drive) Phone: (702) 822-7700 Map

Las Vegas City Center

Las Vegas City Center is located front row on the Las vegas strip. This massive construction project is the most expensive privately funded project in U.S. History. The first phase of MGM MIRAGE's CityCenter, a gargantuan, $11+-billion, 68-acre project, is under construction on the Las Vegas Strip between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. Phase two will eventually occupy the space behind and between Monte Carlo and New York New York. The Boardwalk Hotel was demolished along with a few local businesses to make room for this immense project. Harmon Road will meander through CityCenter and cross I-15 via an already completed bridge.
The massive city center will include:
- 4,004-room 61-story ARIA Resort & Casino (Cesar Pelli)
- 165,000-square-foot casino (Pelli)
- 400-room + 227 condos - Mandarin Oriental Hotel/Residences (Pedersen / Tihany)
- 400-room + 207 condos - The Harmon Hotel/Residences (Foster and Partners)
- 1543-unit Vdara Condo/Hotel tower (Rafael Viñoly)
- Twin, 337-unit luxury condo towers Veer (Helmut Jahn)
- 500,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space The Crystals Mall (Daniel Libeskind)
- $40 million worth of modern sculptures and installations by world famous artists
- 225,000 square feet of convention and meeting space
- 900,000 square feet for back-of-house operations
- 2,000-seat theater
- 70,000-square-foot spa
- 7,500-car parking garage
- Fire station
- People movers (trams)
- On-site power plant

When completed in late 2009 City Center CityCenter will have a 1/4-mile Las Vegas Strip frontage. The project's center will the 61-story ARIA Resort & Casino with 4,000-rooms, designed by world renowned architect Cesar Pelli. There will be plenty of glitz in the form of light shows projected against building facades. Reports from MGM MIRAGE state that a new Cirque du Soleil show, called Elvis, will premiere at the CityCenter Resort on opening day.

Las Vegas Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail is a great way to see the sights in Vegas. Glide along at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour as the traffic crawls along the strip. There are seven stops: MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris Las Vegas, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton and Sahara. You can get an all day pass for just nine dollars. Park your car at your hotel and take a ride in the sleek air conditioned monorail.
Free things to do in Las Vegas

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The Lake Mead Visitor Center is located off of U.S. 93, four miles southeast of Boulder City and should be your first stop if you have never visited before. The drive from Las Vegas to Boulder Harbor is 33 miles and takes about 45 minutes. Although much of Lake Mead must be experienced by boat, the various campgrounds, marinas, lodges, and other facilities clustered around the lake make it possible for non-boaters to enjoy it as well. If your visit is only going to last a few hours take a ride aboard Lake Mead Cruises which offer paddle wheel boat tours of the lake. Food service is available at Las Vegas Boat Harbor, Lake Mead Marina which is now a part of Las Vegas Boat Harbor, and Callville Bay. Facilities include snack bars, restaurants and some lounges. Most provide beautiful panoramas of the lake or views of the boat harbor. Take a break from Las Vegas and enjoy the beautiful desert scenery around Lake Mead, Nevada.

Springs Preserve Las Vegas

Springs Preserve in Las Vegas is one of the richest and most unique destinations in Southern Nevada. Visit the largest non gaming attraction in Las Vegas and take a break form the noise of the casinos. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978, the Preserve is located approximately three miles west of downtown Las Vegas. Springs Preserve 333 S. Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada (between US 95 and Alta Drive) Phone: (702) 822-7700
Springs Preserve Las Vegas

Bonnie Springs Ranch Old Nevada

Located 25 miles from Las Vegas this Western-themed attraction is a popular day trip locals and visitors. The western town hold shows throughout the day and range between 30 to 45 minutes long. Additional performances are held on the weekends. The shows re-enact gunfights, hangings and bank robberies. Entrance fee is a little on the expensive side for what you ( $20.00 per car load for up to six people) but when you consider how much you are saving by not being at a casino it's not too bad. Bonnie Springs is an interesting place to visit while you are in the Las Vegas region of Nevada. Bonnie Springs Ranch Directions to Bonnie Springs Ranch form Las Vegas: Follow Charleston Blvd West for 25 miles. 6 miles past the Red Rock Visitor Center Look for the big wooden archway that says, Old Nevada. Turn in and your on way to Old Nevada. Bonnie Springs Old Nevada 1 Gunfighter Lane Blue Diamond, Nevada 89004 702-875-4191 Bonnie Springs Ranch

Liberace Museum - Las Vegas

The Liberace Museum is a fascinating place to visit in Las Vegas. The beautiful antique pianos, the gorgeous stage outfits, his fabulous jewelry and cars are all on display. The museum has a "walk of fame" with highlights of Liberace's career. The museum is located in two buildings. One houses his many pianos- those that he played and those "antique" ones that he collected. There is also a collection of his cars. The other building houses his costumes, a gift shop , and small coffee shop. There is a free shuttle which leaves from select Strip hotels. The Liberace Museum is located in the Liberace Plaza at 1775 E. Tropicana Avenue Las Vegas.

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Graceland Wedding Chapel

The Graceland Chapel has been a part of the Las Vegas Strip for over 50 years and is one of the most prominent chapels for a wedding in Las Vegas. Graceland Wedding Chapel was voted the best wedding chapel in all of Las Vegas, Nevada. Graceland is a landmark in Las Vegas wedding sites. 619 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89101
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Mt. Charleston

Just 40 miles from Las Vegas Mt. Charleston is a great day trip. During the winter, Mt. Charleston gets snow and people come to enjoy winter sports. Summer the average day temperatures are 80ºF while down in the valley they may reach over 100ºF. Mt. Charleston is popular for hiking with 52 miles of marked trails. There are over 180 campsites and 160 picnic sites for visitors to enjoy.

Hoover Dam Las Vegas Day Trip

Hoover Dam is only about 35 miles from Las Vegas Nevada making it a popular day trip for tourists. There is a visitor center with exhibits about the construction of the dam. The Hoover Dam tour takes you on an elevator down into the inner-workings of the dam. Their are plenty of scenic overlooks with views of the dam and Lake Meade. There are lots of bus tours from Las Vegas but it's just a short trip in your car. With the bus you have a very structured tour, drive your self and you can do a lot more exploring. Either way Hoover Dam is a nice escape from the noise and crowds at the casinos. Hoover Dam

Bonnie Springs, Old Nevada

Bonnie Springs Ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stopover for the wagon trains going to California down the Old Spanish Trail. In 1846, General Fremont, on his way to California, stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley. Since 1952, the ranch has been used as a tourist attraction. Directions from Las Vegas: Follow Charleston Blvd West for 25 miles, we are on the right-hand side.We are 6 miles past the Red Rock Visitor Center. Look for the big wooden archway that says, "Old Nevada. Bonnie Springs

Fremont Street Experience

More than 12 million lights in the Viva Vision canopy and 550,000 watts of concert quality sound pumped to speakers throughout the venue produce an incredible array of eye-popping imagery and heart pounding music. Viva Vision shows appear nightly on the hour beginning at dusk and are free and open to the public.

Fountain's of Bellagio

The water show at Bellagio are one of the most visited free attractions on the Las Vegas Strip. There is planty of standing room and even a few places to sit while you watch this amazine display. Arrive early to get the best viewing place. Dress warmly in the winter months, it gets cold in the desert.