Tag: Adventure Vegas
View All TagsActive Vegas / Off Strip Adventures / Lake Mead / Adventure Vegas / → All Tags
As Vegas Heats Up, Don't Forget About Lake Mead
With summertime in full swing, Vegas turns up the heat literally. As temperatures rise into consistent triple digits, it can make just about anyone take desperate measures to stop the scorch. And, while there are all the usual remedies such as crowded pool scenes, endless yards of frozen alcoholic goodness, or spending hours inside spinning away on the latest slots, may we suggest something different?
Trust us, those are all very worthwhile options, but if plans to explore the Vegas desert are being reconsidered due to 100+ degree, we have the perfect getaway for you.
VegasChatter Reviews / Golf / Golfing / Golf Courses / Primm / Primm Valley Golf Course / Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / Active Vegas / → All Tags
Want To Hit The Greens? Consider Heading For The Border
A 40-minute ride south on the I-15, before the elevation begins to rise and the driver becomes subject to the laws of California, lies Primm, Nevada. A dusty locale situated in the Mohave Desert, Primm signifies both beginning and end -- the commencement of an action-packed weekend in Las Vegas for those commuting from California, the final stop on the ride south for those departing Nevada.
To call Primm a city would be akin to designating the MGM Grand a sovereign state. The 2000 census population for Primm was just 436 people. It's more of a rest stop than a city, but it's a rest stop with plenty of attractions and, in typical Southern Nevada tradition, plenty of excitement.
We made the trek down to Primm under the guise of a round of golf at the Primm Valley Golf Club, but with an 8:00 a.m. tee time, there were plenty of hours left in the day for us to explore the various attractions the city has to offer.
Valley of Fire / Adventure Vegas / Off Strip / → All Tags
Rappelling The Valley Of Fire
If you have been keeping up in your Off Strip Adventure readings, you would know this Chatter'er is a big fan of the Valley of Fire and all it has to offer. With that in mind, we came across something new to try on our most recent trip to the state park, rappelling down the rock formations! It just looked too good to pass up.
Now, by no means are we professional rock climbers, but having run up a couple of rock climbing walls in the past certainly provided some confidence. (And, we will certainly will be checking out the wall at Twin Peaks soon!) This adventure was something unique and hard to find which made it all the more appealing.
Off Strip Adventures / Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / → All Tags
Floating High Over Vegas
If you're looking for a way to get swept off your feet in Las Vegas, this might be the answer. Sure, there are the traditional routes like the super pricey helicopter rides, but if you are really trying to find something different, try the hot air balloon route. It isn't for everyone, but the thrill is definitely one of a kind.
Yes, it might mean limiting yourself to only ten three drinks the night before as you will have to pack it in early or not at all in order to get up for the departure time. But, this is one experience that is worth getting up early for. Once you are up and off the ground, you can really start to understand the reason you chose this off Strip adventure as you start to see the sun peak up over the mountains surrounding the Las Vegas valley.
Off Strip / Off Strip Adventures / Adventure Vegas / Red Rock Canyon / World Class Driving / → All Tags
White Knuckles Can Be More Exciting Than Black Chips
“It’s not a throttle, it’s a detonator.” –- Jeremy Clarkson, Host, "Top Gear"
There is nothing tranquil about Las Vegas. The serenity of the swimming pool is shattered by bass drops and sirens disguised as music. The cool relaxation of the spa is quickly upended by slot machine calamity as you step from the elevator. Embrace it. We don’t come here to sleep. We come here to live like we can’t anyplace else. We proved this week that even the ancient beauty of Red Rock Canyon wasn’t safe as we disturbed its dusty composure with the fiery roar of a 7.0 liter, hand-crafted V8 engine; its scream bouncing of the surrounding mountains.
Off Strip Adventures / Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / Bonnie Springs Ranch / → All Tags
Looking For, And Finding, A Taste of The Old West
Now, when folks think of the west, as in the Wild West, they expect to see saloons, wagons, blowing tumbleweeds, and gunfights at noon. And, while you can find many of the modern-day equivalents throughout Las Vegas, sometimes there is something to be said for "how it all began." For those who yearn for the good ol' days, there is a pretty neat spot you should consider checking out -- Bonnie Springs Ranch.
Bonnie Springs Ranch is another one of our closer off Strip adventures, only 40 minutes away from the Vegas Strip. The ranch itself offers several different activities, such as a real saloon, pony/horse-riding, petting zoo, wax figures, and miniature train rides. Yet none of that whet our whistle as much as the thematics and effort that has been put into giving visitors an authentic Wild West experience. Well, authentic in the sense of what Hollywood told you it is, but nonetheless, all we really wanted in the first place.
Adventure Vegas / Off Strip / Grand Canyon / Vegas 500 / → All Tags
Want To See The Grand Canyon? A New Way To Get There
Here's an off-Strip adventure that may prove impossible to resist. How about an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon for $200 bucks?
Vegas 500 now offers an "express" tour of the Grand Canyon that promises to take less time out of your Vegas vacation and less cash out of your wallet. Designed to take a total of about five hours roundtrip, flights will take guests over Boulder City, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon as well as give them two hours on the ground before jetting back to Vegas. And, you won't have to fight for the window seat, either. Vegas 500 says every guest gets one. (For the aviation geeks, tours are in either a 9-passenger Cessna Caravan or a 7-passenger GippsAero Airvan.)
Off Strip Adventures / Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / → All Tags
Ridin' Dirty... on Horseback
In a few of our past off Strip adventures, we have commented on the availability of horseback riding and that our lack of awareness has left us hiking when we could have been enjoying the sights and relaxing on a horse. Well, we finally learned our lesson and went back to experience things from a different, more laidback point of view.
Riding on horseback and the mountainous desert geography that is Vegas and its surrounding landscape go together better than casinos and bars. When you jump up on that horse and begin your trek through the desert, you instantly get a feeling that everything is right in the world.
Adventure Vegas / Off Strip / Dune Buggies / → All Tags
Tearing Up The Sand Dunes Outside of Vegas
So, you've come to Vegas to let loose. Well, we have one way that really kicks some serious butt. If you're looking to race around the desert, enjoy the outdoors, all while cruising in one of the coolest machines ever then we have the solution for you! Dune buggies! No doubt, one of the most enjoyable tours we have taken.
Previously, we had kicked up some dust ATVing, but this was NOWHERE near the same thing. First, these dune buggies were more powerful than the ATVs. Second, these machines made you feel just that much more safe, which allows you to take a few more chances. This is where the real fun came in, rushing over sand hills, small jumps, and going almost vertical makes for an awesome driving experience. It is something everyone really must try.
Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / Active Vegas / → All Tags
A Special Gem, Thousands of Years in the Making
We love The Strip, but we also love the awesome outdoor adventures that can be had, in many cases, not too far away. After sharing our trip to Mount Charleston, VegasChatter reader David M. reached out to us with some added input that we thought was important to share with everyone.
The Spring Mountains are a larger mountain range of which Mount Charleston is the tallest and thus best known. Although, they are found throughout the mountain range, we hadn't mentioned its really neat standouts. Sometimes you don't realize what you missed until it's too late. And, in the interest of ensuring it doesn't happen to you, we introduce the region's unique Bristlecone Pine Trees, as shown throughout this article thanks to the photography skills of David M. These trees, which only grow in a few select places in the world, chose right here smack in the middle of the Las Vegas mountain range to grace us with their presence.
Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / Wetlands Park / Active Vegas / → All Tags
The Wetlands Of Las Vegas (Yes, You Read That Right)
At VegasChatter, we always keep our ear to the ground to keep you up-to-date on what's going on. Recently, a VegasChatter fan gave us a tip about the Wetlands Park just southeast of The Strip. We did some digging around and found some great reviews and interesting tidbits on this unique find!
Only 20 minutes away from the center of The Strip, the Wetlands Park might just be the closest off Strip adventure one can have. The park offers visitors a completely different experience than what others in the area can provide. Lush green banks along large ponds of water isn't a common sight in Vegas, however, it can be found in the wetlands!
Off Strip / Adventure Vegas / Death Valley / → All Tags
Adding a Little Death (Valley) to Doomsday
So on this day of all days, we figured it would be appropriate to tell you about our journey into death, Death Valley, that is.
A visit here has been on our list for a while, but we always found an excuse NOT to go. Now, after finally visiting, we find ourselves using every excuse we can think of to return! The little over two hour drive from The Strip keeps a lot of tourists away (except those from California), but even with the drive, we found it was totally worth every second.
