The Strip may be the heart of Las Vegas, but there’s so much more to Sin City than the casino resorts and bright lights of Las Vegas Boulevard.
If you have time (and energy!) to explore beyond the Strip, be sure to check out these unique attractions:
1. Fremont Street
Distance from the Strip: 7 miles
Also known as Glitter Gulch, Fremont Street is located in Las Vegas’s downtown core. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare features a zip line, casinos, live music, and nightly light shows displayed on an LED-lit canopy.
Take Betsy and Pete’s advice! While you’re downtown, be sure to check out…
2. The Neon Museum
Distance from the Strip: 7 miles
Explore a historic collection of Las Vegas’s neon signage, preserved and displayed in indoor exhibits, as well as the renowned outdoor “neon boneyard”. Suzanne from The Travel Bunny “love[s] the Neon Boneyard, where all the old vintage Vegas signs from the original hotels and casinos are laid to rest”:
Guided tours run seven days a week. Learn more.
3. The Mob Museum
Distance from the Strip: 7 miles
While you’re in downtown Las Vegas, take a trip back in time and explore the history of organized crime through interactive exhibits and immersive storylines.
4. The Grand Canyon
Distance from the Strip: 125-280 miles
Take a break from the city and journey to one of the most breathtaking sights in the United States. The iconic South Rim is about a 5 hour drive from the Strip, while the West Rim is only about 2.5-3 hours away. There are many guided tours that depart right from the Strip, including bus, airplane, and helicopter tours complete with floor landings, champagne toasts, and unparalleled photo ops. Many of our Grand Canyon tours depart from right from the Strip.
Learn more about the Grand Canyon—check out our Grand Canyon Visitor Guide.
Browse Grand Canyon Tours
5. Satisfy your need for speed at Exotics Racing
Distance from the Strip: 2 miles
Speed demons, rejoice! At Exotics Racing, you can choose from a range of luxury and exotic vehicles and drive your dream car around their 1.2 mile racing track, complete with 1,800 foot straightaway where you can reach speeds up to 130 mph.
6. The Hoover Dam
Distance from the Strip: 35 miles
One of the world’s most spectacular engineering marvels is just a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip. Descend into the dam, view it from indoor and outdoor platforms, and even from two states! You can also combine your Hoover Dam tour with a Lake Mead or Colorado River Cruise.
Deb from Aroundusty Roads recalls her trip to the Hoover Dam:
Browse Hoover Dam Tours
7. Check out a shark tank
Distance from the Strip: 7 miles
Located in downtown Las Vegas inside the Golden Nugget hotel, this shark tank also includes a three-storey waterslide, making it the perfect off-Strip destination for families travelling with kids.
Get more tips for visiting Las Vegas with your kids.
8. Stroll through the Springs Preserve Botanical Gardens
Distance from the Strip: 6 miles
The Springs Preserve Botanical Gardens contains the largest collection of Mojave desert cacti and succulents in the area, as well as a butterfly habitat. It’s a must-visit attraction for nature lovers and families.
9. Red Rock Canyon
Distance from the Strip: 20 miles
Experience the true beauty of the Southwest desert just a few short minutes outside of Las Vegas. The Strip is actually visible from Red Rock Canyon!
If you need a change of scenery or simply want to step back into nature, this much-loved desert oasis is perfect for half-day or full-day excursions.
Learn more about Red Rock Canyon.
Visit Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon SUV Tour
$118See the famous Red Rock Canyon up close!
Just a few minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon is home to some of the Southwest’s most recognizable formations. See them all as you traverse the National Conservation Area’s 13-mile scenic loop on this unique tour.
10. Bounce around at a trampoline park
Distance from the Strip: 5 miles
SkyZone Las Vegas was the world’s first indoor trampoline park. With open jumping, Ultimate Dodgeball (AKA dodgeball on a trampoline), SkySlam (that’s trampoline basketball), and a foam zone, SkyZone has something for visitors of any age.
11. The Atomic Testing Museum
Distance from the Strip: 2 miles
The Atomic Testing Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. The museum tells the story of America’s nuclear testing program, complete with a replica of the control point where nuclear detonation countdowns occurred.
12. Death Valley
Distance from the Strip: 120 miles
Death Valley is home to the lowest, hottest, and driest spot in North America. It’s continually shifting landscape, diverse wildlife and vegetation, and unique geological features make it one of the most intriguing landscapes in the Southwest.
13. First Friday
Distance from the Strip: 5 miles
On the first Friday of every month, Las Vegas artists, artisans, and musicians gather downtown to share their work through live music, visual and performing arts, and delicious food. Culture buffs can’t miss this monthly peek into Las Vegas’s burgeoning art scene.
14. Explore wetlands
Distance from the Strip: 10 miles
Learn about native wildlife and local ecology at the Clark County Wetlands Park, where you can explore the habitats of the more than 300 species of plants and animals that inhabit the Las Vegas Wash. Guided discovery walks and family programs are available.
15. Valley of Fire
Distance from the Strip: 55 miles
Named for its distinctive red sandstone formations, the Valley of Fire State Park consists of over 42,000 acres of rugged desert terrain, complete with iconic rock formations, petroglyphs, canyons and hoodoos.
Learn more about the Valley of Fire.
Visit the Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire SUV Tour
$185Explore the Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park!
Explore the Valley of Fire in a custom built Tour Trekker SUVs. You’ll see Atlatl Rock where, thousands of years ago, indigenous people created mysterious artwork that is still visible today.
The Ultimate Las Vegas Visitor Guide
Find answers to all your questions about Las Vegas in our Ultimate Guide!
