• Hoover Dam

According to campingship, Nevada does not only consist of desert and mountains, it has two recreational areas with Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead, which make every water sport possible. Lake Mead is dammed by America’s largest dam, the Hoover Dam. The 221 m high dam dams the Colorado River and is located about 50 km east of Las Vegas. It was built from 1931 to 1936 and was a technical masterpiece in its time. The power plant is huge. An information center shows interesting exhibitions and a model of the reservoir (guided tours approx. Half an hour, lifts take you to the power plant). The dam was named after Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the USA. The US 93 crosses the dam. Tip: If you park on the Nevada side, you have to use a paid parking garage. If you drive into Arizona you will find free parking there.

• Lake Mead

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States by volume. It forms a more than 160 km long water reserve with a 885 km long shoreline and a depth of up to 152 m. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a huge recreation area around the two reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Mojave on the state border of Arizona and Nevada. The Alan Bible Visitor Center, about 4 miles from the dam, provides more information (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily).

• Mt. Charleston, Toiyabe National Forest & Lee Canyon-Ski Area

Miles of hiking and mountain biking terrain, only 50 km from Las Vegas. The pine forests offer shady spots for a picnic, for horse rides in summer and for skiing in winter. You can reach Mt. Charleston on State Highway 156. From Las Vegas, take US 95 North to State Highway 156. It is about 17 miles west to Mt. Charleston. In the Lee Canyon ski area there are nine runs, three two-person chairlifts and a ski hut (only open during the day). The ski resort is open from Thanksgiving (late November) through Easter. Up to the summit, strap on your skis and hit the slopes. The USA offers many opportunities for fantastic ski vacations. But before you start your trip, you should check that you have everything with you: Checklist for a ski holiday in the USA.

• Red Rock Canyon

The Red Rock Canyon emerged from a 400 million year old sea bed. The geological formations and the sandstone sculptures created by wind erosion are fascinating. The gray Paleozoic Kaibab limestone, the colorful Moenkopi, Shinarump and Chinle formations from the Triassic and the petrified dunes of the red, white and yellow Aztec sandstone of the Middle Jurassic are decisive. The Red Rock Canyon is located about 17 miles west of Las Vegas, in the middle of Nevada’s high desert. A 21 km long toll road leads through the approx. 330 km² area.

• Valley of Fire State Park

• Downtown

The area of ​​Freemont Street with its side streets represents the old guard of the gamer’s paradise.

• Rio
• 3700 W. Flamingo Rd.

The Rio is half a mile west of the Strip on sleepy Flamingo Road. Large neon signs are intended to draw the attention of drivers on nearby Interstate 15. The facade is made of black glass and a purple light show illuminates the night sky (can be seen from almost every point in the city). From the top of the newer hotel tower you have a nice view of the Strip.

Masquerade Village: A carnival takes place every two hours between noon and midnight, with a parade through the premises and actors on the stage. Participation costs approximately $ 10. In addition, it is a must-see shopping mall in competition with Caesars’ Forum.

Show in the Sky: There are 12-minute presentations at different times. The Show in the Sky takes place daily at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6.30 p.m., 7.30 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. and is free of charge.

World`s Tallest Observation Wheel: In 2004 the Rio will build the world’s largest Ferris wheel at a cost of 86 million dollars. It will have 30 so-called “Orbitor” cabins, each of which can accommodate up to 20 passengers and a total of 600 feet (= 183 meters) high. The opening is planned for July 2005.

Carnival World Buffet: This is a buffet offering just like in the earlier days of the Strip: the low price is intended to attract visitors. The quality is considered to be excellent. The offer is diverse, so there are also Chinese, Mexican, Japanese and Thai dishes in addition to pasta, barbecue and fish’n chips. The choice of desserts is large. The offer has got around, the queues are long.

Village Seafood Buffet: The more expensive Village Seafood Buffet with lunch or dinner for $ 25 also has a good price-performance ratio.

• Las Vegas Hilton
• 3000 Paradise Road

The Las Vegas Hilton is half a mile east of the Strip, behind the Riviera. It is primarily a hotel for business travelers and is best reached by car. The more than 3000 rooms meet all standards, but are usually more expensive than comparable competitors. The Las Vegas Hilton became famous because Elvis Presley celebrated his triumphant live comeback here, a statue of Elvis in the main lobby still reminds of this today. Warning: when you speak of the “Hilton” in Las Vegas, you mean this hotel, the Flamingo Hilton on the Strip is called the “Flamingo”.

Star Trek: The Experience: An interactive adventure world around the spaceship Enterprise, one of the most popular attractions of Las Vegas and therefore long waiting times. Over 200 enterprise costumes, weapons, makeup demos, special effects and props in the History of the Future Museum. In addition, a simulator journey through distant galaxies and of course shopping and galactic dining options.

The 18-minute Klingon Encounter ends in a wild simulator ride.

• Sam’s Town
• 5111 Boulder Hwy.

Sam’s Town is 6 miles east of the Strip, along Flamingo Rd. Where Nellis Blvd. and Boulder Hwy. cross. The atrium of the facility has a large glass roof and attempts are made to create the atmosphere of New York’s Central Park with the backdrop and sounds. The approximately 650 rooms are furnished in Western style; the audience is mostly older. Due to the relatively remote location, a visit is only worthwhile if you are already taking a trip to the Hoover Dam. Free shuttle buses connect Sam’s Town to Stardust on the Strip and Fremont in downtown.

Sunset Stampede: Free laser and light show four times a day (2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm).

• Liberace Museum
• 1775 E. Tropicana Ave.

The show star Liberace, who died on February 4, 1986, lives on here. His extravagant lifestyle, which many find kitschy, is documented in this museum two miles east of the Strip: elaborate costumes, numerous pianos and cars.

• Nevada State Museum
• 700 Twin Lakes Dr.

The museum in Lorenzi Park shows local history from the first Indians to the emergence of the glittering city of Las Vegas.

• Las Vegas Natural History Museum
• 900 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

A journey through time, from the dinosaurs to the animals of today. The fossil collection includes cave bears and the skull and foot of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. There are several animated Sauerier representations.

• Song Discovery Children’s Museum
• 833 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

A place for interaction that children love. Science and technology presented to make you curious.

• Mormon Fort
• 908 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

This is where it all started in Las Vegas. The first Mormons settled here in 1855. In 1990 the state acquired the property for $ 300,000 and is now open to visitors. However, only the remains of the old settlement can be seen.

• Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas
• 4510 Paradise Rd.

Since the beginning of 2004, the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas has been diagonally across from the “Hard Rock Cafe” on Paradise Road. It is the first original copy of the Munich Hofbräuhaus, not just a licensee like in Cincinnati, Finland or Hong Kong. The Bavarian export item “Hofbräuhaus” is extremely popular in the USA. And some claim that the copy now made in Las Vegas is better than the original. The result is a 1: 1 copy of the Munich Hofbräuhaus. The Schwemme (Main Beer Hall) can seat up to 400 guests. Beer and the “Bavarian Snacks” are served by waitresses in dirndls and with an expansive cleavage. There are giant schnitzel, long sausages and dumplings for roast pork (Munich Pork Roast). A butcher of German origin in Canada makes meat and sausage, the pretzels come frozen from Bavaria and the beer in refrigerated containers from Staatliche Hofbräu AG in Munich. There is also a beer garden, even if the chestnut trees are made of plastic, because real ones would not be able to withstand temperatures of up to 45 degrees. “It’s time for German Gemütlichkeit” is the slogan, “Schuhflattelt” is the order of the day and the command “oans, zwoa, gsuffa” is drunk, the Maß beer for 9.99 dollars. It cost twelve million dollars to build the copy of the Hofbräuhaus. The property is to be sold again after eight years. State Hofbräu AG in Munich has the right of first refusal.

Shows

According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Bureau, 71% of all visitors to the city saw a show in 2006 and spent an average of $ 106 each. The trend is away from individual entertainers and towards presentations in Hollywood format. The Canadian Cirque du Soleil alone is represented with 6 productions. In order to get a seat, it is often necessary to book months in advance. You can do this with numerous professional ticket providers. The safest way, however, is to make a reservation through the website of the hotel / casino where the theater is presenting the show.

Marry

Las Vegas, like many other cities in Nevada, such as Reno, is a marriage paradise. The barriers to the bond of life are very low:

• Minimum age 18 years,
• valid passport, if applicable divorce certificate or death certificate of the deceased partner,
• Wedding license (the marriage license is issued in the County Courthouse for a fee – approx. $ 35; both partners must appear in person, 200 S. 3rd Street, Las Vegas, NV 89155),
• Groomsmen.

The wedding ceremony is carried out by a registrar or a licensed wedding chapel and must be certified. The most cost-effective way to certify the documents – together with the translation of the document – is by the consulate in your own country or by the honorary consul in Las Vegas. (925 East Desert Inn Rd., Suite C, Las Vegas, NV 89109).

In the context of the wedding, all wishes are possible, from the Elvis double with singing to a balloon ride, the limits are only drawn by your own wallet. The so-called theme weddings range in price from around $ 600 to $ 20,000 and more.

Climate and Weather

The sun shines up to 320 days a year, the temperatures vary considerably between winter and summer, the humidity is low, and the rainfall is around 110 mm per year. In summer it can get extremely hot: up to 40 degrees Celsius between June and mid-September. The main travel times are therefore spring (blooming desert) and autumn, i.e. the months April / May and mid-September to mid-November. The holidays Christmas / New Year and Easter are in absolute high season. It is quietest in the first weeks of December and the last weeks of January as well as in June and July. On windy days, large clouds of sand can lie over the city.