Five musts off the Las Vegas Strip

Jim Byers
Published Nov 16, 2016  •  < 1 minute read
  1. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: Downtown Las Vegas has become a hot spot for folks looking for an alternative to The Strip. Container Park is a lovely series of shops and restaurants fashioned out of old railway containers, with a generous sprinkling of play areas for kids and an outdoor stage for free musical performances. Shops sell everything from exotic jewelry to the latest fashions. The Neon Museum (pictured), also known as the Neon Boneyard, contains hundreds of fantastic old neon signs from the likes of the old Stardust and Sahara hotels. Not far away is the Mob Museum, where you can read about not only the local crime scene but see interesting bits about organized crime in Montreal, Toronto and Windsor, Ont. (Mark Daniell/Postmedia Network)
  2. RED ROCK CANYON: This is a glorious stretch of public land just west of Las Vegas. Calico Ridge is a long stretch of exposed rock that glows a deep orange-red at sunrise or sunset, with fantastic climbing and hiking opportunities for everyone from young children to experienced climbers. Boulders have been pounded and twisted into cool shapes over millions of years. Further along there’s a small canyon where sweet spring water often flows. Tour guides can point out everything from ancient, native American hand prints to pinyon trees bearing wild pine nuts. There’s a nice visitor centre that explains the flora, fauna and history of the area. (Getty Images)
    RED ROCK CANYON: This is a glorious stretch of public land just west of Las Vegas. Calico Ridge is a long stretch of exposed rock that glows a deep orange-red at sunrise or sunset, with fantastic climbing and hiking opportunities for everyone from young children to experienced climbers. Boulders have been pounded and twisted into cool shapes over millions of years. Further along there’s a small canyon where sweet spring water often flows. Tour guides can point out everything from ancient, native American hand prints to pinyon trees bearing wild pine nuts. There’s a nice visitor centre that explains the flora, fauna and history of the area. (Getty Images)
  3. AUTO THRILLS: If you’ve dreamed of driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini around a track in the Nevada desert, Speed Vegas is the place for you. This is a company that offers packages for as little as $49 US. Options include everything from a single lap in a Corvette Z06 or Ferrari 458 to eight laps in a couple varieties of heart-pumping Lamborghinis. I took a ride last year in a Ferrari that rattled and hummed like a rocket, as well as a super-smooth and sexy Porsche 911 convertible I still dream about. (Courtesy Speed Vegas)
    AUTO THRILLS: If you’ve dreamed of driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini around a track in the Nevada desert, Speed Vegas is the place for you. This is a company that offers packages for as little as $49 US. Options include everything from a single lap in a Corvette Z06 or Ferrari 458 to eight laps in a couple varieties of heart-pumping Lamborghinis. I took a ride last year in a Ferrari that rattled and hummed like a rocket, as well as a super-smooth and sexy Porsche 911 convertible I still dream about. (Courtesy Speed Vegas)
  4. EL DORADO CANYON MINE: Even a lot of Las Vegas residents don’t know about this place, but it’s a super-cool throwback spot south of Boulder City. El Dorado was an important gold mine from the 1880s up until World War II or so. A family took it over a few years ago and cleaned out some of the old mine shafts. They now offer tours where you can walk through narrow but passable (and not remotely scary) mine trails, where you’ll learn about the gold-digging process and also can hear tales of murders and ghosts. Outside you’ll find a series of old-time wooden buildings and retro gas station signs, as well as displays of local history and oddities that range from old tobacco cans to Richard Nixon's watches. (Jim Byers/Special to Postmedia Network)
    EL DORADO CANYON MINE: Even a lot of Las Vegas residents don’t know about this place, but it’s a super-cool throwback spot south of Boulder City. El Dorado was an important gold mine from the 1880s up until World War II or so. A family took it over a few years ago and cleaned out some of the old mine shafts. They now offer tours where you can walk through narrow but passable (and not remotely scary) mine trails, where you’ll learn about the gold-digging process and also can hear tales of murders and ghosts. Outside you’ll find a series of old-time wooden buildings and retro gas station signs, as well as displays of local history and oddities that range from old tobacco cans to Richard Nixon's watches. (Jim Byers/Special to Postmedia Network)
  5. DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN: This community has been known as a bedroom suburb of Vegas for years, but they’re building a new identity thanks to projects such as Downtown Summerlin. It’s a massive project that will introduce hundreds of shops, like home décor and kitchen places, clothing stores and restaurants like Andiron Steak and Sea restaurant, which has a cool interior and a glorious, shady patio. The penne with pomodoro had a silky sauce and was bursting with fresh basil flavour, and they do a fun and super-tasty waffle with macaroni and cheese inside. Finish things off with a miniature crème brulee donut that has a caramelized, crunchy exterior and smooth vanilla custard inside. There’s also a community farmer’s market every Saturday. (Getty Images/Jim Byers/Special to Postmedia Network)
    DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN: This community has been known as a bedroom suburb of Vegas for years, but they’re building a new identity thanks to projects such as Downtown Summerlin. It’s a massive project that will introduce hundreds of shops, like home décor and kitchen places, clothing stores and restaurants like Andiron Steak and Sea restaurant, which has a cool interior and a glorious, shady patio. The penne with pomodoro had a silky sauce and was bursting with fresh basil flavour, and they do a fun and super-tasty waffle with macaroni and cheese inside. Finish things off with a miniature crème brulee donut that has a caramelized, crunchy exterior and smooth vanilla custard inside. There’s also a community farmer’s market every Saturday. (Getty Images/Jim Byers/Special to Postmedia Network)

1 of 5

The Strip brings the glitz, but there is a lot more to Las Vegas than casinos, celebrity residencies and nightlife. Here are a few great things to do off The Strip.

DEAL OF THE WEEK: Air Canada has a sale on for Canadian cities and destinations around the world. One-way flights from Toronto to Cancun are $244. Some restrictions apply. www.aircanada.com.

Recommended Videos

Advertisement
Trending
Read Next
Page was generated in 1.4569160938263