Disclaimer: The following post is in partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. As always, all opinions are my own! This post contains affiliate links.
When most people think of visiting Las Vegas, it’s all about partying at casinos and the glitz and glam of The Strip. But the truth is, there’s much more to Vegas than mega-casinos and pool parties. While that’s fun for some trips, it’s also nice to explore everything BEYOND The Strip, from museums to nature spots or the old Vegas vibes of Fremont Street. That’s why when Marriott Hotels invited me to come experience a different side of Vegas, I jumped at the chance! So, without further ado, here’s my quick guide of things to do and where to stay in Vegas off-Strip.
Table of Contents
Where To Stay
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa
This is where we stayed during our trip, and it was so nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip. This property has no casino and is smoke-free, so that’s already quite different from your “typical” Vegas experience. The resort is located on Lake Las Vegas, putting it in a beautiful desert oasis. You can spend your afternoon at the spa, golfing, or kayaking the lake, as just a few options on property. If you’re looking for peace and relaxation, this hotel is perfect for that. Don’t miss out on dining at Marssa, one of the restaurants on property, while you’re here as well! Book your own stay here.
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa
One afternoon, we spent the day exploring the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, which is a one-stop shop type of resort. Here, you can find everything you’d need in Vegas, from a casino to restaurants, a large pool area (including waterfall features), so you never have to leave the resort if you don’t want to. We enjoyed our day there, including bamboo massages at Spa Aquae (make sure to give yourself time to enjoy the hydrotherapy pools before and after your treatment), some time in a private cabana by the pool, hair blow-outs at the salon, and topped it all off with a fantastic dinner at Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles.
The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa
If you’re looking to stay right off-Strip, the The Westin Las Vegas is a great choice. It’s easily walkable to The Strip from The Westin Las Vegas, but you still get a little more rest and relaxation at this casino-less property. We spent our afternoon lounging in a poolside cabana here, enjoying the view from the pool over The Strip and the High Roller Observation Wheel.
Things To Do
Tour The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum hosts an impressive collection of Las Vegas’s iconic neon signage. You can tour the museum day or night – at night, they light up some of the restored neon signs! The Neon Boneyard Park features famous signs such as the Stardust, Liberace, Sahara, La Concha, Caesars Palace, and more. You can buy tickets and plan your visit here.
If neon isn’t for you, another museum you can check out is the Mob Museum, showing the history of organized crime vs the law in Vegas. Or, there’s also the Atomic Testing Museum, where you can learn about the history of America’s nuclear testing.
Drive Through Valley of Fire State Park
Though it’s a bit longer of a trek at 50 miles away from the city, Valley of Fire State Park is an incredible day trip to do while in Vegas. Driving through the park, you’ll see the stunning red sandstone that gives the park its name. In the summer, this place heats up quite a lot, so I recommend going there for sunrise (and it’s beautiful in the early morning light), and then heading out when the sun starts to blaze. We did this on our own trip while staying at The Westin Lake Las Vegas, arriving at the park around 7am and leaving around 9:30am as the heat got harsher. If you have enough time, you can also make the drive to Death Valley National Park across state lines in California.
Go Off-Roading at Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is just a short drive away from the city, and offers plenty of hiking and biking trails for all skill levels. As the name suggests, the canyon is covered in beautiful red rocks, making for some fantastic photo ops. If you’re interested in a tour, there are several fun options here that you can see below, such as e-biking or a 4×4 off-roading experience in an open-air Jeep Wrangler. If you’ve never been on an off-roading tour before, they’re super fun!
SEE ALSO: The Quick Guide to Reno and North Lake Tahoe
Zipline Across Fremont Street
I feel like a visit to Vegas isn’t complete without a night out on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. This is the land of Elvis impersonators, $1 fried Oreos, cheap slots, and more. If you want to do something a little exciting, you can try the SlotZilla zipline that runs all the way down Fremont Street, sending you flying over the heads of the crowds below. They also have a show every hour, the Fremont Street Experience, that showcases different music and visuals on the second largest video screen in the world (which the zipline runs under)!
Photograph the Seven Magic Mountains
These seven rainbow totems are probably my favorite thing to photograph currently in the Las Vegas area. They’re free to visit, and about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying at The Westin Lake Las Vegas. Each totem is 30-35 feet tall and is comprised of giant painted neon rocks. So if you’re into colorful photo spots, this is the place for you!
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Death Valley Road Trip
Hike to Natural Hot Springs
Did you know there are hot springs you can visit near Vegas? The closest two are Gold Strike Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs, both located near Hoover Dam. Both of these locations are true natural hot springs, which means you do have to hike to them. The easier of the two is Arizona Hot Springs, but still be prepared for a 3 mile hike down a flat sandy wash. If you’re looking for more adventure options beyond that, check out some of the tour options shown below, including kayaking in Black Canyon!
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