Las Vegas Off the Beaten Path Tips by goingsolo

I'll call this off the beaten path since many tourists don't make it off the Strip. I was almost one of them.

Downtown Las Vegas is close to the Strip and worth a trip just to see the old hotels. The Fremont Street Experience, and the ten minute show that's put on throughout the night every hour on the hour on an overhead screen, is a unique experience. The show is a series of computer generated moving pictures and is set to different types of music and, like the Bellagio fountains, is probably something you wouldn't want to see over and over, unless they keep changing it, which I heard was recently done. The new show began over the summer of 2004, and is supposed to be even better than the old one, which was pretty impressive. Visiting this area means you'll have to tear yourself away from the Strip, but standing on Fremont Street (or sitting at a table at Starbucks) and watching the projection 100 feet overhead create digital images, blast music ranging from calipso to hip hop and illuminate the street with two million lights is something to see and should be part of the Vegas experience.

I read recently that the show has been updated and, with the new technology, is even better than before. Its definitely a must see experience.

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At first glance, it appears that someone has violated FCC regulations here, but even in Vegas, certain words are not to be aired. The letters on the sign stand for "French Connection U K" If you read something different, take your mind out of the gutter..

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The ship bearing the logo of the New York Fire Department is in front of the NYNY Hotel.

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Henderson is the suburb just outside of Vegas. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and a large portion of its population works in tourist related occupations. Its interesting to drive about 15 miles away from the Strip and find yourself in a regular suburban neighborhood. The Vegas Strip seems larger than life, at least it did to me, but its just a small portion of this area.

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Like most hotels on the Strip, the Flamingo Hotel has an exhibit that's consistent with the theme of the hotel. Here you will find an outdoor habitiat of flamingoes and other tropical birds.

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Despite the fact that its minutes from the Strip, downtown Las Vegas is still considered by many as off the beaten path. The hotels are older and apprear far more run down than the gleaming behemoths that occupy prime real estate on Las Vegas Boulevard. But a visit to downtown is worth the cab ride just to take in the flashing neon billboards and the new and improved Fremont Street Experience.

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Numerous companies offer tours of the Grand Canyon by air and by shuttle bus. Personally, I'd recommend leaving a ground tour of the Canyon for another trip and taking the time to really experience the place. But seeing the Grand Canyon from the air is an incredible experience. If you have an extra day or simply want to get away from the Strip, an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon is something to consider.

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The Hoover Dam is a short day trip from Las Vegas. The dam took 5 years to build and now supplies power to 5 states. Tours of the dam are offered and are highly recommended. Since I visited on one of the worst weather days of the year, I skipped the tour. But its worth the 1/2 hour drive out here, even if its only to drive across the dam and see the view from 1200 feet. Its been described quite accurately as an engineering marvel, and it lives up to that comment.

For those visiting Vegas without renting a car, tours to the dam are offered by various companies.

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Lake Mead is just a short trip from Las Vegas. The 100 mile lake, which was created by the Hoover Dam, is an oasis of sorts, especially in the summer. The lake contains a resort area and marina which provides cruises and other opportunities for water based recreation.

Since I visited in late November and on one of the 60 or so not sunny days of the year, I didn't spend much time here. Freezing rain is not the ideal condition for a boat trip around a lake. But I figured I'd mention it as its a popular excursion for those seeking to leave the glittering excess of Las Vegas behind.

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One of the best things about Las Vegas is that you sure can get to a lot of great places from here. I'm kidding about that, but when you're sick of buffets, booze and big time gambling losses, there are a host of recreational opportunities less than an hour away.

Red Rock Canyon is one of the most popular. This National Conservation Area is a land of sculpted red rocks, trees and mountains in the background. A 21 mile loop road crosses the area and provides numerous viewpoints to stop and look at the scenery. Numerous sightseeing, hiking and ATV tours are offered from the Strip as well. But the biggest sports related draw is the great rock climbing of all levels that is available here.

To get to Red Rock Canyon, take 95 north to Charleston Boulevard, head west and follow the signs.

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