I’m sitting in Vancouver International Airport awaiting my Air Canada flight to Las Vegas and, I can genuinely say, I’m not overly happy about it.
Not because I’m flying Air Canada, but good guess…
It’s because I’m going back to a city I fear and loathe for the 4th time since May.
Can you believe that, after this trip, I will have spent a total of 18 nights in Las Vegas in the past 1 year…
And not a single one of those nights was for Bachelorette, despite the disgusting amount of weddings I’ve attended lately.
In fact, none of it was for anything delightfully sinful.
It was for business. Awesome business. A business that I love. But business nonetheless.
The reasons I dislike Vegas are pretty standard:
Crowds
Loud noises
Flashing lights
Evil Things (a side effect of 1-3)
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Cirque show… or a night sipping cocktails at the Cosmopolitan’s swanky Chandelier Bar… or even a night of dancing and phone-losing at Marquee (don’t ask).
But where is the adventure?! I don’t know about you but putting all my money on red just doesn’t make the cut.
So, back in May, on one of my many Vegas-a-thons, a good friend of mine suggested we go on an adventure and I was a big HELL YES.
I only had ONE RULE: Let’s get as far away from the strip as possible.
And that we did. We spent the day ripping through the desert on ATVs and even visited Techatticup, an old ghost town (famous for it’s cameo in 3000 Miles To Graceland) and an abandoned gold mine.
Well, let’s just say… shit got weird.
Rattle snakes in a freezer? Aliens on a bed? Plane wrecks. Now we’re talking
To date, that is the MOST FUN I’ve ever had in Vegas.
So, as I’m sitting here now, practicing for Vegas (I just got my second glass of white at Vino Volo, my favorite thing about YVR) I thought about what other adventures I could get up to in the City of Sin… and here’s what I found:
10 As-Far-Away-From-The-Strip-As-Possible Things To Do In Las Vegas, Baby!
1. Private ATV tour at Eldorado Canyon
1. Private ATV tour at Eldorado Canyon
If you want to experience the shenanigans I described above, this is it. It’s fun, really fun. I’d recommend hiring a private car to pick you up at your hotel, drive you to Eldorado Canyon and wait for you while you cruise through the desert and get real dirty on your ATV. Nothing beats air conditioning and a bottle of water when you’re done. Wear long pants because those ATVs can get hot!
2. Visit A Ghost Town
Aside from Techatticup, the Ghost Town you’ll visit before your ATV tour above, there are plenty of AWESOME abandoned mining town around Vegas. Keep your eyes peeled for broken down old cars, rattlers and ETs of any sort. Check out for a map of the best ones.
3. Check Out The Neon Boneyard
Ever wondered where all those glitzy Vegas signs and neon lights go to die? Me neither, but as it turns out… somewhere cool: the Neon Boneyard. Here you’ll find tons of old, legendary signs from closed-down hotels or casinos that are no more. Tours are offered daily. I’d recommend a night tour… you know, for the extra creep factor.
4. Climb Red Rock Canyon
Yes, you can actually do something active in Vegas, and it’s awesome. Red Rock Canyon is one of the best climbing spots in the Southwest U.S., known for its wicked rock formations and bright colors. If you’re not a climber, there are also hiking trails. Pack lots of water! On your way back to the strip, stop off at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa for a relaxing massage.
5. Skydive
For all you adrenaline junkies who like to fling yourself out of a rickety old airplane at 11,000 feet, may I suggest skydiving. Nothing beats seeing the wide open desert from a bird’s eye view. HINT: It looks pretty much the same as at 5’4” feet off the ground, but there’s more wind… and it makes you way more of a badass.
6. Walk The Grand Canyon Skywalk
Nothing cures a hangover like standing on a glass horseshoe-shaped bridge jutting out over the edge of the Grand Canyon 4,000 feet up. Am I right? This is a bit of tourist trap, but I have to admit, it’s pretty cool. If you can, go on a weekday when there is less people.
7. Dune Buggy
Because who doesn’t re-enact scenes from Mad Max at every possible chance? From what I can see, Sun Buggy are the peeps to go with. Go with a group of friends and take over the desert. Let’s ride, boys.
8. Drive An Exotic Car
This isn’t really my thing… but I have a feeling plenty of speed fiends are going to like this one. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to sit behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin while ripping down a race track at a million miles an hour, this is for you. You’re welcome.
9. Fly A Plane
If you have “Become A Pilot” on your bucket list, and are starting to feel like maybe the 5 years of flying school isn’t going to happen, check this out. At Sky Combat Ace, you can see Vegas from a totally different perspective: upside down and 5000 feet up. Choose the experience that suits you best: aerobatics, combat fighting, extreme sightseeing, or a combination of everything. Just make sure you go easy on the cheap Treasure Island Margaritas the night before. Spewing all over the place while barrel rolling in a tiny airplane no fiesta.
10. Hike To Gold Strike Hot Springs
Now this is totally my jam. Hike 6.5 miles / 10.5 km to the Gold Strike Natural Hot Springs for a nice long soak. This is the part of Vegas few people get to see. Bring a good book, swimmer’s and plenty of water for a beautiful afternoon adventure in the red rocky canyons of Nevada.
Viva (the weird and adventurous side of) Las Vegas!
Alexandra
