10 Most Exciting Day Trips From Las Vegas To Explore In 2024 Beyond Casinos & Bars

22 Nov 2021

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Las Vegas is known for its luxurious glitz and glam which attracts many casino lovers and resort vacationers from every nook and corner of the world. However, there’s much more to this city apart from the casinos and a fast-paced life. One must definitely take some time out and plan day trips from Las Vegas to see the magnificent wonders present around this city for a unique experience away from the hustle bustle of the extravagant Las Vegas City.

10 Las Vegas Day Trips To Take With Friends In 2023

These ten different full and half day trips from Las Vegas will take you to some of the best cities around Vegas and will let you explore the varied culture of America as you move along!

1. Phoenix, Arizona

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This place is filled with several vibrant tourist attraction sites which would make for a great destination for vacationing with family and friends. It offers the perfect landscape for outdoor recreational activities which would lure any adventure seeker. Many ancient historic sites with remarkable architectural monuments can be seen when in Phoenix. It has everything from deserts, waterfalls, mountains, to lakes, offering a wholesome experience to every explorer. One can even opt for the 4-day Grand Canyon Tours from Las Vegas for a guided tour.

Distance from Las Vegas: 400 km
Places to see: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Hoover Dam

Must Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Las Vegas: The Entertainment Capital Of The World

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2. Springdale, Utah

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This city is 2.5 hours drive away from Sin-City, with natural picturesque surroundings. Springdale is the perfect option for a romantic day trips from Las Vegas for those couples who enjoy indulging in adventurous activities. One can take their bikes along or hike through the many hiking trails of the region to catch a glimpse of incredible scenic views with towering sandstone cliffs. The restaurants here, like the Bit & Spur Restaurant & Salon, offer a cozy and intimate environment for couples. This place is so popular that many paid 7-day tours from Las Vegas, organized by private companies ensure they include this in their itinerary.

Distance from Las Vegas: 160 km
Places to see: Zion Canyon, Pa’rus Trail, Zion Outfitter, Watchman Trail

3. Mount Charleston, Nevada

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Mount Charleston is the closest out of all overnight trips from Las Vegas, making it the perfect weekend getaway. The temperatures here are generally 20 to 30 degrees lower than that of Las Vegas city and it is most beautiful during winters, with snow-capped mountains and several adventure opportunities like skiing and snowboarding. During summers one can enjoy the rugged beauty of the towering peaks while driving or hiking through the various pathways.

Distance from Las Vegas: 70 km
Places to see: Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway, Mary Jane Falls Trail, Bristlecone Trail, Mt. Charleston Riding Stable

4. Pahrump, Nevada

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This is a small town which is one of the popular day trips in Las Vegas by car and makes for a perfect road trip with splendid scenery all along the way. The town is small in size but the opportunities and experiences offered here are extravagant. It is like a mini Las Vegas minus the crowd. Different wines, several grand casinos, golfing, RV resort, etc are some of the many things which one would get to enjoy here.

Distance from Las Vegas: 100 km
Places to see: Pahrump Valley Winery, Petrack Park, Pahrump Valley Museum, Gold Town Casino

5. Bryce Canyon, Utah

odd shaped peaks and pillars of mountains or rocks

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Bryce Canyon is a fascinating place and is one of the best 2 day trips from Las Vegas. The whole area is abundantly surrounded by the odd shaped peaks and pillars of mountains or rocks which are a resultant of the erosion activity in this area. The Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival is a major event which takes place here, as this area offers spectacular sky views during the night time.

Distance from Las Vegas: 420 km
Places to see: Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop Trail, Queens Garden Trail

6. Mojave Desert, California

sand dunes, tree forests, soaring mountains

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If you travel southwest from Las Vegas, you will find this perfect 2 day trip from Las Vegas in all its glory. It has one of the most diverse natural surroundings with sand dunes, tree forests, soaring mountains and hills, volcanic cinder stones and is home to many extinct animals of the United States. It is the driest desert in North America and therefore not much of greenery can be found here. One can also opt for bus tours from Las Vegas to California.

Distance from Las Vegas: 230 km
Places to see: Mojave National Preserve, Indian Wells Brewery, Death Valley National Park

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7. Los Angeles, California

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Las Vegas to Los Angeles day trip must be planned by all those travelers who are fascinated by Hollywood. It is the largest entertainment hub of the world housing many big movie production houses as well as the well-known Hollywood stars. It offers the opportunity to explore the exciting nightlife and serene beaches of the area. If one wishes to spot their favorite Hollywood star, then they can make a visit to Beverly Hills which is the most famous and posh area of Los Angeles.

Distance from Las Vegas: 440 km
Places to see: Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier

8. Lake Mead, Arizona

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This is one of the best day trips from Las Vegas which nature lovers are sure to enjoy. Lake Mead offers spectacular scenic views with red rock cliffs and is a home to the rarest and the most diverse animal and plant species of the area. One can witness the different varieties of flora and fauna all around. Many recreational activities like camping, water sports, hiking, are offered here.

Distance from Las Vegas: 50 km
Places to see: Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Callville Bay

9. Cedar City, Utah

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This is one of the most exciting destinations near Las Vegas with plenty of things to do for every kind of traveler. Cedar City hosts the famous Utah Shakespeare Festival and has managed to successfully bag many awards for this. There are many activities in which the travelers can indulge, like adventure sports, creative art museum, cultural shows by talented artists and much more.

Distance from Las Vegas: 270 km
Places to see: Southern Utah Museum of Art, Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, IG Winery and Tasting Room

10. Willow Beach, Arizona

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This beach is located at the border of Arizona and Nevada and is the perfect place which can be used as a base to travel to other nearby locales. Several water activities are offered here like boating and swimming. One may even set up a tent here and enjoy camping in this beautiful area with scenic surroundings. There are many shops renting out boats and other equipment as well as many tent camping sites which can be of use to the visitors here.

Distance from Las Vegas: 80 km
Places to see: Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, The Winged Figures of the Republic

Further Read: 10 Best USA Hotels For A Relaxing American Vacation

Apart from the above mentioned day trips from Las Vegas, there are several other places near this popular city. Plan your trip to the USA right away to explore them all!

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