Wow. That was one long, hot summer. Thankfully, fall is here and the weather is beginning to cool, which means there’s no better time than right now to enjoy all things outdoors in Las Vegas. However, the city’s window for perfect fall weather is notoriously short, so you might want to try and pack all nine of these outdoor activities into your itinerary sooner than later.
1. Red Rock Canyon (702.515.5350) Need a place to refresh and decompress? Spend a quiet morning exploring the 13-mile scenic loop. Not only will you view swaths of peaceful, wide open desert landscapes, but you’ll discover several hiking trails that feature beautiful canyons, peaks and those wondrous red rock formations along the way.
2. Lake Las Vegas Water Sports (702.600.9860) This month might be your last chance to take a splash, so head down, rent a kayak, paddleboard or an electric boat, and float around the lake. But if you feel like getting extreme, strap into a Flyboard water jet pack, which shoots you into the air through water propulsion.
3. Railroad Pass Trail (702.293.8990) On this breezy, 7.5-mile round-trip trail, you’ll follow the path of the old railway that transported materials to Hoover Dam during its construction. Along the path, there are breathtaking views of Lake Mead, as well as five enormous tunnels that help measure the scope of one of, arguably, the greatest engineering feat of the last century.
4. Grand Canyon West (888.868.9378) OK, it’s not in Vegas, but it’s worth the day trip. Plus, this one-stop shop makes it easy for you. Step onto the glass-paneled Skywalk for unparalleled views, or hop on a shuttle that stops between Eagle Point and Guano Point and explore at your own pace.
5. Springs Preserve (702.822.7700) Known as the Central Park of Las Vegas, the 180-acre nature reserve offers wild, open space to hike, bike, or sightsee. Elsewhere on the property you’ll find a desert tortoise habitat, a botanical garden and Boomtown 1905, an exhibit that connects Vegas’ past with the present.
6. Neon Museum (702.387.6366) Las Vegas has a history of blowing up its history. Thankfully, this outdoor museum preserves little neon nuggets left behind from hotels and casinos long gone. More than 200 unrestored signs fill the space, and when the sun goes down, the signs are lit up in all their glory.
7. Rail Explorers Las Vegas (877.833.8588) Perfect for a date, take a 4-mile pedal-powered rail tour from the Nevada State Railroad Museum to Railroad Pass in Boulder City. A nighttime lantern stroll only adds to the romance and mystique.
8. Vegas ATV Adventures (702.254.0770) Kick up some dust and zip through terrain that’s part of the Mint 400 track. Jumps and turns make for an exhilarating ride, while straightaways allow for some epic chases between you and your friends.
9. Topgolf Las Vegas (702.933.8458) Hitting golf balls at the driving range is already fun. Add food, drink, entertainment and you get an experience like no other. Challenge your friends to games where the farthest and most accurate shots score the most points, or simply sit back and watch the balls fly.
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
