Beyond the Strip: How to Get Off the Beaten Path in Las Vegas
The land of neon lights and casinos is so much more than a trip along the Strip these days. And while the glitzy hotels and gaming tables are must-visit attractions, you can escape the crowds at some of Las Vegas' off-the-beaten-path offerings. Here’s how.
The Pinball Hall of Fame
Try your luck at a different type of game at the Pinball Hall of Fame, which features the world's largest pinball collection. As well as exhibiting machines and arcade games that date back to the 1950s, there’s an array of vintage machines that you can play.
Pro tip: For more, pick up the Go Las Vegas Explorer Pass and get included entry to Twilight Zone by Monster Mini Golf, where you can play Twilight Zone pinball and other arcade games.
Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
Located just off the Strip, this sweet spot offers family-friendly tours and tasting experiences that reveal how chocolate is sourced, refined, and produced. There’s also a 3-acre (1-hectare) cactus garden with more than 300 species of cacti and succulents, plus a gift shop where you’re given coolers to stop purchases melting in the desert heat.
Neon Museum
At the Neon Museum and Boneyard, wander among historic signs from Las Vegas' storied past. This outdoor museum exhibits 120 signs from old casinos and other businesses, and the visitor center is housed in the former lobby of La Concha Motel. Visit at night to see the signs light up.
The National Atomic Testing Museum
Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, this museum looks back at the history of the atomic age by focusing on the Nevada Test Site (Nevada National Security Site). Featuring more than 12,000 artifacts, the museum explores the impact of atomic bomb testing on the local Las Vegas community.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (not to be confused with the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado) boasts scenic drives, hiking trails, and a campground. Located just a few miles west of the city, the area’s vivid rocks—which are made of sandstone and rise more than 3,000 feet (914 meters) into the air—can be seen from the Strip.
Related: Unique experiences in Las Vegas
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Michele Laufik is a writer and editor, covering topics such as travel, beauty and wellness, and the events industry for various print and digital outlets. She recently moved from New York City and now calls Lexington her new Kentucky home. Michele has written for Glamour, NBCUniversal, Martha Stewart Living, PureWow, BizBash, among others.