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Beyond the Strip: 5 Epic Day Trips From Las Vegas

Trade glitzy casinos for wide-open desert views and quirky roadside attractions

two people hiking on gentle mountains
These destinations are at most a two-hour drive from the glitz of Las Vegas. Catch sunrise at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park — two hours from Vegas.
Getty Images
By

Erin Gifford,

 
AARP
Published November 19, 2024

Las Vegas is a vibrant and glamourous destination, ranked as one of the top U.S. vacation destinations for Americans over 50, according to AARP’s Travel Trends survey. But beyond the glitz and allure of the Strip, it’s a perfect jumping-off point for day trips that showcase stunning landscapes and unique attractions in the American Southwest, including the legendary Route 66.

“Vegas is so uniquely positioned. … We’re in the middle of nowhere, but we’re within a day tour drive time of so many fabulous places,” says Will Tryon, co-owner of Adventure Photo Tours, which offers guided sightseeing excursions from Las Vegas. “The stops along the way to get to these locations, that in itself is a sightseeing tour.”

As temperatures cool, now is the perfect time for adventures that go beyond the neon glow and blinging casinos of Las Vegas Boulevard. Whether you prefer desert vistas, historic highways, quirky roadside attractions, or even a hint of the extraterrestrial, here are five unforgettable day trip destinations to explore – all within a few hours of Las Vegas.

alien themed cafe
Rachel, Nevada, is known as the UFO Capital of the World. For food living up to the area’s hype, stop at Little A’Le’Inn.
Getty Images

1. Rachel, Nevada

If you’re fascinated by the unknown, take a drive along the Extraterrestrial Highway. Pick up this iconic 98-mile stretch of State Route 375 about 90 minutes north of Las Vegas, then go west toward Rachel, known as the UFO Capital of the World. “This is a pilgrimage to Mecca for the [alien] enthusiast,” admits Tryon. “There [are] a huge amount of people that look up at the sky and [wonder] … ‘Is there other life out there?’ ”

Make E.T. Fresh Jerky in Hiko your first stop for nearly two dozen jerky flavors, such as chili limon and teriyaki. Snap a photo of the mural of cowboy aliens outside before heading up the road to the Alien Research Center – a kitschy gift shop with a gigantic alien statue out front.

From here, it’s 38 miles to Rachel, a town of fewer than 50 residents. Fuel up at Alien Cowpoke, then stop at the famous Little A’Le’Inn for an Alien Burger topped with a super-secret alien sauce. Tryon says, “to go there, … touch it, and be there and have lunch at the famous Little A’Le’Inn,” is pretty special for a lot of guests on his tours. 

You’re a stone’s throw from Area 51, but given its top-secret nature, it’s strictly off-limits to the public. Continue on to the end of the scenic byway, where Warm Springs, an abandoned ghost town, marks the turn-around point.

Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve spans a vast 1.6 million acres of desert in southeastern California.
Getty Images

2. Mojave National Preserve, California

Slightly more than one hour south of Las Vegas, the Mojave National Preserve spans a vast 1.6 million acres of desert in southeastern California. Start your visit at the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center, which is open Friday through Monday. You’ll find brochures, passport stamps, postcards, and a half-mile nature trail. The main visitor center, Kelso Depot, is currently closed for repairs.

Head over to Kelso Dunes, one of the largest sand dune fields in the Mojave Desert. Hike to the top of the dunes for sweeping views of the seemingly endless sands. As you continue through the preserve, take time to explore the lava tube, a fascinating volcanic formation you can walk into, but be prepared for a bit of scrambling at the entrance.

As you make your way back to Las Vegas, pause for seemingly endless Joshua trees on Kelbaker Road, then gas up in Baker and snap a photo of the World’s Tallest Thermometer, a quirky roadside attraction. Grab a bite to eat in Primm, a mini Las Vegas of sorts with casinos, an outlet mall, and plenty of restaurants, even an exhibit featuring Bonnie and Clyde’s bullet-riddled getaway car.

a diner along route sixty six
Grab a bite to eat at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman, Arizona.
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3. Kingman, Arizona

Get your kicks on Route 66 by heading southeast from Las Vegas to Kingman, Arizona, a historic town that sits on this iconic road. It’s a 90-minute drive, and once you’re there, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. In reality, you’ve gone ahead in time as Arizona does not observe daylight saving time. From November to March, the state is one hour ahead of Las Vegas.

Stop in the Arizona Route 66 Museum, which tells the story of the “Mother Road” through photographs, memorabilia, historic artifacts, and a one-hour film. On the ground floor, the Electric Vehicle Museum features a collection of electric vehicles, both vintage and modern.

Next door, brush up on the history of Northwestern Arizona at the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. Even if you don’t go inside, have a look at the super-size mural on the building’s exterior, which traces the evolution of Route 66, from wild camels to cars.

For a classic diner experience – a must when on Route 66 – grab a bite at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner, famous for its root beer. The diner even earned a visit from Oprah Winfrey, whose photo with a frosty root beer in hand is proudly displayed on the wall. This retro spot serves up classic burgers and crispy onion rings with a heaping side of Route 66 nostalgia.

multi-colored rock formations
Fire Wave Trail takes you along the multi-colored rock formations of Fire Wave in Valley of Fire State Park.
Getty Images

4. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Less than an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. Its fiery-red sandstone formations and other-worldly landscapes make you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet. “It’s kind of Nevada’s best-kept secret,” says Tryon.

Start at the visitor center to learn about the park’s unique geology and history, including petroglyphs that date back more than 2,000 years. Explore some of the park’s signature trails, such as the Fire Wave Trail. This short hike across multi-colored rock formations rivals Arizona’s famed Wave (but without the need for a permit). During cooler months, you can hike trails that are closed in summer due to extreme heat, such as Pastel Canyon and White Domes.

A leisurely drive along the scenic Valley of Fire Road offers pull-offs to take in breathtaking viewpoints and formations, including Elephant Rock. There are no restaurants inside the park, so stock up on snacks and drinks before you arrive. The Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza, located at the state park turn-off from Interstate 15, is a convenient spot to re-fuel and grab supplies.

Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the contiguous U.S.
Courtesy Erin Gifford

5. Death Valley National Park, California

Death Valley National Park can be misunderstood as a barren desert, but as Matt Payes, 56, of Richmond, Virginia, discovered on a visit in 2022, “it’s so much more than that.” At more than 3 million acres, it’s the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Uniquely, it’s also the lowest, driest, and hottest national park in the U.S. park system.

Just two hours from Las Vegas, the east entrance at Death Valley Junction leads to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and its iconic digital thermometer, which can hit triple digits in summer. Next stop, Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Its other-worldly salt flats stretch for miles, creating a surreal landscape. “It’s just so different than anywhere else,” Payes says.

For sweeping panoramas, head to Dantes View, which sits at 5,575 feet above Badwater Basin. “If you go down to the desert floor, then you drive up to the top of this mountain, it’s all of a sudden an […] alpine setting, […] cooler than it was down below. … It was a pretty amazing view.” 

From here, motor along Artists Drive, a scenic 9-mile loop that leads to the trailhead for the short Artists Palette hike. Mineral deposits have painted the hillsides in pastel pinks, reds, and greens. Go in late-afternoon when the colors can be the most vibrant. Wrap up your day at Zabriskie Point, where sunrise and sunset offer breathtaking views across the rugged badlands.

Erin Gifford is a travel and outdoor writer based in northern Virginia. She has written for The Washington Post, Parents, Thrillist and The Wall Street Journal.

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