Trip of the Week

Beatty Days draws visitors for three days of fun and games

The last week in October remains special for Nevadans as they observe 145 years of statehood in various ways. Official celebration of the state’s birthday centers annually in Carson City, but other cities in Nevada plan special events as well.

Zion’s fall colors at their best during coming weeks

Zion National Park’s colorful autumn foliage delights visitors through a long, beautiful season. Early color among the stands of aspens in the park’s high back country peaks in mid-October and rapidly disappears. Just now beginning to show, the color in the park’s canyons lingers well into November along the Virgin River and other watercourses and in the Kolob portion of the park. Cottonwoods, box elder, maple and others do their best for visitors during coming weeks.

Nevada’s wineries offer unique experience, increased tourism

Joining a national trend of proliferating vineyards and wineries, Nevada’s fledgling wine industry now numbers three wineries, one each in Pahrump Valley in Southern Nevada, in the Lahontan Valley near Fallon and in the Carson Valley near Genoa. Each offers a different experience for visitors and a new attraction for increased tourism.

Long past the golden days, Oatman thrives on tourism

In its gold mining heyday, Oatman, Ariz., claimed 10,000 residents and thousands of travelers passing through on Route 66, America’s “Mother Road.” Today, the ghost town thrives on tourism, with half a million people annually finding their way to this unusual town where wild desert burros begging for snacks have the right-of-way and gunslingers battle on the main drag several times a day.

Santa Clara River, Gunlock Lake attract scenery lovers and recreation fans

The beautiful and sometimes boisterous Santa Clara River in southwestern Utah provides scenery and recreation from its source in the Pine Valley Mountains to its end, where it joins the Virgin River near St. George. Fishermen, boaters, hikers, mountain bikers, campers and scenery-seeking travelers follow the little river to find outdoor enjoyment from the region’s major attractions.

Pahrump offers several fall community events

Pahrump Valley styles itself the “Valley of Festivals,” scheduling various kinds of community activities throughout the year. With summer’s heat abating, oncoming autumn provides perfect weather for outdoor community events such as the upcoming Pahrump Wild West Extravaganza, Friday-Sept. 20, the Fall Festival Old-Fashion County Fair, Sept. 24-27, Pahrump Valley Winery’s annual Grape Stomp on Sept. 26 and the County Days Arts and Crafts Fair in October.

field	question	answer
i_1	I'm staying on the Strip. What's a must-see attraction?	The Las Vegas Strip is full of iconic sights. We narrowed down the list to a handful that you can check out for free or at a (relatively) low cost. The attractions range from a free, 14,000-square-foot garden at Bellagio to riding a gondola through the Venetian, as well as The High Roller, Shark Reef, Sphere Experience, rides at the Strat and The Fountains of Bellagio. Check out the attractions.
i_2	Where should I grab a drink in downtown Las Vegas?	As the downtown Arts District has grown in recent years, so has its bar scene. We highlight five of the best spots to grab a cold one or a high-end cocktail. This list has something for everyone, including a punk rock dive bar, a hidden experimental cocktail bar, locals' favorites and many more. Stop by Liquid Diet, Velveteen Rabbit, Berlin Bar, Rebar, Garagiste and others. Check it out.
i_3	What are the most unique experiences in Las Vegas?	Plenty of gems throughout the Silver State await those who are willing to wander outside of the Las Vegas Valley. For those with desert wanderlust — or who would enjoy a skydiving free fall with views of Hoover Dam at 120 mph — the list is fodder for bucket lists and exploration. It also includes a hot spring in ghost town Gold Point, mining Nevada's state gemstone, climbing Mount Whitney near Reno, zip-lining the Fremont Street Experience and clear-boat canoeing on Lake Tahoe. Read the guide.
i_4	What are some family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas?	The first day of school is fast approaching for K-12 students, but there’s still time for summer fun. Whether the family wants to get up close and personal with wildlife, explore nature, experience immersive art or cool off in a nice pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone before school bells toll again Aug. 12. This includes seeing big cats at Lion Habitat Ranch, the Flamingo wildlife habitat, the "origins of Las Vegas" at Springs Preserve and more. See our guide.
i_5	Which resort pools admit Las Vegas locals?	As the sun beats hotter and hotter on the Las Vegas Valley throughout the summer, locals without an easy way to cool down may find themselves jealous of the tourists relaxing on their poolside lounge chairs. But there’s no need for bad vibes. Several resorts around the Las Vegas Valley allow area residents into their resort pool areas — some even for free, like Palms and Park MGM. Get your swim on.
i_6	I want to hit the club but don't know where to start. Where should I go?	Twenty-thousand-pound chandeliers, lighting rigs designed to look like spacecraft and $40,000 bottle service. No, there’s nothing quite like the nightlife scene in Las Vegas. But with so many high-end clubs vying for your dollar (dollars by the thousand, to be more accurate), where to begin? Right here with this guide to some of the biggest and best spots on the Strip: Drai's, Hakkasan, Marquee, Omnia and others.