Outdoors

Here are the best outdoorsy events happening in Las Vegas this week

Las Vegas is surrounded by outdoor beauty, from mountains to rivers to wildlife habitat and so much more. And locals know it — these events, often free and limited to a small group, fill up quickly.

Gala celebrates White Horse Youth Ranch milestones

Hannah Newmaker’s voice quivered as she delivered a speech at the White Horse Youth Ranch’s gala event July 19 in Las Vegas. Nearly 70 people rose in a standing ovation, fueling Hannah’s confidence to finish.

Valleywide recreation briefs for Aug. 7-13, 2014

TENNIS COACHES’ WORKSHOP SCHEDULED

Time to set up your NFL viewing place

Football season is coming. And, to celebrate the return of pro football to our TV screens, the Las Vegas Review-Journal is again compiling a directory of valley bars that cater to fans of individual NFL teams.

LV Neon 97 win Presidents Cup soccer title

The LV Neon 97 brought home first place in the 2014 U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup July 13 in Greenville, S.C., in the under 17 boys category. This is the first time a Las Vegas team has won first place in the tournament. The team is coached by Jorge A. Lorza and Jose Perez.

Nearby Big Bear Lake offers cool retreat from desert’s summer heat

Perched among the tops of pine trees blanketing Onyx Peak, I stand on a metal platform. There’s no way down the platform nested on a single, steel trunk. No stairs. No ladder. But there is a way down.

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.