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.

Red Rock Audubon Society campaign to focus on Mount Charleston birds

The Red Rock Audubon Society is looking for some extra eyes on the sky and allies on land thanks to a $15,000 grant. The society hopes to highlight the 226 varieties of birds that flock to Mount Charleston.

Las Vegas-based summer camps accepting registration

Summer camps across the Las Vegas Valley are already filling up. Offerings run the gamut from the outdoors and specialty camps to music and the arts.

Las Vegas-based group explores Southern Nevada searching for rock art

The Mojave Desert is full of pictographs and petroglyphs and the Southern Nevada Rock Art Association is keen on learning of new finds and helping preserve already known ones.

Bask in Black Canyon’s beauty by boat

One of the quickest ways to get a complete change of scenery, and a stunning one at that, is to visit Black Canyon, the 11-mile stretch of the Colorado River that lies below Hoover Dam. This rugged canyon, where walls tower more than 1,000 feet, is most easily accessed by boat, and seeing it at your own pace is one of the best ways to enjoy it.

Las Vegas kids get on the ice

It isn’t often a group of 7- and 8-year-old kids get the chance to play their favorite game in front of 5,000 screaming fans, but that’s what happened for 40 kids from the Las Vegas Ice Center’s Mite Division on April 2.

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.