• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Red Rock, as it is called by locals, is a great place to drive, bike, or hike. There is a 13 mile, one way, loop road that provides access to many side roads and paths. If you hunt closely, you may be able to find petroglyphs or pottery shards left behind by the various Indian tribes that originally populated the area

• Spring Mountain Ranch State Park: Located within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, it was once owned by Howard Hughes. It is one of the oldest ranches in Nevada and includes a blacksmith shop and a sandstone ranch house. It also includes shaded picnic sites with tables and grills. In the summer, you can take in a play put on by Super Summer Theater. If you are really lucky, you can hear the resident donkeys brae during the play. The entrance fee is $15 for non-Nevada residents.

• Valley of Fire State Park: 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone outcrops, which are surrounded by gray and tan limestone. There are a ton of things to discover in the park, like petrified trees, petroglyphs, and cool rock formations with names like Elephant Rock Loop, Mouse’s Tank, and White Domes Loop. This is a favorite place for locals to go hiking. And, if you really search, you can find the filming location for Star Trek: Generations.

• One of the great things about Las Vegas is that less than an hour away is a totally different climate and ecosystem at Mt Charleston. It is usually about 20–30 degrees cooler on the mountain and there are great hiking trails and camping locations for the nature lover. Additionally, the retreat on Charleston Peak is a great place to stay if you want to explore the area and there are several Airbnbs to stay at.

• Lee Canyon: A ski resort and mountain bike area located about an hour north of Las Vegas. The scenery is incredible and it offers year-round entertainment for the outdoor enthusiast.

• Have you ever wanted to drive a Nascar? How about an Astin Martin? Or participate in a police chase (legally)? Or maybe your speed is more in the go carting style. You can do all of that at Speed Vegas, located just south of the Las Vegas Strip.

• If you are interested in the eclectic and neon, Area 15 is for you. It is a venue that is part attraction, part food and drink, and part just plain old fun. You can visit Meow Wolf, a choose your own adventure Grocery Store (or is it?). Or, you can do the John Wick Experience. There are several AR experiences here. You can also do Ax throwing; there are a few rides and plenty of restaurants for everyone.

• Did you know that the hottest place in the United States is only a few hours away from Las Vegas? You can go to Death Valley, California by driving or renting a car for the day. Yes, this can be a day trip. Billed as the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park, Death Valley still has a lot to offer. Wildflowers in the spring, offroading, camping, horseback riding, to name a few. There are all types of photo ops and landmarks to see.

Buffets are practically a thing of the past in Las Vegas. If you don’t want to eat on the strip or downtown, this is what I will recommend (Note: I am from Chicago, so as I created this list, I realized that it had a distinctive theme.)

• Palace Station Oyster Bar is always on the list of the best oyster bars in Las Vegas. Located in Palace Station. It is a favorite go to when I want some clam chowder. They also have a great gumbo and shrimp basket. Oh, and they have oysters that they shuck right at the bar area.

• Amore, Taste of Chicago’s décor is definitely Chicago. Life size pictures of Chi Town sports figures and memorabilia make it a place like home for this Chicago Girl. The food is spot on Chicago, like Italian beef, Chicago style hot dogs, and old-school Italian dishes. And sometimes they have baked clams that taste just like Mom’s.

• Roma Deli is a great Italian Restaurant where they treat you like family. There are two locations, and the original on Spring Mountain is the best. It has an old-world feel and the food is what I would consider comfort food.

• Mezzo is an Italian restaurant located in the Northwest part of the valley. It is a little unassuming storefront, but when you get inside you feel like you just walked into an Italian Trattoria. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the service is top-notch.

• If it is breakfast that you are looking for, Omelet Café in the Northwest part of the valley is the place to go. They have the biggest omelets I have ever seen. And I have never seen so many different types of omelets on one menu. Pro tip: If you don’t want to eat omelets for leftovers for the next three days, get the baby-size omelet. It is not on the menu, but they know what you want. (You might want to know why I thought this restaurant fit my theme? It is owned by a family from Chicago)

• If you want a less than famous place that has still been on TV Shows by Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, try Leticia’s Cocina and Cantina. They have two locations so far, one in the northwest and one on the south side of Vegas. They have the best Mexican food! Try their award-winning Queso Tacos while you are there.

• If you still want some old school Vegas, the Peppermill is where you want to go for breakfast. It’s really busy on weekends, but it is a must do if you want the feel of Vegas but not be on the strip or downtown. They have the biggest pancakes I have ever seen.