Known for its over-the-top, glamourous fun and entertainment around the world and coined as the ‘Sin City’, Las Vegas is where people go for a thrilling vacation. Swarmed with magnificent resorts, interesting museums, and some of the best live entertainment options in the world, Vegas is an amazing place to visit any time of the year. The Strip, the city’s famous 2.5-mile boulevard, is where the action takes place. A five-block section in old downtown Vegas known as Freedom Street puts on magical music and visual experience filled with LED displays.
If you get too bedazzled with all the glitz and glamour and plan on taking a small break, here is a list of the top 7 weekend getaways from Las Vegas:
Sedona, Arizona
Surrounded by stunning red rock mountains, bluffs, and canyons, Sedona is one of the most beautiful destinations in Arizona. The landscape here is nothing less than exquisite, with implausible views from every street corner and hiking path. Cathedral Rock is the most photo’d attraction in the area and one of the city’s most imposing spots. The most definitive view of the Rock is from Red Rock Crossing Park. Some other places of interest here include Uptown Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, and Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Best Time to Visit: The most recommended time to visit Sedona is between March to May as the climate is pleasant and the area is in full bloom. Hikers, especially, prefer this season, as desert flowers add a vibrance of color to the otherwise rust-colored trails.
How to Reach: The fastest and the easiest way to get to Sedona from Vegas is to drive there yourself. The journey takes slightly under 5 hours and costs between $28 to $40 in fuel.
Bisbee, Arizona
A popular mining town found in 1880, Bisbee is truly a unique weekend experience. The Copper Queen Mine, although shut down for over 30 years, still reels in a lot of tourists who wish to get inside the mountains and feel what it was like to be a miner back in the days. If you are brave-hearted, sign up for the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour at your own risk – stroll through the deep, dark alleyways where apparitions have been reported.
Best Time to Visit: The spring season is usually considered the best time of the year to visit Bisbee. The weather is warm and dry and the crowd is much lesser.
How to Reach: Although slightly more expensive, the best way to reach Bisbee from Las Vegas is to take a flight to Tucson that takes over an hour and costs $60 to $210 on airfare. From here, you can get a taxi or drive to the location in a couple of hours.
Tucson, Arizona
The second-largest city in Arizona, Phoenix being the first, Tucson is dotted with green landscapes, beautiful architecture, desert flora and fauna, and an amazing collection of Mexican diners. Pay a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that is known for its massive displays including botanical gardens, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums. If you are feeling rather pumped up, hike up the Sabino Canyon and enjoy the astonishing views. For something unique, explore the Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the world’s largest air and space museums.
Best Time to Visit: The most suggested months to visit Tucson are April to May and September to October. These months offer great temperatures and affordable rates around the area.
How to Reach: Though there are multiple ways to get from Vegas to Tucson, the best options include either getting on a direct flight which, of course, takes lesser time (slightly over an hour) and costs more ($60 to $210), or take a bus to Phoenix and a connecting bus to Tucson which costs lesser ($60 to $80) and takes more time (slightly over 9 hours).
Prescott, Arizona
A one-of-a-kind town with four distinct seasons and occasional snowfall, Prescott enjoys being at a height of 5,300 feet. Engulfed by clear lakes and Ponderosa pines, the town offers quite a selection of activating including but not limited to fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Visit the 1916 Courthouse Plaza set in the heart of Prescott’s historic downtown. Take in the stunning views of Watson Lake. Enjoy a hike within the lush landscapes of Prescott National Forest.
Best Time to Visit: The months of September and October are regarded as the best months to visit Prescott as the weather is brilliant here around that time.
How to Reach: The most convenient and the fastest way to get to Prescott is either via plane or in a car. Both take roughly under five hours and while a flight would set you back $100 to $250, the fuel for your car would be around $26 to $37.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Remember seeing a photo of a narrow slot canyon with curvy orange walls and radiating light beams? Yes, that is the Antelope Canyon for you even though you may not have realized it at the time. The light beams at the Upper Antelope Canyon have increasingly become a major tourist attraction for travelers to the US, especially outdoor enthusiasts. Though it can get extremely packed during the seasons, the tours here are extremely organized for you to enjoy and take in the views.
Best Time to Visit: the end of March and early October are the most preferred times of the year to visit here. During this time, you can witness light beams that enter the Upper Antelope Canyon which produces an exceptional wonder.
How to Reach: Although you could change a few buses and shuttles to get to Antelope Canyon from Vegas, the most convenient way to travel between the two locations is by a self-driven car. The drive takes under five hours and costs between $28 to $40 in fuel.
Death Valley, California
Despite the gloomy name, Death Valley is a gorgeous area of desert wonders and among the top national parks in the United States of America. The lowest lake in North America, along with Craters, dunes, mountains, salt flats, blesses Death Valley with some of the most remarkable and theatrical scenery in the Southwest. Driving through the Death Valley National Park, climbing up the dunes near the Stovepipe Wells, and driving around in a four-wheel around the Racetrack are some of the most enjoyable experiences to have here.
Best Time to Visit: The most suggested months to visit Death Valley are either in spring with blossoming wildflowers or during autumn with flawless skies.
How to Reach: Being so close to Las Vegas, the easiest, fastest, and cheapest mode of travel to Death Valley from the city is to drive down there which takes around two and a half hours and costs $13 to $18 in fuel.
St. George, Utah
A charming, modern city in the southern part of Utah near the border of Arizona, St. George is a great place to escape for the weekend. It is also a gateway to surrounding parks such as the prominent Zion National Park. The city is also within proximity to numerous mountain biking trails, especially at Hurricane. Established in 1877, St. George Utah Temple is an impressive structure and a place of worship for Mormons. You could visit the visitor center and the temple grounds. Other places of interest around here include Pioneer Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and St. George Children’s Museum.
Best Time to Visit: The months of October, November, March, and April are the best times to visit St. George because of the perfect offer they offer.
How to Reach: To get to St. George from Sin City, you can take the direct Greyhound bus that runs daily and takes almost a couple of hours. The bus fare is between $18 to $27.
Be it for the grand resorts and fountain shows or the larger-than-life hotels or the brilliant entertainment events and happenings, Las Vegas is a wonderful place to holiday any time of the year as are the wonderful weekend getaways from Las Vegas that you can visit with your friends, family, or on your own. The city is not only meant for the rich and the famous but is also a great place for adventure seekers who like hiking, camping, and skiing, history buffs who love museums and historic monuments, and nature lovers who prefer spending time in the hills and mountains.