Las Vegas
Yes, the Las Vegas Valley sits smack in the middle of a desert that maintains triple-digit temperatures in mid-June, July, and August. But nearly all other times of year, the Las Vegas climate is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Ironic, but a town that was built on indoor casinos has plentiful options for outdoor recreation. Because many visitors rarely venture beyond their resort pools for outdoor recreation, those who choose to explore the surroundings often have hiking trails and open spaces all to themselves.
Beyond the green felt, you can discover many additional activities to get your heart rate up in this town. You can explore the region by bicycle, on foot, on horseback, and more. Other activities include bird-watching, rock climbing, golf, and skiing. And when the desert heat is too much, you can chill out in one of Vegas's many bowling alleys. Perhaps the four most popular places to get out and about are Lake Mead National Recreation Area (boating), Lake Las Vegas (fishing, boating), Red Rock National Conservation Area (hiking, biking, rock climbing), and Spring Mountain National Recreation Area (skiing! snowshoeing! sledding!). Another huge draw: the 36-mile River Mountains Trail, a paved loop that's perfect for bicycling or running. New in 2017 are the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the latest expansion franchise for the National Hockey League, and Sin City's first professional sports team, who will play in the new T-Mobile Arena. It also looks like the National Football League's Raiders will make the move to Vegas by 2020, if not before.
