[u2daughter]

My husband and I are moving to Henderson in March after retirement in Florida. We have spent a little more than we wanted to in the change in residence and have decided that for the first year we should invest our time visiting the low-mid cost or free activities in the Las Vegas area. I have done a search, but having the experience built into the forum participants can provide me with a better idea of what is out there. There may be a casino that was interesting or a park that was very nice or a fun cheap restaurant to try. Day trips or overnight too – if the area had some lower costs hotels…
We are retired, but physically able to do a lot of active things (55), and have the freedom of time to choose activities at specific times or days if that matters to the cost.
Any assistance you can provide would be welcome. Where have you gone that was a great day, a place that was a surprise or good time or just a low cost “not-to-be-missed” activity in the Las Vegas area?
Thanks again in advance for your time.

[NLVgal]

The Springs Preserve is nice and pretty inexpensive. They have several interesting displays over there and a little Wolfgang Puck cafeteria. Springs Preserve - Official Web Site

There are bands that you can see for free on Fremont Street all the time. You can also wander down to the strip and watch the Bellagio fountains. If you like art, there's always First Friday Artists Showing - First Friday Las Vegas

Hiking or just driving through Red Rock is something everyone should do at least once. Bonnie Springs Ranch / Old Nevada is kind of a kick and very inexpensive. I like the petting zoo and the wild burros that lurk in the area.

There is, of course, the huge bridge with the breathtaking views of Lake Mead, the dam and the the river. new bridge hoover dam pictures - Google Search

Downtown Boulder City makes for a great day trip and they have a thrift shop out there that I am dying to visit. Bargain-hunters' paradise awaits in Boulder City thrift shop - Las Vegas Sun News

[MSchu]

^all good adventures.

in the summer time you can go pick your own fruit

Welcome to the Orchard | Gilcrease Orchard

[Buzz123]

There are too many to list all, so I'm betting you'll get lots of opinions with lots of repeats. Here are a few of mine: First of all you might want to stay out of casinos and not be tempted to lose your money, but I'm afraid you'll find that the really good stuff is in the casinos. Most of our movie theaters for instance are in casinos. Most things like bowling, ice skating, and arcade machines for kids, are in casinos.

There are a zillion parks now, which is still amazing to some of us old timers that remember when we had very few of them. But the big ones, like Sunset, Lorenzi, and Floyd Lamb are a nice way to spend a day or a few hours. You can fish in those three also. Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs is the best one, but they do charge an entry fee there. I think it's the only park that does charge. I buy an annual pass for $15 because I'm, well let's just say, almost middle aged. I think you might be old enough for that too.

Red Rock Canyon is our pride and joy. You'll enjoy hiking there, as you will on Mt. Charleston. Lake Mead is the largest man made body of water in the western hemisphere, so there's lots going on out there. The Nat'l Park Service charges a fee, but again you might qualify for the lifetime NPS pass which I think is only $10. I for one object to fees at parks I'm already paying for, but they didn't ask my permission.

Valley of Fire is a great place to go near Las Vegas. Almost adjacent to that is the town of Overton where you'll find the Lost City Museum. You can Google all this stuff.

A little further up the road is the town of Springdale, Utah, which is right at the entrance to one of the most beautiful National Parks in America, Zion Canyon NP. Rooms in Springdale are usually affordable, and there is one of the best Mexican restaurants there I know of, and I know of a lot of them. The Bumbleberry Pie place is a must stop there too. Bring me one if you go.

We're really not that far from one of the most amazing Nat'l Parks, Death Valley. Just not in the summer. Scotty's Castle is a must see in DV, but it's way up at the other end.

China Ranch Date Farm is a must see too: China Ranch Date Farm

Speaking of Zion NP - on the way there you'll pass through St. George, Utah. St. George is a destination itself. Nice little town to hang out, eat, shop, hike, and you can go fishing nearby.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by MSchu

^all good adventures.

in the summer time you can go pick your own fruit

Welcome to the Orchard | Gilcrease Orchard

Good one. Forgot about that. They have great apple cider as well.

A few farmer's markets to check out

fresh52 Farmers & Artisan Market – Saturdays 8am – 1pm | Tivoli Village

Las Vegas Farmers' Market

Las Vegas Farmers Market - Downtown 3rd

If you are feeling nostalgic, we still have a drive-in theater out here. Las Vegas DI Showtimes

[Buzz123]

This is a nice park that is sometimes taken for granted by locals. In the summer you can spread a blanket on the grass, have a picnic, and watch a play. At certain times there are docents that give tours and talks about the history of the ranch, which is pretty interesting. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park | Nevada State Parks

Whenever I go to Bass Pro Shops I'm always there much longer than I expected. And the hotel it is in has an aquarium that is fun to be near when they feed the fish and give educational talks.

Speaking of aquariums, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is not as big as they have in San Diego or Monterrey, but it is a very nice one for being in the desert. I haven't seen the dolphins at the Mirage in a long time, and have never seen the secret garden because I'm afraid of what the secret might be , but it's actually on my list. Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

[Buzz123]

Speaking of Gilcrease Farms, don't forget the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary: Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary OFFICIAL Page.

[jasper12]

Oatman, Arizona - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is one of my favorite "must see" places for a jaunt outside of Vegas....feed the tame baby burros. Stay cheap in Laughlin.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

A little further up the road is the town of Springdale, Utah, which is right at the entrance to one of the most beautiful National Parks in America, Zion Canyon NP. Rooms in Springdale are usually affordable, and there is one of the best Mexican restaurants there I know of, and I know of a lot of them. The Bumbleberry Pie place is a must stop there too. Bring me one if you go.

.

and while there dont miss Grafton,,, turn right across the bridge in Rockville and follow the dirt road always turning towards the river....Graft is where Butch Cassidy and the sundance Kid was filmed [the bicycle scene[raindrops are falling on my head]]

a GREAT Church/School built of Adobe block .....

[forestgump99]

When all that stuff is done:

You'll be looking for the cheapest buffets, Station Casinos seem to be the cheapest!