[Buzz123]

I would seriously think about going a little further and seeing Zion Canyon National Park. It's about 3 to 3½ hours, but here that's an easy drive and very, very scenic. I-15 north to Utah takes you through a 30 mile stretch of the Arizona Strip, and through the Virgin River Gorge; beautiful. Zion itself is one of the most beautiful parks in the U.S. You can stop in St. George, UT, for breakfast at the Bear Paw Cafe, and have dinner at one of the best Mexican restaurants in this area...the Bit and Spur in Springdale, UT, the town where you enter the park. Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Photos: Zion Photos, Zion National Park Photos, Utah

[Soogirl]

thank you all so much
I love these ideas...
after I posted I started to think 50 miles isn't that far eh?..lol eh
anyways I am sure we would be willing to drive a couple hours if it is worth it

I would like to see the real Las Vegas too...the actual community (safe areas)
like a museum that tells the real history of Las Vegas...

thanks again

[Tanque Verde]

Don't forget about Lake Mead. Lots to do out there.

[jjameson922]

Don't forget about the speedway. You can drive a racecar after taking some private instructions.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by Soogirl

thank you all so much
I love these ideas...
after I posted I started to think 50 miles isn't that far eh?..lol eh
anyways I am sure we would be willing to drive a couple hours if it is worth it

I would like to see the real Las Vegas too...the actual community (safe areas)
like a museum that tells the real history of Las Vegas...

thanks again

Nuclear testing had nearly as much to do with early Las Vegas as gambling did. I recommend the Atomic Testing Museum on the UNLV campus. It is associated with the Smithsonian. Home of the Atomic Testing Museum and the NTSHF

Too bad the tours of the Nevada Test Site are full for 2009. That's an amazing tour. DOE - NNSA/NSO -- Nevada Test Site Tours (http://www.nv.doe.gov/nts/tours.htm - broken link)

Nevada Test Site - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Las Vegas Springs Preserve is also a nice visit and you should allow plenty of time to see it all. Springs Preserve - Official Web Site (http://www.springspreserve.org/html/ - broken link)

Clark County Heritage Museum is pretty interesting too: Clark County Museums

Nevada State Museum is pretty small but they have a lot of early Las Vegas info in the exhibit, and they run an interesting oral history video of Las Vegas.

Nevada Division of Museums and History - Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas (http://nevadaculture.org/museums/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=427&Item id=121 - broken link)

Then there's the Las Vegas Museum of Natural History: Las Vegas Natural History Museum

To get the complete picture of Las Vegas you have to visit several sites. We go back at least 14,000 years. Tule Springs Ice Age Park

[goldwingin]

Zion NP Utah THE most beautiful place on the PLANET,,, yes it is a 3 hour drive but there is a nice Hotel right at the entrance and the park itself IS something to behold..... You WON'T be disappointed..

goldwingin