Photo by CC user Antoine Taveneaux on Wikimedia Commons

While there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy on the strip of Las Vegas, you might want to explore the ones that exist outside city limits as well.

In this article, we will review the best day trips from Las Vegas that will make the best use of your time on your trip here…

1) Take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon

One of the most epic day trips you can do from Las Vegas to enjoy a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.

Many people that go to see the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas take a bus from the city. This is a time-consuming way to travel there, as it involves long periods spent on the road.

A helicopter is faster and more memorable, as you will get to see the vastness of this natural wonder from an elevated viewpoint.

2) Hoover Dam / Lake Mead

All the glittering lights on the Las Vegas Strip need to get their power from somewhere. Fortunately, the majority of the electricity that powers it comes from the Hoover Dam.

Holding back the largest reservoir in the United States, it is one of the greatest civil engineering projects completed in American history.

When you are finished learning about its inner workings, relax by the shores of Lake Mead. The headpond that was formed when the dam was built, locals love to boat, fish, swim, and enjoy water sports such as wakeboarding and water skiing.

If the thought of all this activity is making you tired, you can simply sunbathe along its shores as well.

3) Red Rock Canyon

A great way to get in touch with nature is to make a quick trip out to Red Rock Canyon. Named after a series of red rock formations that sit just 24 miles from downtown Las Vegas, this place is also a haven for hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts.

The desert scenery out there is dramatic, but be sure to drink plenty of water, as the dryness of the air and high temperatures can lead to dehydration fairly quickly.

4) Bonnie Springs Ranch and Old Nevada

If you are traveling with children, heading out to Bonnie Springs Ranch and Old Nevada is an excellent day trip to do from Las Vegas.

This attraction offers a petting zoo as well as riding stables, allowing your kids to ride ponies. Old Nevada re-creates the atmosphere of the Wild West through a clapboarded 1880’s style frontier town. Once here, you will feel like you have been transported back in time simply by walking its streets. Featuring live performances from living history actors, it is an attraction that will surprise you with its charm and attention to detail.