nevada

Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas: The land that never sleeeps and is full of Casinos, but also surprisingly great opportunities to get into nature!

Sin City Tips: 

  • Look, I am going to preface this entire blog post with the simple fact that I am just not a Vegas girl. It’s not my scene. I don’t gamble. I don’t like hoards of tourists. I don’t like overpriced things. It’s just not my ideal spot to visit. I spent a lot of time exploring the other areas around Vegas far more than the Strip area. If you are in Vegas for any reason I’d recommend exploring the Arts District and surrounding parks.

  • Traffic on the strip can be ridiculous, so just keep that in mind when planning your outings.

  • Be mindful of the extreme heat from June-September if you plan to do any hiking/outdoor activities during your visit!

  • Doing a road trip? Check out my Phoenix guide here, Sedona guide here, Tucson guide here, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree guide here, Los Angeles guide here and my Grand Canyon guide here!

Adventures & Ales Top Las Vegas Recommendations:

  • SerVehZah: A great beer bar that also has some wines and liquors available. I was impressed with the tap list and can selection. Located in the Arts District.

    • CraftHaus Brewery has a taproom right here as well. This is their smaller satellite space while their main brewery is in Henderson (below).

  • Beer Zombies: Easily the best beer spot in the Vegas area with 3 taprooms across the city. The Dean Martin space is quite small with just a few bar stools but the tap list and can selection here is still fantastic. They make their own beers which are great and they also have guest taps and cans.

  • Neon Desert Brewing: A great brewery near the Arts District with tasty beers. The tap list tends to focus on IPAs and Lagers and they also have wine and canned cocktails.

  • Valley of Fire State Park: A beautiful state park that is about 45 minutes east of Vegas. The entrance fee is $15. Be prepared that some trails are closed June 1 to September 30 due to extreme heat. With visiting during early September I missed out on some of the popular trails such as The Fire Wave because it was closed, but it was also a nearly completely empty park at this time which was very nice. It is not called Valley of Fire for no reason, it is extraordinarily hot here. Things to see at the park:

    • The Seven Sisters: I would actually recommend stopping at the viewpoint along the road of the Seven Sisters for a nicer view and photo versus the Seven Sisters picnic area itself.

    • Atlatl Rock: Take the stairs up to a viewpoint that has petroglyphs 

    • Arch Rock: Right around the corner from Atlatl rock is a large arch carved out of rock.

    • Beehives: Unique sandstone formations

    • Hike the Rainbow Vista Trail: This is 1 mile long out to an overlook that is mostly flat and takes about 25 minutes. The trail is all sand so it’s more difficult than it sounds!

    • Hike the White Domes Trail: This is a 1 mile long loop trail at the end of the road in the park. There is a cool canyon and a large colorful rock. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.

  • The Silver Stamp: A dive bar with fun retro vibes serving up a surprisingly fantastic beer selection alongside your other classic dive bar staples. They’ve also got a small food menu with hot dogs, pickles and chips. Located in the Arts District.

  • Able Baker Brewing: A nice brewery with ample indoor and outdoor seating in the Arts District. Arts District Kitchen is housed inside for eats. They’ve got a pretty large tap list with a variety of beers to choose from.

  • Explore the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: This is a popular area to visit since it is just 30 minutes west of Vegas. To enter between October 1st to May 31st you will need a reservation. You will also need a National Park Pass or will need to pay $15 to enter. This area is focused on conservation not recreation so that is why it is not considered a park, but a conservation area.

    • The scenic drive here is incredibly pretty showcasing the striped mountains and pretty canyons. There are turnouts for views throughout the loop drive. It would take about 35 minutes to drive with no stops.

    • Calico Tanks Trail: This trail is 3.1 miles long with 406ft of elevation gain and took about 1.5 hours. There are a couple of scrambles making it a little challenging but overall it is a moderate trail. There are views of the Vegas skyline and entire Red Rock Canyon which are quite beautiful. The parking lot is labeled Sandstone Quarry.  

Valley of Fire State Park

Las Vegas Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting:

  • Neon Museum: Home to the old neon signs from throughout the Strip and a super unique museum. Be sure to visit at night when things are aglow and book tickets in advance.

  • Welcome to Las Vegas sign: This feels like a must do but it’s even more touristy than you’d expect. The line for a picture in front of the sign is ridiculous so personally I snapped one of just the sign from the side and left. There is conveniently a parking lot in the middle of the road for this though.

  • Kayak Willow Beach to Emerald Cove: This is a pretty area to kayak or SUP with mountains along the way and very clear water. This is also a popular area for boat launches, fishing and camping.

    • You can take a tour or rent a kayak or stand up paddle board from Willow Beach Marina and go on your own. The rentals are by the hour and in total it took me 1.5 hours to go to Emerald Cove and back to the marina at an average pace.

    • Keep in mind it is a $300 fine if you take off your life jacket. You will need a National Park Pass to get into Lake Mead Recreation Area or to pay $25 to enter.

  • Stay at or explore Caesar’s Palace: This is a nice place to stay on the Strip with a great pool area. The hotel itself is insanely massive with numerous restaurants and bars inside alongside the sprawling casino.

    • Skip Carmine's Italian Restaurant that is housed at Caeser’s. The food was pretty meh for the prices. If you are trying to eat at one of the “nicer” hotel restaurants be sure to make reservations far in advance.

  • Explore the Fremont Street Experience: A large open air space with a variety of bars, restaurants, and touristy activities. The only brewery here has since closed but the queso at Nacho Daddy is legit.

  • See the Hoover Dam: Overhyped in my opinion but proceed as you will. To enter the dam area you’ll need to go through security first and then pay $10 to park in one of the designated lots or you can park for free at the Bridge View area. From that parking area you can take the stairs or ramp up to the bridge to see the Dam. There is also a Lake View area and Visitor’s Center.

Kayaking Lake Mead

Henderson THings to do & Tips:

  • Explore Henderson’s “Booze District”, an industrial area that is home to 3 breweries, 1 winery and 1 meadery:

  • Mojave Brewing Company: A popular brewery in downtown Henderson. They have a front and side patio for outdoor seating and solid beers. They also share a building with Biscuits and Bourbon.

  • Lovelady Brewing: This brewery has 2 locations in Henderson, the downtown spot is a 4 minute walk from Mojave. They are housed in a cool building and have a front patio. The beers here are pretty average.

  • Skip the Skyline Hotel in Henderson: The staff here was quite rude, the room was musty and overall I regretted not just booking a Hilton.

Red Rock National Conservation Area

Other Vegas Area Ideas:

  • White Owl Canyon via 33 Hole: This is a pretty hike in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You will need a National Park Pass or to pay $25 to enter the area. On the route to the trailhead there are a couple of nice overlooks and beaches. The canyon is quite cool with how twisty and colorful it is and there are nice views of the mountains. The trail is 4 miles long with 300ft of elevation gain, but it feels a bit more difficult due to the loose rock that is difficult to traverse. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for seashells along the trail as well!

  • North 5th Brewing Co: A brewery in North Las Vegas with a wide variety of beers that are solid. The folks here are very nice and they also have a few picnic tables for outdoor seating.

  • HUDL Brewing Company: An average brewery on Main Street in the Arts District. The tend to do dark beers best! You can get BBQ from the spot next door SoulBelly BBQ.

  • 595 Craft & Kitchen: A craft beer bar and full restaurant with a solid beer list. The eats were tasty and bartender was friendly!

  • Oyo Hotel and Casino: A nice spot to stay just off the strip. The rooms are average hotel rooms with views of the strip and the pool area is quite nice. Inside there are several restaurants, bars and the casino, but in comparison to Caeser’s Palace it is much smaller.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe is a gorgeous place to visit that I absolutely loved & highly recommend!

​Tahoe Tips: 

  • Make South Tahoe your base! There are far more things to do in the South Tahoe area than any of the other spots you can stay around the lake.

  • Tahoe is primarily a ski town and a lake town, so most folks choose to visit in the snowy months or June-August for the most lake usage.

  • There are bike paths throughout the city and a trolley in town that you can utilize as well.

  • Hop around the South Tahoe Beer Trail! I detail the breweries below, but this website has a handy map and information.

  • There are a ton of great hikes in the Tahoe area, most are about 20 minutes from town. Many trails will either be closed or difficult to hike due to snow for a majority of the year, so be sure to check conditions ahead of time on websites like AllTrails. Also be bear aware! Tahoe is full of bears both in neighborhoods and on trails.

South Lake Brewing Company

Adventures & Ales Top Lake Tahoe Recommendations: 

  • The Hangar: My absolute favorite stop in Tahoe! The Hangar is a beer bar and bottle shop with a fantastic beer selection. Their outside area is truly majestic. They also have frequent food pop-ups.

  • DL Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park via Rubicon Trail: This section of the lakeshore is incredibly beautiful. There are a couple of access points to the water as well. The route I took was 6.8 miles long, 62 flights up, and took about 3 hours.

    • While I do love this trail, I would highly recommend not actually doing the AllTrails route. This route has you park on the side of the road, walk down a very steep section, walk across the road, walk through a campsite, and then join the Rubicon Trail. This first stretch has zero views and is just unnecessary. Park at the Rubicon Trail access point, at DL Bliss State Park, or at Emerald Bay State Park.

  • South Lake Brewing Company: A fun brewery with delicious beers and great branding. They have a nice beer garden on the side of the building and a small patio space out front. South Lake offers flights in the form of skis and snowboards which is adorable and their beers are arguably the best in Tahoe. Get Rad pizza is also based here for your food needs. South Lake will soon be opening a second taproom in the village neighborhood near Stateline.

  • Stay at The Jeffrey Hotel: A super cute and very Tahoe-esque hotel. Enjoy contact-less check-in, a fireplace, a mini-kitchen, and a plethora of thoughtful touches. They also have a fantastic upper patio space with a firepit and chill vibes. The Jeffrey is within walking distance to a TON of different spots in The Village and Stateline.

  • Secret Cove: This is a fun “secret beach” on the Nevada side of the lake. The water in insanely pretty here and I highly recommend a visit. It is a little difficult to access—you can park at Chimney Beach when that lot is open, but it is not year-round, so when it is closed you need to park on the side of the road. Depending on where you are able to get a spot it can be a very steep start down to the beach, so be prepared. It is about a half mile from the road to the beach. This is a nude beach, but early in the morning you can generally avoid anything too crazy if you want to.

  • Dragonfly Bagel: A delicious bagel spot that also serves beer and wine at night with some New Orleans flair. Located directly next to Sidellis Brewing.

  • South of North Brewing Company: A fun brewery housed at the Base Camp Hotel with a fantastic outdoor space. They have a full food menu with delicious sandwiches and snacks. They have live music every night, fire pits and are super dog friendly. South of North exudes chill vibes, their beer is solid and they also have several guest taps.

  • Eagle Lake Trail: This a great hike to an absolutely stunning lake back in the woods. This trailhead is in a popular area near Eagle Falls and Emerald Bay, so start early. You will also get to see Upper Eagle Falls at the start of this trail. Overall this hike took just over an hour, was 2.5 miles long, and 36 flights up.

  • Cold Water Brewery & Grill: A delightful woman-owned, food-focused brewery. Their food menu rotates seasonally and is the perfect spot for dinner after a day of adventuring. They have a large and diverse tap list as well. In the summer they open an adjacent taproom, The Runoff, to allow for more service and seating outside.

  • The Idle Hour: A cute wine bar right on the lake. You can choose between a glass of wine, a tasting or a bottle. They also have a small food menu. This is the perfect spot to catch the sunset and beautiful views of the lake.

  • Sidellis Brewing: Sidellis is a barrel aging and sour-focused brewery, but they always have a variety of beers on tap that can please anyone’s palate. Their kitchen serves up a simple but delicious menu to accompany their brews. There is also a nice back patio space. Their flight boards are shaped like Lake Tahoe, and their Stouts are particularly delicious!

Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake

Lake Tahoe Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting: 

  • El Dorado Beach: A large public beach with restrooms, a snack shack, picnic tables, and kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals. The water is extremely clear and stays shallow for quite a long distance out into the lake.

  • Inspiration Point: A nice viewpoint to stop at while you’re around the trails. There is a box for a $5 fee based on the honor system. I highly recommend going early, I was the only one there at 8am and there were cars backed up trying to get into the parking lot all afternoon long. There are restrooms and nice informational signs here as well.

  • Cascade Falls Trail: This is a pretty easy trail that was 2.5 miles, 28 flights up, and took just over an hour to complete. It is essentially a straight line from the trailhead in the campground to the waterfall. There are great views of Cascade Lake nearly the entire hike. There isn’t a great viewpoint for the waterfall itself since you end at the top of it, but it is still a nice hike overall.

  • Lakeside Beach: Another nice beach with restrooms, a snack shack, and a playground. This is a great spot to catch the sunset, but bring bug spray. There are fees to enter from Memorial Day to Labor Day when a gate attendant is present.

  • Fallen Leaf Lake Trail: There are multiple access points to the Fallen Leaf Lake Trail, so you can choose where you’d like to jump in. The trailhead is inside a campground, but you can keep to the left to drive along the road with the trail. If you follow the AllTrails route it is 3.6 miles and mostly flat. The water here is gorgeous (like everywhere in Tahoe!) and there are views of Mount Tallac.

The Jeffrey

Other Lake Tahoe Things To Do:​​​

  • Kings Beach: The public beach for North Tahoe. There are kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals on this end of the lake as well.

    • JavaHut: A solid coffee shop right along Kings Beach.

  • Cuppa: A cute bookstore, café and coworking space. The staff here is super friendly and the pastries are great—I’d skip the bagel though.

  • Monkey Rock Trail: This is a nice 2.7 mile long, 22 flight up hike to Monkey Rock—which actually looks exactly like a monkey. It takes just about an hour and has great panoramic views from the Nevada side of the lake. You do have to pay to park at the trailhead, they will 100% give you a ticket if you don’t.

  • Alibi Ale Works: An average brewery with a full food menu. They have 3 locations in the area: the Brewery & Barrel House in Incline Village, NV, Incline Public House in Incline Village, NV and Truckee Public House in the city of Truckee.

  • Free Bird: A cafe with two locations in town with coffee, smoothies, and a small food menu.

  • Lake Tahoe AleWorX at the Y: A self-pour beer bar and pizza restaurant offering mostly local brews. They have a great shared outdoor space with the neighboring businesses.

  • Revive Coffee and Wine: A cool spot with a nice outdoor space, but be aware that their hours are not always accurate.

  • Stateline Brewery & Restaurant: A very mediocre brewery with below average beers and below average service. Highly recommend that you skip this basement spot. Also to note if you do choose to visit, it is called Stateline but it is actually in California, not in Stateline, NV.