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Las Vegas might be famous for neon lights, casinos, and world-class shows—but some of the best things to do near Las Vegas, Nevada are actually just outside the city.
Tim and I started and ended our Southwest road trip in Las Vegas, and if you’re like us, you don’t necessarily want to spend your entire budget on the Strip.
From quirky art installations and engineering marvels to historic small towns and fascinating hikes, there are plenty of things to do near Las Vegas that are free or budget-friendly.
Instead of splurging on a pricey Vegas hotel, we stayed in Boulder City—a quieter, more affordable home base just 30 minutes away. Not only did it save us money, but it also gave us a whole new perspective on the area.
Here are some of the best things to do near Las Vegas, Nevada that combine history, art, and desert beauty—without draining your wallet.
*P.S. this post contains some affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase.
Where to Stay Near Las Vegas
- 📍 Location: Historic downtown Boulder City
- 💲 Cost: Around $125/night
We skipped the Strip and stayed at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, and it ended up being our favorite stay of our entire road trip!
This charming boutique hotel dates back to the 1930s, when it hosted Hoover Dam visitors, celebrities, and business travelers, and is now one of the highest-ranked hotels in Boulder City.
Today, it’s been beautifully restored, and inside you’ll find a restaurant, lounge, museum, and art gallery—all within walking distance of Boulder City’s historic shops and cafes.
Why we loved it:
- Budget-friendly compared to Las Vegas Strip hotels
- Artsy small-town vibe instead of neon chaos
- History right at your doorstep (the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum is inside the hotel!)
A Broad Recommendation: Book through Hotels.com to earn rewards, and pair it with Rakuten for cashback. It’s one of the little hacks we used throughout our Southwest road trip to stretch our budget further.
Other options include:
- Overton or Mesquite, NV: closer to Valley of Fire but fewer amenities
- Las Vegas: best for nightlife + day-trippers, but pricier
👉 Check hotel prices near Las Vegas or Boulder City here!
Where to Eat Near Las Vegas
One of the perks of staying in Boulder City is discovering its local dining scene—no overpriced Strip buffets here!
- Boulder Dam Brewing Company: Great craft beer, hearty food, and live music. We ate here on our first night, and it was lively but laid-back—plus, it’s right across the street from the hotel. Check out other breweries near Las Vegas here!
- Cleveland’s – The Lounge (inside the Boulder Dam Hotel): After dinner, we enjoyed drinks with live saxophone music. This was especially fun because the musician we met was from Houston, just like us!
- Restaurant 1933 (inside the Boulder Dam Hotel): The next morning, we had a quick breakfast here before exploring downtown. Tasty, affordable, and convenient.
- Coffee Cup Cafe: Though we didn’t make it this time, it’s world-famous (even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives), and definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you’re in town!
A Broad Recommendation: If you’re flying in or out of Vegas and heading straight into a road trip, Boulder City makes a great stop for both a meal and a more affordable overnight stay.
Free Things to Do Near Las Vegas, Nevada
Looking for fun without opening your wallet? Luckily, some of the best free things to do near Las Vegas, Nevada are just a short drive away!
From classic roadside attractions to artsy small towns, these stops give you a chance to explore the area’s history, culture, and natural beauty—without spending a dime (unless you want to!).
Explore Boulder City
- 📍 Location: ~30 miles southeast of Las Vegas
- 💲 Cost: Free to explore; budget-friendly lodging + dining
We spent the last night of our Southwest road trip in Boulder City instead of Las Vegas—and it ended up being a great choice for us!
Originally built in the 1930s to house Hoover Dam workers, Boulder City is now a laid-back small town with an artsy, historic vibe.
We spent a morning strolling downtown, spotting whimsical sculptures on nearly every corner, and popping into local bookshops and cafes.
A Broad Recommendation: Don’t miss the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, tucked inside the historic Boulder Dam Hotel (where we stayed!). Entry is free, and it’s a great way to learn how the town came to life during one of America’s biggest construction projects.
If you’re looking for a quiet, budget-friendly alternative to the Vegas Strip, Boulder City is a gem. It makes a great overnight stop with plenty of charm, history, and local flavor.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
- 📍 Location: 5200 Las Vegas Boulevard South
- ⏰ Hours: 24/7
- 🚗 Parking: Small, free lot nearby (fills quickly though!)
- 💲 Cost: Free
No trip to Vegas is complete without a photo at the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. It’s classic, a little cheesy, and totally worth the stop—especially if it’s your first time in the city!
Built in 1959 by Western Neon, the 25-foot-tall sign is now one of the best photo spots in Las Vegas and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
In 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and when the sign’s designer, Betty Willis, passed away in 2015, Clark County declared May 5th “Betty Willis Day.”
We waited about 30 minutes for our turn, so plan for a line if you want the classic straight-on shot.
A Broad Recommendation: Don’t want to wait in line? Grab a quick side-angle photo—there’s usually no line, but you’ll have to act fast between groups. Also be sure to plan your poses in advance and bring a tripod. Lines move quickly, and some folks charge tips to take photos. You may even spot Elvis impersonators for a fun Vegas touch!
Seven Magic Mountains
- 📍 Location: S Las Vegas Blvd (20 minutes south of Vegas)
- ⏰ Hours: Sunrise–sunset (no camping allowed)
- 🚗 Parking: Small, free lot with a short walk to the sculptures
- 💲 Cost: Free
Believe it or not, visiting the Seven Magic Mountains was one of the driving forces behind planning our entire Southwest road trip.
I first saw photos of it on Instagram and instantly fell in love. I just knew we had to visit!
This colorful desert art installation was created in 2016 by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and features seven neon-painted stone totems, each 30–35 feet tall and stacked from locally sourced boulders.
They’re meant to resemble traditional stone cairns—markers used by hikers and travelers to guide their way through unfamiliar landscapes.
According to Rondinone, the location sits “symbolically mid-way between the natural and the artificial”: the desert and mountains on one side, and the highway traffic between LA and Vegas on the other.
It’s also near Jean Dry Lake, a landmark in the history of Land Art in the American West, where artists like Jean Tinguely and Michael Heizer once placed their work.
There are a few different ways to get to Seven Magic Mountains. If you’re driving yourself, park in the designated parking lot, and follow the unpaved walking path that leads to the sculptures.
If you don’t have a rental car, you can also visit Seven Magic Mountains with a group tour from Vegas.
A Broad Recommendation: Follow Leave No Trace principles—take your trash with you, clean up after pets (yes, they’re welcome on a leash), and don’t climb on or disturb the sculptures. Sunrise and sunset are especially magical times to visit.
Budget-Friendly Things to Do Near Las Vegas
Not everything around Las Vegas is free, but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive.
These budget-friendly attractions range from world-famous engineering marvels to Nevada’s most colorful state park and offer big experiences for just a small fee.
These are perfect if you want to make the most of your trip without blowing your budget!
Hoover Dam
- 📍 Location: Nevada–Arizona border (Black Canyon of the Colorado River)
- 🕒 Hours: Dam: 5 am–9 pm; Visitor Center: 9 am–5 pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
- 🚗 Parking: ~$10 for the parking garage on the Nevada side & several lots on the Arizona side; For free parking, drive over the dam and continue past the paid parking lots on the Arizona side
- 💲 Cost: Free to walk across (this is what we did!) or $10–30 for tours + parking
If you’re in Boulder City, a visit to Hoover Dam is a must!
Completed in 1936 during the Great Depression, this National Historic Landmark is one of America’s greatest engineering marvels and has been deemed one of America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.
The dam was designed to control floods, generate hydroelectric power, and supply irrigation water—but it also stands as a testament to the thousands of workers who built it under brutal conditions. Tragically, more than 100 men lost their lives during the construction.
Though originally named after President Herbert Hoover, the dam was dedicated in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose administration changed the name (temporarily) to Boulder Dam.
Today, nearly 1 million people visit each year to admire its scale and learn its history.
You can walk across for free or book one of the official tours:
- Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour ($10): Immersive exhibits that detail the history of the dam + 360-degree views from the Observation Deck.
- Guided Powerplant Tour ($15): Self-Guided Visitor Center Tour perks + a tour of the original construction tunnels, 8 of the commercial generators in the Nevada Powerhouse, and a viewing platform that overlooks a 30-foot-diameter penstock.
- Guided Dam Tour ($30): Above tour perks + a ride on the original elevator to the top of the dam with views through the inspection ventilation shaft.
A Broad Recommendation: It’s possible to visit for free (like we did!). Even if you skip the paid tours, it’s worth walking across the dam for free. And, don’t miss rubbing the bronze angel statues for good luck before you go!
Valley of Fire State Park
- 📍 Location: ~1 hour northeast of Las Vegas
- 🕒 Hours: Sunrise–sunset; Visitor Center: 9 am–4 pm
- 🚗 Parking: Various trailheads throughout the park + Visitor Center
- 💲 Cost: $10 for Nevada residents or $15 for out-of-state visitors
Just an hour from the Strip, Valley of Fire State Park was one of the highlights of our road trip.
With glowing red sandstone cliffs, ancient petroglyphs, and short-but-scenic hikes, it’s one of the best day trips from Las Vegas.
Our half-day itinerary included:
- Atlatl Rock: Quick stop to see petroglyphs
- Fire Wave + Seven Wonders Loop: Iconic striped sandstone + Pink Canyon
- White Domes Trail: Slot canyon + old movie set
- Rainbow Vista: Sweeping views, especially at sunset
- Mouse’s Tank Trail: Petroglyphs + natural rock water basin
If you only have time for one scenic drive, make it Mouse’s Tank Road. With fiery canyons, photogenic curves, and access to some of the park’s best trails, it’s easily one of the most beautiful roads in Nevada.
👉 Want more details? Check out my complete guide to Valley of Fire State Park here.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Las Vegas on a Budget
Las Vegas may be “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” but some of the best things to do are just beyond the Strip—and many of them won’t cost you a dime.
From wandering historic Boulder City and marveling at the Hoover Dam to snapping photos at the Las Vegas sign or Seven Magic Mountains and hiking through the Valley of Fire, these side trips were some of the most memorable parts of our Southwest road trip.
For us, skipping a night on the Strip and staying in Boulder City was both budget-friendly and enriching—it gave us a whole new perspective on the area and let us experience Las Vegas in a way that felt more “us.”
Whether you’re planning a full Southwest adventure or just want a break from the neon lights, these things to do near Las Vegas, Nevada are worth adding to your list.
👉 Ready to plan your trip?
- Book your hotel near Las Vegas or Boulder City here.
- Read my complete guide to Valley of Fire State Park.
- Or browse my Southwest road trip itinerary (coming soon!)
What other recommendations do you have for things to do near Las Vegas? Leave us a comment below. And, pin this post, so you can refer back later!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
Sara is the founder of and voice behind Travel A-Broads, a travel blog designed to empower women to explore the world boldly and safely.
A Sr. Manager of a Data Engineering team (aka math nerd) by day and travel enthusiast by night, Sara shares practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiring stories from her adventures across 5 continents and 28+ countries and helps curious, independent women plan smarter, travel farther, and feel more connected along the way.
Read more about Sara’s journey here, and start planning your next adventure today!
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