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PARKS
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RUINS: VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK
The Valley of Fire area is contrasted with red hills and beehive shaped stones jutting up from
white sands. Natural holes from wind and water look like windows. At the park's main entrance
the Moapa Indian Tribe maintain a nice gift shop displaying their handmade crafts, cigarettes &
fireworks. A few slot machines are located just off of the gift shop. As you follow the road a
few miles back into the desert, you cross over a hill to see a lovely view of red colors
contrasting the valley floor. In the distance the blue waters of Lake Mead can be seen now
covering the ruins of an entire ancient city. When you near a turn off marked ATLAL ROCK,
take the turn if you enjoy viewing ruins. The Ancient Ones (Anasazi) left their engravings in
this beautiful valley. There is, however, a price to pay for viewing the carvings. You must climb
the steel stair case, but it is well worth worth it. The park is also the site of General Clark's
death. Clark County NV was named after him. They found his body under his buckboard,
apparently he ran out of water. Near the middle of Valley of Fire is a museum & gift shop.
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REPLICA MINING TOWN: BONNIE SPRINGS HOTEL & PETTING ZOO
A showgirl from one of the Las Vegas Casinos started a replica of an 1800s mining town that
feels like a true piece of the old west. There is a small zoo near the hotel and old western
town in the beautiful Spring Mountain range. Arrive after a drive past the Red Rock canyon.
Park at the main lot of Bonnie Springs and take a miniature train to the entrance. See a
Western show, visit shops with western flavored merchandise, dine in the restaurant / lounge
facing a small pond with ducks, turtles and swans. Children can walk amongst an array of
animals in the petting zoo and can see real buffalo and steer. There is a riding stable and
shows all for a small price. Children observing the show receive sheriff badges.
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AUTO OR HIKING TRAIL: RED ROCK NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA
This is a vast valley. Take your camera! Entrance to the park has a nice information center.
There are hiking and bike trails or drive the 13 mile road. Note: take water or get some at
the gift center before entering. The drive is one way. Wild burros and horses roam free under
the watchful eyes of the BLM. Early pioneers carved stones from the white and red rocks
which they would use in town for building. I have never found them, but they say you can find
petroglyphs on some of the trails. Red Rock Canyon park is among the most scenic.
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MUSEUMS
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NEVADA STATE MUSEUM IN LAS VEGAS
Permanent collections include regional history, biological & earth sciences. Library contains
research collection of photographs, maps, manuscripts, newspapers, and records pertaining
to Nevada and Las Vegas history. 700 Twin Lakes Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
Phone: (702) 486-5205. See history links.
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LIBERACE MUSEUM
This flamboyant entertainer lived in Las Vegas. The museum houses his sequin piano and
chandelier amongst other items.
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MINE & GHOST
TOWNS
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HISTORIC TOWN: SHOSHONE, CA
Located about 90 miles from Las Vegas is the old mining town of Shoshone. Known mostly for
being the birth place of Senator Charles Brown and some natural springs. In the early days,
Shoshone miners dug caves out of the side of cliffs in which to live. The homes are still there, stove
pipes sticking up through the tops. There is also an old cemetery where Senator Charles
Brown is buried. Nearby, the Brown family also owned the China Date Ranch. It is said a
China man started growing food for the miners and his farm was stolen. The dates grow today
where an onsite bakery makes great date shakes as well as other date products.
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SANDY VALLEY: LOCAL BAR
50 miles from Las Vegas is Sandy Valley and as seen on tv, houses an old bar that ghosts
are said to haunt.
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GHOST TOWN: RHYOLITE
This mining town was built about 1907. The population reached over 10,000 but by 1912 the
mine panned out and so did the people. At one time, housing was at such a shortage that
one man collected bottles and built this home from them. Most of it still stands. There is a
partial building which was a bank that cost about $50,000 to build, now a ruin. The railroad
station and casino still stands intact and is being restored. Rhyolite is located about 5 miles west
of Beatty, NV. If you are interested in fossils, visit the Ordovician Fossils At The Great Beatty
Mudmound. Located about 120 miles from Las Vegas.
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OLD TOWN ON ROUTE 66: OATMAN, AZ
When the new roads bi-passed Route 66, a lot of towns failed to survive. However, some like
Oatman, managed to preserve their history. Oatman has become an attraction with an 1800's
hotel kept intact, lots of shops along a boardwalk where donkeys roam the streets. If you are
nearby, step back into history in this quaint little town. 126 miles from Las Vegas. See links.
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OLD MINING TOWN: CHLORIDE, AZ
Home of the first post office in Arizona. Indians lived in this little cove of the mountain
near Kingman, AZ. When silver was discovered, the Indians lost and a booming mining
town was erected. The mine eventually panned out but some citizens remained. Parts
of the town burned down and was rebuilt, though some of the original structures still
stand. In the 1960's a young man working the mine painted some murals on rocks. The
young man is a well noted artist of present day named Roy Purcell who did the creative
design for the Atlantis Casino in Reno. The locals put on melodramas during holidays.
There are a few shops, two restaurants, two bars. 90 miles from Las Vegas. See links.
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SELF GUIDED TOURS AND other things
ETHYL M CHOCOLATE FACTORY
The Ethel M® Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden are open daily from 8:30 am to
7:00 pm. For your pleasure, admission is free and tours are self-guide.
The Botanical Cactus Garden is only 15 minutes from the "Strip", on the way to Hoover Dam at
Sunset and Mountain Vista. Special guided tours may be arranged for parties of 10 or more by
calling 702.435.2641. See links.
RON LEE'S CLOWN FACTORY
World's largest collection of Limited Edition Clown Sculptures. See them being made. Main
lobby includes a gorgeous carousel and houses a museum of Ron Lee's clown costume
collection. A vast assortment of sculptures are available for purchase, including Emmett Kelly
Jr., Warner Bros. and many other original Ron Lee Designs. Hours of operation are from 9:00
am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. We are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.
Price is free. 7665 Commercial Way Suite A Henderson, NV 89015 (702) 434-1700.
330 Carousel Parkway, Henderson, NV update: may now be closed ?
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BELLAGIO FOUNTAINS, ART GALLERY & FLOWER GARDEN
Features touring art exhibitions from around the globe. The conservatory and botanical garden
are beautiful. Garden is free. Art exhibitions tours and dates open change. $15 Call for
dates. (702) 693-7871. In front of this grand hotel a water show is presented to opera music,
free. Show times: Monday - Friday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. show every 15 minutes
Saturday & Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.show every 15 minutes
*Schedule may vary. **Shows are subject to cancellation due to high winds.
NOTE: Ansel Adams America opens May 3, 2006 in art gallery.
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VENETIAN ART & CANAL SHOPS
You have to see this. Start with voluminous ceilings painted in reproductions of the great
ceilings of Rome. Awesome! Everything in this hotel is a sight to behold. Go upstairs to the
canal street shops. You will think you are in Rome. Canals with gondolas you can ride in,
ceilings that look like the sky with clouds and an open pavillion called St. Mark's Square,
cobblestone walks, performers serenading in authentic dress and the gondolier march that takes place
twice daily at 9:45 am and 4:14 pm. ALL FREE. Then visit the GUGGENHEIM
HERMITAGE MUSEUM. Exhibitions change twice a year. Currently Rubens is on display.
Open daily from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Museum store open daily 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Public
exhibition tours are offered most afternoon and evenings. Call (702) 414-2493 for times and
availability. Admission is $19.50 adults, $15.00 seniors, $15.00 Nevada residents, $12.50
students with ID, $9.50 children 6-12, under six are free. Audio guides are included in the price
of admission.
As if this wasn't enough, the Venetian offers entertainment in the form of MADAME
TUSSAUDES interactive wax museum. Open seven days a week. For attraction hours and
pricing, call (702) 862-7800. Located on the Strip.
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CAESARS FORUM SHOPS
The architecture of Caesars is fabulous. Inside it hosts over 160 upscale shops in an enclosed
enormous area with a ceiling that appears like real sky. In the rotunda is a fountain with bigger
than life size figures of Greek gods and goddesses that come to life during a laser show.
Amazing! And it's free.
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MGM LION HABITAT
In the center of the casino is a glass enclosure where is displayed lions in a habitat
resembling the jungle. Walk under a glass tunnel into the shop where, for a price, you can
have your photo made with a lion cub. Viewing the lions is free.
M&M CANDY STORE
If you are an M&M fan, you will find almost every item imaginable with the M&M characters on
it…. pajamas, coats, kitchen aids and more. Here is sold M&Ms in every color of the rainbow
including, yes, BLUE M&Ms.
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BUILDINGS
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OLDEST CASINO ON THE STRIP: FRONTIER
The Frontier, built 1942, is the oldest casino on the Strip. Second oldest is the Flamingo built
by Bugsy Segal 1946. See history links.
OLDEST CASINO DOWNTOWN: GOLDEN GATE
The oldest casino downtown is the Golden Gate built 1906. Has some old photos displayed
throughout the casino.
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TALLEST STRUCTURE IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA: STRATOSPHERE
The Stratosphere stands 1,149 Feet Tall. At the top of the Stratosphere is a restaurant,
roller coaster and other rides.
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LARGEST HOTEL: MGM GRAND
Ten of the 20 largest hotels in world are located in Las Vegas. MGM is the world's largest
hotel by architecture stds [per www.emporis.com]. Others among the top 20 in the world are :
Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, Circus-Circus, Flamingo, Ceasars, Mirage, Monte Carlo,
Hilton, Paris, Treasure Island, Ballys, Wynn. Visit the Strip.
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OLDEST BUILDING IN LAS VEGAS: OLD MORMON FORT
The Mormon Fort was originally built in 1855 as a shelter for folks on their way to Utah. When
the Mormons pulled out, Octavio Decatur Gass began a small farm. His wife sold homemade
dinners to the miners. Mr. Gass left to seek gold in CA. Upon his return he was killed by a
ranch hand. His wife sold the property to the ice company. Only a small amount of the original
Mormon building remains. The area is now a state park and replica buildings are in progress.
Located at 500 E. Washington Ave. See history links.
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SECOND OLDEST BUILDING IN LAS VEGAS AREA: SPRING MOUNTAIN RANCH
Originally a rest stop for late 1800's travelers. You can walk to the old site located about a
quarter mile from the house where the old blacksmith shop and sandstone cabins stand. The
ranch changed names and owners several times. Owners included: Bill Williams (?), James
B. Wilson, Willard George [furrier], Chet Lauck (with Don Ameche raised horses], German
actress Vera Krupp [owner of the Krupp diamond], Howard Hughes, two local business men
and finally the state of Nevada. See Spring Mtn Ranch Photos.
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LANDMARKS
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NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK: HOOVER DAM
The dam took 21,000 men 5 years to build it and was completed in 1935 . According to the
US Department of the Interior: The Dam is a National Historic Landmark and has been rated
by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America's Seven Modern Civil
Engineering Wonders. Tours include a ride down the elevator over 500 feet with a viewing of
the generators. Amazing, Hoover Dam was built without a computer!
LONGEST LIGHT SHOW(?): FREMONT EXPERIENCE
This free light show is displayed overhead on the dome of the downtown enclosure which is 4
blocks long.
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HISTORICAL BUILDING: MOULIN ROUGE HOTEL
What history! In the days before integration, blacks performing at casinos could not dine nor
gamble in casinos. May 1955 Investors opened the Moulin Rouge and allowed integrated guests.
Opening ceremonies included Joe Louis and The Platters. Sammy Davis Jr. was
frequently a guest and also performed. So did Frank Sinatra.
In an interview with Sarah Knight Preddy, the Las Vegas Sun columnist Jerry Fink quotes Mrs.
Preddy as saying "I was told by one of the owners that had invested in it that he had been
asked to close it down and join them on the Strip. I don't know how much stock to put in that,
but everybody working there believed it. There was standing-room only all the time and then
everyone is suddenly told don't come to work." It closed in Oct 1955. In 1960 it was the site
where Governor Sawyer and the NAACP negotiated for black Nevadan's civil rights. A few
years ago, a vagrant set fire to the building. Fortunately, some of it remains including murals
of dancers & cars. It is supposed to be renovated, but we've heard that before. Parts of the
movie "Casino" were filmed in the remains. Not open to public. 900 West Bonanza Road.
See history links.
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