Las Vegas: Discover Culture, Neon and Nature

Las Vegas Between History, Nature and Illuminated Discoveries

Las Vegas offers far more than a single type of holiday experience. Springs Preserve features a botanical garden and trails through native habitats, while Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort preserves traces of history. The Neon Museum offers an insight into the history of neon signs, and interactive exhibits at DISCOVERY Children's Museum provide another perspective on the city.

Nature and Trails at Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve has an eight-hectare botanical garden. The trails are 3.5 miles long in total and lead through 110 hectares of native habitats and archaeological sites. This makes it possible to structure your stay even if you plan to spend time outdoors alongside museum visits. The length of the trails is a specific factor for planning your day; it does not imply any additional estimate of the time required.

Springs Preserve also includes an eight-minute narrated round trip on a trackless train to Boomtown 1905. This offering provides a distinct element within the visit and complements the trails and botanical garden with a narrated ride.

History at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort preserves the historic remains of an adobe fort built in 1855 by Mormon missionaries beside a spring-fed creek. Exhibits and photographs in the visitor centre illustrate the history of the site. This allows you to include a visit in your travel plans if you are interested in the early history of Las Vegas and historic buildings.

Specific visiting hours apply to this site: Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with last admission at 4:00 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You should take these hours into account when planning your excursions and choosing your daily schedule.

Neon Museum: Neon Signs as Urban Memories

The Neon Museum has an outdoor exhibition area called Neon Boneyard. The collection currently comprises 250 neon signs; 31 electrified signs are displayed in the Neon Boneyard. This makes the history of neon signs visible through specific objects, without limiting the visit to a single exhibition perspective.

The Neon Museum also houses the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant! Jackpot” in the North Gallery. Those interested in design, urban history and the impact of light will find a different approach here than at the historic fort or Springs Preserve. These different focuses help you tailor the trip to the interests of everyone travelling with you.

Discoveries for Children and Adults

At DISCOVERY Children's Museum, The Summit is a 70-foot-high tower with twelve levels extending across all three floors of the museum. Water World is an interactive exhibition where children can learn about water conservation, sustainability and the science behind one of the most important resources in southern Nevada. The Summit focuses on height and its multi-level structure, while Water World addresses the themes of water, sustainability and science.

When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first decide which experiences should define your stay. Nature and trails favour a day plan that includes Springs Preserve, historical interests point to Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, and neon signs to the Neon Museum. The fort's opening hours, along with the desired mix of culture, outdoor activities and interactive museum offerings, provide specific guidance for your personal planning.

Further Destination Pages

You can also visit Paradise. For further travel ideas, Laughlin, Mesquite, Searchlight, Moapa Valley, Blue Diamond, Spring Valley and Mount Charleston are also available to choose from.

For the higher-level travel overview: Clark.