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Spring Mountain Ranch

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Las Vegas – Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

Believe it or not, there is more to do in Las Vegas than what exists on the strip… That is of course, if you look beyond the casinos, and venture to the outskirts of town.

State Park in the desert
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

Every summer, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is host to the Super Summer Theatre. Performances are held outside Wednesday through Saturday, with several shows to choose from.

Heading to the meadow
Walking to the meadow

This is such a fun event for adults and children. Everyone brings blankets and chairs to spread out in the meadow. You’re allowed to bring in food and drinks. It’s perfect for an evening picnic as you watch the performance under the stars.

Theatre at Spring Mountain Ranch
Waiting for Beauty and the Beast!

If you get there early enough, you’ll have time to go explore. There are several hiking trails to check out. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Wild burros are some of the wildlife in the area, so keep your eyes open for them.

wild burros in spring mountain ranch
Wild burros roam the area

The Ranch itself has an interesting history, with a string of famous owners. The original buildings are open for tours… Check for times.

cabin at spring mountain ranch
One of the original cabins

There’s even a small lake at the ranch. Lake Harriet is the home of the endangered Pahrump Poolfish, so there is no fishing, swimming, or boats allowed.

Lake at spring mountain ranch
Lake Harriet
ranch grounds
Up near the main house
desert beauty red rock canyon
The beauty of the desert

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Filed Under: Las Vegas, Nevada Tagged With: Beauty and the Beast in Las Vegas, Julie Miche Travel Blogger & Photographer, Lake Harriet, Las Vegas Outside Theatre, Las Vegas Tourism, Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Super Summer Theatre, Things to do near Las Vegas, Wild Burros in Las Vegas

A Vegas Christmas

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

A Vegas Kind of Christmas


Who goes to Vegas at Christmas? Me for one! I have family in Chicago and Las Vegas, so I split the holiday between the two cities. My Chicago Christmas was celebrated a couple weeks earlier. I spent Christmas in Vegas!

So what do people do for Christmas in Las Vegas? Believe it or not, most people do have traditional celebrations. My family had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, and then exchanged gifts. Christmas morning was celebrated with the kiddos opening gifts from Santa.

That’s pretty much what most people do right? Well, here’s what I’m guessing most don’t!

Several years ago, bowling somehow made it into a Christmas Day activity for our Las Vegas family! It seems to have stuck, so I guess we can now call it a tradition. None of us are very good at it, but we always have a lot of fun!

I guess a lot of other people have made this part of their Vegas Christmas too.  There was a pretty big line to get a lane and shoes!

Vegas Christmas Bowling
Hey look! They decorated!

They even had Cosmic Bowling! It was quite festive!

cosmic bowling Vegas Christmas
Cosmic Bowling!

If bowling’s not your thing, there’s always ice skating! I know, you’re thinking in Vegas? Yes, actually there are several places to choose from! I like The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan. They transform their Boulevard Pool into an ice rink that overlooks the Vegas Strip! They also have fire pits to sit around where you can enjoy holiday cocktails.

Ice Skating at The Cosmopolitan Vegas in the winter
Ice Skating at The Cosmopolitan

A new addition to Vegas is The High Roller, a 550 foot tall Ferris wheel. This is fun for kids and adults. If you are going with adults only, I recommend the happy hour ride!

Las Vegas Ferris Wheel
High Roller Ferris Wheel Pod

The views are spectacular!

High Roller view of the strip in Vegas
View of Vegas from The High Roller

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And, if that’s not enough for your Vegas Christmas, you can always head down to Freemont Street to go sledding! Yep! That’s right… Sledding! There is a snow hill! The snow is trucked in daily… And, that my friends is what a Vegas Christmas looks like!

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Filed Under: Las Vegas, Nevada Tagged With: Cosmic Bowling, Freemont Street Experience, High Roller Ferris Wheel, Julie Plevak, Las Vegas at Christmas, Las Vegas Strip, The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan, Travel Blogger and Photographer

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