Samantha & Jordan
Off Strip "To Do List"
Red Rock Canyon
A must see when your visiting the Mojave!! Get there REALLY EARLY. Day passes are $15 per car (so car pool) and the line usually starts at about 8am and is 20 car lengths by 9am. Calico Tanks is our favorite hike (around mile 3 of the loop). We liked it so much, we took our engagement pics there. The view at the end is fantastic!
Mount Charleston
Great hikes, great lodge, great scenery, wild horse and an escape from the heat. Its a bit of a drive north of vegas on HWY 95, but is well worth it. Mary Jane Falls is our favorite hike, as long as you are okay with switchbacks.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Definitely one of our favorite places to grab a bite and a cocktail. Awesome bunch on Sundays, and if you sit on the patio, they allow dogs! Located in Summerlin Mall, there is lots of great shops and other places to eat (definitely check out Nordstrom's Rack while your there for great shopping deals, there is a Trader Joes in the same parking lot for you Cookie Butter fanatics). Get the hummus!!
Tenaya Creek Brewery
Definitely Jordan's favorite brewery in town! Located just around the corner from Golden Nugget (but you still want to drive there, not the best area), Tenaya has great house beers and awesome guest taps. Their 702 Pale Ale, Hop Ride IPA and Bonaza Brown are great! If you're luck enough, they may have Modern Times, Pure Project or Crooked Stave on their guest draft list. Food trucks nightly!
Hover Dam
Hover Dam is a great morning trip while you're out here. Just outside Boulder City (great shops and breakfast places), you can walk, drive, tour the area, or hike the old railway lines trails leading to the bottom of the Colorado River. There is parking just before the dam, or tours leave regularly from downtown or the Strip
Lone Mountain
If you're looking for a quick (but challenging) hike with a great view of the valley, Lone Mountain is an hour from bottom to top and has the best full view of the area the city has to offer. Its definitely on the steep and challenging side though, so bring water and prepare for some semi climbing. Be sure to be back down before dark!
Nora's Italian Cuisine
By far our favorite Italian Restaurant in town. Its ALWAYS busy with about a 1 hour wait, so do what we do and grab a spot at the bar, full menu and a great wine selection.
Sen of Japan
If you are serious about Sushi, Sen is the place for you. Just outside Summerlin, it is definitely worth the trip. Prepared for $100 per person, but we suggest simply asking the GM or the sushi chef for their suggestions. It will blow you away (Dave Finlay approved).
PublicUs
Fresh Sourdough bread, unbelievable breakfast options, and artisan coffee that is worth the 15 minute wait for a pour over. PublicUs is Downtown hipster startup at its best. If you are there past 12pm, walk down the street to Atomic Liquor for a lunchtime beer!
Makers & Finders - Downtown Summerlin
Another fantastic breakfast option. Great coffee, latin inspired dishes. Expect to wait 15-30 minutes for a table on the weekend, but its right beside LUSH, so you can by a bath balm while you wait.