Hotels of Las Vegas

The Old West lives on at the 115-acre Bonnie Springs Ranch located 30 minutes outside Las Vegas. The ranch is set against the beautiful backdrop of the majestic Spring Mountain Range, home to native Nevada wildlife including horses, coyotes, polecats, deer, elk and bighorn sheep.Bonnie Springs Ranch was built in 1843 to serve as a stopping point for wagon trains making their way down the Old Spanish Trail to California. In 1952 the ranch was transformed into the tourist attraction it is today complete with a restaurant, cocktail lounge, petting zoo, a motel and a stable offering horseback and stagecoach rides.

The Western-themed Old Nevada park will keep the family entertained for hours. Designed to replicate the mining towns of the 1880s, the small town boasts a bank, opera house, schoolhouse, wax museum, sheriff’s office, chapel (that can actually be reserved for a wedding) and even a cemetary.

There are several gift shops in Old Nevada where visitors can pick up any number of unique souvenirs from toy pistols to authentic moccasins. Near the shops is the Petty Canyon cactus garden, home to a variety of plant life including cholla, sage and, as the sign points out, “just plain damn weeds.”

Visitors can practice their sharpshooting skills at a shooting gallery or explore the Nevada museum. Among the rare treasures found at the museum are antique gaming tables, an organ from 1880 and a lighted projector from 1875. The Old Nevada Photography Shop gives guests a chance to dress up in costumes from the Old West and have photos taken to preserve their place in history.

Completing the experience are numerous shows that re-enact gunfights, hangings and bank robberies. Shows are held throughout the day and range between 30 to 45 minutes long. Additional performances are held on the weekends.

Adjacent to Old Nevada is a petting zoo, featuring a large duck pond at the front entrance. In addition to the ducks, an exquisite pair of swans, Fred and Ginger, have also made the pond their habitat. Bird feed can be bought at various points around the pond. Other animals at the zoo include wolves, emu, deer, prairie dogs, geese, racoons, ponies and llamas.

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The original Bonnie and Clyde “Getaway Car” has been on display in Primm since 1988. Now located in the rotunda that joins Primm Valley Resort & Casino and the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas, the car on exhibit is the original Ford that the robber team of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot in by police during a roadblock ambush on May 23, 1934, in Louisiana. Along with the car, the display also includes the shirt Clyde died in, a belt and a necklace both made by Clyde in prison, a handmade mirror and 17 Barrow family photos.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is one of those unexpected Mojave Desert surprises.

Barely an hour by car from the hottest and driest place in the continent — Death Valley — Ash Meadows is an extensive oasis of over 23,000 acres of pure spring water-fed marshes and blue-green streams and pools.

Located about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Ash Meadows is filled with wildlife, from birds like the desert Phainopepla and insects like dragonflies to reptiles like the Chuckwalla and mammals like coyote. But Ash Meadows is most famous for its fish - the rare pupfish that dart about its waterways. Tiny and glinting, the pupfish are among the 24 Ash Meadows ecosystem animals that are found nowhere else in the world.

Stroll along the wooden boardwalks that run along Ash Meadow’s Crystal Spring main viewing area and peer into the transparent waters. A number of interpretive signs explain the environment to visitors. Rangers are sometimes available for questions and further information.

Other areas of Ash Meadows include the dramatic Point of Rocks, Jackrabbit Spring and Crystal Reservoir.

This is a fantastic area for nature lovers and photographers.

Although reminiscent of a typical log ride, Adventure Canyon stands apart from the rest by being the first interactive log ride in the world. Adventure Canyon is still a basic flume ride with a 35-foot, drip-filled drop.

But once riders splash down, the fun continues on the four-minute ride as they take part in an electronic shooting gallery. Armed with pistols handed out at the start of the ride, passengers float through scenes of the Wild West, complete with miners, desperados and outlaws. Illuminated targets mark the spots to shoot at, and riders may be surprised when some of these shady characters shoot back.

Throughout Adventure Canyon, riders pick up points for shooting the bad guys. At the end of the journey, riders shoot at one last target to determine the best marksman in their group as they towel off.

Let’s face it, gravity is a b—-.Dieters know it, basketball players know it and kids with dreams of becoming Superman know it.

But there’s little the average person has been able to do about it, until now.

Welcome to Las Vegas. Here, in a city that regularly eschews reality for fantasy, gravity is now as easy to overcome as a morning hangover all courtesy of the Zero Gravity Corporation.

In April, ZERO-G commercial weightless flights began departing from the Signature Air Terminal at McCarran International Airport. The flights create weightlessness in three phases for passengers, who’ve ranged from Stephen Hawking to Martha Stewart to the nerdy guy next door who’s been socking away money for his own personal space trip (This is not an econo flight. Tickets start at $3,500.).

Aboard a modified Boeing 727, passengers experience a series of 15 parabolas (think the same shape as rolling hills) that when tackled at just the right speed – with some science variables thrown in – create 30-second intervals of weightlessness for those onboard.

“With the launch of ZERO-G’s regular flights from Las Vegas, the general public now has convenient access to an incredible adventure that was previously only available to astronauts,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, CEO and co-founder of ZERO-G. “Visitors flock to Las Vegas for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and ZERO-G will deliver on that expectation and then some. ZERO-G is destined become Las Vegas’ greatest attraction for young and old, for anyone who ever wanted to fly like Superman or float like an astronaut.”

This is not your typical flight. First, it’s staffed by a crew that includes actual rocket scientists.

Then there’s the plane. From the outside it looks normal enough, but inside it’s a different story. The rear of the aircraft houses rows of seats not unlike the ones you squeezed yourself into when you flew into Las Vegas, but the front half is completely empty and lined with a semi-squishy white padding. This is where the magic happens. This is where your average, athletically-challenged, middle-aged man floats by sandwiched into his flight suit telling everyone who’ll listen that he’s Superman.

The funny thing is, for a few seconds, he is Superman.

The “Superman” portion of the flight isn’t immediate – first there’s the Moon and Mars to conquer. In an effort to get passengers acclimated to shifts in gravity, and ultimately, weightlessness, the first parabola simulates your weight on the moon (one-sixth of your actual weight). It’s also your first chance to feel like an astronaut - that famous footage of the Apollo 11 astronauts bounding across the moon and planting an American flag happened in the same gravity conditions as onboard the plane. The next two are Martian parabolas – your weight (one-third of reality) on Mars. You’ll have to look to Looney Tunes and Marvin the Martian for a reference on that one.

For a sneak peek at what the next 13 parabolas are like, check out that never-ending loop of ‘Apollo 13’ appearing on cable these days. Watch for the scenes where Tom Hanks and company are effectively floating around the set. Those scenes were filmed onboard a Zero-G flight.

It’s hard to come up with a description of what weightlessness feels like. Renowned physicist Stephan Hawking summed it up in a single word – “amazing.” High praise from the man who’s taught the world a thing or two about space. His daughter, Lucy, expanded a little more, saying that, “for a moment, he was free.”

Of course, zero gravity is what you make of it. Exclamations heard onboard range from things like, “This is the easiest diet ever!” to “I just did five somersaults!” And there are moments of deep concentration, too – at one point, the crew instructs passengers to open bags of M&M’s and then, as they float around the cabin, gobble them up Pac-Man style. We never said it was rocket science, only that there were rocket scientists on board.

The entire flight is photographed by a professional photographer. Sure, you may want to bring your own camera, but take our advice, photography at zero gravity is best left to those who have mastered the art of a weightless tuck and roll.

Mounted around each of the three padded areas are several high-definition video cameras, which also capture the action. About a week or two after your flight, a DVD with the photos and video arrives at your house and prompts hours of more glowing recollection, probably to the annoyance of family and friends, who have been hearing about your flight non-stop for the past 12 days.

A lot of different things make up the ZERO-G experience – the neat flight suit (which you get to keep), the post-landing “regravitation” party, an official certificate proclaiming your accomplishment, the list goes on, but it’s clear what the real jewel in the weightless experience is – being weightless.

Similar to an old Western, the Sunset Stampede transports visitors back in time through the use of water, lasers, lights and animation.

The eight-minute show begins with the plaintive howl of an animatronic wolf, which suddenly appears at the top of the mountain. The wolf is joined by other wildlife, including a bear and an eagle.

The fountains come alive, shooting up to eight stories high and dancing along to a symphonic score recorded especially for Sam’s Town by the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra. The show chronicles the Western pioneer experience.

Sunset Stampede is located in Mystic Falls Park, a 25,000-square-foot live forest within an atrium. There is plenty of room for viewing the show, although those standing up front are likely to get a bit wet. A bar situated in the middle of the park provides a good vantage point while offering onlookers the chance to stay dry.

Once the show concludes, Mystic Falls becomes peaceful once more. Filled with lush foliage, cascading waterfalls and a babbling brook, the spot is the ideal location for relaxation. Wooden benches are scattered throughout the park, providing a place to sit and take in the view. And for those interested in a leisurely stroll, stone walkways lined with rustic hanging lanterns weave their way through the park.

Gazing out at the bone-dry, desert landscape of Las Vegas, it’s hard to imagine that the area was once home to natural springs and abundant water.The recently-opened Springs Preserve, a 180-acre cultural and historical attraction on the site of those springs, which dried up in 1962, aims to teach people about Vegas’ past as well as get them to think about the future.

“It’s a balance of the two,” said Jesse Davis, marketing/public relations manager for the Springs Preserve. “In order for us to look toward the future, we have to appreciate the past.”

The Springs Preserve, known as the birthplace of Las Vegas and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is administered by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the agency that manages the city’s water and promotes conservation.

The Preserve is home to entertainment, exhibits, galleries, trails and gardens that provide recreational and educational opportunities to visitors.

“It’s a good place to come for recreation with the trails; it’s a good place to come for entertainment with the amphitheater. You can get a respite from the hustle and bustle of the Strip,” Davis said. “There’s really no other place for tourists to go to see the true side of Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a fascinating history but is infamous for its roots on the Strip and gambling. Here you’ll learn that the place is here because of water,” he said.

An educational experience

Education about the past is a key component of the Springs Preserve and visitors can expand their knowledge at the Origen Experience.

This area was designed to teach visitors about the early inhabitants who made the springs in the Las Vegas Valley their home. There are galleries, a theater, interactive children’s exhibits and much more.

The Natural Mojave Gallery features interactive exhibits that explore the geological history of the Mojave Desert and the formation of the Las Vegas Valley and the springs. Kids can dig for fossils and learn about erosion. A flash flood exhibit demonstrates the danger of flooding in the valley and features a recreation of a ravine though which 5,000 gallons of recycled water come crashing down every 20 minutes.

The People of the Springs Gallery includes 33 exhibits focusing on the cultural history of the Springs Preserve and the development of Las Vegas. On display are reconstructions of Native American dwellings and a multimedia recreation of the 1905 Las Vegas land auction. The arrival of the railroad is marked with an explorable train car and visitors can learn about the construction of Hoover Dam through an interactive exhibit.

The New Frontier Gallery keeps kids entertained as they learn about Las Vegas and the principles of sustainability through 13 different video games and activities.

Visitors can also learn about the myriad of wildlife that call the desert home with an exhibit of live animals including Gila monsters, lizards, bats, snakes, desert cottontail rabbits, spiders and more.

Looking toward the future

Education about conservation and preparing for the future is the other main goal of the Springs Preserve and that is accomplished in the Desert Living Center.

The Desert Living Center is a complex of five buildings and 43 exhibits including a sustainability gallery, a library, and classroom and conference space. Exhibits, events and activities at the center demonstrate the benefits of recycling, conservation and alternative energy.

Here, visitors can see a model that shows the path water travels to reach Las Vegas residences and businesses. A “tower of trash” represents the amount of trash an average family accumulates in one month and a theater inside a garbage truck constructed from recycled materials shows a film explaining where trash goes and what types of products can be made from recycled material.

A model kitchen, bathroom and laundry room demonstrates how to save energy, water and money and guests can view the exposed engine of a hybrid car to see how it works.

Desert beauty

The Gardens at the Springs Preserve is a great place to take a relaxing stroll while learning about desert vegetation. The 8-acre garden area features a wide range of desert landscapes and showcases native and non-native plant life with interpretive stations and hands-on activities. More than 400 trees and plants including herbs, vegetables, roses, cactus, palms and more were transplanted from an existing garden and are on display. A theater provides space for instruction on irrigation, gardening and landscaping.

Recreational opportunity

For those who enjoy hiking, four trails featuring interpretive displays wind through the picturesque Springs Preserve and take visitors through both a cultural and environmental history of the Las Vegas Valley. The trails lead to the Preserve’s cienega, a desert wetland that serves as a home for hundreds of native plant, bird and animal species including peregrine falcons, snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons. A reconstructed cauldron pool depicts the natural springs that once existed beneath the valley.

Time to play

The Springs Preserve offers numerous chances for kids to learn and it also offers them a place to play. A playground built to resemble a desert canyon with oversized wildlife replicas of a peregrine falcon, a wooly mammoth skeleton and a 50-foot snake are a favorite among the younger set.

Another area for children, dubbed the Nature Exchange, allows kids to find natural items and trade them in to learn more about them. Collectors gain points that can be used for trading for other items.

And there’s more

Other highlights at the Springs Preserve include the Springs Café, a restaurant operated by Wolfgang Puck, which offers expansive views of the Strip and the Las Vegas Valley, and a gift shop that offers unique books, toys and collectibles. Regular educational programming at the Springs Preserve includes classes on arts and crafts, cooking, cultural studies and sustainable living.

Davis said a mix of big-name entertainment and local performers in both theater and music are planned for the Preserve’s 1,800-seat outdoor amphitheater throughout the year. The facility opened with a performance by Jewel.

A dream realized

Planning for the Springs Preserve had been in the works since the late ‘90s and ground was broken in 2005. After two years of construction, the newly-opened attraction is expected to bring in around 600,000 visitors each year and become a major part of the city’s identity.

“The Springs Preserve represents to Las Vegas what Central Park represents to New York, said Springs Preserve Director Francis N. Béland. “Not aesthetically, but in what it means to the community from a historic and cultural perspective.”

If you’ve ever wondered what an indoor mountain may look like, then you won’t believe your eyes at the Red Rock Climbing Center.

Located only minutes away from Red Rock Canyon, the center features more than 8,000 square feet of actual climbing surface. The walls stand at a towering 35 feet, with routes measuring 100 feet in length. For the daredevils, there is also 1,000 square feet worth of radical overhangs and roof routes. While this area may not have the look of a typical mountain, the size is easily comparable.

If you’re the type who gets bored easily, new climbing routes replace old ones quite frequently. Different colored rock holders make it easy to follow a particular trail. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find the perfect route for your level.

This facility offers both top-rope and lead climbing options. Equipment rentals, climbing lessons and personal instructors are also available. Whether you’re a first-time or an advanced climber, there are classes suited to challenge and improve your climbing ability.

The fun doesn’t stop indoors — once you sharpen your techniques and feel ready for the great outdoors, the Red Rock Climbing Center offers outdoor guide services at Red Rock Canyon.

Private events are also available. Please call for details.

When most people think of star-gazing in Las Vegas, they envision themselves watching a number of celebrities dressed in their finest, cavorting on the Strip. But the Planetarium and Observatory offers something a little more out of this world.

Depending on the time of year and the weather, each session focuses on a variety of celestial objects including the moon, planets, stars, star clusters and other out-of-this-world phenomena. Once the latitude, longitude, time and date are set, visitors are able to see a projection of what treasures the night sky will have to offer on that particular evening.

The planetarium is fairly small, so be sure to get there early as it fills up fast. Also, once the presentation starts there is no admittance.

Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or just something unique to see in Vegas, the Planetarium and Observatory will suit your needs.

The Old Mormon Fort shows how the town of Las Vegas came into existence through faith, hope, determination and the ability to overcome adversity.

It’s hard to imagine now, but Las Vegas, Spanish for The Meadows, once was an oasis in the desert, with free-flowing water and an abundance of lush grass as far as the eye could see. It became a popular resting point for the native Paiute, traders, miners and others passing through the region.

In 1855, William Bringhurst led a group of 29 Mormon missionaries from Utah to the Las Vegas Valley. The missionaries built a 150-square-foot adobe fort near a creek and used flood irrigation to water their crops, a process still used at the park.

However, because of tensions rising between leaders of the small Mormon community, the summer heat and difficulty growing crops, the missionaries returned to Utah in 1857, abandoning the fort.

Over the next 50 years, ownership of the fort would pass from local miner Octavius D. Gass in 1865 to ranchers Archibald and Helen Stewart in 1881 and eventually to San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad in 1902. In 1929, the Bureau of Reclamation used the fort’s ranch house as an office for the construction of the Hoover Dam.

The ranch house, the oldest building in Nevada, contains informative exhibits tracing the area’s history, including a collection of photographs of the fort spanning from 1934 to 1992. The ranch house also contains a pump organ, spinning wheel and butter churner, all used by former inhabitants. Other artifacts found at the fort include an apple corer, cake griddle, rug beater and bullet mold. A replica of the first flag flown over Vegas is displayed along one wall, complete with 19 stars and 13 stripes.

Another exhibit depicts the period when the U.S. Army occupied the Southern Nevada fort (1867 to 1869). Although their accomodations were far from luxurious, they did have a roof over their heads, fresh vegetables, meat and clean water. A reconstruction of the soldiers’ living quarters houses a bed consisting of a straw mattress and blanket, lanterns, ammunition, a table and chairs.

At the center of the fort lies an 1850s freight wagon, similar to those once used to carry supplies and materials to and from the fort. The creek has long since dried up, but a re-creation of it now travels the edge of the property near the ranch house, giving visitors a unique glimpse into the past. Several picnic tables scattered throughout the fort provide the perfect place for an afternoon snack.

The “Garden in the Desert” features the same crops as those grown by both the settlers and the natives of the region. They include Asian pears, Hopi blue corn, Babcock peaches, beets, spaghetti squash, onions, carrots and turnips.

A small gift shop located in the Visitors Center offers a variety of souvenirs, from T-shirts to seed packets for plants found at the historic state park. There also are a number of helpful brochures on the Old Mormon Fort and related history.