Imperial Palace Car Collection:
Touted as the world’s largest and finest classic car showroom, the Imperial Palace collection is said to display $100 million worth of vehicles, some of which are for sale.
Visitors can see more than 250 antiques, musclecars and specialty-interest cars and trucks. The showroom is open from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily. Call 702-794-3174 or visit
www.imperialpalace.com and select “The Auto Collections” from the left navigation menu for information about tickets and reservations. The Imperial Palace hotel is located at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Las Vegas.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts:
Those interested in art of a more formal variety might want to venture into the Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s gallery of fine art. The gallery prides itself on presenting works by some of the world’s most compelling artists in what it calls “intimate exhibitions.”
The current exhibit, entitled “A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney,” features paintings, photographs and videos showcasing the works of artists, such as Claude Monet, Marc Chagall, Helen Frankenthaler, David Hockney, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Robert Rauschenbergg, Christo, Vik Muniz and many others. Visit here for complete information.
Bootleg Canyon Biking:
Get into the great outdoors on the Bootleg Canyon Bike Trails in Boulder City, Nevada, just under 30 miles from Las Vegas.
This wide-ranging series of manmade trails includes both cross-country and downhill-specific trails. There are 36 miles of routes (and you can make more by combining them to your heart’s desire), and there is a shuttle to the top for those who need a boost.
Be warned that the weather can be variable in November, and bring plenty of water! Visit here for details, maps and further information.
The Roller Coaster at New York-New York:
Kids of all ages love roller coasters, and the one at New York-New York carries its passengers up 203 ft. and then zips them down 144 ft. at a speed of 67 miles per hour.
The Roller Coaster is said to simulate “a jet fighter’s barrel roll while taking you on the famous ‘heartline’ twist.”
Prices range from $14 for an individual to $60 for a family of four, which includes ride tickets plus two 5-x7-in. close-up photos. Visit www.newyorknewyork.com and find “The Roller Coaster” under the “Attractions” menu for more information.
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead:
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, wildlife and sightseeing all year long.
Located about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the Lake Mead Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., seven days a week. It provides information about new developments within the recreation area, including maps, books, games and toys. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/lake or call 702-293-8990.
Pinball Hall of Fame:
Many of us grew up playing old-fashioned pinball before there was any such thing as a video game.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is touted as the world’s largest pinball collection. Open to the public, a not-for-profit corporation runs the Hall of Fame, and all of the games belong to a single club member named Tim Arnold. The machines range from ’50s vintage up to the ’90s. Because it’s a non-profit organization, non-denominational charities receive any excess earnings.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is located at 1610 E. Tropicana in Las Vegas (across from the Liberace Museum).
Pole Position Raceway:
Got a craving for some wheel-to-wheel competition? Pole Position Raceway offers multiple options.
When you go by yourself or with a group, standard kart races last about 10 minutes, with separate categories for adults and kids. Pole Position also offers group and party packages that feature reserved times for private racing in two-, three- and four-race formats. There are also options for even larger groups who wish to rent the whole facility. The raceway is located at 4175 South Arville in Las Vegas. For information, call 702-227-7223.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area:
Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Blvd./State Route 159, the 195,819-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area includes a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas and a visitor center with exhibit rooms and a book store.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the spectacular landscape is not to be missed. For more information, visit www.redrockcanyonlv.org or call 702-515-5350.
Lied Discovery Children’s Museum:
If you’re bringing the family to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show, be sure the kids get a chance to visit the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. It includes more than 100 hands-on exhibits that delve into the arts and sciences, nature, music and the humanities as well as traveling exhibitions.
The interactive exhibits are designed for everyone from toddlers to adults, and the museum offers packages for group visits, including award-winning birthday-party programs. The museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. N. in Las Vegas. Call 702-382-5437 for information about hours and current programs.
Golf in Vegas:
There is a huge variety of golf courses in and around Las Vegas, such as the Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock; the Bali Hai, Mandalay Bay; the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club; the Snow Mountain course at Paiute Golf Resort; the TPC Las Vegas and dozens more.
The well-kept fairways, water features and lush vegetation make each one a treasure. This photo is of the Bali Hai, a par 72 layout that plays 7,002 yards from the tips, but SEMA Show week might be a good jumping off point for a few extra days on the links. Visit here to see a great selection of local courses.
Atomic Testing Museum:
Atomic bombs were set off just 65 miles from Las Vegas at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), which was the premier nuclear testing facility in the United States from 1951– 1992. The 8,000-sq.-ft. Atomic Testing Museum details the history of the NTS and the world events that brought it into being. Video displays and galleries explain the background behind the atmospheric tests, underground testing and the environmental impacts that eventually led to the end of testing throughout the world.
The museum is located at 755 E. Flamingo Rd. in Las Vegas and is open seven days a week. For information about hours, visit www.atomictestingmuseum.org or call 702-794-5151.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum:
What is now Las Vegas once lay beneath an ancient sea, and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum provides a slice of what life was like in the locale’s ancient past. Located just south of the intersection of the Vegas Strip and Washington Ave. next to Cashman Field, the museum also features exhibits on the African savannah, desert life and Nevada’s prehistoric past. From sharks to snakes and from dinosaurs to badgers, the museum offers a wealth of entertaining and educational exhibits. It is located at 900 N. Las Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas. Call 702-384-3466 or visit here for more information.
