Maverick Aviation Group

Las Vegas buzzes day and night with excitement and energy. However, there’s more to Southern Nevada than the Las Vegas Neon Strip and Glitter Gulch. Like London and its multicultural outlying districts, you’ll find several historic cities and natural attractions around Las Vegas to explore—all of which have their own distinct atmosphere. Here’s an introduction to a few nearby points on our compass. If you’d like to visit them and don’t want to drive, Maverick Helicopter Tours will gladly arrange a charter flight for you.

Boulder City
Boulder City is just a few kilometres from Hoover Dam, the historic manmade creation that tamed the raging Colorado River. Boulder City was built in the 1930s to house the dam’s construction workers and their families. Today, it still offers a pleasant, small-town vibe. There are two golf courses and several lovely parks that host annual art festivals. Boulder City’s main street, which is situated along Nevada Highway, is also a wonderful place to stroll. You’ll find many shops offering Native American jewellery, as well as a brewery, diner and wine bar.

Henderson
Henderson is Las Vegas’ next-door neighbour. It’s beginnings date back to Hoover Dam, when an overflow of workers from Boulder City arrived in area. The city was officially founded in 1941 as an industrial town housing employees from the Basic Magnesium plant. Today, Henderson boasts a population of more than 250,000 people, and it’s got an abundance of beautiful parks, trails, golf courses and other recreational facilities. Visitors should explore the Old Town area on Water Street, which has become a thriving arts district. Other attractions include the Veterans wall, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and the Galleria at Sunset shopping centre.

Pahrump
Pahrump is one of Southern Nevada’s fastest growing rural cities. It’s located about 95 kilometres from Las Vegas. Most people know it as being the home of the infamous Chicken Ranch brothel, but the area also features casinos, parks, shops and restaurants. The most popular attraction is the Pahrump Valley Winery, which is Nevada’s only winery. Opened in 1990, the facility currently produces nine fine wines. You can take a tour of the grounds, sample wine at the tasting bar and enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner in Symphony’s Restaurant.

Lake Mead
The Lake Mead National Recreational Area is just 40 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas. Known for being North America’s largest manmade lake, it was created by the engineering wonder Hoover Dam. Lake Mead boasts more than 880 kilometres of shoreline, which makes it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy watery pleasures—like swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, boating and fishing—in the middle of the desert.

Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is only 56 kilometres from Las Vegas. On average its temperatures are about 10°C lower than in Las Vegas. There are gorgeous ponderosa pines and fir trees wherever the eye can see. The highest elevation at Mount Charleston is 3,615 metres. The area is perfect for skiing in winter and for picnicking and hiking during the rest of the year. You can also enjoy a meal or a steaming cup of hot chocolate in the rustic, lodge-style Mount Charleston Hotel.

Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is just 24 kilometres west of Las Vegas. About 65 million years ago a fault thrust limestone and sandstone over each other—producing the scenic rock formations the area is best known for. It’s a popular place for hiking and rock climbing year round. At the visitors centre, you can see a desert tortoise habitat. Red Rock Canyon is also home to wild burros, bighorn sheep and coyotes.

Spring Mountain Ranch
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is situated at the base of Wilson Cliffs about 48 kilometres west of Las Vegas. The historic New England-style ranch house was a stopover for travellers on the Mormon and Spanish trails. You can explore the old buildings and picnic on the grassy meadow. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is also the site of outdoor theatre productions and concerts.

Valley of Fire
The Valley of Fire State Park became Nevada’s first state park in 1935. It is only 88 kilometres northwest of Las Vegas. You’ll discover a marvel of scenic landscapes and rock formations comprised of eroded red sandstone there. Hikers can explore hidden canyons, and history buffs will enjoy viewing the petroglyphs. If you are interested in seeing the beautiful red rock formations and the Grand Canyon Maverick has a wonderful combination tour, Dream Catcher Sunset Helicopter tour.

Grand Canyon
Located in western Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. It was carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. Interestingly, the Grand Canyon is not just one canyon but a series of canyons surrounding a central gorge that measure 1.6 kilometres deep and 445 kilometres long. There are three rims you can visit. The South Rim is the most popular among tourists, while the North Rim has cooler temperatures and is less accessible due to snow in winter. The West Rim, also called Grand Canyon West, is a destination owned by the Hualapai Tribe. It features the modern-day engineering marvel of the Skywalk glass bridge, which is suspended more than 4,000 feet above the canyon's floor. You may want to plan a Grand Canyon helicopter tour to see the rim and walk the glass bridge.

For our visitors coming from the United Kingdom we hope you find this information useful to plan the perfect Las Vegas vacation. Maverick Helicopters tours wants to provide you with helpful tips to make your experience unforgettable.