We landed in Las Vegas in the early AM, knowing that check-in wasn’t until later afternoon. As much as we wanted to concentrate on seeing the strip for first trip to sin city, we also didn’t want to miss the chance to see Vegas beyond the strip. So, our early arrival was a perfect excuse to meet up with a friend whom lived in the city, to do a little sightseeing.
Our first stop was to see the famed Hoover Dam, yet part of the charm was getting there. A perfect opportunity to see the suburbs and life outside of the main tourist area. When traveling, take in all the differences than what you are used to. Things like houses to restaurants, shops to the landscape – it’s the appreciation of the ‘new’! That, is the true essence of the word, travel.
Las Vegas is rolling hills of dessert, lots of concrete with the sporadic sprinkle of manicured lawn. I love that before we arrived to the chaotic core of the city, I was able to take in the peace of the areas around.
When you see Hoover Dam for the first time, it’s a ‘holy crap’ reaction. Much bigger that you’d imagine, despite expecting it to be quite massive.
Man-made and an engineering masterpiece {for it’s time and for today}, you need to take the Dam Tour. Even if you aren’t the ‘history’ type, understanding the literal foundations for the dam is something that wow, guaranteed.
Here are my tips and must-do’s when taking the whole dam tour.
- Yes, when walking the corridors, please do stop and re-enact ‘National Lampoons Vacation’ with a piece of gum and water squirting out a crack. You just have to.
- As well, take many photos. Even though you’d be tempted to just listen to the tour, get your multi-tasking hat on and do your best at both.
- After the tour, plan to spend time on the observation deck. I hope you are not deathly afraid of heights, the full experience is leaning over and seeing just how massive this dam is. The views are nothing short of spectacular, and you can get a great view of Memorial Bridge.
- Don’t miss the chance to take a stroll on the Dam, where pedestrians and vehicles can cross. Oh, and the very road that the Transformers traveled, heh.
- The middle of this dam marks the Nevada-Arizona border, so yes, please do jump back and forth with a ‘I’m in Arizona, I’m in Nevada, I’m in …”. I did this many times, so now I can say I did a lot of state hopping on this trip. Literally.
Taking the whole dam serious tour, finding fun in a new location and appreciating the differences from what you are used to. It’s all apart of the wonder of traveling. The beauty of adventure. Adding a damn great stamp in that passport.
Also, my watermark on these photos is like damn graffiti on the dam. Sorry about that.
Signed, I was here.
.
Jen-Eighty MPH Mom says
08/06/2013 at 9:30 amWow that is seriously breathtaking! I would love to visit Hoover Dam some day. What a fun trip!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:13 amIt was great, I’d love to go again and spend some time at the lake!
Amber Edwards says
08/06/2013 at 9:44 amBesides my kids, i’m the only one in my family that hasn’t been to the Hoover Dam, and I’m so jealous! I’d love to go there one day. Definitely breathtaking. I love your pictures. It is amazing!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:14 amTime to plan a little trip, I’d say! 🙂
[email protected] says
08/06/2013 at 9:50 amI’ve only been to LV for a conference and to see the strip. Now I want to go back and bring our son to see the Hoover Dam. Thanks for sharing the breathtaking photos!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:16 amSo many people just go to the strip, which is fine, yet I always love to explore beyond. More adventure!
🙂
Mrs. B says
08/06/2013 at 9:57 amI went on that tour last year during a visit with my Dad and sisters. It’s a nice tour that I know my family would enjoy. We plan to take a family trip there next summer. It’s beautiful!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:17 amYou have a couple options with the tour too, depending on how much time and money you want to spend. I like the video to start too, the old pictures of it being built are astounding!
Gena says
08/06/2013 at 9:58 amI love these pics! I am a bit scared of heights, but I think I could handle it! 😉
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:17 amMe too Gina, there were moment that I was just shaking! lol
Shanaka says
08/06/2013 at 10:10 amIf I ever get the chance to visit Las Vegas I want to tour the dam. You have lovely photographs!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:18 amThanks you so much!
Judy C says
08/06/2013 at 10:17 amLas Vegas is on my to do list, just haven’t made it there yet. Will add the dam to the list of things to see when we do get there!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:19 amIt was on my list too, glad we went and can’t wait to go again!
Alissa Apel says
08/06/2013 at 10:33 amWOW! I thought your title was funny. That’s pretty amazing.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:19 amHa, thank you!
🙂
jan says
08/06/2013 at 1:15 pmAmazing pics. Now I want to go ‘state hopping’ too. We went to LV once and only considered going to Hoover Dam, but now I wish we had actually gone.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:20 amI have some regrets too though, would have loved to see more, but with only 4 days … we’ll just have to plan to go back!
Jessica says
08/06/2013 at 1:35 pmThose pictures are stunning! I’ve been to Vegas a few times and have never checked it out- a must see for my next visit.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:20 amI think you’d like it. Especially just the drive there, I’m a sucker for seeing a city beyond the touristy areas!
MrDisco says
08/06/2013 at 2:19 pmi’ve never been, but that looks amazing
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:21 amWe really liked it, would go again for sure! I think the kids would be amazed!!
Renae says
08/06/2013 at 3:31 pmdoh! I think I commented on your last post twice. Oh well. Hey, these photos are so impressive! My parents honeymooned there in 1939 and have a darling b&w photo of them standing next to those posts on the top. I have always loved that little 3×5 snap-shot. Thanks for the memories.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:22 amOh wow, that would be stunning!!!
And thank you for your comments, I enjoy reading each and every one of them!
🙂
Soozle says
08/06/2013 at 3:37 pmSO cool! I have been to Vegas a few times, but have never had the chance to make it out to see Hoover dam – but it is on my list to DO next time I am there! It’s certainly something to see!!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:23 amMaybe aim to do one new thing each time you go?
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
08/06/2013 at 3:40 pmI dont think I could do it. I’d be petrified up there
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:23 amHa, just don’t get too close to the railing!!
Nancy P says
08/06/2013 at 4:39 pmWonderful photos, I’ve always wanted to go there!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:24 amThank you Nancy!
Karen says
08/06/2013 at 4:40 pmI went once as a child, never fully understood the meaning. I need to go back soon, I’d love to learn the history while actually there.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:24 amSounds like myself and Europe, far too young to have appreciated it!
Ellen Christian says
08/06/2013 at 4:46 pmI would absolutely love to see this some day. It must have been breathtaking!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:24 amIt was! Very picturesque!
Jennifer (momvstheboys) says
08/06/2013 at 5:35 pmfabulous photos doll!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:25 amThanks Jennifer!
🙂
Deborah / Mom2Michael says
08/06/2013 at 6:36 pmI’m experiencing vertigo just looking at your pictures. Wow! That is amazing!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:26 amOh no!! I guess the pictures show the effect well then, right? Eeek!
Monica says
08/06/2013 at 8:03 pmWOW…what a truly awesome sight!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:26 amThanks Monica, it was breathtaking!
Christina Morley says
08/07/2013 at 12:05 amThese are really cool photos. That one about jumping back and forth across the State line was too funny! Thanks for linking on Amanda’s Books and More!
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:26 amHa, that was a fun part of the trip. Hey, you gotta be a kid, right?!
Stacie says
08/07/2013 at 6:25 amI’ve been to Vegas once and would love to go back and see more of the city. We never got to see the Hoover Dam so that’s one of the things I would like to do on our next trip.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:27 amOh yes, plan a new trip with new adventures. So many say they’ll never go to the same place twice, yet I think you can make it a whole new experience,
Florence C says
08/07/2013 at 8:04 amI have been to Las Vegas once and did take a tour bus to the Hoover Dam with my husband and daughter. It was amazing.
Tammi says
08/07/2013 at 8:27 amWonderful!!
Sandy Cain says
08/07/2013 at 9:07 amThat brings back major memories. I lived in Vegas for 12 years, and I can’t tell you how many times we got stuck going 5 mph by the Dam, heading for Arizona. BTW, you HAVE to check out Valley of Fire and Red Rock!
Amy Brown says
08/07/2013 at 9:11 amWow those are amazing pictures, you all must have had a great experience. I’m sure everyone will remember it forever!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk says
08/07/2013 at 12:40 pmWow! I’ve never been but what GORGEOUS shots you captured!
Stephanie LaPlante says
08/07/2013 at 4:36 pmI would be so scared to drive on that road lol. I’m extremely afraid of heights.
Suzanne Smith says
08/07/2013 at 7:32 pmSuch a great write up – I have been to Vegas many times (even got married there) and never made it off the Strip – so this was interesting, especially the National Lampoon photo op suggestion. Next time, take me please.
Elizabeth Vlug says
08/09/2013 at 6:33 amTruly an amazing site! It is huge isn’t it? We were wowed too. I love Vegas, but it is sometimes nice to get away from the lights and sounds. One of my favourite sites was Red Rock Canyon 🙂
Victoria Ess says
08/10/2013 at 10:10 amThat looks so incredible! My partner and I are such big fans of “how things works” that we’d totally do that tour for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Penny says
08/27/2013 at 11:09 amThe Hoover Dam is really impressive – thanks for the picture
jessica s says
10/28/2013 at 6:14 amyou got some really beautiful shots there! definitely makes me envious!
Sarah L says
12/08/2013 at 8:47 pmI was there many years ago and still remember how BIG it was. Nice pictures.
Gaby says
01/12/2014 at 9:35 amWow, looks amazing!! My dad would love this….