Vegas area to-do (not casinos)

I'm gonna be in Vegas for a trade show end of January and want to spend as little time in Vegas as possible. I'm looking for recommendations within a couple hours drive.

I lived in CO for 10 years and climbed a lot, but have been in Ohio the past decade and haven't roped up since. Won't have a partner, so as much as I'd love to tick something off in RR, it probably isn't happening. 

Looking for cool hikes or scrambles with a view?

I've been to RR, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, Death Valley (Bad water basin) already, but didn't really do much. I'm going to have more time this trip and will bring proper gear. 

Are there any hikes at West Grand Canyon, like down to the CO River, or something cool I'm not thinking of? I don't mind going back to RR, if there's a cool hike/peak scramble I missed. Looking to keep it to about 2.5 hours drive from Vegas. Thanks, amigos!

Mount Wilson summit is a great, tough hike with a view of everything. 

- The Wilson Traverse. There might be ice on the summit in the winter, so microspikes can help. If you want a shorter day, only do White Pinnacle Peak, which is part of the Wilson traverse. Class 4-5.

- traverse from La Madre — Burnt Peak. It’ll be snowy and lots of scree, but that’s the best view of Vegas, RR, and Mt C. Class 3.

- Moapa peak is an hour and a half outside Vegas (30 minutes on a dirt road). That has a fun knife edge summit, and is in a remote area. Class 3.

maybe you could hire a climbing guide to take you up one of the easy multi-pitch climbs in Red Rock

lee canyon skiing - not a lot of terrain, but pretty wild when you think that you're surrounded by desert.  they actually had decent snow this past season...

Mike Climberson wrote:

- The Wilson Traverse. There might be ice on the summit in the winter, so microspikes can help. If you want a shorter day, only do White Pinnacle Peak, which is part of the Wilson traverse. Class 4-5.

- traverse from La Madre — Burnt Peak. It’ll be snowy and lots of scree, but that’s the best view of Vegas, RR, and Mt C. Class 3.

- Moapa peak is an hour and a half outside Vegas (30 minutes on a dirt road). That has a fun knife edge summit, and is in a remote area. Class 3.

I'll second the Wilson traverse, it's really fun and a great way to get to the top of RR's biggest mountain.

I've always liked gold strike hot springs. Cool hot springs in a canyon that connect to the Colorado river. I haven't been in over 10 years so I have no clue what it's like now.

Zion NP is 2.5 hrs from Vegas. St. George is much closer and has some nice hiking. 

Meow Wolf has a big installation also Las Vegas has a really great little China Town that's worth checking out for dinner. 

I have had good luck parking in Mountain Springs and hiking the trail along the west side of the rock formations. 

Kayaking down Black Canyon (Colorado River) is a great trip. You have to pay an outfitter to drop you below the Dam since its protected, but it is worth it. It's an 11 mile float with several hot spring hikes and other sites to get out and explore. 

https://www.desert-adventures.com/black-canyon-rentals