New Construction Homes Las Vegas

Don't buy the tall tale of Las Vegas as a flat, barren desert. This may not be a city known for its outdoors wonders, but it should be. Bring your mountain bike or your hiking boots: the rocky vistas of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Mt. Charleston, and Sheep and Spring Mountains will rival anything else you'll find in the Southwest. And with minimal rain and plenty of sunshine year-round, it's always a great time to get outside. Here you can also tour natural landmarks with apocalyptic names like Cathedral Canyon and the Valley of Fire. This lesser-known Las Vegas yields fascinating secrets to those who make an effort to get off the beaten path. For instance, Cathedral Canyon, although a natural area, is strewn with the debris of attempts at its "improvement, " such as the work of one park patron who wanted to make a small-scale replica of the Golden Gate Bridge. Cathedral Canyon, in its own way, is a fascinating piece of Americana. The Valley of Fire's attractions are considerably older, clocking in at about 150 million years in existence. They're red sandstone formations, created by erosion and shifting fault lines over millennia- and they make a great backdrop for decidedly unconventional Christmas card photos.

After a day exploring the desert, you'll need nourishment. Lucky for you, according to high-end food magazine Robb Report, this city happens to be the "best place on Earth to eat steak." That sounds like a claim you'll need to investigate. World-class steakhouses Carnevino and the Old Homestead Steakhouse at Caesars Palace are just the places to try it out. Niche restaurants spring out of the Las Vegas desert like cacti, so keep your eye out for the next Fleur, known for its liquid-nitrogen cocktails. Even going out to eat is an adventure in Las Vegas.

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