Getting out of the city. (Dancing Las Vegas).

The desert and hills around Las Vegas provide ample opportunity for a nice break from the lights and crowds (and cigarette smoke) of the city. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits just seventeen miles away from the Strip, but it might as well be another planet. Sandstone and granite formations surround the desert floor, providing a dramatic snapshot of millions of years of geologic activity and a unique habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The park offers miles of hiking and cycling trails of varying degrees of difficulty, and rock-climbing for all skill levels. If the idea of that much physical activity in the middle of the desert turns you off, you can always keep the AC running and gawk at the red rocks from the comfort of your car.

Head about forty miles down U.S. Highway 93 to marvel at one of the world's great engineering achievements, Hoover Dam. A guided tour costs $8 and includes a good dose of history, or take in the artwork and views of Lake Mead from atop the dam for free.

Lake Mead can get pretty wild during the summer months as beer-fueled houseboaters and water-skiers zip to and fro across the lake, but the National Recreation Area also offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, driving tours, kayaking, camping, and even a few spots for a nice quiet swim. Entrance to the park is just $5 for a whole carload of people.

Daniel Ari, managing editor of DANCE MAGAZINE, writes about Las Vegas for CheapoVegas.com and BigEmpire.com. Matt Weatherford and Mark Sinclair helped with this article.