In a past post I shared with you several ways you can enjoy the Colorado River when visiting Laughlin, Nevada. For those of you that are thinking of visiting Laughlin, it could be the base camp while you learn more about the sights and sounds of this Southwestern desert region.
In a recent edition of Group Tour Western Edition, Summer 2014 edition, the Laughlin Visitor Information Center provided suggestions for enjoying a three-day itinerary while visiting their city along the banks of the Colorado River.
DAY 1- If you have an interest in classic and antique car you might want to visit the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino's Classic Car Showroom and Museum. More than 80 automobiles, part of a rotating collection assembled from private collections, are on display at one time.
Best of all. Admission is Free.
A second choice is a visit to the Laughlin Outlet Center located just across the street from the Edgewater
Hotel on Casino Drive., With more than 250,000 square feet you'll find the outlet is home to more than 50 merchants. Easy Spirit, Boot Barn, Pendleton and even the Rocky Mountain Fudge Factory are just a
few of the stores you'll find here.
If you want to stretch your legs, try the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail that parallels the river.
It's ideal for a walk, jog, bird-watch or even fish.
DAY 2- Today, I would suggest traveling 45 minutes southeast on Arizona State Highway 95 to the town of Oatman (named for Olive Oatman), an old mining town that looks like it did 100 years ago. You'll find
friendly burros wandering along Route 66, the main street, looking for a hand-out of carrots or special "burro" food which you can buy at the stores and boutiques along Main Street. . Staged Western gun fights also
provide entertainment for the Oatman visitor.
For you older folks, the Oatman Hotel is where actors Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spend their
honeymoon after their wedding in Kingman AZ.
For you active folks you might want to drive to Grapevine Canyon along Christmas Tree Pass
for hiking, birding, and photography. The hiker cannot help but notice how the scenery changes
as visitors climb higher. Don't forget to observe the Indian petroglyphs are visible at eye level
from the main trail.
DAY 3- For today's activity you might want a drive to Hoover Dam and Bypass Bridge which are
about an hour north form Laughlin. Tours of the power plant and the visitors center are available.
On your drive back to laugh line you might want to stop at the Techatticup Minesite where
El Dorado Canyon Tours offers guided tours of the Savage Mine, oldest and most famous
gold mine in Southern Nevada, where you'll proceed into the mine some 500 feet to view up
and down stopes and actually see the veins so prized by the early miners.
Another stop can be at the Keepers of the Wild, a sanctuary for abused and injured wild and exotic
animals. Tours of the sanctuary (they emphasize Keepers of the Wild is not a zoo) with an
employee in a open jeep with many stops while the guide talks about the stories of the animals
you will view and provide information about the species in general.
And, finally, there's the Grand Canyon Caverns, the largest "dry" (no water) caverns
in the United States. You can sign up for a 45-minute tour usually led by William J. Jackson III,
an expert guide will entertain you with his 1001 cavern puns while informing and educating
you about the Caverns.
DINING IN LAUGHLIN
Whether hitting the slots, table games, swimming pool, links, outdoor activities or
water sports,
having fun in Laughlin can build quite an appetite. Laughlin hotels offer superb selections,
including elegant gourmet dining, ethnic cuisine, national chains, extravagant buffets and
24-hour cafés. The variety of restaurants is sure to satisfy every taste, desire and
pocketbook.
The Aquarius' Vineyard Ristorante is an experience of fine Italian cuisine, impressive
wine selections and casual elegance. Guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the
Colorado River while dining on gourmet Italian specialties of beef, chicken or seafood
selections.
The Aquarius also offers the only Outback Steakhouse in the area.
Guests can enjoy the grilled steaks, seafood, pork and chicken dishes that made this
restaurant so popular across the country.
Looking for a light meal in an enchanting setting? Try The Cove Bar & Lounge.
Located
adjacent
to the Aquarius' Splash Cabaret, The Cove is completely non-smoking and
offers scenic views overlooking the beautiful Colorado River. Restaurant specialties
include gourmet pizzas, appetizers and specialty cocktails.
The Colorado Belle went through a big transformation to welcome its newest restaurant,
The Loading Dock Bar & Grille. This restaurant features Southwestern cuisine,
two bars, patio dining and live entertainment. Featured dishes include fried mac and cheese,
chipotle crab cakes, swordfish sandwich, spicy chicken alfredo and shrimp diablo.
For a casual, fun time, visit Pints Brewery & Sports Bar at the Colorado Belle. Check
out a game on one of the big-screen TVs while enjoying wood-fired pizza, gourmet burgers,
mesquite-grilled steaks and one of the microbrewery's fine hand-crafted beers.
The Riverside's Gourmet Room offers superb fine dining with steaks, seafood, pasta
dishes,
and an excellent selection of wines. Guests can also enjoy table side cooking service
and spectacular views of the Colorado River through floor to ceiling windows.
The Prime Rib Room, located in the Riverside, specializes in prime rib carved table side.
Other entrée selections include chicken and fish. Guests can also visit the salad,
potato and dessert bar as often as they wish. Included with dinner are incredible
views of the Colorado River.
If you are in the mood for something south-of-the-border, look no further than Casa
Serrano,
located in the Riverside's Casino West. The cheerful ambiance, hearty Mexican fare and
ice-cold
margaritas are sure to quench any appetite.
Located inside the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall is Bumbleberry Flats which replaces
the former Boarding House.The extensive menu offers comfort food dishes
with a Cajun twist, like grits, fried pickles and corn fritters. Guests can also order
rib-eye steak, braised beef ribs and pulled pork corn pancakes.
Granny's Gourmet Room at the Pioneer is reminiscent of the Victorian charm
of the Old West and delivers a superb fine dining experience. Granny's is open
for dinner Thursday through Saturday and features all of the options of a classic
steakhouse and a delicious selection of seafood.
Known for gourmet food in an intimate, casual environment, The Hickory Pit at
the Edgewater
offers an array of steaks, chops, lobster, seafood, veal, pasta and barbecue dishes.
The Hickory Pit is open daily for dinner and offers an extensive wine list.
If you are looking for a familiar, casual favorite that offers an expansive breakfast,
lunch and
dinner menu,
visit Coco's Restaurant and Bakery at the Edgewater. Coco's is open 24/7.
With the feeling of being transported to a secluded mountain retreat, The Lodge at
the River Palms
provides an experience unlike any other along the river. Delicious American cuisine is
served under open-beam ceilings and in front of a roaring fire from their massive
stone fireplace.
The River Palms is also happy to offer Denny's, another favorite national chain
eating
establishment. With its extensive menu, guests can enjoy a light snack or hearty
meal any
time of day at this 24-hour restaurant.
The Saltgrass Steak House at the Golden Nugget Laughlin recaptures the flavor
of the
open campfire, with the finest Certified Angus Beef steaks available. Savory
chicken and
seafood entrées, complete with breads and soups made fresh daily, will also
delight
the palate.
Guests yearning for seafood can stop by Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. inside
the Golden
Nugget Laughlin.
This restaurant offers indoor dining in a light-hearted atmosphere as well as a unique,
covered outdoor patio with dining on the river.
The popular chain restaurant Claim Jumper is located at the Golden Nugget Laughlin.
This full-service restaurant has a variety of item offers for breakfast, lunch early bird
specials and dinner.
The Steakhouse at the Tropicana Laughlin creates a romantic, intimate
ambiance with a
contemporary dining menu. Sip a glass of wine from the extensive list while
enjoying
warm bread
with specialty butters. This restaurant specializes in steaks aged to perfection, succulent
seafood and Kobe burgers.
For a taste of Italy, Passaggio Italian Gardens at the Tropicana Laughlin
provides guests
with hearty servings of tasty pasta dishes as well as fresh-made pizzas to order.
The restaurant's cheerful staff and colorful décor create a friendly and festive
atmosphere.
Sushi is one the menu at the Eclipse Bar inside the Tropicana Express. Whether
it's tuna,
crab, halibut or red snapper, patrons enjoy the freshest, highest quality ingredients
in one of the coolest scenes in Laughlin.
The Range Steakhouse at Harrah's Laughlin offers a classic steakhouse menu,
delicious seafood and nouveau cuisine. With beautiful surroundings, attentive staff
and a seasonal, rotating menu, this restaurant epitomizes one of the finest dining
experiences in Laughlin.
For a unique twist on popular south-of-the-border favorites, visit Baja Blue located in
Harrah's Laughlin. Guests tempt their palates with everything from sizzling fajitas to
seafood enchiladas and an extensive menu of specialty cocktails and margaritas.
The Laughlin hotels also offer many other options such as all-you-can-eat buffets,
24-hour restaurants, cafés and snack shops. In addition, most hotels host various
fast food outlets
such as Starbucks, Capriotti's, Panda Express, McDonalds, Fatburger,
Dryer's Ice
Cream, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Cinnabon, as well as the area's only
In-and-Out Burger centrally located on Casino Drive.
For more information about Laughlin, Nevada, go to www.VisitLaughlin.com. The Visitor
Center usually has coupon books available free of charge with 2/1 buffet discounts,
discounts
off purchases made in The Outlet Center and much more.