Locals of Vegas: Non-climbing activities/areas to stay

My partner and I have a dedicated climbing trip from April 30th through May 4th. Our spouses are tagging along but once we get off that plane, they'll be doing their own thing since neither of them climb. I'll readily admit the only thing any of us know about Vegas is the climbing and the strip. The "entertainment" that the strip provides isn't really of interest to them except as a short spectacle, so some advice on alternatives would be appreciated!

They'll have a rental car, and since we'll probably only be staying with them the night we arrive, some safe areas for a home base for them would be good, as well as areas to avoid.

Are there any "artsy" towns within an hour or 2 drive (or in the city) that would be a good day trip?

Any recommendations on hiking trails around the area within that 2-hour drive? (Difficulty isn't an issue)

Really, any must see attractions that all you locals might know about, including local restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, bars...

Las Vegas? "Artsy"? Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from a Raymond Chandler novel:

"Don't make me laugh," he said, not laughing.

Hiking trails: Mt. Charleston or, even better, Bonanza Peak, which is accessible from the community of Cold Creek, which is off of US 95 north of Las Vegas. Snow Canyon State Park in St. George.

Come to Historic Boulder City NV. Only about 30 min from the Strip. It was built in the 1930's when they built the Hoover Dam, plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, wine bars, Brewery and things to see and do. Activities other than climbing are, Lake activities (SUP boarding, kayaking on the lake and down Black Canyon, boat/jet ski rental) Mountain biking (Bootleg Canyon MTB park), many hikes, Rail Explorers (railroad track ride thing), museums and cool historical downtown area. Also has a cool historic Hotel to stay downtown for a night and enjoy the town.

There is a good thread about this somewhere here..

Springs Preserve - nice desert gardens

Mob Museum - surprisingly interesting

Visitor Center at Red Rock - well done, also the info paper they hand out when you drive through lists descriptions of many beautiful hikes at RR.

Valley of Fire State Park, out of town - worth driving to for the petroglyphs and nice walks.

Hoover Dam visit

Walking the strip and casinos as a long day hike is fun for a first timer.  Start at Luxor and work your way north.  Bellagio Conservatory and the Chihuly ceiling always worth a look, dancing fountains fun. The insides of the buildings, like Venetian with the canals etc are fascinating in a "I can't believe they built this' kind of way.  Just walk into all the casinos and see whats there.  The interior design is over the top in a bizarre but good way.  

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay pretty good.

Art - no great museums but there is a scattering.  All the cities are doing these "immersive" art exhibits these days if you like that sort of thing.  The casino lobbies and their bars sometimes have quite good art.  For example, there's a Damien Hirst at the bar in the Palms Casino, one of his shark pieces.

Arizona Hot springs (do this with them on your rest day!)

My favorites are:

Nuclear Testing Museum

Pinball Hall of Fame

Brothel tour of Pahrump is always fun. 

Hoover Dam.

Rockhounding.

Hiking Fortification Hill.

Miles and miles of easy mountain biking under the Red Rock escarpment.

Several canyons in RR have year round streams with great hangout spots and sometimes are right next to excellent climbs. 

Any of the hot springs or cold springs around the valley.

Flagstaff is the most artsy town nearish LV at four hours away. And they have Diablo Burger! That alone is worth the drive.

Driving tours; Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve, Lake Mead out to Overton/Valley of Fire, Nelson, Christmas Tree Pass, Oatman AZ, most any dirt road leading away from Vegas.

A couple caves and many mines surround the valley and are always fun to explore if thats your sort of thing.

Valley of Fire has some really spectacular short hikes, and a good chance to see longhorn sheep up close.  It is well worth the ~1hr drive.

Paul Piratuswrote:

Las Vegas? "Artsy"? Reminds me of one of my favorite lines from a Raymond Chandler novel:

"Don't make me laugh," he said, not laughing.

Hiking trails: Mt. Charleston or, even better, Bonanza Peak, which is accessible from the community of Cold Creek, which is off of US 95 north of Las Vegas. Snow Canyon State Park in St. George.

Las Vegas does have an arts district which is pretty fun to spend time walking around, tons of breweries, restaurants, galleries, murals etc around there. 

Pinball hall of Fame is fun, if you're into that kinda thing.