Las Vegas wasn't built in a day and neither were the beaches. The area surrounding Las Vegas consists of desert and more desert. When John C. Fremont happened upon Las Vegas in 1844, he found two springs. Go forward 20 years later and Las Vegas officially is admitted to the union. With water being scarce, residents decided to build Hoover Dam in 1931. Still, with no beaches to speak of, the ingenuity of Las Vegas citizens kicked in, and now you can take a trip out to Lake Mead and see the next best thing -- a man-made beach.
Boulder Beach
- Boulder Beach has all you could want in a beach: sand, waves and plenty of room for picnics and sunbathing. The water at the beach comes in from Lake Mead. Boating and other water activities abound and residents often visit the beach when needing a break from the city. You won't see many tourists at Boulder Beach, since most non-residents don't know about its location, and its at least a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas. Access the beach by going to the west side of Boulder Basin. The beach only stays open during the day, so arrive early to enjoy the sunlight.
VooDoo Beach
- VooDoo Beach at the Rio Las Vegas has some of the amenities you might expect at a beach, including palm trees and plenty of sunshine -- but with a Vegas-style twist. The beach consists of a pool, three waterfalls, magnificent foliage, and cabanas lining the area. The beach stays open daily with no charge to enter the beach. The Voo, an attached pool, offers an adult experience for those over the age of 21. The restricted pool provides music and dancers to entertain guests.
Mandalay Bay Beach
- Mandalay Bay beach has a more traditional beach setting, using technology to create a coastal effect with waves rushing in at your feet. Set upon an 11-acre expanse of land directly on the casino property, you can relax by a pool or visit one of the glass-paneled, climate-controlled gaming areas. The beach has a wave pool, lazy river, cabanas and several options for tropical drinks and dining. You can rent cabanas to stay on beachfront property instead of the casino through the cabana rental office located near the entrance.
Tao Beach
- Tao Beach at the Venetian Hotel and Casino sees few tides atop the Asian Bistro and Nightclub. What this beach lacks in sand, it makes up for with celebrity appearances, drinks, plenty of sunshine and at night, it turns into an extension of the Tao Nightclub. The beach sits atop an 18,000-square-foot expanse and has plenty of activities and amenities to keep you occupied. Complete with a bar, 12 air-conditioned cabanas and lush tropical landscapes adorn this Vegas-style beach experience.
