BONUS XOMU: Melissa goes to Las Vegas

My 3-day EPIC hiking trip in a city not exactly known for hiking (plus bonus hiking options, where to stay, and what to eat)

This bonus XO, MU is for paid subscribers only. It’s just $6 a month—and I firmly believe my hiking guides—not to mention my Kiss, Marry, Kill series—are worth the spend.

My sister and I take at least one sister hiking trip a year. This year, I was going to Vegas for our Whole30 team offsite in mid-February, so she flew out to meet me for a long weekend. We didn’t visit a single casino, see a show, or even set foot on the strip. This weekend was all about appreciating the gorgeous scenery and trails—all within an hour of the city.

Pro tip: Las Vegas is best known for debauchery, but there is some gorgeous nature to be found in state and national parks. You can do a little of both—a day on the strip, visiting a spa, seeing a show, and enjoying the dining and people watching. We chose to spend all of our time hiking, pool-lounging, Door Dashing, and Netflixing the new season of Love is Blind. You can do it any way you want!

When to visit

Winter and early spring are the perfect time to hike is Las Vegas. Average temps start really heating up in May, and some trails close during the summer because of the risk of heat stroke. Trails tend to be rocky and sandy with little shade, although there are exceptions. While daytime temps may heat up to the 50’s and 60’s, you may also see snow and ice on some trails.

Pro tip: Las Vegas hosts some big events, like Formula One and this year’s Super Bowl. You won’t have to fight the crowds on the trails, but events could make the airport and traffic in the area a nightmare, so take this into account during your planning.

Where to stay

We’re not even going to talk about the strip—if you want to stay in the thick of things, I don’t have a good recommendation, and may the odds be ever in your favor. However, I have two options that were equally delightful, depending on the vibes you’re looking for.