Sammy Davis, Jr. Festival Plaza
DESCRIPTION: Beautiful plaza located in Lorenzi Park; jog and walk around the lakes, watch the birds, enjoy a BBQ or picnic; great place for children; located near the Nevada State Museum

ADDRESS: 720 Twin Lakes Drive  MAP

PHONE: 702-229-2390

Floyd Lamb State Park
DESCRIPTION: Former water stop for Native Americans; offering tree shaded groves, fishing lakes, picnic areas with tables and grills, walking and bicycle paths; also home to thousands of exotic desert plants and animals

ADDRESS: 9200 Tule Springs Road  MAP

PHONE: 702-486-5413

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

DESCRIPTION: A remarkable year-round park and lake recreational area with varied terrain that includes a national landmark, Hoover Dam; great for boating, swimming, family reunions, picnics, and sightseeing; Lakes Mead is in fact, a reservoir created by Hoover Dam; another treat is 3,000 year aold pictures chiseled and painted on rocks and cliff walls; this 1.5 million acre area it is one of the most popular national parks

ADMISSION: $5 per vehicle into the park

ADDRESS: US 93 Highway border between Nevada and Arizona  MAP
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/lame

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
DESCRIPTION: Small park less than two acres that includes adobe fort from 1800s; picnic areas and trails

ADDRESS: 908 North Las Vegas Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 702-486-3511

South Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park
DESCRIPTION: Over two acre facility with 150 species of animals and botanical plants; shaded natural desert setting

DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Sat 9a-5p

ADMISSION: $6 Adults, $4 Children

ADDRESS: 1775 North Rancho Drive  MAP

PHONE: 702-648-5955

WEBSITE: http://www.lasvegaszoo.org‎

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
DESCRIPTION: Located within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area beneath the colorful cliffs of the magnificent Wilson Range; springs provided water for Paiute Indians; picnic areas, scenic hiking trails, guided tours of historic ranch buildings available

ADDRESS: State Route 159 (Blue Diamond Highway), Blue Diamond, NV  MAP

PHONE: 702-875-4141

Red Rock Canyon
DESCRIPTION: Located in the Mojave Desert, which covers southwestern Nevada, and southeastern California, this National Conservation Area is a feast for the eyes; its height ranges from sea level to 1,000 feet high and is dominated eye-popping rock formations; many people like to camp, hike and horseback in the park; the best time to see the desert is immediately after rain when the scrubs bloom and the birds flock in; there are multiple entry points

ADDRESS: State Route 159, Red Rock Canyon  MAP

ADMISSION: small entry fee

WEBSITE: http://www.redrock.org