Outside Bets
About 10 miles out of town, the photogenic Christmas Tree Pass and Grapevine Canyon offer an ideal solitary retreat from the bells and whistles of Laughlin. The three-hour hike through the canyon presents trekkers with a wealth of camera-ready views, including ones of several seasonal waterfalls and patches of wild grapevines. But the coolest highlight of a visit here is getting to see the 1,000-year-old American Indian petroglyphs along the canyon walls.

Fill Up
There aren’t any celebrity chefs building 10-story wine walls or importing brick ovens the size of a Winnebago in Laughlin, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any boys who can whip up a mean steak. Texas favorite Saltgrass Steak House (2300 South Casino Drive, 702-298-7153), inside the Golden Nugget casino, cooks certified Angus T-bones and massive porterhouses to perfection over a campfirelike open flame. The only brewpub in town, the Boiler Room Microbrewery (2100 South Casino Drive, 702-298-4000) keeps clients sauced with five handcrafted brews (try the Hefeweizen) and with all the expected comfort-food fixings that go well with them.