If you have been looking for a new place to get away to for the summer one place that offers a relief from the heat look no further than Laughlin, Nevada. Now I know what you're thinking, but consider this destination a toned down and family friendly version of Las Vegas. What you'll find here is an array of amazing casinos, hotels, restaurants (read: amazingly delicious buffets), and more astonishingly a river, which is an added diversion for daytime fun.
My family and I have been traveling to Laughlin for as long as I can remember, and I have nothing but amazing memories. We never really went for the the casinos, but rather for the escape that could be found on the river and nearby lakes. The Colorado River provides a beautiful and cool relief to the heat of the desert and families come from all over come ready with their sea-doos, jet skis, and boats. If you don’t have your own watercraft, many of the hotels and businesses near the river offer rentals by the hour or the day for pretty reasonable prices. For those looking to just enjoy swimming, there are several beaches, which can be accessed very easily for families to picnic and relax along the water. Here are several options to consider while in Laughlin and the nearby area for people of all ages:
1. The Colorado River
The best time to be out on the river is during the week. That’s when the water is less crowded by other watercraft and you are able to enjoy a nice ride up and down the river without worrying about getting hit by other riders.
2. Don Laughlin’s Riverside Hotel and Casino Bowling Alley and Movie Theater
One of my favorite places to go in Laughlin is the bowling alley at the Riverside Hotel. Depending on the day and time of year, there are always people enjoying this spot. The bowling alley is even more fun when the lights are off for cosmic bowling.
If the bowling alley isn’t for you, then you can always check out what movies are playing at the movie theater inside the hotel.
3. Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave can be found just above the Davis Dam. From Laughlin, its about an hour drive. It's advised that if you are going to Lake Mohave that you have access to a watercraft that can take you to beach spots located around the lake. There isn’t access to these spots by road.
4. London Bridge
The London Bridge was brought to Lake Havasu City from its original position above the River Thames in London, England and opened to visitors on October 10, 1971. The bridge is Arizona’s second largest tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.
5. Grand Canyon
About a three-hour drive out of Laughlin, you can experience the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. It’s a great place to plan a day trip to if you are bored of the river or the lake and want to see something you haven’t seen before.
