What to do and see in Laughlin, Nevada (NV): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

October 10, 2021 Kelli Reichel

Hit the casinos, watch big-name entertainment and stay at a themed hotel. Las Vegas? No, but this small gambling town on the banks of the Colorado River offers a taste of Vegas minus the glitz, traffic and high costs. Plus, there's much to do here besides gambling. Not only does Laughlin have the Colorado River for boating, swimming, fishing, waterskiing and other sports, but it also has gorgeous Lake Mohave offering much of the same on a grander scale. Golfers will enjoy beautiful courses where reasonable green fees stretch their dollars. For a taste of the Wild West, head to nearby 100-year-old Oatman, where you can catch a mock gunfight and guzzle beer in an old-time saloon. Hiking, anyone? Grapevine Canyon awaits you, famous for the Indian markings - some 800 years old - carved into its boulders. If the slots are calling, you'll find plenty of gaming houses, with water shuttles running between them 24/7. What Laughlin lacks in Vegas glamour, it makes up for in affordability, scenic beauty and aquatic fun.
Restaurants in Laughlin

1. London Bridge Jet Boat Tours

Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,680 reviews

London Bridge Jet Boat Tours

Join us on a breathtaking, 58-mile jet boat tour from Laughlin to Lake Havasu City! Not only does this six-hour, round-trip excursion feature enchanting views of Topock Gorge, but it also includes a two-hour layover at the world-famous London Bridge. Get ready for an unforgettable day of sightseeing, relaxation and fun with our London Bridge jet boat tour!

2. Riverfront

Laughlin, NV
Excellent
47%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 173 reviews

Riverfront

Busy Laughlin waterfront area with many activities and scenic riverwalk.

Reviewed By jimbea11 - San Antonio, United States

Old casino smell, not sure why all the casinos in this area do not have enough quarter machines. Impossible to flag a waitress for a drink. Not enough adequate signage where to locate atm, money machines or restrooms.

3. Grapevine Canyon

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Laughlin, NV +1 702-293-8906 http://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hike.htm
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 207 reviews

Grapevine Canyon

Visitors come to this canyon in the Nevada desert to view its Indian petroglyphs, some of the first known to man. Truly an amazing site, many of the etchings go 40 to 50 feet below the sand level and are hundreds of years old. A few of the more common ones have been translated but the rest remain a mystery.

Reviewed By F6659JNlarrys - Fulton, United States

On our way back to Vegas after spending the night in Laughlin we decided to make a stop at Christmas Tree Pass and check out Grapevine Canyon, we're so glad we did, just incredible! Words and pictures can't truly do justice to the beauty of this area. 1st of all it's about 2 miles back off the main road following a dirt road so it's a bit slow going but not an issue if you have an SUV or a pickup. Once you get back to the parking area it's a short hike back into the canyon and it's well worth it to see the Petroglyphs and all. We had never seen anything like this before and glad we stopped by to see, just amazing! It's not a far drive from the strip so if you're in Vegas and want to try something new check this out, just incredible!

4. Lake Mohave

Laughlin, NV 89046 +1 702-293-8990 http://www.nps.gov/lake/naturescience/overview-of-lake-mohave.htm
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 165 reviews

Lake Mohave

Located between the Hoover and Davis Dams, the lake's 237 miles of shoreline, plus the area's usually sunny weather, provide ample opportunity for boating, swimming, scuba diving, fishing or just relaxing on the beach.

Reviewed By treehead2 - Laughlin, United States

Where else can you kayak under the full moon and be serenaded by wild burros and coyotes. Only in the Mohave Desert within the Lake Mead National Rec area of Lake Mohave. I kayak regularly from Davis Dam, Katherines Landing, Telephone Cove, Princess Cove, Cabinsite Cove, Carp Cove, Pot Cove, Cottonwood Cove, Willow Beach and the list goes on. Always a beautiful paddle. I often swim under the newly re-established beach at Katherines where they have Dive-in movies in the summer. Check out their schedule. Lake Mohave even has accommodations for boaters with disabilities. Yes, there are restroom on the lake that have ADA accessibility. Always be cautious of the wind. I check NOAA before going out and pay attention to the flag warnings at Katherines. Sometimes the flags are not quickly handled at other coves. When kayaking be cautious of the boaters and wave runners that do not abide by no wake zones and staying there distance. Please pack it in, pack it out. I seem to have a never ending job of trying to clean up others trash each time we are out.

5. USS Riverside

Excellent
57%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 105 reviews

USS Riverside

Luxury boat, available for tours, special events and weddings, is the only one of its type to pass under the Laughlin Bridge.

6. Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection

500 S Casino Dr Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort, Laughlin, NV 89029 +1 702-298-2622 http://www.riversideresort.com/entertainment.aspx
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,081 reviews

Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection

Don Laughlin, owner of the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino and an avid car enthusiast, has more than 85 cars from his personal collection on display.

Reviewed By CasinoCruiser

Great Car collection, Show Room is Great, they put a lot into this and it is worth the visit. The Riverside started it all for Laughlin, even the bridge over the Colorado river.

7. Big Bend of the Colorado

4220 Needles Hwy, Laughlin, NV 89029-0264 +1 702-298-1859 [email protected] http://parks.nv.gov/parks/big-bend-of-the-colorado-state-recreation-area/
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Big Bend of the Colorado

Reviewed By lowens311 - Kansas City, United States

I spent a few hours driving around birding recently and enjoyed it. Well worth the $10 entry to see abert’s towhee, costa’s hummingbird and variety of other passerines and ducks. Hardly anyone there in early December even on the weekend. Worth even a two hour visit if you’re looking for birds.

8. Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail

Laughlin Civic Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail

Reviewed By KayB16 - San Bernardino, United States

This is a free, natural outdoor activity that is lots of fun if you go prepared. Make sure to have proper footwear, sun protection and mosquito repellent along with water to stay hydrated. Then enjoy the beautiful river, desert landscape and fresh air.

9. Christmas Tree Pass

Lake Mead Recreational Area Between Highway 95 & Laughlin NV, Laughlin, NV
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 128 reviews

Christmas Tree Pass

Reviewed By markbQ4119SP - Canada, null

We were staying in the Laughlin area and wanted to do some exploration and hiking and had read about this area and road and decided to take a gander. We had a 4x4 vehicle in case we encountered any mud holes etc so we were good to go. We took the road thru all the vistas and it was beautiful and breathtaking seeing all the canyons and scenery. You really get a feeling of peace and serenity being in these areas and i love it every time im back. This time we came with our kids and mother in law. We got out of the car a few times to hike a few areas and saw all kinds of cool rock formations and even some Tarantulas. Always wear proper footwear for these Adventures. The main attraction was the Grapevine canyon exit which was awesome. Just a 1 mile hike to the area of petroglyphes! Christmas tree pas is a must visit if in this area.

10. Laughlin Labyrinths

Thomas Edison Drive, Laughlin, NV 89029 http://www.LaughlinLabyrinths.com
Excellent
51%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Laughlin Labyrinths

Reviewed By Daydream618611 - Lincoln, United States

It's really not much more than rocks on the ground, but we had fun. Its neat to see and if you climb up the little hill there are some pretty nice views.

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