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Looking for indoor activity during the chilly days of winter in Las Vegas? The newly opened Nevada State Museum at the Springs Preserve is a great place to go, good or bad weather permitting. Located on the 180-acre Springs Preserve campus, you'll have plenty of additional options for entertainment if you want more after visiting the State Museum. The admission charge covers the adults for both the Nevada State Museum and the Springs Preserve Museums. Children are free to the Nevada State Museum and are $4.95 for the Springs Preserve Museums. Except fot the entrance to the museums, most of the Springs Preserve is free of charge. The gardens and trails are a lot of fun and there is no admission cost. The Springs Cafe is also a great place to stop for lunch and in now being operated by the same catering company that will cater the Smith Center of the Performing Arts in downtown Las Vegas.
The Nevada State Museum is a great series of displays on the history of Nevada and is set very well in meandering galleries. It is large enough to entertain and educate for an afternoon and small enough that you are not exhausted after seeing it all.
The best deal is an annual pass, which you can decide on after your visit by applying the ticket price to the membership level of your choice. The family option allows for 2 adults and up to 6 kids plus you can add a guest adult pass for only an additional $20. The family pass is $60, and it will pay for itself within a few visits based on the size of your family. Plus pass holders get discounts at the cafe and the giftshop. This all includes entry to the Nevada State Museum and the museums at the Springs Preserve.
The Springs Preserve now offers a new gallery attraction a few times a year so there is a new reason to visit often. You will receive a map, which is updated monthly that will help guide you to the new attractions, shows, crafts and special events that take place throughout the year. New this January, for an additional fee, is the availability to rent a bike and see the vast trail system in the "back lot" of the main museum campus. The trails are historical and offer a great way to get out of the city without the commute. They now also offer a bird of prey show on certain days and times that will really wow the kids. The show is included in your admission fee.
The Springs Preserve campus is the perfect place to learn about the history of Nevada, after all one of the most important city's in Nevada began right there.
The Springs Preserve is a world class museum complex dedicated to the preservation of the original site of "the meadows," which is what "Las Vegas" means in Spanish. The mall across the street, also called The Meadows, was the only evidence that this was the birthplace of Las Vegas, until the Springs Preserve opened in the summer of 2007.
The springs on the site were used by Native Americans for over 5,000 years and later by European explorers and settlers using the Old Spanish Trail. The springs no longer flow to the surface, but continue to replenish an underground aquifer below the property.
The Springs Preserve has over 180-acres of preserved landscape featuring trails, historical sites, museums, botanical gardens, native flora and fauna displays, interactive exhibits, childrens' playground, meeting rooms and a cafe.
Las Vegas is trying hard to become greener and one of the best all around eco family destinations in Las Vegas is the Springs Preserve. The entire facility was built using green practices and a whole museum on property is dedicated to displaying interactive exhibits on sustainability in the Mojave Desert. Pathways through the property wind in and around water efficient landscaping and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified buildings.
The Springs Preserve is a great winter activity to get kids ready for a little learning, while maintaining the vacation mentality. The large open spaces and the childrens' playground is good for blowing off a little energy too, especially for the little ones.
Visit the Ori-gen Experience first and see the film at the entrance in their stat of the art theater. Tweens will want to sit in the front for a dizzying view of the film and younger children will want to hang close to the back, at least until the a crash of thunder in the film is over. Venture on from there into the museum and allow the kids to wander and explore from exhibit to exhibit. The flash flood is the all time favorite and running a close second are the animals in the outside back area of the museum.
From there, make a pit stop for lunch, swing by the Childrens' Playground or visit one of the facility's cool restrooms. Check out the special effects on the sinks in the Ori-gen restrooms. If you are ready to venture on, head south and stop in at the Nature Exchange, and continue to the Sustainability Gallery. If the weather is cooperating, walk around the 8-acres of botanical gardens, of which most of the paths are in the shade of the many water efficient trees.
Make a day of it and grab a snack in the Springs Cafe located near the entrance/exit . They offer kid portioned and kid priced meals (which are really enough for most adults). All the food is made with natural, local and when available, organic ingredients. The view is awesome from the balcony. The cafe also has water and snacks if you prefer your meals on the go.
With the incentive of savings, and a great way to spend a winter day, check out the Springs Preserve and see where Las Vegas all began.
For more information visit http://www.springspreserve.org.
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