Las Vegas Hoover Dam is a top-rated tourist destination amongst Las Vegas visitors!
Las Vegas Hoover Dam – A Technical Marvel recommended by Sigrid from My Travel Diary USA
During our visit to Las Vegas, we decided to take a trip to the Hoover Dam.
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This world-famous, imposing structure is located exactly on the border between Arizona and Nevada in Boulder City.
It is a popular tourist destination that attracts about one million visitors a year and can be reached from Las Vegas in about half an hour.
Read also: Free and cheap things to do in Las Vegas
Why was the Las Vegas Hoover Dam built?
The dam was once built to protect Southern California and Arizona from the catastrophic floods of the Colorado River but also to generate electrical energy.
Its construction began in 1931, and five years later, in 1936, it was already completed.
Walk over the Hoover Dam – For free!
There is a free parking lot close to the Hoover Dam and a paid one directly at the dam.
You can also visit the Dam for free; however, you will see and learn more during a guided tour.
The Hoover Dam is a technical marvel and is surrounded by an amazing landscape.
Lake Mead, the dam’s huge concrete walls, the state border between Nevada and Arizona, everything is very impressive. You really can’t stop taking photos or filming.
On the Nevada side, there is a statue with interesting information about how difficult the construction of the Hoover dam was and how many people have died.
Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge!
Before visiting the Las Vegas Hoover Dam, make sure to check out the Hoover Dam Bypass.
About one mile before you reach Hoover Dam is the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
There is a free parking lot from which you can walk up a few stairs or even use the barrier-free path to the bridge.
On the way up, the story of the bridge is described in an easily understandable way.
The bridge over the Colorado River has a height of 270 meters, making it the highest concrete arch bridge globally and the second-largest in the USA.
On the bridge, it might be a bit scary for people with a fear of heights. However, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the Hoover Dam and its surroundings.
Do not forget drinks and sunscreen!
Since the Hoover Dam is located in the desert, the temperatures there are very high.
On our last visit in May, it was 35 degrees, and even the tar in the parking lot started to melt.
If you want to walk half a mile over the dam, you should bring something to drink. Also, sunscreen and a sun hat are recommended, as there is hardly any shade.
Of course, you also have the opportunity to buy cold drinks, ice creams, or snacks in a restaurant on the Hoover Dam, but these are quite expensive.
Unfortunately, we were too late to book a tour, but we will definitely catch up on our next visit.
Then we will certainly learn a lot more about this gigantic structure.
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Tim Kroeger is a seasoned professional in International Tourism Management, specializing in Luxury Adventure Travel, Luxury Hotel Reviews, and Tourism in Costa Rica.
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