3 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas | Condé Nast Traveler

"A smart way to visit Hoover Dam is to come from the opposite direction of most travelers; namely, the Las Vegas Valley’s other manmade wonder, Lake Las Vegas—a 320-acre artificial lake about 20 miles northwest of the dam. The Westin Lake Las Vegas is a kind of casbah-themed resort with some great features—like a new Aveda spa and a seriously good sushi restaurant (Marssa)—but most importantly, you won’t be battling afternoon traffic to get back to the Strip. If you need a day’s respite from the Strip, this is where the locals go." - Andrea Bennett