Summer has arrived and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you are traveling to Las Vegas or Phoenix for a Summer vacation in the Southwest, DETOURS has the right tours and suggestions to make your vacation one to remember.
Local Favorites and Tours from Las Vegas, Nevada!
Warm weather in Las Vegas means that it is prime time to hang out by the pool with an ice-cold drink in hand, while soaking up the desert sun. If you are here in the southwest on a family summer vacation, we recommend getting a one-day pass to Mandalay Bay’s pool where they have a lazy river and its very own beach in the middle of the Mojave. Another fun pool for adults and kids alike is the pool at Golden Nugget, where they not only have a lovely pool, but they have a slide that goes through a shark tank! If you are here with friends or a significant other, Las Vegas is widely known for its nightclubs, but they have some of the best day clubs in the world. Places like Encore’s Beach Club and Marquee at the Cosmopolitan are just a few of the many pool day clubs this city has to offer. Sick of the sun? Check out the amazing Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas to learn more about the rich history that makes up this destination. If you’re in the mood for more of how this metropolis started on your southwest summer vacation, hop on one of DETOURS Half-Day Hoover Dam tours to see sights like Boulder City, Lake Mead, and of course Hoover Dam itself. Or, sticking with our theme of celebrating history, maybe go on our Half-Day Eldorado Canyon Mine tour! See and experience the oldest mine in Southern Nevada and learn about what the life of a miner in the 1800’s was truly like. With either of these tours only being 4 hours, that leaves you plenty of time to check out any of the plethora of Cirque Du Soleil shows on the Strip. If you really want to go out of the norm and make your Las Vegas summer vacation one to remember for years to come, consider taking a Night Helicopter Flight around the city to see the infamous Strip from its most unique angle. With so much to do and see in the southwest, Las Vegas is sure to keep you enthralled for your entire visit!
Summer Vacations and Tours from Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix isn’t called The Valley of the Sun for its residents bright and shiny personalities, though, that would be good reason enough. No, it is called this after the amazing amounts of sun you can soak up all year round. Filled with festivals, amazing historical locations, aquariums, and many other exciting activities, you will never be bored in this vibrant city and is a perfect summer vacation spot in the beautiful southwest! Just south of Phoenix lies the small town of Queen Creek, which houses one of the juiciest festivals in the Southwest. The Queen Creek Peach Festival takes place over two weekends in May and draws thousands each year to pick some of the best peaches from Schnepf Farms. With 6 varieties of peaches, a bakery, and a country store, this is a great way to spend your afternoon down on an Arizona farm. If you’re looking for more of an adventure than a peach festival, look no further than the Salt River Recreation Area, where locals and tourists alike flock each summer to go tubing down the Salt River. Either bring two cars or get a shuttle pass and tube your way down the Salt River for a fun day in the sun. Don’t forget to bring plenty of refreshments and sunblock! If you want to stay in the city and get a taste of the ocean in Arizona, check out Sea Life Aquarium. Filled with thousands of beautiful sea creatures, touch pools, and a 360-degree tunnel where you can get views that you could only dream about. Maybe sea life isn’t your cup of tea, then head over to the Musical Instrument Museum. Being the largest museum of its kind, this location holds over an astounding 15,000 instruments from all around the world. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time though. We encourage our guests to plan for 3-4 hours at the MIM. Trust us… you’ll need it! Another enthralling museum can be seen on our Jerome and Verde Canyon Railroad tour. This full day tour takes you through the historic mining town of Jerome, the Arizona Copper Art Museum, and down to the Verde Canyon Railroad for a relaxing first-class ride through the scenic wilderness of Verde Valley. If a half day tour is all you’re looking for so you can spend the rest of your day checking out all these other amazing locations, we also have a Phoenix and Scottsdale City tour that lets you enjoy the Valley of the Sun from our comfortable and spacious 13 passenger vehicles. This is a great tour for those that are visiting Phoenix for the first time and want to learn more about our rising city. Between tours, tubing, and tubas at the Musical Instrument Museum, we have everything you need to cross your t’s and dot your i’s for your summer vacation in the southwest!
No matter where you travel to this summer for vacation, there are a few important things to remember. Always wear comfortable shoes, bring sunblock, have a bathing suit handy, stay hydrated, and most importantly your sense of fun and discovery! So, get out there and enjoy summer the DETOURS way!