Headed to OPTECH? Here Are 10 Unforgettable Things to Do Off the Las Vegas Strip 
 

The Livly team will soon head to one of our favorite events of the year, the National Multifamily Housing Council’s 2022 OPTECH conference and exposition on November 1 – 3, 2022 in Las Vegas, baby! The NMHC bills this annual gathering as “the industry’s must-attend event for forward-thinking operations leaders who want to leverage simplified, integrated, sustainable tech for better performance.”  

If that sounds appealing to you, find your way to the Wynn Resort and join us. Here are the conference highlights we are most looking forward to joining: 

• Educational sessions about process automation, centralization, and the technology that powers it all 

• Multifamily community case studies surrounding technology and connectivity 
• Inspiring keynote speakers including marketing innovator Omar Johnson and Mel Robbins  
• Non-stop networking with tech-minded property management operators and supplier partners 

In addition to the thought-provoking conference agenda, we always welcome a reason to visit lively Las Vegas. Famous for its casinos, spectacular hotels, world-class restaurants, and top-notch entertainment, Las Vegas really does have something for everyone.  

Some of Vegas’ most unique and memorable attractions, however, aren’t found on the famous Las Vegas Strip. We surveyed our team to put together a list of top Vegas-area destinations and experiences that are a stone’s throw away from the madding crowd, and totally worth the trip off the Strip. If you can swing it, consider adding an extra day into your schedule to take in these sensational sights.   
 

If you have a free evening: 

1. Vegas is known for its neon lights. Learn more about their history and the role they play in Vegas’ unique style at the Neon Museum. For a sky-high perspective, spring for the Neon Night Flight Spectacular helicopter tour and get a birds’ eye view of the city. Advanced tickets highly recommended. 

2. There’s no shortage of places to get a cocktail on the Strip. But in recent years, a wave of speakeasy-style bars joined the scene, offering various venues for sipping your drink in style. Thrillist offers a peek at the best speakeasy bars you’ve never heard of—which is just how they want it.   

3. In the downtown Arts District, experience breathtaking magical creatures in a mixed-reality experience combining art, technology, and live performance known as Particle Ink. In their latest show, “Speed of the Dark,” visitors are invited to explore an abandoned warehouse that contains a portal into the 2.5th dimension. Advanced tickets highly recommended. 

4. Studio 71 is a free selfie exhibit located inside The Plaza Hotel in downtown. Full of Instagram-worthy backdrops featuring Vegas kitsch to catalog your time in the desert, the selfie exhibit is located near the dome entrance and adjacent to the casino floor. No reservations necessary.   

If you have a free half-day: 

5. How exactly to describe Omega Mart by Meow Wolf? Their website says “astonishing, trippy, unpredictable, and mind-bending.” That sounds about right. A family-friendly interactive and immersive art experience, Omega Mart is like no supermarket you’ve ever experienced—with portals leading to surreal worlds full of unexpected, art-filled landscapes in which to play. Advance tickets recommended. 

6. If exploring the quirk of Vegas is your style, there’s no shortage of possibilities. Depending on your schedule, you may be able to fit both of these campy sights into your itinerary. Check out the Mob Museum to learn about organized crime’s history and its impact on both Vegas and American history. The Hollywood Cars Museum showcases classic film and TV vehicles you’ll likely recognize, such as the DeLorean from “Back to the Future”, the General Lee from “Dukes of Hazzard,” and Herbie the Love Bug.  

7. Have you ever wondered where Vegas’ show animals go after Siegfried and Roy are done with them? Some of them retire at the Lion Habitat Ranch non-profit animal sanctuary. Home to a variety of animals, the sanctuary’s headliners are more than 30 lions, most of which are descendants from those used in MGM shows. Visitors can tour the property, interact with the animals including Ozzie the painting giraffe, and even have the chance to feed a lion.  

If you have a free day (or two) 

8. The Great Outdoors may not be the first thing you associate with Las Vegas, but only a 20-minute trip from the Strip is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, with thousands of acres of red sandstone peaks and limestone that are a draw for rock climbers and hikers. Scooter, e-bike, and driving tours are also available, including Pink Jeep who will pick you up right from your hotel and provide a guided tour through the stunning landscape.  

9. You may have spotted the engineering marvel that is the Hoover Dam from your airplane window seat on your way into Vegas. A scenic 45-minute drive from the Strip, the Hoover Dam is a can’t-miss sightseeing adventure with absolutely stunning views including the Colorado River and Lake Mead. Explore on your own or schedule a half-day guided tour to pick you up from your hotel.   

10. Kayaking in the desert? You’d better believe it! Only about an hour away from the Strip is the Emerald Cove, a picturesque natural attraction on the Colorado River at Willow Beach, Arizona. Take an intimate, guided kayaking tour up the river and stop for lunch and swimming along the way. Hotel pickup and drop-off available.