How to spend your day
With 180 acres of scenery, wildlife, exhibits and attractions, it can be a bit tough to figure out where to start on your visit to the Springs Preserve. Below are some suggestions of how to best spend your time here.
I want to spend...
1-2 hours
If you're only visiting us for a short time, you're not going to want to miss the Origen Museum.
- Traveling exhibit: The Origen Museum is home to our traveling exhibit space, which changes throughout the year. Visit our Events & Activities calendar for information on the latest exhibit.
- "Miracle in the Mojave" film: Stop in our Big Springs Theater to watch "Miracle in the Mojave," an 8-minute, cinematic, sensory-surround film that introduces visitors to the Springs Preserve and explores the evolution of Las Vegas.
- Flash flood exhibit: At one of the Preserve's most popular exhibits, you can feel the rush of 5,000 gallons of recycled water as the awesome power of a desert flash flood is recreated.
- Animal habitat: Get up close with some of our most famous desert dwellers including Gila monsters, lizards, desert cottontails, a gray fox, a pocket gopher, snakes and scorpions.
- Gift Shop: Before you leave, stop by the Gift Shop located directly next to the Big Springs Theater to take home a special memento of your visit.
- Springs Cafe: Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a refreshing snack in the spacious and relaxing cafe that includes stunning balcony views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Half a day
Take in all the sights and sounds of the Origen Museum mentioned above, then explore the following attractions:
- Boomtown 1905: Meet the faces and places of the past at Boomtown 1905, a re-created historical streetscape. We invite you to stroll the street and learn more about Las Vegas’ humble beginnings through engaging interpretive exhibits.
- WaterWorks: Touch replicated quagga mussels, look at harmful water contaminants using a microscope, examine rock samples excavated from hundreds of feet below Lake Mead's surface and more at WaterWorks
- Botanical Garden: With thousands of Mojave Desert and desert-adapted plants, the Botanical Garden at the Springs Preserve provides an inviting welcome and inspiration for residents and visitors alike.
- Butterfly Habitat (seasonal): In this seasonal exhibit (open in the spring and fall), witness the fascinating dance between free-flying butterflies and the plants that sustain them.
- Sustainability Gallery and Nature Exchange: Learn about eco-friendly lifestyles and the natural world around us through interactive, hands-on activities.
- DesertSol: DesertSol is a 754-square foot solar-powered home that showcases innovations in sustainable home design including technology, energy and material choices.
The full day
Enjoy all the attractions listed above, plus these special features.
- Nevada State Museum: Come face-to-face with a 20,000-year-old Columbian Mammoth skeleton, explore a recreated stalactite cave, learn about Nevada mining history, see original Las Vegas showgirl costumes and much more.
- Art exhibit: Our Primrose Gallery is home to an ever-changing lineup of art exhibits. Visit our Events & Activities calendar for information on the latest exhibit.
- Trails and Train Rides: Explore more than three miles of trails and follow in the footsteps of early explorers as you walk or take a train ride through the very ground that is the birthplace of Las Vegas! Along the way you'll discover desert wetlands, cottonwood groves and interpretive sites that reveal milestones in Las Vegas History.
- Playground and Splash Pad: Our main playground for children ages 5-12 years old features recreational equipment and play structures, including musical instruments, interactive elements, and more. The Mariposa playground features a splash pad and tot lot for children ages 2-5.
- Live Shows, Classes and Activities: On weekends, watch a live animal show in our amphitheater, participate in a drop-in activity or tour, or sign up for a gardening workshop. Check the calendar for a full schedule of events and programs.
Video: Adventurous Preserve
From the flash flood exhibit in the Origen Museum to the beauty of the Botanical Gardens, make your "to-do" list for your next visit with this handy video guide!
Video: Toddler Time
Visiting with very small children? Most of the activities listed here should hold their attention, but be sure to check out Toddler Time on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, which is designed specifically for our tiny friends!