Southwest® flights from Detroit to Las Vegas from $147

While Las Vegas is known for its vast array of casinos, luxury hotels, and high-class shopping, the city is located right in the heart of the Mojave Desert, making it a prime desert wildlife destination. Whether you’re a nature lover at heart or just need a break from the slot machines, there’s much to do in and around Las Vegas that doesn’t require poker chips or a royal flush. Take a day trip to Death Valley National Park for 3.4 million acres of salt flats, canyons, sand dunes, and beautiful desert views, including Zabriskie Point. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, with over two dozen hiking trails through its namesake red sandstone rock formations, is just about 15 miles outside of the city, making it another great daytrip destination. If you’d rather stay close to the city center, pay a visit to the Springs Preserve Botanical Garden, with an award-winning Mojave Collection, a teaching garden, and more. Many of the native species grown here have been rescued from nearby land that was cleared for development, making it a spectacular showcase of hyper-local flora.