One of Las Vegas’ coolest new places to shop and hang out, The Linq Promenade features unique retail, dining, nightlife and entertainment venues as well as the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller. The Promenade is home to a selection of boutique-style stores – you won’t find any big box operations here. When it’s time to refuel, you’ll find plenty of places to eat along the Promenade, like In-N-Out Burger, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Virgil’s’ Real Barbecue. The open-air design invites you to wander and explore. During any holiday, the Linq Promenade embraces the spirit of the season with loads of decorations, entertainment and events.

More than 2,000 visitors per day flock to this chocolate production facility where truffles, cremes, cherry cordials, peanut brittle, and other sweet treats are made. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch the confectionery delights being created, and you can pick up a free sample or a hand-dipped ice cream cone. Self-guided tours are free, although it might be tough to pass up a purchase after watching the sweets being made. For the serious chocolate enthusiast, an outdoor chocolate tasting experience is offered for $20 per adult and $10 for children. A wine and chocolate tasting is available for those 21+. The cactus garden is free and is billed as the largest cactus garden in the Southwest, with over 300 species of plants displayed over three acres. During the winter holidays, the garden is lit up to create a wonderful holiday light display.

Nevada has a history rich with the stories of trains, and the Nevada State Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving that heritage. In Southern Nevada, the Railroad Museum is just outside of Boulder City. Visitors can explore the grounds and the static displays, but the real fun is taking a ride on one of the historic trains. Guests can also get a more up-close experience with the Rail Explorers, which offers open air, pedal powered rides along the historic train tracks. If you like trains, this is the place to learn about them in depth. A stop at the Railroad Museum in Boulder City is a great addition to a trip out to see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, or to explore the historic district in downtown Boulder City.

Located at the far end of the Las Vegas Strip, Town Square is an open-air shopping and dining destination that always has plenty to see and do. In addition to a healthy mix of retailers and restaurants, Town Square also offers movie theaters, a children’s play area and a GameWorks. During December, guests can also spend some time with Santa – and that includes your four-legged friends, who can have their photos taken with Mr. Claus on Wednesdays. If you’re missing a white Christmas, the center offers Snow in the Square every weekday evening at 7 p.m. and also at 8 p.m. on weekends. Town Square’s village-like design makes it easy to stroll through the area to leisurely window shop and enjoy the festive holiday displays.

Las Vegas may be in the desert, but that hasn’t stopped the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas from putting in an ice-skating rink from late November through early January. You’ll find fire pits, plenty of places to sit, a menu of seasonal food, s’mores, and hot chocolate – not to mention a great view of the Las Vegas Strip. Entry into the Ice Rink area is free, but costs for ice skating are $20-$30 per day and include skate rentals. Guests can bring their own skates, but the same rates apply. Children under 18 must have an adult with them. Every Monday and Tuesday, visitors can also enjoy a movie like “A Christmas Story” or “The Santa Clause” during the rink’s Date Skate.

At Glittering Lights, people can stay warm and cozy in the comfort of their vehicle while they drive through a spectacular holiday light show. With approximately 2.5 miles of lights, Glittering Lights pulls out all the stops to create a memorable (and sparkly) holiday experience. Guests can even buy cocoa from the Boy Scouts on site, who provide the concessions and deliver them to your car. Located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Glittering Lights is an annual event that benefits local charities while giving visitors a gigantic dose of holiday cheer. Admission is charged per vehicle at $25-$35, but enthusiastic visitors can also purchase season passes if they anticipate coming back.

Part of the Mojave Desert, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is just past the western edge of Las Vegas, about 17 miles from downtown Las Vegas. The area is home to spectacular scenery, mostly notably the colorful rocks and dramatic cliffs that give a backdrop to the 13-mile one-way scenic drive known as ‘The Loop.’ Numerous hiking trails and scenic overlooks are located along The Loop, so even visitors who don’t want to hike can easily enjoy the area’s scenery. From November to May, reservations are required for the scenic drive – a move designed to help stop long lines and over-crowding at this popular place. Picnic areas are located at the visitor center and at Willow Springs. Outside the scenic drive area, picnic areas and hiking trails can be found off Highway 159 at the Red Rock Overlook and in Calico Basin at Red Springs.

The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Better known to locals as Mount Charleston, it’s located just 30 minutes from downtown Las Vegas and encompasses more than 316,000 acres of remarkable beauty and surprising diversity. During the winter months, skiing and snow play are the top draw – although some people just like a chance to visit the snow. The ski resort in Lee Canyon offers a wide variety of ski play on its slopes, in addition to skiing and snowboarding. Outside of the resort, visitors can enjoy marked snow play areas in Lee Canyon if they have their own sleds or tubes. Mt. Charleston is divided between two main areas, Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon. Visitors will find two lodges with restaurants and rooms in Kyle Canyon, and Lee Canyon is home to the ski resort and snow play areas.

Downtown Summerlin is known primarily as a shopping destination, but it offers more than just stores. This busy area is also home to several restaurants, a movie theater, a baseball stadium and a practice facility for the city’s hockey team, the Golden Knights. During the winter holiday, the open-air shopping and dining area is decked out with plenty of festive decorations. Carolers entertain guests on the weekends. Visitors can rent skates and experience the Rock Rink, an ice-skating rink that plays holiday tunes. Next to the rink, a 40-foot Christmas tree adds extra cheer. A train circles the rink and the nearby tree, with rides at only $4. The Red Rock Casino is also just around the corner for those looking for more grown-up activities.

When the Bellagio introduced a conservatory and botanical garden to Las Vegas, it was before the city had heard of such a thing. Years later, this unique attraction is a favorite of both tourists and locals – especially during the winter holidays, when the talented staff creates a wonderland scene made primarily out of flowers and other plants. Look for gigantic polar bears, spectacular Christmas trees, toy trains and a host of other creations. Throughout the year, the team at the conservatory swoops in as the seasons and holidays change to create eye-catching scenes filled with rich details. You’ll find the conservatory just off of the front desk, with easy access to the parking garage so you don’t have to trek through the casino, an added plus if you have children with you.