Glittering Lights back on at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for 2021 holiday season

Las Vegas, Nev.

Las Vegas is known for its neon lights and, now, for its Glittering Lights over the last twenty years.

The annual holiday light show is Nevada's largest drive-thru display, and in year 21, the lights are back with plenty to see.

"Glittering Lights is back for its 21st season, and we are so happy to be back with even more lights and displays than ever before," said event producer John Bentham.

And it takes a team of workers about a month to put everything together, but the ongoing pandemic couldn't slow them down.

"It takes a complete 30 days -- this year, we were kind of delayed due to some previous events at the speedway because of COVID and supply chain issues. But we had a crew that worked non-stop and opened on Veterans Day with thousands of families welcomed," Bentham said.

This year's Glittering Lights display can be found at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, off the Interstate 15 and Speedway Boulevard, and takes visitors on a 2.5-mile course.

"We have a full 2.5-mile course with more than five million LED lights and 1,000 display elements. You'll see a lot of fun traditional light displays," Bentham said.

Visitors can view more than 600 animated and sparkling displays from their car, taking in more than five million LED lights in motion.

"The best part of it is that you can enjoy the display from the safety and convenience of your car while enjoying holiday music from our radio station even," Bentham said.

Drivers are welcomed upfront by local Boy Scout troops to enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa, kettle corn, along with a holiday gift bag -- featuring local coupons and a list of other holiday events.

"One of the things that make Glittering Lights so different is that we get great participation from our business community," Bentham said.

Several local businesses come together for the annual holiday display to help get the lights up while spreading cheer to the community.

"This really is a community-focused event. We have churches, Boy Scouts and several corporate sponsors participating. They have all come together to make this a community-based event for some holiday cheer," Bentham said.

The holiday event also gives back to the community by helping several local charities, including Goodwill of Southern Nevada and Speedway Children's Charities.

"We've got several corporate sponsors from big to small helping in any way they can. Not only are we able to put on one of the largest light shows in the country, but we can give back with a portion of each ticket sold going back to the Speedway Children's Charity," Bentham said.

This year, visitors have options of a fast pass, season passes, and even catching the Santa Tram.

"The Santa Tram is great for families and gives guests an out-of-car experience. We do the driving for you. So you don't have to worry about traffic or anything, and we'll take you and the entire family through the display," Bentham said.

The display is nightly at the speedway through the holiday season and extends until Jan. 9, 2022. And when it comes to your visit, there is a little bit of inside information.

"Come early in the night or come late in November or January as it's just the perfect time. If you have to come with some out-of-town visitors, it's still not a bad time to come in December; just come early," Bentham said. "We usually open about 15-20 minutes before our scheduled start time, and we never turn off the lights until the last car goes through."

Even if you think you've seen all the lights in Las Vegas, the Glittering Lights will certainly add a few new ones for you and the family.

"There's lots to see at Glittering Lights. There are items to your left, right and above you. It takes a good thirty minutes to complete the course," Bentham said.

Ethel M Chocolates' Holiday Cactus Garden lights up for the holidays

Henderson, Nev.

This year marks the 28th annual Holiday Cactus Garden at the chocolate factory, which is always on our holiday list.

"This is our 28th annual Holiday Cactus Garden, and we are so excited to be able to be open to the public again this year," said Lisa Vannerson, marketing and public relations manager with the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. "We sit on a three-acre botanical cactus garden that is decorated with more than one million holiday lights that transform the garden into a magical experience."

Visitors can stroll through the 3-acre cactus garden that features cacti, floral displays, and trees that all can thrive in Nevada's desert climate.

"Some of the trees that we have are mesquite trees, and they have been here for several years as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary right now. And if you are not from the Southwest, it's just a fun experience to learn about the different cacti," Vannerson said.

And during the holiday season, more than a million lights are added to the garden to help bring it to life.

"There is always something fun to find in the garden: There's lights, reindeer, elves, llamas, and it's just fun to walk around and see something new this year," Vannerson said.

The skilled gardeners start their holiday cheer in August to get ready for the holiday cactus garden.

"The guys who bring the lights to the garden start their work in August, and it takes several months to get everything decorated, and they go through gloves, but at the end, it is a magical experience. And you can bring your family out and make new memories," Vannerson said.

This year, visitors will have to make a reservation to help with crowds amid the pandemic while also making a $5 donation for groups of six.

"There are a few changes this year, and we think they are for the better. First, you have to make a reservation. It will help with crowd flow and traffic. We are also open until Jan. 2, 2022, and we are asking for a $5 donation that goes to Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank," Vannerson said.

Something else new this year is a lawn area in the garden. Visitors can get hot chocolate and, of course, some chocolate sweets straight from the factory.

"New this year is we have added turf where there is a food truck where you can grab a snack and take a break along with visiting Santa. And the hot chocolate is flowing along with having chocolate-dipped items. We dip all of your favorite snacks into dark or milk chocolate, and we sell those inside the store or from the food truck," Vannerson said.

And with all the beauty outside, make sure not to forget to take a look inside during your visit.

You can get a first-hand look at the workings of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory while getting a free treat and getting to take home some sweet treats of your own.

"When you walk in, you are always greeted with a sample. So, make sure you stop in and get a free sample, see our self-guided tour where you can see where the chocolates are made," Vannerson said. "And then at the end, you can get all of our holiday chocolate boxes along with peppermint bark and even options to build your box of chocolates."

The chocolate factory is an easy trip to make down Sunset Road, and it has called Henderson home since 1981.

So, make sure to make your reservation, and Vannerson says to keep your weeknights open as an option to visit as well.

"The weeknights would be the best time to visit as there are certain days that have already been booked, but we still have plenty of Friday and Saturday nights available along with those weeknights. And with the beautiful weather we are having, pick a night and come out to visit," Vannerson said.

Shark Reef Aquarium takes visitors on underwater adventure in Las Vegas

Las Vegas

An aquarium in the desert seems a bit far-fetched, that is, until you visit the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay resort.

"The Shark Reef Aquarium is a predator-based aquarium where we exhibit those animals who are considered predators in their natural environment. We also like to inform visitors why these animals are important and why they need to be protected," said Adrienne Rowland, director of Shark Reef Aquarium operations.

In a town known for its card sharks, it makes sense the only predator-based aquarium in North America calls Las Vegas home.

"We opened in June 2000 to not only bring that predator story but to bring marine environmental conservation to the desert," Rowland said.

And don't let the name fool you, as the exhibit is home to more than just sharks. About 2,000 aquatic animals call the exhibit home.

"You start in our rain forest jungle. You are going to see crocodiles, Kamodo dragons and reptiles," Rowland said.

The beginning of the experience features a thriving jungle where visitors can see those crocodiles, Komodo dragons and piranhas up close and personal.

"We have live plants under a giant skylight. Some of the palms are literally 30-feet high. Therefore, the reptiles in here get a natural light-type environment," Rowland said.

The walking exhibit then leads visitors to the marine area, where you'll see catfish, sea turtles and stingrays.

"We call the marine area the temple where several animals have taken over, which provides a great transition story that leads guests to the bottom of the ocean in the shipwreck exhibit," Rowland said.

And the stars of the show are, of course, the sharks and the aquarium takes you to the depths of the deep blue sea.

"The tour ends with a 1.3 million gallon shipwreck exhibit which features larger sharks such as sand tigers, sandbars, sawfish and sea turtles with a really immersive environment, and you feel like you are in the middle of the ocean," Rowland said.

The aquarium not only brings the world's predators to us, but it also helps educate us through its in-person exhibits.

"We have educated over 300,000 local school kids on the importance of marine conservation. And our touch pool is a fan favorite. You get to interact with animals who are normally really far removed from our environment, and you get to see how they behave with an up-close personal connection," Rowland said.

And even the water creatures are getting into the Halloween spirit -- as the aquarium transforms itself into a haunted tropical reef called the "Hallow Reef" for Halloween.

"We decorate for the kids, and it's spooky fun, not scary fun. They get to trick or treat and enjoy the decorations," Rowland said.

Rattling chains, creaking doors, and spooky music will replace the usual sounds of the ocean and the jungle.

"We have this spooky man-eating plant in our jungle area, along with witches and divers in the skeleton form around the aquarium," Rowland said.

But not all things will be creepy.

Shark Reef staff will be on hand with treats for children while they travel the spooky hallways in their Halloween costumes.

"Hallow Reef is meant for our local residents as a thank you to our community where we can offer discount admission of $5 for kids," Rowland said.

The Shark Reef is still going strong after 20 years in the desert and remains a must-see underwater adventure in Southern Nevada.

"We want people to appreciate all of this that exists beneath the surface," Rowland said.

Las Vegas-area haunted houses offer top-notch scares for all ages

Las Vegas

Southern Nevada makes headlines for its desert beauty, but the Silver State is also considered one of the more active areas for paranormal activity.

And when it's Halloween season, a few local creators take the haunting to heart.

"This is the only way we know how to celebrate Halloween. If you like Halloween and horror, this is the place to be," said Freakling Bros managing partner J.T. Mollner.

And Mollner says his family knows how to put on a good scare.

"We hire live actors and performers with theater backgrounds, and we want to create the experience of a horror show which is why we call this the Freakling Bros. horror show," Mollner said.

And their Trilogy of Terror experiences is currently available in the southwest part of town.

"We have three haunted houses; all ranked No. 1 in Las Vegas. You walk into one of these haunted houses, and it's not your typical haunted house. Each room is an immersive experience where you can interact directly with all of gowls, goblins and other characters," Mollner said.

Castle Vampyre represents all things classic Freakling and still brings the scare but also some fun.

"Castle Vampyre is fun and classic. It is the only attraction we have for tough kids. We have a group of vampires who become sick and start to feed on each other, and they are hungry and looking for you," Moller said.

The Coven of 13 takes guests through an immersive experience -- a horror show that pushes the boundaries.

"The Coven of 13 is very intense. It's a group of witches, bad witches, who need 13 in their group to be complete. So, when you go in, they are inviting you to be a part of their group and transform you into a witch, so it's up to you if they choose you," Mollner said.

And last but not least, those who dare can experience Nevada's only R-rated haunted house - the Gates of Hell.

"The Gates of Hell is very high intense, immersive and adult. Guests will experience what they would in an R-rated horror film. It's the only attraction that goes hardcore with the adult content. It's like nothing you've ever experienced before," Mollner said.

And Henderson, your haunted house experience is available at the Galleria Mall.

Bonnie Screams is sadly no more, but one of its creators is now bringing those screams closer to town.

"We have two haunted houses here. We have Mayhem that is based on clowns and chaos, and then we have the Crimson Manor, which is a good haunted mansion scare," said Kelley Bryant, president of 31 Freak Street.

Bryant is frightening new audiences but with some familiar faces.

"The theory here is the clown school burnt down, and now the clowns have returned to amp it back up. All kinds of clowns are inside Mayhem, from scary ones to ones crawling on the floor to even one with a chainsaw," Bryant said.

Next door, the Crimson Manor is certainly not empty these days, as you'll be greeted as soon as you enter.

"The first character you'll see is sitting down in a chair, and she has a pretty interesting entry. Once you are in there, you'll see her right off the bat, but she does have a tendency just to disappear," Bryant said.

And watch out for an actual haunting as a lost girl seems to be making her presence felt on a nightly basis.

"There was a little girl who was lost in the museum, and there have been sightings of her throughout the halls. "I've actually seen her myself late at night running through the halls of the haunt," Bryant said.

Las Vegas is the city of entertainment, and your scare level can be met this Halloween season throughout the city.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park offering visitors escape from city

Las Vegas

Just beyond the bright lights of the Las Vegas valley, you'll find the natural beauty of the Spring Mountains.

And that's where you'll see the historic Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

"Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is a 520-plus acre state park and we focus on preserving one of the original ranch sites in Las Vegas. We have a 3-acre pond where wildlife, birds and the community can really enjoy," Nevada State Parks Interpreter Ranger Joshua Yelle.

The ranch gives visitors a break from the city life while bringing them up close and personal with the Spring Mountain range.

"We have a total of 4.5 miles of walking trails in the park; we have the Ash Grove Loop, the overlook trail that takes you through a unique part of the park along with a canyon trail that does include Lake Harriet," Yelle said.

The park is an easy 40-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip, with plenty of natural beauty on display, being next door to the famous Red Rock National Conversation Area.

"We are located in the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Surrounded with the Spring Mountains and Mount Wilson with several areas of greenery," Yelle said.

With year-round recreational activities, the state park serves as a popular getaway.

"This is a great place just to escape the heat from Las Vegas, and it is just a great location to explore some of the natural beauty the desert provides," Yelle said.

Visitors can enjoy the views have picnics, hikes and tours, along with exploring some of Southern Nevada's history.

"We afford visitors a look into the past, and that is something we don't have a lot left in Southern Nevada, and luckily the third oldest ranch in the state is preserved in essentially pristine condition," Yelle said.

The park is home to some of the oldest buildings in the state, with roots dating back to the 1860s that include a blacksmith shop and a founding main house that serves as the headquarters for the park and visitors center.

"Our visitors center is a sandstone building, and it was built in a style of a New England farm home with radio and movie star Chester Lauck using it as a vacation home where every family can now escape too."

Guests can walk through the historic sandstone cabin and re-visit what the home once looked like with some original furnishing and touches from the different eras and owners.

"The house is split into three different owners. You'll see the 1948-1955 era, the Vera Krupp era with a master bedroom and swimmers room through the 1955 to 1967 time range to the Howard Hughes ownership period from 1967 with a room dedicated to that time," Yelle said.

The historic ranch attracted some big names through its history, from James Wilson and George Anderson at the beginning to German movie star Vera Krupp in the 1950s to Howard Hughes purchasing the ranch in 1967 before becoming a state park in 1974.

"Owners such Vera Krupp created additions to the home such a sunroom and a secret passage to another room in the house. And guests can explore the different times of ownership of the home during a tour," Yelle said.

When it comes to outdoor activities, the park has several hiking trails - all offering their own experience from wetlands, overlooks, to even a lake.

"We have five different ecological areas, some of the older ash trees - something you won't find anywhere else in the Red Rock Canyon. And on any given day, walking through will give visitors something not offered at other locations in the canyon," Yelle said.

The Spring Mountain Ranch Park serves as the perfect family getaway, especially as we enjoy the cooler fall temperatures with planned events and volunteer opportunities returning.

"We have a great volunteer program. We are always looking for volunteers and you can participate in the Pioneer Day that is coming back and families don't want to miss out on that along with other programs throughout the year," Yelle said.

When you or the family need a quick getaway to a more relaxing time with Southern Nevada's beauty and history, make sure to include the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.