Las Vegas

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Hoover Dam

More Photos
Jim Rosenberg
Jim Rosenberg
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
47
Reviews
138
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 47
Editor Pick

Hoover Dam Still a Wonder

  • November 29, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Autumnrose2008 from fort Collins, Colorado
On my recent trip to Vegas we chose to make a day of going up to the dam driving across and parking and walking back across it to get the full experience as in just a short time the option to drive over the dam will no longer be part of the Hoover Dam experience. Just one of many things that have change since september 11th 2000. Wanting my daughter to experience things as I did when I was growing up it was important to me that we visit.

As we drove up to the Dam we were greeted with wonderful views of the lake speckeled with sail boats in the distance. There were a few birds Seaguls mainly soaring above the lake. It was quite breath taking.

As we rounded the bend in the road we were met with a security check where they had an area to have people pull over if they felt they needed a further check. As we were normal I guess they waved us through and we were on our way again. We pulled up and were astounded to see the amount of people that were walking across the Dam.

As we made our way up the other side of the dam we were able to park and walk down to the actual dam. As we stood there looking down at the dam you could see the amount of water that was lost due to evaporation. It was a lot but I was happy to hear and to see that it was slowly making a come back.

We walked across the dam stopping here and there to look down. At one point I was seeing a door way and realized that was the spot that they had Chevy Chase walk out of almost. Smiling as I looked down my husband knew what I was thinking cause he said we would have to watch the movie when we got back home.

At the end of the dam we opted to turn around and go back to our car my daughter was tired and hungry and wanted to go back to the room to watch tv in the bathroom. Yes I know silly kid would rather watch tv in a bath room like thats a man made wonder in its self.

So we loaded up and drove back across the damn. As we rounded the corner and drove past the security check point and seen cars stretched out for what seems like miles we were very thankful that we were up early in the day to miss the line of traffick that was building as the day went on.

So would I recommend it you bet. Its a great thing that man has been able to do building this damn. I like the deal that it is free is always a good deal to me. I say go and drive across the dam before they make it so you cant.
Editor Pick

Hoover Dam

  • January 12, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by melissabowman from Stephenville, Texas
Hoover Dam

Being this was my first time to Nevada, forgot that we would get to see the Hoover Dam on our trip as well. I was very excited to learn that I would get to see it. However that excitement turned to frustration and impatience when we learned we would be in traffic for over an hour just to get to the Hoover Dam. There is a lot of construction going on since they are building a bridge that goes over the Dam and the speed limit is 30 all the way through the dam. I was actually very surprised at how slow the traffic was.

By the time we got to the dam it was dark and we were hesitant to stop for too long not knowing how long it would take to get all the way out. We did stop at the first point and took a few pictures. After getting backing the car the traffic seemed to move much quicker and more steadily. Once again though we were hesitant to stop anymore, which meant passing by the popular view looking down into the dam. Of course at first I did not realize that we passed it and by then there was nowhere to stop and pull over. So we kept on going.


The sight in the dark was nice but I think it would have been better in the day, which it was when we first got into traffic. Also we would have been able to stop and see more of it. Hopefully next time we will be able to enjoy it more and spend more time looking around. I do think it is a must if you are going through there and have the time to stop.

From journal Christmas in Vegas

Editor Pick

Hoover Dam - The Comedy Tour

  • July 28, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by travelstiff from Fulton, Missouri
This was a great day! I booked a trip to Hoover Dam thinking it would be a nice distraction from all the craziness of Vegas but to my surprise it turned out to be the best thing I did in Vegas. I went with Comedy on Deck Tours because they have comedians as tour guides and why not have a little fun if you can?

Our tour guide, Joni Maclain, was so funny, I'm not kidding I think she should have her own TV show. We laughed all the way to the Dam and once we got there she took us on a guided walk over the top and peppered her talk with historical jokes about the dam as well.

All of us were amazed at the information on the dam. It is said that 96 people died during the construction but they were just the official deaths, in reality many more died but the company that built the dam didn't want to pay death benefits, so only counted 96. I was so impressed with the volume of concrete, the fact that it had no rebar (something I understand since my dad's a mason) in it and the height. I was also struck by how sever the drought is getting, the water line was unbelievable showing the water to be down over 100 feet.

Inside the dam we got to view the generators and walk into one of the tunnels (56' in diameter) built to take the water around the construction site so they would have a dry riverbed. I found walking through the tunnels 500' feet into the canyon to be nearly as interesting as viewing the generators. Talk about information, there was so much I couldn't possibly take it all in. I even learned more when we made a stop at the Boulder/Hoover Dam Museum; it was upstairs in the supposedly haunted Boulder Dam Hotel in Boulder City. I had an excellent lunch at the hotel ( I recommend the chicken Parmesan sandwich) and to top the whole day off we learned all about Las Vegas history on the trip back to town. I couldn't imagine a better time visiting Hoover Dam or in Vegas for that matter. This was better then the shows I saw.

From journal Las Vegas Impact

Editor Pick

Hoover Dam

  • July 8, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Temagami from Austin, Texas
We made the relatively short road trip from the Las Vegas Strip to the Hoover Dam at the Nevada-Arizona border on a sunny, warm, summer day. We arrived mid-afternoon and elected for the "Hard Hat" tour for $25. It was preferable for us because you got to see more of the inner-workings of the dam and received a souvenir hard hat to take home with you.

The tour was quite long and well worth the entrance fee. Our knowledgeable tour guide left no question unanswered as he lead us up, down and all around the Dam, constantly reminding us to have a swig of water so as not to dehydrate. He was also patient, letting us stop and take pictures.

Viewing the almost 730 vertical feet of concrete was awe-inspiring. Just thinking of the work force it took to create this man-made wonder was mind-boggling - especially since it was constructed during the Great Depression era.

Our guide assured us that contrary to popular myth, there were no bodies buried in the structure, although there were deaths attributed to the construction. In addition to that, he had a wealth of statistics for us ranging from volumes of materials used, dimensions, timeframes, etc. It was a true spectacle of human ingenuity. Especially next to the majestic natural beauty of the Colorado River.

We took pictures at every turn of the renowned art deco architecture of the site as well as the cliff faces, river and the Dam itself. However, you'll find later that it's hard to capture a unique photograph of the site. When comparing photos later at home, my friend and I quickly saw that we had all the same shots.

Crossing over the Nevada-Arizona border by foot at the top of the Dam, it was fun to think that with one step you were in a different time zone.

Sadly, I'm told that they no longer offer the "Hard Hat" tour due to potential security risks since 9/11. However, I'm sure that the new, less expensive, less extensive tour is still worth the trip to the Hoover Dam. The Dam is open for tours from about 9am to 6pm.

From journal Out on the Razzle in Las Vegas

Editor Pick

Hoover Dam

  • April 30, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by mh75 from Harrisonburg, Virginia
Hoover Dam

The Hoover or Boulder Dam is a marvel of modern ingenuity. The massiveness of the dam and the construction of it is a testament to the will and dedication of America and the men and women that made the whole thing possible.

The dam is fairly incredible, to be completely honest. The dam was constructed from 1931 until 1935 and was completed before schedule. The total cost was $49 million at that time, and the construction took 96 workers' lives. The dam provides power to three states, California, Arizona, and Nevada. The dam impounds the Colorado River and is 726 foot high and 1,244 foot long. The 158,000 acre lake that was created on the north side of the dam was named Lake Mead after Elwood Mead who was the construction overseer of the project. The dam also has the Arizona and Nevada state line running through the middle of it, which is pretty neat. To hear about or read about the actual construction of the dam is what really makes it amazing though.

To say that the dam is a spectacle would be an understatement. When I first saw it, I came from the Arizona side where you are considerably higher than the dam and lake. Looking down, it appeared small when I first saw it. However, once we got onto the dam itself and then stopped and walked around the area, the vastness of the project was astounding.

If you plan to go, be prepared to be amazed. There are tours of the dam and area as well as many volunteers to assist you with questions if you do things on your own. There are also souvenir stands inside the main office and there is a restaurant, too, I believe. We spent about an hour there walking around and saw most of the external structure.

I would highly recommend the Hoover Dam to anyone who is traveling to Las Vegas. The trip can be made in less than half a day and you will truly see a modern marvel if you take the time to do so.

From journal Weekend in Vegas

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 47

Compare Las Vegas Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Las Vegas Travel Deals