Hoover Dam
Time Needed: 1-2 hours, half-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, innovation, scenic views
Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel on the Colorado River, linking Nevada and Arizona. Completed in 1936, this iconic structure offers breathtaking views, fascinating history, and a glimpse into one of America’s greatest public works projects.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Take a Guided Tour – Join the Guided Dam Tour or Guided Power Plant Tour to explore historic tunnels, see commercial generators, and learn about the Hoover Dam’s construction.
- Explore the Visitor Center – Take a self-guided tour of narrated exhibits, informative displays, and interactive models explaining the dam’s design, history, and impact on the region.
- Stand in Two States at Once – Walk across the top of the Hoover Dam to place one foot in Arizona and the other in Nevada, straddling two states–and two time zones–at the same time.
- Drive Across the Dam – Cross over the Hoover Dam by car, then continue on to the Hoover Dam Overlook on the Arizona side for panoramic views of Lake Mead and Black Canyon
- Visit the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum – Step inside this free museum in historic Boulder City for stories, artifacts, and exhibits about the workers and families who built the dam.
Itinerary Idea: See the Hoover Dam from a new angle on a 90-minute sightseeing cruise aboard the Desert Princess, a three-level paddle-wheeler. Enjoy 360-degree Lake Mead views and learn about the dam’s history.
Photo Credit: Cedric Dhaenens/Unsplash