Note: This brief guide to Laughlin was already in the newsletter when we learned this weekend of the death of Don Laughlin, creator of the town that bears his name. So maybe take this opportunity to appreciate his legacy and explore this small but enjoyable town on the Colorado River.
🌊 River Notes
Something you may have noticed about Laughlin is that a river runs beside it. If you’re the active type, you can rent a jet ski (weather permitting, of course). Don’t want to get into the water? Take in the aqueous vibe while strolling the Laughlin Riverwalk. If you’re hungry, consider dinner on a riverboat cruise. And if you want to enjoy the river’s ambiance a little farther from town, there’s Big Bend of the Colorado State Park, or, even farther afield, Telephone Cove, which City Cast Las Vegas producer Layla Muhammad recommends as “a great place to sit by the water.”
🎤 Other Things to Do
Time your visit right, and you might catch a biggish act in the 9,000-seat outdoor Laughlin Events Center. For car buffs, The Riverside Resort has two automotive displays, devoted to desert racing vehicles and a rotating showcase of classics. And if you brought your four-legged friend, there’s a dog park at Clark-Arie Park.
🥞 Have a Meal
If you’re going to make the 95-mile drive to Laughlin, you might as well eat. Here are a few suggestions culled from the 2023 Best of Laughlin roundup undertaken by the folks at Laughlin Buzz. For breakfast, try the Bighorn Cafe in the Laughlin River Lodge. On a budget? The Bikini Bay Sports Bar and Grill. And for fine dining, the Buzzers suggest The Gourmet Room at the Riverside Resort.
All the good stuff is next to the river. (Google Maps)
➕ Laughlin not your thing? Maybe try camping near Las Vegas. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
