Things to Do in Pahrump

The soaring peaks and red-rock lava flows of the River Mountains. The snaking gravel paths that form a ghostly memorial to a Hoover Dam railroad. The rippling waters of Lake Mead. At All Mountain Cyclery, these local sights headline daylong bike and kayak tours of the wilderness surrounding Boulder City. Located only a 30-minute drive from the famed Las Vegas strip and 10 minutes from Lake Mead, the cyclery rents out Specialized bikes and sells two-wheelers by big other big names, including KHS and Redline. With a fresh set of pedals beneath their feet, cyclists can confidently cruise down the manmade Bootleg Canyon single track. Gravity tows bikes down the steep path at full throttle, leaving riders free to focus on navigating the challenging terrain and throwing their sneakers at distracting birds.

Madame Tussaud began crafting wax likenesses in 1770s Paris, and a sense of history clings to her wax museums around the globe today—according to the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventurers, the location is haunted by unsettled spirits. By day, the collection of wax sculptures fills the serene exhibits with characters ranging from daredevil Evel Knievel (complete with his original Harley Davidson and good-luck teddy bear) to Lady Gaga and Whoopi Goldberg. A Hugh Hefner figure, wearing the Playboy magnate’s signature smoking jacket, reclines on a bed, and a nightclub-themed section of the museum honors Las Vegas’s entertainment history with a waxen Elvis and Wayne Newton.

Velvet ropes no longer cordon figures off from the public, granting guests up-close-and-personal photo ops. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas honors its spooky roots with special late-night Scream events, a shriek-inducing tour through a maximum-security prison set interspersed with ghoulish wax figures and live actors.

The Las Vegas Hilton tennis facility is staffed by professional, USPTA-certified tennis coaches and features six first-class courts. Hopeful tennis-ball bashers of all ages, skill levels, and backhanded brutalities can practice lobbing, drop shotting, and overhead smashing. Adult classes operate from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. daily. Every Monday through Wednesday (4 p.m.-5 p.m.), kids ages 4-12 practice volleys and learn how to return deviously whirling asteroid chunks to the galaxy from whence they came.

The finale of Campus MovieFest features screenings of more than 250 student films; industry workshops; guest appearances by directors, actors, and screenwriters such as Mark Boal and John Ortiz; and the national grand finale of the College Battle of the Bands. All student movies were made in just one week and span the entire country, drawing around 75,000 participants. Bus explosions and spontaneous implosions are left for hubris-heaped Hollywood as these low-to-no-budget films explore the full spectrum of film, from comedy to drama to llama. The $29 ticket avails you of the final 16 films, beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, featuring door prizes, guest presenters, and awards for the winners.

Kids can’t be expected to care about their health when video games, cartoons, and outdoor adventures are vying for their attention. That’s why the adult leaders of the Memorial Health Foundation devised a plan to get kids excited about health: HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum. Born of the founders’ desire to foster a healthier current and future community, the museum appeals to youngsters through educational forms of entertainment. Its exhibits incorporate amplified versions of many of kids’ favorite pastimes, including a life-sized rendition of Operation and numerous computer games. A rock-climbing wall and tree house with a slide encourage kids to learn through movement, which is exactly how adults learn how to escape charging bulls. Youngsters can explore the space with their families or partake in programs such as children's camps.

Established in 1980 and nationally accredited by the NECPA, Creative Kids Learning Center fosters the development of children aged 18 months to 12 years while meeting each of the standards set forth by the "10 Signs of a Great Preschool." Inside colorful classrooms or outside on playgrounds, inspiration flows freely as kids participate in a curriculum that features such subjects as initiative, music and movement, and creative representation. The center's hands-on philosophy emphasizes five key components, including professionalism and education, which consistently shine through the words and actions of a staff that is certified in first aid, CPR, and refereeing wrestling matches between imaginary friends. Safety and health are also cornerstones of the business, resulting in toys, equipment, and classrooms being sanitized frequently.