All about: The Hoover dam

Looking for Las Vegas attractions? If visitors want to get away from the sights and sounds of Vegas, not far from Sin City, they can take a Hoover Dam tour. This architectural wonder is one of the highest concrete dams ever built standing 726 feet high. In this article, find information about its tours.

Hoover Dam history

Hoover Dam, formerly known as Boulder Dam, was originally constructed in the early 1930s. The purpose of the structure was for both water storage and flood control. Still functional today, the dam is also a popular tourist attraction located about thirty miles outside of Las Vegas. Located on US 93, the dam is passed through by visitors from California on their way to Las Vegas. It impounds Lake Mead, which is a popular water recreational area where people can fish, go boating and enjoy cruises by Lake Mead Cruises, which features different paddle-wheeler cruises.

Visit Hoover Dam

The Power Plant Tour If visiting Hoover Dam, guests can take a self-guided tour of the visitor’s centre. There is also The Power Plant Tour in which tourists can view eight of the seventeen generators used by the facility. Additionally, the sight features The Dam Tour which includes the visitor’s centre, generators, tunnels and inspection points. Guests for this tour must be at least eight years old and due to safety reasons, physically impaired are not allowed on this tour. In addition to the cost of each tour, there is also a parking fee. Tour companies Several tour companies operating outside of Las Vegas offer tours to Hoover Dam including round trip transportation. Some suggested companies include Grand Canyon Tour Company, Vegas Tours and All Las Vegas Tours. Be sure to check with each company to find out the current tour information and prices as these can be subject to change. In addition, some tours can be incorporated with other tours including the Grand Canyon. Hoover Dam is open every day of the year except for Christmas and Thanksgiving - an American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. National Monument Considered a National Monument in the United States, Hoover Dam is both a historical and tourist destination. Although the city of Las Vegas has many great attractions, some people like to escape the casinos, flashing lights and noise of the city. Hoover Dam offers a great alternative with its proximity to the city, along with its historical value. Source: AAA Arizona & New Mexico Tour Book 2011 Edition, (AAA Publishing), 2010