Family friendly Las Vegas

Scout: Pinball Hall of Fame

Published on March 11, 2015

Blog/Las Vegas/Photography/Scout/Travel Photography

2011

Long before the days of Wii, Nintendo, Atari and Sega, children and adults alike amused themselves with a much simpler game, Pinball. From the 1930’s until the 1980’s, these glass-encased boxes could be found across America in restaurants, drugstores, and taverns. Naturally with the onslaught of technology, video and arcade games became the standard and thus began the decline of the Pinball Age.

Although arcades still exist, many of the vintage games of our youth seem to be fewer and far between. Enter: The Pinball Hall of Fame. Located off of East Tropicana in Las Vegas, this non-profit gallery and retro-gamers heaven is housed in a non-descript building with even less impressive signage. Whatever the outside lacks in appeal, the dark and slightly seedy interior makes up for with its enormous collection of over 200 vintage pinball machines and classic arcade games.

Nostalgia runs deep! Even non gamers can appreciate the sense of history, fantastic art and design, plus the appeal of old-school entertainment. For an hour and a fistful of quarters, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Pinball Hall of Fame
1610 E. Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89119

180360_PinballHallofFame_7 180360_PinballHallofFame_3 180360_PinballHallofFame_6 180360_PinballHallofFame_4 180360_PinballHallofFame_8 180360_PinballHallofFame_9 180360_PinballHallofFame_10

180360_PinballHallofFame_1

Scout: Corn Creek, Nevada

Published on March 7, 2015

Blog/Landscape Photography/Las Vegas/Photography/Scout/Travel/Travel Photography

A mere 25 minutes northwest of Las Vegas lies a surprisingly beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. Corn Creek, was created in 1936 as a protective habitat for the Big Horn sheep population of Southern Nevada. Over time, it became one of the best places to view hundreds of migratory bird species. Surrounded by multiple mountain ranges and a vast wilderness, Corn Creek is one of the entry points into the Desert National Wildlife Reserve, the largest refuge (1.6 million acres) in the United States outside of Alaska.

Recently renovated (to the dismay of some), Corn Creek and it’s Visitor Center offers plenty to see. Beyond bird watching, be sure to look for other desert wildlife like jackrabbits, lizards, coyotes, tortoise, snakes, and squirrels. There are also beautiful old trees, springs and ponds surrounded by reeds and grasses, an orchard, historic buildings and cabins, wildflowers, cactus, and endless desert vistas.

The children and I visited this past fall on a day where I felt like getting outside but wasn’t up for a full-on expedition. If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure that requires little effort and/or time, this is definitely worth a visit! Pack a picnic and spend a couple of hours strolling around this calming sanctuary.

180360_CornCreek_4

180360_CornCreek_kids

180360_CornCreek_3

180360_CornCreek_Grass

180360_CornCreek_Kids2

180360_CornCreek_Mountains

180360_CornCreek_2

180360_CornCreek_Arch

180360_DesertNWR

Directions:

From Las Vegas, take US 95 Northbound towards Mt. Charleston. Shortly after the turn off for Kyle Canyon road, look for Mile Marker 101. There will be a sign on the righthand side that says Corn Creek. Turn right/E, then follow the gravel road 4 miles until you come to the Corn Creek Field Station and Visitors Center. For more adventure, take a vehicle that is equipped for off-roading and continue on into the Desert NWR. Be warned! It’s extremely bumpy. I tried to drive further into the park but my car simply wouldn’t have it.

Hiking:

There are 5 easy trails that loop around the Corn Creek area. All are stroller, wheelchair, child, and elderly-friendly. This is a nice place to bring a picnic, walk around, look for wildlife and it’s also great for photo opportunities. Don’t expect a good workout here! If you are looking for more of a backcountry adventure, head further into the Desert National Wildlife Reserve for hiking, camping, and hunting.

180360CornCreek