What a gem of Las Vegas! Take a short drive out Charleston to see how beautiful the high desert is!
The visitor center was recently remodeled and is now such a fun and educational experience. The outdoor exhibit is really interesting and interactive. It is really neat if you are from a different environment. You can really learn about the desert here and appreciate it for what it's worth. It is also a great thing to do with your kids. And my favorite, Mojave Max lives there in the outdoor tortoise habitat. If you get to see him, he is pretty cute! He is also a Vegas celebrity, kind of like Phil the groundhog is on the East coast.
You also want to stop here for practical reasons, a potty break! Once you are on the loop, you are on it for 13 miles and the bathrooms are far between and a little stinky, especially in the summer.