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| - Well worth the drive out of Vegas, massive structure made from American resourcefulness is one of the most amazing sights you can see. Parking is $10 and is cash-only (per car). Wanted to take the Dam Tour which is an hour long and allows you to go deep inside the dam to see how it all works but that tour was closed for the day. Instead we took the 30 minute Power Plant tour which starts with a 10-15 minute video about how the dam came to be and how it was built. Then you go down 500+ feet to view the pipes that bring the water into the turbines. Next stop is the turbines themselves, all are massive and you get to see them spin, creating electricity for the surrounding area. Our tour guide was helpful and nice, pretty much everyone working there was.
When you're done with that they drop you off at a place that tells the story of the dam in a museum like way where you can view the tools and equipment they used.
You don't have to buy any of the tours, although they are so good I recommend it, you can walk across the top of the dam taking in the breathtaking views of both sides: Lake Mead where the water enters the dam and the other side where it comes out after passing through the turbines.
There's a beautiful arch bridge that spans the area high above the dam that is great for seeing and taking pictures, you can drive up there and walk across as well, taking in views of the dam from up high.
Tips:
Arrive when it opens, fills up fast
Bring cash for parking
You'll go through a car checkpoint on your way there
Take one of the tours first, lines can get long and throughput is not fast, large tour buses arrive around 10 with tons of people.
Bring a light fleece or jacket, gets cold down below
When you're done drive up to the bridge for other great views
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