Mount Charleston

If the city of sin has left you yearning for a little peace and quiet, head down to Mount Charleston and get back in touch with Mother Nature. The 11,916-foot-tall peak is only about half an hour from downtown.

At the base of the mountain is a small alpine town full of rustic hotels and quaint shops, and the whole area is patterned with hiking trails, a small ski area, and various other fresh-air activities.