Following a scenic drive on Kyle Canyon Road, pull over at the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway, which serves as a quick introduction to Mt. Charleston and the surrounding Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Most visitors pull over to stretch their legs, soak in the incredible views and breath the fresh air from thousands of pine trees. However, the complex stretches nearly 130 acres with picnic tables, three different trails and a well-designed visitors center where maps are available.
Seven Stones Plaza honor Native American tribes, while the Silent Heroes of the Cold Memorial pays tribute to those who died while serving the United States in covert operations, including passengers on a flight that crashed on Mt. Charleston in 1955. The crash site can be seen through a viewing scope.

The Retreat on Charleston Peak (formerly known as the Resort on Mt. Charleston) is a modest, but charming hotel with the surrounding forest as its backdrop. The on-site Canyon Restaurant is a convenient, comfortable pit stop for breakfast, which runs until noon daily. Try the red velvet pancakes, avocado toast, or an egg sandwich.
A lineup of brunch-style cocktails is also available, including a robust Bloody Mary or the Spring Mountain Coffee, given an extra kick with a shot of whiskey.

This mountain trail is a short, fun and easy hike. Look for the stones marking on the entrance on the opposite side of the road from a small parking lot. It's an uphill rocky path with a few caves to explore at the end.
The hike is less than a half-mile roundtrip and can be done in 30 minutes or less with no problem. Some of the rocky terrain gets slippery at times, so it may be a good idea to skip this stop during snowy weather.

You'll spend most of your time in Mt. Charleston at Lee Canyon, a resort for skiing and snowboarding in the winter as well as hiking, archery and downhill biking between spring and fall. If you prefer to lounge and relax while admiring the scenery, the Bighorn Grill has an outdoor patio for burgers and other bites. Bristlecone is a newer, modern two-level lodge with an outdoor deck for sipping on coffee or cocktails.
Lee Canyon is open seven days a week during winter and usually Friday-Sunday and holidays during the summer season. Always check operating hours in advance on the official website and plan accordingly before embarking on a road trip.

After spending most of the day with the high elevation of Mt. Charleston, it's time to return to the valley floor with a visit to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Head straight to the visitor center, which is the starting point for a scenic driving loop. Be prepared to pay an entry fee.
You'll learn about the history and wildlife behind the surrounding sandstone rock formations, which appear in eye-catching shades of red, cream and pink. The scenic drive travels 13 miles in one direction, with numerous stops to soak in the views or explore the rugged terrain on clearly identified hiking trails.

If you only choose one hiking path along the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, the Pine Creek Trailhead is your best overall option. It runs in a simple, easy-to-navigate loop that's appropriate for beginners, but has several offshoots for more experienced explorers.
Along the way, you may see a creek, dry river bed and lots of plants and flowers, especially when blooming in spring. Seeing pine trees, cactus and towering rock formations in the same hike represents what Red Rock Canyon is all about. Follow signs and bring plenty of water. Even in the late afternoon, the weather can still be incredibly hot in the summer.

After all that outdoor adventure, it's time to eat. Downtown Summerlin is an outdoor shopping plaza with an exceptional lineup of restaurants. Book a dinner reservation at Harlo (a Strip-worthy steakhouse in the suburbs), Le Neta (a stylish Mexican cantina) or Wolfgang Puck Players Locker (a sports-themed dining spot designed in collaboration between the famed celebrity chef and the Vegas Golden Knights).
Downtown Summerlin also has dozens of shops, an outdoor lawn that hosts weekend events and the Las Vegas Ballpark, one of the best and newest minor league baseball stadiums in the country.
After a big dinner and a day of outdoor exploration, you and your party will be eager to wrap up the day back home.