The Hoover Dam is one of the largest and most impressive of America's man-made landmarks. Built over the course of just 5 years during the 1930s, the Dam today provides electrical power to residents of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Both the Hoover Dam and the lake created in its wake, known as Lake Mead, are major tourist attractions throughout the spring, summer, and fall, but those who wish to see this wonder of the modern world should prepare themselves so that they can get the bet deal on everything from parking to facility tours. There's plenty to see and do at the dam, but there are also several ways to save money and have a unique, thrilling experience in the process.
Don't Take the Bait: Pass By the Nevada Parking Garage
The Hoover Dam's visitor center is located on the Nevada side of the Hoover Dam, along with an expansive parking garage that charges $7 per vehicle. Though this actually isn't a bad price for parking, it certainly isn't a good deal when compared to the Arizona side. By simply traversing the dam and parking on the Arizona side of the state line, parking becomes free. It's then only a brief walk back across the dam to the visitor center, where a wide array of galleries, exhibits, and even tours, are available throughout the year.
Get a Good Deal: Consider the Numerous Options Available at the Visitor Center
The visitor center at the Hoover Dam offers three basic "tiers" of service. The cheapest of these is the center's $8 admission cost per person, which grants visitors access to the dam's various galleries and exhibits detailing construction of the power plant and other facilities. Though this is a good deal, visitors should consider two potential upgrades that marginally increase their cost of admission.
The first potential upgrade available is the power plant tour, which will cost $11 per person and includes the price of admission. A half-hour tour of the generating facility comes first, and then visitors can check out the museum. A $30 comprehensive tour of the dam and its power plant will showcase both the generation station and the architectural details of the Hoover Dam.
Remember, the Hoover Dam is Now Off the Beaten Path
Though the dam itself was once a primary artery for travelers, today it has been replaced by a diverted roadway that traverses a bridge just a short distance away. That means getting to the dam now requires driving a bit off the beaten path and leaving behind the rest stops, restaurants, and other amenities of Interstate highway travel. The good news for travelers is that the visitor center offers bathrooms and refreshments, filling in as a rest stop for those travelers who make the most of their trip and explore everything the facility has to offer.
Before Leaving, Take a Stroll and Admire the View
The Hoover Dam is the wrong place to be in a hurry. It offers commanding views of Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and stunning desert scenery. Furthermore, the sheer magnitude of the dam requires time to appreciate. Just 45 feet wide at the top of the structure where the roadway passes, it widens to more than 660 feet at the riverbed. That's a startling statistic that can only be appreciated by taking things slow, lingering on the dam, and looking at every nuanced detail of its storied construction and functionality.
