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Dive Lake Mead the following morning. You will need to present expert technical diving certification to participate. If you have the right card, however, this is one of the most amazing dives in America. Above the dam at Lake Mead, divers can explore the fuselage of a mostly intact B-29 bomber that crash-landed into Lake Mead in 1948, but was only located in 2001. The honor doesn’t come cheap – it’s nearly $500 – but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relive this region’s Cold War history. Plus, diving here is one of those ecofriendly scuba experiences we told you about earlier. The site can only be dived through Sin City, and only on specific dates during the year as it is protected as a National Park Service preserved site.

After diving the dam, learn about its history with a visit to the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum in Boulder City, a small town just west of Lake Mead. The small but engagingly hands-on museum has exhibits focusing on Depression-era America and the tough living conditions endured by the people who came to build the dam. A 20-minute film features historic footage of the project. Before heading back to your Las Vegas hotel room, rehash your dive trip over dinner at Milo’s. The wine bar has sidewalk tables and serves delicious fresh sandwiches and gourmet cheese plates. If you don’t feel like drinking wine, there are five flavors of ice-tea to choose from along with 50 different beers from all over the world. The wine list is long and includes lots of by-the-glass options.

Becca Blond

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TRIP INFORMATION

GETTING THERE

Santa Rosa is 118 miles east of Albuquerque on I-40/Route 66.

DO

Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum

This hands-on museum is upstairs at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, where Bette Davis, FDR and Howard Hughes once slept. 702-294-1988; www.bcmha.org; 1305 Arizona St, Boulder City, NV; adult/senior & child $2/1; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun;

Santa Rosa City Hall

Diving permits are sold here. Make sure to bring your PADI or NAUI card. 505-472-3763; www.santarosanm.org; 486 Route 66, Santa Rosa, NM; weekly/annual permit $8/25; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri

Santa Rosa Dive Center

Refills oxygen tanks, rents equipment and sells permits. If you need to visit during the week, call to arrange an appointment. 505-472-3370; www.santarosanm.com; Hwy 40/US66, Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM; 8am-dusk Sat & Sun, by appt only Mon-Fri

Park Lake

Free waterslide and swimming in the center of Santa Rosa. 505-472-3763; www.santarosanm.org; cnr Lake Dr & Route 66, Santa Rosa, NM; paddle boat rental per 1½hr $1; dawn-dusk Jun–mid-Sep;

Sin City Scuba

Organizes Colorado River dives ($150) below Hoover Dam, and expert-only scuba trips to a sunken B-29 bomber in Lake Mead ($465). Operates out of Las Vegas. 702-558-5361; www.sincityscuba.com; 3540 W Sahara 553, Las Vegas, NV

SLEEP & EAT

Comet II Drive-In

A classic drive-in restaurant offering more than the usual burger-and-fries menu. 505-472-3663; 239 Parker Ave, Santa Rosa, NM; dishes $5-10; 11am-9pm Tue-Sun

Firefly

East of the Strip, this popular restaurant serves Spanish tapas; DJs spin some nights. 702-369-3971; Citibank Plaza, 3900 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV; small dishes $4-10 large dishes $11-20; 11:30am-2am Sun-Fri, 5pm-2am Sat

Hard Rock Casino Hotel

A hip boutique hotel popular with the Hollywood crowd. Bright colored Euro-minimalist rooms feature wi-fi access and plasma-screen TVs. 702-693-5000; www.hardrockhotel.com; 4455 Paradise Rd, LAs Vegas, NV; r $110-450

La Quinta Inn

Rooms are big, sunny and clean, if a little bland. Free wi-fi is a perk. 505-472-4800; www.lq.com; 1701 Will Rogers Dr, Santa Rosa, NM; r from $59;

Milo’s

Soups, salads, sandwiches and gourmet cheese plates are featured at this wine bar. 702-293-9540; 538 Nevada Way, Las Vegas, NV; dishes $4-18; 11am-10pm Sun-Thu, 11am-midnight Fri-Sat

Silver Moon

Silver Moon serves fantastic homemade chile rellenos and other tasty diner grub dressed up with a New Mexican twist. 505-472-3162; Will Rogers Dr, Santa Rosa, NM;