10 Fun & Best Things to do in Primm, Nevada

When we talk about Nevada, Las Vegas immediately comes to mind. But other attractions in the state that are worth visiting, like Primm. This article will cover some of the best things to do in Primm, Nevada.

Primm is a small town located off Interstate 15, right at the border between Nevada and California. So many Californians also frequent the place for it or on their way to Las Vegas.

It has done pretty well for a small town, attracting both gamblers and general tourists to the area. If this town has grabbed your attention and you want to book a tour, here are some of the best things to do in Primm, Nevada.

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Things to Do in Primm, Nevada

Golf at Primm Valley Golf Club

Primm Valley Golf Club Scenery — image by Management/TripAdvisor

Primm has a beautiful gold course for golfers, complete with the natural beauty of the desert. Tom Fazio designs it, and has a very professional feel.

You’ll indeed find this course challenging, making it all the better. The Primm Valley Golf Club course looks like an oasis in the desert. The carefully maintained narrow green fairways create a striking contrast with the sandy surroundings.

The lakes and river systems in the area add to the depth of the aesthetics of this course. Spread over 22 acres. The golf club operates year-round because of the regional climate. That said, it can be pretty hot in the dead of summer.

You don’t have to bring your clubs; you can rent almost everything you need to have a great round. This is something for those who regularly golf, but even if you’re not a golfer and have some time, you’d love to golf for the first on this beautiful course.

The Primm Nevada golf packages are reasonable, so you won’t be splurging out a lot. These can be booked online on sites like Booking.com.

See the Desperado Roller Coaster

At one of the three Primm Nevada casinos lies one of the tallest roller coasters in the world, the Desperado Roller Coaster.

It wasn’t built tall to make the ride more thrilling but to attract people driving on the interstate highway. And it has attracted many people ever since its inception, all the way back in 1994.

It will serve the same purpose again, as the roller coaster was permanently closed for operation earlier this year. You can visit it and admire its behemoth size.

Just to give you an idea of how insane this roller coaster was, it had a 225 feet drop at an inclination of 60 percent. When coming down, it went as high as 80 mph. It’s safe to say that it was not for the faint of heart.

Although the roller coaster has closed and reopened for the public many times, this time, it seems like it might never open again. But who knows, something better might just come along. Nevertheless, it’s worth seeing if you’re passing by Primm.

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Visit the Casinos

The Primm Nevada hotels and casinos are Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino, Whiskey Pete’s Hotel and Casino, and Primm Valley Resort and Casino.

Even if you’re not there for the casinos, you’d likely stay at one of the three hotels. Each one of them has something unique to offer in terms of experience.

Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino, which also has the Desperado Roller Coaster, has an old-west theme. It has over 1200 rooms and suites, with lots of game choices down at the casino. You can play slots, poker, sports/racing bets, and video poker.

While there are several restaurants at this hotel, you can also go to the nearby Primm Valley Resort to eat. The other popular Pete’s Whiskey has seen recent renovations. The hotel was founded in 1977 and helped bring casinos to town. It has 777 rooms, several dining areas, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Again, you can also visit the Primm Valley Resort by monorail from this hotel, in case you want a round of golf or want to try your luck gambling at the Valley’s casino.

If you’re thinking about whether going to casinos at Primm is worth it, it definitely is. You’d be surprised how many gamblers stop at these either on their way or from the casinos in Las Vegas.

All three of these are available on Kayak. However, if you want to find something cheaper, Airbnb is the perfect place to start.

Shop at Prizm Outlets

You’ll love the Prizm Outlets if you’re looking for a ‘shop till your drop’ experience. This mall boasts over 100 designer brands, both American and international. The great thing is that the prices are pretty good, even at luxury outlets.

It’s also popular with tourists and locals in Las Vegas who shop at their favorite brands. A daily shoppers’ shuttle runs from popular Vegas locations like the MGM Grand, Trump, LVH, and Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

The discounts will seriously surprise you, as some stores have 75 percent off. Prizm Outlets is the place to be if you appreciate a good bargain.

The mall also has a friendly layout with circular navigation that brings you back to where you started—no getting lost like in the Mall of America! When you’re done shopping, you can also grab a bite or relax with a coffee at the mall’s food court.

You can also check out the actual car on Bonnie and Clyde on the dome on the walkway between the Prizm outlets and the Primm Valley Resort. It’s the real car on display in which they were shot. You’ll love the display if you’re a fan of the 1967 movie by the same name.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Reno, Nevada

Chill at the Ivanpah Dry Lake

Primm is actually located on a dry lake bed that spreads out from the north and south of the town. Known as Ivanpah dry lake, it’s one of the most exciting things to do in Primm, Nevada.

Most of this lake is actually in California, but a 13-mile stretch is in Silver State. The Primm Nevada things-to-do list cannot be complete without this recreational lake, well, not a lake, but a dry lake area.

It does get filled up a little when it rains, but the water quickly dries up, hence the name. It’s a rough lake bed that’s open only to non-motorized vehicles. For this reason, it’s surrounded by locked gates. You can use it for land-sailing, one of the most popular activities.

For those who like to fly kites, the even dusty land with fast winds provides a fun opportunity to fly kites. Many families also use this area for picnics and other recreational activities. There are picnic tables to set up.

Relax at the Spa at Primm Valley Resort

Primm Valley Resort Pool — image by Hotels.com

Whether or not you stay at the Primm Valley Resort, you can relax at their spa. For many, going to a spa is a must on a trip. So Primm isn’t without such possibilities to relax and take some ‘me time.’

The services are pretty affordable. If you’re one of those people who don’t like to splurge on spas so much, you should try out this spa instead of those on the Vegas Strip. Those spas will set you back hundreds of dollars.

Catch a Show at the Star of the Desert Arena

Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino Building — image by @BigMountainTraveler/TripAdvisor

The Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino is home to a 6,500-person capacity arena, the Star of the Desert Arena. It has hosted several big stars over the years, including B.B. King.

If you’re in Primm or planning to visit, check if any concerts are happening in the Arena on the days you’ll be there. Who knows, you might catch your favorite artist’s show!

Eat Your Heart Out at Different Restaurants

The Primm Nevada restaurants offer both fine dining and fast food. Most of the restaurants are in the three hotels, but you can also find other restaurants in the town. Then there’s the food court of the mall.

Mexican food is really popular, with several restaurants offering Mexican cuisine. Other options include Panda Express, Subway, IHOP, McDonald’s, and Denny’s. On the more fine dining front, you have the Black Nine, Primm and Proper, and GP’s Steakhouse.

See Related: Things to Do in Henderson, Nevada

Hike the Mountains

There are hiking opportunities around Primm if you’re feeling an adrenaline rush. The desert scenery in the surrounding mountains creates a hiking experience that’s worth the challenge it poses.

One of the most popular nearby mountains to hike is Clark Mountain. It has an elevation of 7,929 feet. Surrounded by Yucca trees and Joshua trees, the hike is worth your time.

There are other less popular hikes as well that you can try. The temperature in Primm and the surrounding areas can get very high. So make sure you check the temperature before hiking.

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Appreciate the Nature

If you’re driving, you can move around, stopping by to appreciate the beautiful nature of the desert. This is one of the things to do in Primm, Nevada, as there’s plenty of wildlife surrounding Primm, Nevada.

From white-tailed squirrels to desert tortoises, you might see some fascinating animals and birds in the area.

Some of them can be dangerous too, so make sure you stay near your car and are vigilant. But more importantly, apply lots of SPF and wear appropriate clothes, as the more you venture out of town, the hotter it gets in the desert.

You can also travel around Primm in a rental RV from RVShare, especially if you plan to stay overnight and want to do it cheaply.

What is Primm, Nevada, Known For?

Primm is about 40 miles south of Las Vegas or a 25 minutes drive. It comes in Clark County. Primm Nevada’s history goes back to the 1920s when a gas station was here. The gas station was owned by one, Pete MacIntyre, who was known as Whiskey Pete. The Whiskey Pete casino in the town is named after him.

Its previous name was State Line, given that it was on a state line. The town gradually grew from a rest stop on the way to Vegas, hosting gas stations, a garage, a restaurant, and a small casino.

Today, its economy is mainly dependent on the three leading casinos. However, it’s much more than just a mini Vegas to test your luck—most of the residents of the town work in these hotels and casinos.

There are apartment complexes where the employees live. Although other businesses are slowly popping up, it’s mostly about casinos.