If you drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas – and vice versa – between now and 2018, there’s a stop you can make besides the typical midpoints at Barstow and Baker that may be well worth your while.
Say hello to Seven Magic Mountains, a popping, vibrant, neon art installation that’s here to stay through 2018.
These seven towers of multicolored boulders, by internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, opened on May 11, 2016, so it’s relatively new as of this post.
I learned about the Seven Magic Mountains via Instagram, and made it a goal to stop by during a trip to Vegas. Not gonna lie – I think where the art is located is a really random place to put up an exhibit: If you take some time to observe the surroundings, aside from the towers, it’s all just a vast desert. But at the same time, because it is kind of an arbitrary place for an installation, I think it adds incentive for visitors to check it out.
From a few miles away, it’s easy to spot these bright towers that just so happen to be in what feels like the middle of nowhere.
The Seven Magic Mountains are located in what is frequently described as Jean, Nevada. It’s about 10 miles south of Las Vegas and about 8 miles off the Interstate 15.
How to get there
If you’re coming from Las Vegas, you’ll take the Las Vegas Boulevard exit on the I-15 and drive between 7 to 8 miles south. The exhibit will be on your left.
If you’re coming from Los Angeles, take Exit 12 on the I-15, then turn right on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Boulevard. On LVB, drive about 5 miles north. The exhibit will be on your right.
Some things to expect
Once you arrive, there will be a dirt lot where you can park. The downside is that it’s on the small side, but on the upside, it’s free.
I loved seeing this exhibit in the middle of the desert, but there’s been different responses to the Seven Magic Mountains. Some people hate it – I’ve seen a lot of comments on the $3.5 million cost of the installation (which was funded by the Nevada Museum of Art) – while others – like myself – love it.
But it doesn’t hurt to stop by if you’re looking to spice up a four-hour commute between Sin City and the City of Angels. Just take into consideration when you’d stop by, as temperatures can hit over 100F in the summer.
Still, if you ever find yourself on that drive between now and 2018, it could be cool to add some color to your trip by hopping out of the car at Seven Magic Mountains.