City of Henderson

The city of Henderson is central to three of the greatest man-made attractions in the world—the neon of the Las Vegas Strip, the splendor of Hoover Dam and the tranquility of Lake Mead. But it is also a great destination on its own. Whether you are there for leisure or business, Henderson allows you to experience both the hospitality of a small town and the excitement of a big city. Twelve championship golf courses, over 3,500 hotel rooms, a vast array of shopping choices and great dining experiences make Henderson a place that is sure to please the most discerning visitor.

Dining options are plenty; start your morning off with famous pancakes from The Original Pancake House and finish your day with a delicious steak at Hank’s Steakhouse or Asian delights from China Spice and Sushi and Sake (www.greenvalleyranchresort.com).

The M Resort, Spa and Casino will be open as of March this year and spans over 90 acres near the Las Vegas Strip. Because of its elevation, guests are treated to optimal views of the Las Vegas skyline. For entertainment try gambling at their huge casino, strolling through one million square feet of retail shopping or visiting their 14-screen digital movie entertainment complex. Ample dining options and a state of the art spa and fitness center round out this resort (www.theMresort.com).

Lake Las Vegas is a private lake in Henderson that is home to several resorts and hotels. Water activities are abundant and include sunset cruises, boat rides and much more. In addition, a variety of recreational activities are nearby including helicopter tours of Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, hummer tours, skydiving, river rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, ATVs, sailing, jet skis and water skiing (www.lakelasvegas.com).

Lodging options at Lake Las Vegas are varied and include Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort, a four star resort located just 17 miles from Las Vegas Boulevard. Appropriately named, it sits on the shores of Lake Las Vegas and is a high-end destination resort that features two golf courses, a spa and many restaurants and shops. The restaurant Marssa offers guests fine Asian cuisine in an incredible atmosphere with majestic lake and mountain views. Enjoy a full service sushi bar, tantalizing appetizers and entrees and an extensive wine and sake list (www.loewshotels.com).

Another four-star hotel, the Ritz Carlton, also rests on the banks of Lake Las Vegas. The resort boasts a luxurious spa and fitness center that is ranked seventh in the United States as well as 36 holes of Nicklaus and Weiskopf championship golf. The golf and lodging are so good, in fact, that the hotel was ranked 15th in golf resorts by Conde Nast Traveler (www.ritzcarlton.com). MonteLago Village Resort is also found in Lake Las Vegas, offering variety with studios or one, two and three bezdroom condominiums for rent. The resort also features a shopping district with cobblestone streets and plenty of your favorite shops to browse. For a treat, stop by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. This resort village echoes Mediterranean towns and offers a slower pace than the nearby strip (www.montelagovillage.com).

We are not able to cover every lodging option in these pages, but you might also want to check out Sunset Station Hotel Casino (www.sunsetstation.com ), Fiesta Henderson Hotel Casino (www.fiestacasino.com), Courtyard by Marriott (www.marriott.com/lasvg), Hilton Garden Inn (www.hendersonhgi.com ), and the old but well-known Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino (www.railroadpass.com ).

What would a trip to Southern Nevada be without shopping? Don’t worry; Henderson has you covered on that front. Galleria at Sunset features 130 world-class stores and many eateries. Stores include Dillards, Robinsons-May, J.C. Penney and Mervyns California. Boutiques are aplenty amidst two levels of splashing fountains, vaulting skylights and desert blooms. A welcome treat for many families, Red Robin is also located at this all (www.galleriaatsunset.com). Another option is The District at Green Valley Ranch where a bustling main street is lined with over 59 fine stores and restaurants. Shop till you drop and find that one of a kind fashion, art or jewelry item. As a community in and of itself, here you might find yourself in the midst of special events that include free movies under the stars and musical concerts.

Or finish off your day of shopping with a delicious meal at P.F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro, The Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and dessert at Ben and Jerry’s or Gelato Cafe (www.thedistrictatgvr.com).

Amongst the previously mentioned cobblestone streets of MonteLago Village, shoppers will find a plethora of options. Hand-blown glassware, original paintings, custom jewelry and a variety of clothing stores all await those eager to spend their day searching for the perfect souvenir. Here boutiques are the norm, offering an alternative to box stores. Spend the afternoon and head home with something unique to memorialize your vacation. Dining options are also unique and a nice change to restaurant chains. For the perfect margarita, 3 Amigos Tequila Bar sounds promising. Or stop by the Auld Dubliner for old-fashioned Irish fare. For finer dining try Luna Rossa for authentic Italian cuisine made with the freshest ingredients and Sunset and Vines, a quintessential destination for wine, cocktails with Tapas and a full dinner menu (www.montelagovillage.com).

One of the best is Hoover Dam, a national historic site and civil engineering wonder of the world which opens daily at 9 a.m. and is just a quick 25 minutes or so from Henderson (www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam.com) .

Visit any of these magnificent national treasures; Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. Red Rock Canyon offers 130 miles of unlimited recreational activities. There is something for everyone, and don’t shy away if you are new to some of these activities, as there are a variety of trails and the sort that cater to beginners as well as the most advanced (www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov).

Lake Mead National Recreation Area includes both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. This area caters to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers and fisherman. Also included in the area, however, is a vast desert to reward hikers, wildlife photographers and sightseers. Allow the National Park Service to help you come up with the perfect adventure to fit your style (www.nps.gov/lame). Valley of Fire State Park derives its name from the red sandstone formations and the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert. A full-scale visitor center offers extensive interpretive displays to enhance your visit. Enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking and beautiful sights that include 3,000-year-old Native American petroglyphs (www.parks.nv.gov).

The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is home to thousands of migratory fowl as well as numerous resident desert birds. Part of a natural ecosystem, it can be a wonderful addition to your trip (www.cityofhenderson.com ). For museum buffs, Clark County Heritage Museum features a unique collection of historic homes restored to recreate the lifestyles of important periods in local history. Unique features include an 1890’s newspaper print show, 1932 Boulder City Depot and authentic rolling stock. Henderson also offers the only veterans memorial wall found in Southern Nevada. Installed in 1994, the wall is dedicated to honoring those who fought for America to protect the threads of freedom and democracy that are woven into the fabric of American patriotism (www.cityofhenderson.com ).

Not all entertainment is found on the Las Vegas Strip! Henderson offers some great options itself, including both nationally recognized touring acts and the best of local talent. The City of Henderson Cultural Arts and Tourism Department is a great start to planning your entertainment. The department sponsors a wide variety of concerts, performances, visual arts exhibits, festivals and civic events spread throughout Henderson. For more information call 702-267-2171 or visit www.VisitHenderson.com .

A few of these sponsored events are ArtFest of Henderson on Mother’s Day weekend attracting over 50,000 attendees and the Nevada Silverman Triathlon in November. Holiday celebrations include St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival with over 100 parade entries marching down Water Street and Independence Day Celebration with hours of entertainment, children’s activities and, of course, fireworks. Held in October for over 20 years, Shakespeare in the Park features a traveling educational theatre company that offers free plays. Henderson’s annual Winterfest is the city’s largest winter holiday celebration, where guests enjoy festive activities and entertainment including ice- skating and Santa Claus visits. If you are a car enthusiast, then you really should plan on visiting Henderson in September. Over 100,000 car enthusiasts flock to the downtown streets of Henderson for the Super Run Classic Car Show, Southern Nevada’s largest car show (www.superrun.com ).