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City Cast Las Vegas

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

As the second largest city in Nevada, Henderson covers a lot of ground. But it all began in what is now known as the historic 

. After a downturn, the neighborhood is once again thriving as a hub of repurposed buildings, walkable sidewalks, and timeless elements that look to the future while acknowledging the past.

Henderson developed in 1942, due to the presence of the

 plant, which helped supply the war effort. Water Street was the main drag for workers to eat, drink, and do business. Many of their homes — ordered from a Sears catalog in nine floor plans — are still around today.

Much of the recent growth is driven by Windom Kimsey, the founder of the 

 architecture firm, which has an office on the south end of Water Street. He opened 

 — the closest thing to fine dining on Water Street — and 

Create your own on-the-spot food crawl with visits to 

, which serves authentic Scandinavian pastries. The 

 is a touch more formal with an open dining room that faces the sidewalk. Save room for ice cream and other frozen treats at 

You don’t have to walk far to find a drink on Water Street. Enjoy local craft beer at the 

, which was built inside an old bank, with food (and whiskey) next door at 

 is a historic dive bar that dates back to 1965. Ask for a boozy pudding shot while checking out the live music.

 is a gathering spot for festivals, farmers markets, and seasonal events. You can’t miss the 

. The imposing practice arena for the Vegas Silver Knights welcomes the general public for ice skating and pizza at the 

 — have a locals-friendly mentality that’s becoming increasingly rare in other corners of the Las Vegas Valley.

 opened in late 2024 as part of The Pass, giving Water Street its first hotel — and one with a contemporary boutique image, matched by a wine bar in the lobby. After 

, the $50 million mixed-use apartment complex known as 

 team took a food and drink crawl of Water Street and has thoughts to share on

Henderson is Nevada's second-largest city, and it all began in what we now call the historic Water Street district.

Things to Do on Water Street in Henderson

Get to Know Henderson’s Historic Water Street District

Everything to know about Las Vegas neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Las Vegas Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

 in the summer. I tried it once and it was like walking through an oven. (My tan was spectacular though 😎) So now that fall is officially here and the temperatures are dropping, it’s time to give this vast, fascinating destination a shot — especially with a new 

If you don’t count anything in Alaska, Death Valley is the largest national park in the United States, covering more than three million acres in California and Nevada. Don’t let that overwhelm you. The most popular tourist attractions are in or around Furnace Creek, just a two-hour drive from Vegas — and you get the bonus of 

Explore the desert terrain and you’ll see 

 (a vista overlook that’s easy to reach via a short hike off the main road), the 

 (the lowest point in North America, covered in salt 🧂), 

 (a colorful nine-mile scenic loop), and 

 (a mountain peak you can reach by car for sweeping, spectacular views).

 dates back to 1927, when it was a remote getaway for Hollywood stars. Surrounded by palm trees, the property has expanded over the years to include villas, a spa, a rooftop stargazing deck, and a fine dining restaurant. Artesian springs fill the swimming pool (and provide some clean-tasting drinking water to stay hydrated).

 in the world. Order a steak at the cowboy-themed 

, where you can snap a photo of the famous outdoor thermometer in the same general spot where a 

It may not be that hot now, but always check the weather in advance and be prepared.

Death Valley has vistas, canyons, sand dunes, a historic hotel, and a brand-new wine festival.

Things to Do in Death Valley

A New Wine Festival Comes to Death Valley

, Huntridge is a community in transition. Could it be the next hot neighborhood? Or a working class enclave poised to falter in an uncertain economy? The forecast is anything but predictable.

The neighborhood is five blocks east of Las Vegas Boulevard with Charleston as its north border. The 

 of homes (“West Huntridge") are just west of Maryland Parkway and the 

 (“Huntridge Park”) is just east of it with Franklin as the south border.

Nellis Air Force Base was a pivotal operation during World War II, increasing local demand for family homes. Stimulated by Federal Housing Administration incentives, Huntridge emerged in the 1940s as one of the first tract subdivisions in Las Vegas with the land and house packaged into one price. The neighborhood was 

, whose estate sold off the land for development.

The single-story ranch homes offered buyers 

 with front porches on large-for-the-time lots and tree-lined streets. Following FHA guidelines, the homes were within walking distance of shops, a park, theater, and 

, which opened around the same time the first homes were built.

, although it’s been closed since 2004. Over 60 years, the first desegregated theater in Vegas went from a movie house to a live concert venue with the likes of No Doubt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing on stage. (An 

 moved a punk rock show to the parking lot.) Dapper Companies is actively trying to revive the theater, although renovations were delayed, due in part to a 

legal battle over the placement of a cellphone tower

Dapper already invested in the community by giving the 

 shopping plaza a fresh new look, replacing the Huntridge Pharmacy with popular fast-casual chains (Wing Stop, Roberto’s, and Capriotti’s) and ambitious upstarts like 

 (where wood-fired pies are made with an heirloom starter) and 

 (a reimagined version of a classic American diner).

, a historic dive bar with a fondness for karaoke and canned Hamm’s beer. Across the street, 

 mixes cocktails with casual comfort food, while 

 serves drive-thru smash burgers 24/7 with the option to replace the bun with a grilled onion 🤯

The neighborhood’s centerpiece, the oval-shaped 

, which interrupts lanes of Maryland Parkway, remains 

 due to reports of violence and drug use among the homeless population.

It’s a stark contrast to the ambitious development plans and progressive art community, reflected in street murals, the 

, a nearby resource for the LGBTQ+ community.

One of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Las Vegas is laying the groundwork for a comeback. Can Huntridge pull it off?

Get to Known the Huntridge Neighborhood in Las Vegas

Get to Know Huntridge

Pittman is one of the oldest and most mature neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley, but it’s also in danger of 

Pittman was never incorporated on its own and the boundaries were never clearly defined — although Google Maps 

 overlooks the Las Vegas Wash and connects to a longer loop. The nearby Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is the community's most charming secret with nine ponds and five miles of trails over 90 acres.

Henderson’s downtown Water Street District is south of Pittman, offering bars, restaurants, and casinos with easy access. The neighborhood is also close to Sam’s Town, Skyline, and other casinos on Boulder Highway.

⛏️ Before There was Henderson, There was Pittman

The history of Pittman dates back to the 

, an open manganese pit that was discovered in 1917 and helped supply material for weapons in World War I. One of the founders, B.R. Jefferson, developed land eight miles west of the mine, teaming up with lawyer T. Alonzo Wells to dig a well and plant crops.

The area was known as Jericho Heights, St. Ann, and Midway City before it became Pittman in 1942, named for Senator Key Pittman of Nevada, whose 

Bootleggers and bar owners were active in the area during Prohibition, especially when the road alongside Pittman’s southwest border was paved in 1931 and became Boulder Highway. At the time, it was the main route between Boulder City and Las Vegas, attracting Hoover Dam workers for drinks when off the clock, leading to an unfortunate reputation for drunk driving and deadly collisions.

The Basic Magnesium factory opened in 1941 south of Pittman, taking advantage of the 

water and electricity from the Hoover Dam

 to ramp up materials for World War II. At its height, the factory employed 13,000 people, but the boom went bust when the war ended.

 in 1942, but continued to struggle. It needed more land owners to become a full-fledged city. So Pittman agreed to be absorbed by Henderson, allowing the new city to incorporate in 1953. Pittman residents later questioned the decision as the community gradually lost its sense of identity and influence with a limited role in the Henderson City Council.

Today, Pittman is a gritty, working class neighborhood with industrial business parks and worn-down ranch homes surrounded by new developments — most notably, the 

 masterplanned community, which is absorbing land once associated with Pittman. Even the 

 offer a glimpse into the past, even as new home projects and parks take Pittman into a different direction, promising to reshape the community once again.

As Cadence continues to expand, the Henderson neighborhood known as Pittman is getting smaller. 

Where is Pittman in Henderson, Nevada?

Get to Know Pittman (While You Still Can)

There’s a place where the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau meet. It’s called 

 — and Southwest Utah’s largest city is an engaging combination of landscapes and activities. Get ready to hit the road. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Las Vegas.

 remains open today as a free museum. The city is named after Young’s cousin, George A. Smith, considered a “saint” after encouraging the consumption of potatoes to cure scurvy. St. George is also known as “Utah’s Dixie” due to its warm climate and cotton production. As you might expect, that nickname didn’t age well, prompting Dixie State University to change its name to 

Downtown St. George is a unique mix of art, history, and culture. The area’s best hotel, the 

shops and restaurants among historic structures. You’re also a short walk from the immaculate grounds of the 

 candy store (the oldest operating business), and a series of 

St. George markets itself as the gateway to

, although it’s another hour’s drive to reach the nearest gates. Totally worth it, but four state parks are much closer. 

 is a scenic drive between red sandstone hills and petrified sand dunes. 

 is a reservoir surrounded by red sand for a beautifully weird experience. 

 is a quiet, secluded beach with trees creeping out of the water. 

 is a more remote reservoir with waterfalls during the first half of the year.

, built where a farm once uncovered dino tracks, is a museum and research center dedicated to the giant reptiles who once called Utah home. 

 is a quirky art community on the outskirts of town and the 

 hosts stage plays with red rock landscapes in the background. “The Wizard of Oz” is on the schedule this year — at a better price than the 

 at Ancestor Square is a long-running favorite with a Southwest theme to match its art and cuisine. 

 in the Advenire lobby is more contemporary with house-baked biscuits, fresh seafood, and one of the better craft cocktail bars in Mormon country. The new Black Desert Resort is a golf club resort that’s open to the general public and features local Utah beef in its restaurants, which include 

 on your next beef-filled road trip 🐮 [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

Southwest Utah's largest city is full of natural beauty, art, and quirky charm. It's also less than two hours from Las Vegas. 

How Far is St. George From Las Vegas?

The Beauty and Quirky Charm of St. George is Worth a Road Trip

Looking to get away from the chaos of Las Vegas? The 

 is roughly 100 miles away, offering the right mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure.

“Amargosa Valley” is a little tricky to define. It’s an unincorporated Nye County, Nevada town with a population of less than 1,500 people. Then again, it’s also a geographic region that straddles the California state line, stretching down to Tecopa between Pahrump and Death Valley.

The valley was a stop on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and San Diego in the 1800s, drawing travelers and Native tribes to its vast water supply. The Amargosa River is partially trapped underground, but also connects to a system of springs and vibrant wetlands. “Amargosa” is Spanish for “bitter,” and the name was inspired by the water’s exposure to rocks and sediment.

The Amargosa Valley is a biodiversity hotspot, believed to have the highest concentration of endemic species exclusive to one area in North America. The federally protected 

 is the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert, featuring boardwalk viewing platforms that extend out to spring pools throughout the lush 24,000-acre habitat.

, one of the most endangered animals in the world. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

The region is popular for bare-bones camping, but visitors can also spend the night at the 

, a two-story resort which seems to pop up in the middle of nowhere with a scenic backyard lagoon, chapel, petting zoo, restaurant, and RV services. Farther south, book a room at the 

 (which has mastodon and wooly mammoth bones inside and old mining equipment outside).

, founded by a New York dancer in 1967 at Death Valley Junction, remains open for tours and special events, allowing people to see its famous mural of audience members that gives the illusion of a packed house. The area has its share of sand dunes, especially the 

 for hiking and ATV racing. No trip is complete without a stop at the 200-acre 

, a true oasis where you can roam the tree-lined grounds and sip on a delicious date shake. It’s next to the Amargosa River Trail, a 17-mile hiking route with a waterfall and slot canyon.

, a historic saloon and diner in Shoshone, or 

, a quaint, but cozy restaurant in Tecopa with hunks of beef that rival those served in Vegas fine-dining restaurants. 

 has a few experimental brews on tap and if you just want something quick and easy on U.S. Route 95, the 

 is a glorified convenience store and gift shop with a UFO theme.

 is this Saturday, March 29, celebrating the biodiversity of the region. The day includes a tour of the Shoshone Wetlands, activities at the Tecopa Community Center, and trivia at Death Valley Brewing.

 April 25-26 at the Amargosa Valley Park. The event dates back to 1969, featuring live music, a car show, games, food, and the world’s “shortest parade” 🥳

The Amargosa Valley is roughly 100 miles away from Las Vegas, offering the right mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure.

Get to Know the Amargosa Valley

Making sense of the Las Vegas Valley can be a daunting task. Most of us have “Las Vegas” on our mailing address, but not everyone lives within the official city limits — and the names of smaller towns and neighborhoods are barely referenced unless you’re scrolling through Google Maps. With that in mind, let’s see if we can figure out Sunrise Manor and what it’s all about.

Sunrise Manor is east of the Las Vegas Strip, defined by boundaries that brush up against the Boulder Strip, Nellis Air Force Base, and Frenchman’s Mountain.

 was fueled by the construction of Boulder Highway, connecting Railroad Pass (near the Hoover Dam) to Downtown Las Vegas and the presence of the Las Vegas Army Airfield, which later became Nellis.

North Las Vegas planned to claim the territory as its own, but the move was blocked by Clark County and Sunrise Manor was 

, although it remains technically unincorporated to this day.

 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s also home to 

, the oldest continuously operating high school in Southern Nevada. The current campus opened in 1993, although the 

 dates back to 1930 and is now the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts.

Sunrise Manor is a diverse mix of residential and business areas with older, well-worn parks and golf courses sprinkled in. The southwest border includes locals-friendly casinos 

, even though all three are on the Boulder Highway.

, but the camel-like double summit is a unique point that offers views of both the Strip and Lake Mead. It’s beauty worth preserving and a movement is underway to designate the mountainous terrain as the 

 is one of the newer additions to Boulder Station. The sports bar has a clean, wide-open layout and a few surprises on the menu like Shepherd’s Pie and sliders with horseradish mayo. 

 is an underrated, approachable steakhouse in Sam’s Town, just steps from Mystic Falls — a free attraction so cool, even 

Craving Filipino food? You’ll enjoy the BBQ bites of 

 and the combination of sweet and savory dishes at PhilHouse inside the 

 and was one of the hardest hit areas in Vegas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 

 still hasn’t reopened after the 2020 lockdown. A few years earlier, Sunrise Manor 

 with Whitney to form the incorporated City of East Las Vegas, but the idea never gained traction.

 the approval of the East Las Vegas National Monument 

Explore the history of this Las Vegas community and things to do inside its borders.

Is Sunrise Manor a Good Place to Live

Get to Know Sunrise Manor

The Eagles and Adele aren’t the only hot tickets in Las Vegas. 

 is so busy during its Fall Harvest season, online passes are being offered to get inside — with sellouts common on weekends and walk-ups often turned away at the door. City Cast Las Vegas co-host Sarah Lohman shares some ideas on what to do in the Northwest Valley if Gilcrease Orchard is full.

 is just outside Gilcrease Orchard on the corner of North Rainbow Drive and Jo Marcy Drive. There is plenty of free street parking! It’s mainly home to burrowing owls, which unlike other owls, are active during the day, especially at sunrise and sunset. The preserve is a simple fenced-in lot — to protect the owls from people — and you can get surprisingly close, but a pair of binoculars will come in handy. During every visit, I’ve seen tons of these leggy guys and other wildlife like hawks and bats 🦇

 is a sanctuary for rescued farm animals that welcomes visitors on weekends. Meet pigs, cows, bunnies, and other new friends. Feed alpacas hay and shop at the farm stand for fresh produce, eggs, local honey, and a wide variety of treats.

 Fun fact to blurt out while you’re there: The park used to be the site of a 

, and some of the historical structures are still there at 

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

 on the northern edge of town — and try to spot evidence of when prehistoric creatures roamed the area. It’s so big, you’re unlikely to see another hiker as you wander the rock formations 🏜️ Heads-up: it’s not a developed federally operated site. No visitor’s center, shade, water, or restrooms. The nearby 

 (farther north on the main highway) have amenities and offer easy, short-loop hikes with informational signs throughout.

Once you’ve built up an appetite, go to my favorite Thai place in Vegas, 

. The spicy Pad Thai and other expected staples are done well, but try the regional specialties you can't get everywhere like Kao-Soi, Northern Thai Curry Noodles, slow-cooked pork shoulder and egg noodles in a curry broth. There are so many surprisingly original dishes. Adventurous palates will appreciate the Panang Catfish Curry, Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Curry, and a Thai BBQ Cornish Game Hen.

 for a new take on Mexican cuisine. The restaurant serves fancy taco platters with a nice agave list, and quite possibly the 

, a pan-Asian coffee shop. I’d recommend the Vietnamese Iced Coffee made with sweetened condensed milk, the Thai Iced tea, or if you need a bite, the Tamago Japanese egg salad sandwich, or the Kaya toast, spread with a thick “jam” of coconut cream and egg yolks.

The restaurants are part of the Village of Centennial Springs outdoor shopping plaza and just steps from 

. It’s a calm spot to walk off some calories afterwards.

outdoor activities and other seasonal fun

Visiting Gilcrease Orchard is a fall tradition, although it's so busy, visitors can get turned away. We've got your backup plans covered.

What To Do if Gilcrease Orchard is Full

What To Do if You Get Turned Away From Gilcrease Orchard?

If you’re a fan of strange things in unexpected places, drive a couple hours northwest of Las Vegas this weekend, where a celebration takes place to honor the enduring weirdness of Goldwell Open Air Museum.

No. it’s not a mirage in the middle of a remote desert. The 

 is a free sculpture park off the side of the road, featuring seven large-format art installations. A ghostly recreation of the Last Supper by Albert Szukalski is the centerpiece and most famous work. The exhibit also includes the 25-foot tall Pink Lady (a nude figure made of cinderblocks), a towering representation of Icarus with wings outstretched, and other intriguing sights. (Take a virtual 

 this weekend, featuring keynote speakers, a parade, live entertainment, food truck bites, and more Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 19 - 20). The event is free to attend and honors not only the legacy of the attraction, but the life of Szukalski and the joy of artistic expression.

The Goldwell Open Air Museum is just steps away from 

, one of the most dramatic and photographed ghost towns in Nevada. It was once a thriving mining community with more than 10,000 residents, hotels, saloons, and an opera house. However, it reflected the boom-and-bust trends of the early 20th century and was quickly abandoned. Today, only a few crumbling structures and the train depot remain, drawing visitors to experience some serious post-apocalyptic vibes. Although not technically part of Rhyolite, there’s also 

Visit one the coolest ghost town's in Nevada and join a weekend celebration in honor of a strange, but fascinating open-air art museum.

Neighborhood Guides

Get to Know Henderson’s Historic Water Street District

A New Wine Festival Comes to Death Valley

Get to Know Huntridge

Latest articles

Get to Know Pittman (While You Still Can)

The Beauty and Quirky Charm of St. George is Worth a Road Trip

Get to Know the Amargosa Valley

Get to Know Sunrise Manor

What To Do if You Get Turned Away From Gilcrease Orchard?

The Strange Beauty of the Goldman Open Air Museum and Rhyolite Ghost Town

Get to Know Kiel Ranch Historic Park