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City Cast Las Vegas

Rob Kachelriess

, a series of tours and events by the Nevada Preservation Foundation that celebrate and promote the need to protect everyday history within our community.

“O ur mission is to preserve and revitalize historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural landscapes across Nevada,” says Dr. Paige Figanbaum, the nonprofit’s executive director. “And how we do that is through education and outreach.”

It’s also a lot of fun. The four-day festival kicks off on April 15 with a 

 reception inside a 1930s Tudor style home. The party takes inspiration from the wild days of the Prohibition era with live jazz, cocktails, and bites from local chefs James Trees and Tood Harrington.

, a sunset soirée at the Spanish Oaks Tennis Club, modeled after the preppy spirit of the “greed is good” decade.

. Take a bus tour that showcases places of worship with timeless architecture, a bike ride past old motels on Fremont Street and Lawyer’s Row, or a cocktail crawl through the Water Street District. In an annual tradition that dates back to the start, a home tour invites participants to step inside seven older, historic houses and learn about not only the properties, but the surrounding neighborhoods.

“People are really surprised how closely connected these historic neighborhoods are,” Figanbaum says. “You can be at John S. Park and drive 10 minutes to Beverly Green.”

Maybe you live in a home that might qualify as historic? 

 is the lunch for you. “Sometimes people get a little intimidated when thinking about what it takes for preservation and just having the conversation of ‘What is a historic designation?’ and ‘What does that mean when I'm living in an older home?’ We're able to answer all of those questions.”

The festival effectively kicks off the year for the Nevada Preservation Foundation, which continues to offer monthly programming and an 

 that can be used anytime. Take a walking tour of historic Woodlawn Cemetery or a drive to see more of the great midcentury modern architecture that's throughout Southern Nevada.

 shares more insight with City Cast Las Vegas with discussions about the 

. Think of these episodes as just a preview of what 

 is all about. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Home + History Las Vegas returns with tours via walking, bus, bikes, and more. 

A Las Vegas Tour of Historic Homes and Neighborhoods

Back in Time: A Celebration of Vegas History Returns

People, places, and scenes from Las Vegas's past.

Las Vegas History

Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer — on some days, at least. As Vegas hotels open their pools for the season, there’s no reason for locals to feel left out.

 is open to non-hotel guests who are 21 and over. In a killer deal that’s almost too good to believe, anyone with a Nevada ID can book a free cabana Sunday-Friday (and seven days a week through April 30).

General admission is $20 (via walkup or online through 

 at Virgin Hotels. The latter serves the entire menu from neighboring Kassi Beach House (one of Virgin’s best restaurants) without a poolside markup.

 is open daily with free admission for locals 21 and over. And yes, the Sahara remains one of those rare 

 pool deck for as little as $30 admission, although there’s no cover when dining at the Backyard Grill. Those who work in hospitality get free admission on Industry Mondays.

 has a newly renovated pool area to go along with its new name. Cabanas start as low as $200 (or $350 during peak season) with water bottles and a fruit plate included. Regular admission is $20 ($10 for kids under 10), although those prices increase by 10 bucks on May 1. Get a two-for-one admission deal Monday-Thursday.

 for non-hotel guests is $15 (Monday–Thursday), $25 (Friday–Saturday), or $35 (holidays) with bottle service beginning at $150. Locals get half-price adult admission on Thursdays. A VIP Season Pass ($199 through April 30, $249 as of May 1) includes unlimited entry to both M Pool and the DayDream dayclub throughout the season.

 at the Aria gives locals free admission on Wednesdays, along with a champagne open bar for the ladies (12:30-1:30 p.m.), $200 bottle specials on tequila and vodka, and buy-one, get-one well cocktails.

 more dayclub fun? Locals get free admission and drink specials Wednesdays at 

As always, deals can change at any moment 🤑

Vegas resorts aren't just for tourists. Have fun and save a few bucks with the best pools deals and discounts for locals.

The Best Vegas Hotel Pools for Locals

Find the best of everything that Las Vegas has to offer.

Las Vegas’s Best

Las Vegas' Best

 is here to command your attention. The nonprofit theater organization just kicked off a new season, putting a new twist on the poet and playwright, whose works remain timeless — with an adjustment here and there.

“We are an adaptive festival, so we adapt the scripts, we twist the scripts,” according to founder and executive director Matt Morgan. “We try to make them current in their presentation while at the same time, maintaining the integrity of the stories, characters, and relationships that William Shakespeare wrote about.”

The season is already off to a strong start with “Henry V,” presented in a series of free park performances and adapted to just 80 minutes. The story follows a young English king who leads an invasion to seize the French throne.

“Our version moves lightning fast,” Morgan says. “The action is always moving forward. We hit the highlights, we hit the characters, we hit the relationships, but you don't have to sit and listen to poetry for three and a half hours.”

The season continues with “The Taming of the Shrew,” a larger-scale production inside a temperature-controlled tent at Henderson’s Cornerstone Park, April 23-May 2. Running more than two hours (including intermission) and set in the Italian Renaissance, the production is presented in the context of a play-within-a-play that goes wrong. Don’t be surprised to see set pieces collapse and understudies replace actors in the middle of the show.

The Nevada Shakespeare Theater also partners with local libraries and schools, giving generations of all ages a fresh look at Shakespeare via short, stripped-down performances.

“I'd like to think that Shakepeare had a punk rock sense about himself,” Morgan says. “He was pushing, he was provocative. He was daring, he was making bold choices. He was making political statements.”

independent theater can thrive in a city of spectacle

A nonprofit exposes a new generation to William Shakespeare with a series of performances at Southern Nevada parks. 

The Nevada Shakespeare Festival Proves You Can Teach an Old Bard New Tricks 

 where to find wildflowers by listening to 

 of City Cast Las Vegas 👍 The superbloom will be around for another week or two, so retrace my route for an efficient and effective day trip.

Set your GPS for the “Ashford Mill Ruins” — a two-hour route from Vegas that bypasses the park’s main entrance for the “back way.” You’ll cut through a corner of Pahrump and drive through Shoshone, a former mining town with a semi-historic saloon and diner (

 👀) was super cool, supplying a free map, advice, and time expectations. Check out the exhibits, including mammoth and mastodon bones, and leave some moolah in the donation box.

The bloom becomes more apparent between Jubilee Pass and Ashford Junction on CA-178. Here’s my advice: If it looks cool, pull over. Snap photos and enjoy the scenery. If you move on and keep driving, don’t panic. You’ll see more flowers in due time as the vast, mountainous landscape opens up. The crumbling remains of 

 and its office building date back to 1910. It’s a popular spot to see wildflowers and rare evidence of civilization in the park.

, the lowest point in North America. (During my visit, quite a bit of real water was on the flats — somewhat rare without rainy weather.) The official parking lot fills up quickly during wildflower season. Save time by parking safely on the side of the road and explore at your own pace. From there, detour to the jagged salt formations of 

, (easy to view without leaving the car) and 

, a nine-mile scenic route where the terrain takes on pastel color tones. You’ll see more purple wildflowers here, contrasting nicely with the more common yellow ones.

 is a historic property that’s been around almost 100 years. The 

 takes a break between lunch and dinner, but you can order food and drinks in the lounge, beginning at 3 p.m. Just a mile away, the 

 sells surprisingly good burgers as of 3 p.m. and the 

 has a full menu ready by 5 p.m. The ranch is near the 

, which has a free museum and the famous digital thermometer out front.

👀 If You’re Down for One More View …

, a short but steep roadside hill before exiting the park via CA-190. You’ll pass by Death Valley Junction (and the 

) before driving through Pahrump, where you can always stop for dinner — maybe at the new 

Cell phone service is spotty in Death Valley and the park’s 

 operates on a trust system — paid at the visitor center or at kiosks near Badwater Basin or the main entrance. Enforcement seems rare, but you could be fined if visiting the park without paying. I was warned about large crowds slowing down traffic during wildflower season, especially on weekends, but didn’t have too much trouble getting stuck behind other cars.

See the wildflower bloom, visit some of Death Valley's most popular destinations, and be back in Vegas by dinner. 

How to See Death Valley Wildflowers: Your Day Trip Itinerary

Get to know the natural side of Las Vegas: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Las Vegas Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Drive around Downtown Las Vegas for a little while and you may come across a dusty relic of adobe-crafted history, built more than 170 years ago. The 

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

 is a quiet place, but one that ties together a wide variety of threads that helped shape Southern Nevada.

The fort, on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Washington Ave., is in the heart of the Las Vegas Cultural Corridor, which also includes the 

Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum

The fort wasn’t for the military. It was built in 1855 for Mormon missionaries traveling a segment of the Old Spanish Trail between Salt Lake City and San Bernardino. The location was chosen for its spring-fed creek — and a replica of it trickles through the site today. Construction took seven months. When complete, the fort 

spanned 150 square feet with 14-foot-high adobe walls

, making it the largest building for at least 100 miles.

The fort was around just two years before resources were stretched and tensions escalated with native Paiute tribes, prompting the church to recall the settlers from their mission. California entrepreneur Octavius Decatur Gass 

 in 1865, supplying goods to workers and travelers. He also developed orchards and wine vineyards while employing Paiute workers. Pioche businessman Archibald Stewart took control of the ranch over a loan dispute — and was later killed at Kiel Ranch, which is a 

 — before widow Helen Stewart took over the ranch for 20 years and established her own identity as the 

Ownership of the fort passed through the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad company, Bureau of Land Management, and City of Las Vegas before preservationist groups campaigned for it to become an official state park in 1991.

The site includes part of the original adobe structure with some parts recreated in the style of the era. You can browse artifacts and equipment, walk past pioneer wagons, and hang out at the picnic tables. The admission fee is the best three bucks you’ll spend in Vegas. (Kids 12 and under are free.)

The oldest non-native settlement in Las Vegas set the stage for the community we know today. 

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort Represents the History of Las Vegas

The Secret State Park in the Middle of Downtown Vegas

, setting us up for a hot and sunny spring. Enjoy the weather while you can. There’s lots of stuff to do.

 has a free St. Patrick's Day party on March 13. The event includes drink and pizza specials on the open-air Terrace Overlook, 6-8 p.m. with a drone show finale.

Sons and Daughters of Erin St Patrick's Festival and Parade

 hits Water Street in Downtown Henderson for three straight days, March 13-15. There’s a parade Saturday at 10 a.m. and a car show Sunday at 8 a.m.

The Fremont Street Experience is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for four straight days with the 

, featuring live music on multiple stages March 15-17.

The biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration on the Strip is back at New York-New York. It used to be called Celtic Feis, but now it’s simply the 

. It begins March 14 (coinciding with a Village Street block party and 

 head-shaving) and continues through March 17 with green beer, entertainment, and food by Nine Fine Irishmen on the patio by the Brooklyn Bridge.

🍸 Last Call for Cool Casino Restaurants

If you wonder why casinos keep sticking with the same old restaurants, it’s because the more adventurous ones don’t always draw enough customers. (So yes, I’m blaming you 🫵) Marc Vetri’s 

 pasta bar is one of Durango’s highlights, but will become the resort’s first restaurant to close on March 27. If that’s not enough, one of my favorite Strip restaurants, 

, inspired by the clean, simple recipes of the French Riviera, shutters at the Cosmopolitan on March 31. You still have time to appreciate both of ‘em.

 follows up its regular monthly block party in the Arts District (March 6) with the 

 at Civic Center Plaza March 21 with workshops, speeches, and entertainment.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

, which celebrates outdoor sports and culture, comes to the Clark County Library on March 14.

 takes over the Lawn at Downtown Summerlin March 21 with unlimited sips from dozens of local and national breweries, food trucks, games, and big screens, so you won't miss out on March Madness 🏀

 comes to Craig Ranch Regional Park March 21, featuring food trucks, a scavenger hunt for the kids, and a kit to make your own floating water lantern with a release after sunset.

Wetlands Park in Henderson hosts a free, all-ages 

 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 21 with arts and crafts, food, music, and more.

 brings 200 vendors and food trucks to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 27-29.

 returns to its roots as a Fremont East street fest March 28. It’s the biggest beer bash of the year with hundreds of sips of beer and cider waiting for you, plus some food to soak up all that booze.

. Bring your own bag to the University of Nevada Reno Extension on Paradise, March 14-15, and fill it up for five bucks 👀 You can also browse used books at the Spring Valley Library’s 

 on March 22 and geek out over comics, art, and pop culture at 

 inside Henderson’s James I. Gibson Library on March 28.

Vegas pools begin to open this month — and you might as well take advantage of the weather early. So I joined the latest episode of 

 to share how and when locals can score a 

cool things to do in Vegas throughout March

March Fun in Vegas

Our Vegas roundup of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, beer festivals, book events, and more.

Las Vegas Events March 2026

What To Do in Las Vegas in March 2026

 returns next week, breathing temporary life into the dusty lungs of Primm, a place valued more for gas stations and restrooms than casinos these days. So get ready to take a short road trip to the state line. The race is a unique piece of Vegas lore that dates back decades.

The Mint 400 is one of the most prestigious and legendary off-road races in the world. Competitors hit a 100-mile dirt track in the desert for a total of four laps, adding up to 400 miles total — hence the name. There are different races in various vehicles and skill levels on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7.

The race began in 1968, taking place in the desert outside Downtown. Sponsored by The Mint hotel and casino on Fremont Street, the event was originally an idea to promote the resort’s annual deer hunt, but developed into the largest off-road race in the world.

, including Indianapolis 500 winners, but also celebrity entrants like actors Steve McQueen and James Garner. Festivities connected to the race were hosted by the “Girls of the Mint 400,” selected from hundreds of entries each year. Lynda Carter and Vanna White were among the finalists early in their careers. The race was a focal point of Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” which elevated its status as an iconic event.

 and became part of the property now known as Binions, putting an end to the race. In 2008, new owners revived the Mint 400, which is now marketed more directly to racing enthusiasts.

 in Primm outside Buffalo Bill’s. Four additional 

 run along the track in Jean. Tickets begin at $37.36. Then again, you can always 

The Mint 400 has a festival atmosphere with food trucks, bars, exhibitors, entertainment, and a series of 

, including a vehicle parade down the Strip Wednesday, March 4 at 3 p.m. and a free festival in the Fremont East district Thursday, March 5, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Buffalo Bill’s hosts post-race celebrations, featuring ‘90s and beyond cover band 

The most notorious and grueling off-road race in the world has a long history in Las Vegas. 

Mint 400 Las Vegas Dates and Schedule

The Mint 400 and Its Wild Las Vegas History

A quick flight from Las Vegas to Reno is only 90 minutes — but what’s the fun in that? Driving between the two Nevada cities is a road trip full of history, natural beauty, and quirky destinations. Most of the journey takes place on U.S. 95 (at least until 

 becomes a thing) with about seven hours of drive time over 450 miles.

After leaving Vegas, you’ll drive through Indian Springs and alongside the runway of Creech Air Force Base. It’s pretty quiet, but it’s not unusual to see a heavy-duty military drone on a test flight. Pull over for lunch at Nevada’s only 

 (an offshoot of the Bob’s Big Boy chain).

Things pick up around Beatty. The old mining town has charm and burros who roam the streets. (Please note: the animals have the right of way — always.) They inspired the name of the 

, a saloon famous for its chili and a great spot to hang on the patio with a cold beer. Detour off the beaten path to 

, a ghost town outside Death Valley with post-apocalyptic vibes for dramatic photos, and the 

 that crashed in the parking lot of an old brothel decades ago.

The speed limit slows down while passing through Goldfield, often described as a “living ghost town” — old and quiet, but still functioning. You’ll drive past the old courthouse, school, fire station, and other historic buildings. It’s hard to believe Goldfield was the largest city in Nevada before Vegas blossomed. Stop for a drink at the 

, which dates back to 1905 and still welcomes customers. The 

 is an off-highway art installation in the desert with a colorful collection of cars, some of which are standing on their ends and in other odd positions.

Tonopah balances a similar level of history and weirdness. Tour the 

, which dates back to 1907 and is the town’s most famous landmark, or the creepy 

, next door to an Old West cemetery to drive the point home.

From there, you’ll pass through almost-too-quiet Hawthorne, home to an army depot (on standby in case something big happens) where 

. Just north, Walker Beach is an oasis in the desert that’s nice to drive by, but offers little activity on its dusty shoreline.

As you inch closer to Reno, pull over at the 

 for the ruins of army facilities dating back to 1860 — a time when Nevada was primed to become a state and usher in a new era of development. It’s a perfect place to reflect on the history and scope connected to your Wild West road trip.

 also passes through the Amargosa Valley, an underrated corner of Southern Nevada with 

Driving between Las Vegas and Reno is an engaging road trip that’s full of history, natural beauty, and quirky destinations.

How Far is Reno From Las Vegas?

The Strange and Beautiful Drive Between Las Vegas and Reno

What Las Vegans have been wondering. We break down why things in Las Vegas are the way they are and how they work.

Las Vegas, Explained

December is here to usher in all the eggnog and sweater weather you can handle. We’ve already discussed 

 and we’ll have a guide to New Year’s Eve fireworks soon. So let’s focus on some other cool things happening around Las Vegas this month.

 and it’s only getting better with the grand opening of a new 

 on Dec. 9. The new 40,000-square-foot facility doubles the size of the old version with an exterior LED wall, art gallery, event center, podcast studio, digital memories preservation lab, and much more.

 is becoming a hotspot for pop-up culinary residencies. 

 presents a seven-course French and Mediterranean tasting menu by Tyler Vorce (formerly of The French Laundry) most Saturdays and Sundays while Hemant Kishore launches 

 on Thursdays and Fridays for a contemporary spin on Indian tapas. (Try the Kerala beef fry and vada lentil doughnuts.)

 for the local LGBTQ+ community just opened the 

 coffee bar. Score a free pastry with the purchase of a coffee drink through the end of the month.

 all month long with six mini-versions of the cocktail in flavors like mint chocolate and ginger snap.

Choose between two food festivals on the same day, Dec. 6: the 

 at Lake Mead on Dec. 6, where you can watch illuminated boats go by from Boulder Beach, and the debut of 

 on Dec. 20 (near Paradise and Sahara) with “five realms” of light installations that expand far beyond Christmas imagery.

Here’s another holiday Las Vegas can get behind: Repeal Day (on Dec. 5), which celebrates the end of Prohibition. Mark the occasion with a 

 by donating a toy or spending at least $25.

🎄 Okay, Okay, More Christmas Stuff …

) at the Convention Center, see a performance of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s 

The Blanche DeBris Emergency Xmas Broadcast

 at the Majestic Repertory Theatre, and learn about global holiday traditions at the Las Vegas Science & Natural History’s 

December is defined by winter holiday fun, but the month has more to offer than ice skates and egg nog.

outdoors

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