The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Henderson, Nevada Right Now
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Henderson, Nevada is just a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip — making it a more peaceful and family-friendly alternative to the bustling nightlife of Las Vegas. You can easily visit the famous attractions and shows in Las Vegas while enjoying the tranquility of Henderson. Lake Las Vegas is a fantastic spot for water-based activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and even yacht cruises. The pristine waters and scenic views make it a great place for relaxation.
Image: Henderson, Nevada
Henderson is a vibrant and welcoming city, and offers something for everyone. You can lounge poolside after luxury spa treatments. Golfers can choose from ten beautiful courses. Thrill-seekers can hit up 180 miles of hiking trails or get on the water at Lake Mead or Lake Las Vegas. Art lovers can wander around Henderson’s mural-packed, gallery-studded Downtown Art District. And families can take excursions to animal preserves, a chocolate factory, and more. These are the top five reasons why Henderson, Nevada should be on your bucket list.
1. Where to Eat in Henderson: The Cuisine + Cocktails
Newly opened on Henderson’s reimagined Water Street, Azzurra Cucina presents well-prepared, much loved Italian classics in a trendy, boutique space. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying two of their signature cocktails, the Perfect Negroni—concocted with Malfy blood orange gin, Campari, Antica sweet vermouth or the Captain Walter with Captain Morgan, spicy rum, Limoncello, and ginger beer.
Led by local favorite, Executive Chef Alessandra Madeira, the menu at Azzurra Cucina ensures that each dish centers around quality ingredients and traditional preparation—bringing Italy to Water Street. Favorite dishes include Grilled Spanish Octopus with cannellini beans, celery, EVOO, and fresh squeezed lemon juice, Chicken Scarpariello with half roasted chicken, Italian sausage and bell peppers, Squid Ink Linguini Frutti di Mare with clams, shrimp, scallops, calamari, and mussels in tomato sauce, Zucchini Noodles with shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and a touch of tomato sauce, as well as Pan Seared Double Cut Frenched Pork Chop Agrodolce with mild cherry peppers and white wine sauce.
For dessert indulge on their decadent Tiramisu or Chef Alessandra's Cheesecake. Azzurra Cucina elevates the fine dining experience in Henderson, Nevada.
2. Artistic Haven: Galleries + Public Art Galore
The College of Southern Nevada Art Galleries have been developed to bring the highest quality fine art from the traditional art gallery to CSN’s campuses where student, faculty, staff and the college community gather. The Henderson “Level Up Galleries” features features four CSN artists. These artists were chosen based on the quality of their work, their dedication to their students, and the ability of their artwork to stand up to this unique gallery space.
“Painting Cities to Life” is an experimental art incubator created by the Guerrilla Artz Foundation and designed primarily for emerging artists and art students. “Painting Cities to Life” engages these young artists in conversations about works by well-known artists and prominent artistic genera. Painting Cities to Life creates challenge and spreads creativity, from schools to museums, where ideas are king and curiosity reigns. All Department of Fine Arts Gallery events are free & open to the public. The City Hall Art Gallery also displays artwork on the first and second floors in City Hall West. Both art galleries are free and open to the public.
The Water Street District is known for its many murals and benches with an artist's touch. Mural locations include the City Lights Gallery, Lovelady Brewery, Downtown Recreation Center, Public Works, Nevada State College, and Water Street Parking Garage.
3. Luxury Shopping: Extravagance in Retail Therapy
The District at Green Valley Ranch is one of Henderson Nevada’s premier shopping destinations. The District is an open-air shopping and dining complex with a wide variety of fashion boutiques, specialty shops, and well-known brands such as Lush and Williams-Sonoma. Located in the heart of Henderson, Galleria at Sunset is a large shopping mall featuring over 130 stores, including Dillard’s and Macy’s, and H&M.
Source: The District at Green Valley Ranch
Henderson has a thriving boutique scene, with many independently owned shops offering unique and one-of-a-kind items. You can explore clothing boutiques, home decor stores, and artisan shops, particularly in the Water Street District. This historic district is known for its unique shops and boutiques. You can explore a variety of vintage stores, boutiques, and art galleries. It's also a great place to soak in the city's history and charm.
Henderson, Nevada
Henderson, Nevada also has several outdoor shopping experiences and farmers' markets, especially during the weekends. These markets offer a wide range of items, from fresh produce to artisanal foods, arts, and crafts. These markets are great for finding local products and supporting small businesses.
4. Botanic Beauty: The Cactus Garden
The Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden is beautiful 3-acre garden featuring over 300 species of cacti and succulents from around the world, making it a unique and serene spot to explore. These include cacti and succulents native to the American Southwest as well as desert trees and shrubs from the Southwestern United States, Australia, and South America. Each of these plants have been carefully selected for the beauty of their floral displays and their ability to adapt to and thrive in the climate of the Mojave Desert.
Source: Travel Nevada
The Cactus Garden is especially magical during the holiday season, when it is carefully decorated in over a million sparkling lights and holiday decor starting in early November each year. The Holiday Cactus Garden experience is unlike any other in Las Vegas, and makes for a great annual tradition for you and your family or friends to enjoy. The Cactus Garden is also home to the annual Lights of Love, a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Starting in mid-January each year, stroll through the romantically lit garden and enjoy delicious chocolate-dipped strawberries and other treats.
5. Hiking Escapades: Trails with Breathtaking Views
Henderson, Nevada is located just south of Las Vegas. With more than 37 miles of hiking trails, there is a lot to explore amongst diverse desert terrain that includes the mountain makeup of black lava cliffs from volcanic origin and wilderness conservation areas. With nearly 50,000 acres, Sloan Canyon embodies not only beautiful trails but also has easy access to the best hiking trails in the valley. Just outside Sloan Canyon is the Shaded Canyon Trailhead. This trailhead is a part of the City of Henderson trail system and has many trailheads that link to Sloan Canyon.
Henderson, Nevada
The peak of the volcanic Black Mountain trails feature unique lava cliffs on the east side of the mountain. Located on the south side of Henderson this trailhead features panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip. Black Mountain gets its name from the black lava cliffs located on the east side. The views atop this historic volcanic range include Red Rocks, Spring Mountains, El Dorado, Jean Dry Lakes, and many more.
Where to Stay in Henderson, Nevada
The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa offers a world of opportunities for recreation and relaxation. You will find this Henderson, Nevada resort only a short drive from the vibrant, world-renowned energy of the Las Vegas Strip. But, this resort offers an atmosphere of tranquility that feels a world away. Invigorate your body with a treatment at Aveda Spa Lago, make a splash at the two-level Nuala pool or move well with a visit to the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio.
Allow the concierge team help you arrange a tee time at one of two championship golf courses, both of which are moments away; each part of the Jack Nicklaus Signature course family. Experience 18 uniquely designed holes that play throughout the surrounding hills, across desert canyons and down to the shores of Lake Las Vegas. Stretch out in spacious rooms and suites, offering stunning views of Lake Las Vegas or the resort pool, with calming decor and modern technology at The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa.
