Find the Best Things to Do in Henderson
By Terrisa Meeks
Las Vegas Local Expert
About Henderson
Henderson was once a town full of manufacturing plants and industrial big names, but today it has a new identity and even a new name. Green Valley is what the newer parts of Henderson go by, and this family-friendly city is now known as a trendy, fast-growing city. The line between Henderson/Green Valley and Las Vegas exists only on maps, but the city retains its own mayor, police department, and personality. Although it's officially a part of the Southern Nevada metropolis that's home to about two million people, Henderson retains a small-town feel, especially along historic Water Street, where you'll find city hall and other government offices. Street festivals, car shows, and art-walks are common in Henderson, where you might be able to believe you're in any American city, were it not for the casinos.
See & Do
The Clark County Museum has attracted a lot of attention lately because its curator is a frequent guest on the reality TV show "Pawn Stars." That may be a draw these days, but the museum itself is a step back in time with a tree-lined street full of vintage Southern Nevada homes that were saved from the wrecking ball. A short drive from Henderson, Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers plenty of wild areas to explore and scenic drives. Take popcorn with you, and you can stop to feed the fish at any of the marinas. Parks dot Henderson, and bronze statues may make you look twice at children playing or people resting on park benches.
Eat
Henderson has a large number of locally-owned (meaning not chains) restaurants like Lucille's Smokehouse, Todd's Unique Dining, Osaka, and Viva Michocan win praise for authentic food served in a local setting. If you're wandering The District, Lucille's is a near-by stop for BBQ. Todd's Unique Dining offers guests great views of the Las Vegas Valley. Osaka, which has three locations in Southern Nevada, has an outpost here, serving traditional Japanese food. You'll find Mexican favorites at Viva Michocan, which is known for a great bean dip.
Party
Bigger isn't always better—as anyone who's ever gotten lost in a Vegas mega-resort can attest. Henderson's neighborhood casinos and bars bring back a smaller scale. You'll have no problem navigating the casino floors at M Resort or Green Valley Ranch, and their modern bars like the Hostile Grape at M and Drop Bar at GVR are hip without being huge. You'll also find plenty of old-style casinos in the older parts of Henderson—places that some find seedy, while others find captivating in an Old Vegas kind of way with their clanging slots and smoky interiors.
Stay
The M Resort combines the accessibility of a neighborhood hotel casino with the amenities of a place on the Strip. The Green Valley Ranch Resort was so trendy it was once the setting for a reality television series. You'll find older properties in Henderson, as in all parts of Southern Nevada, but it's the newer places that attract so much attention with amenities like the M's Spa Mio. Guest rooms are modern and fully updated. GVR is conveniently located right next door to The District.
Shop
The Galleria Mall is one of the largest malls in Southern Nevada, and while the malls on the Strip may contain the most fashionable, exclusive retailers, the Galleria offers a range of shops that any shopper will enjoy. The District, an open-air shopping plaza next to GVR, has upscale retailers like the West Elm, Williams Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. The District is also dog-friendly, so you can window shop with your dog and even stop for a coffee at an outside table. The generally mild weather (discounting the hottest summer months) makes the District's outside, village-like ambiance appealing.