Boulder City, Nevada is a captivating and idyllic group perched above Lake Mead and the dam that created the city. Established in 1931 to accommodate the builders of Boulder Dam (later modified to Hoover Dam), Boulder City shouldn’t be removed from its neighbor recognized for glittering neon lights and excessive stakes gaming. While simply 30 miles from Las Vegas, Boulder City is a world away from town that by no means sleeps. There aren’t any brilliant lights or playing allowed in Boulder City. Instead, it’s a peaceable place to walk the streets and go to classic outlets, vintage shops, peruse the general public artwork or its many parks. Boulder City is the gateway to many close by actions, from the Hoover Dam, water sports activities, lake excursions, ghost cities to mountaineering trails and extra.
Like most individuals coming from Phoenix, I usually simply bypass Boulder City en path to Sin City. However, this time, I made a decision to spend three nights absorbing the historical past and close by actions.
While there are a selection of locations to remain on the town, I opted for the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, which is situated within the coronary heart of downtown, strolling distance to outlets, eating places, museums and extra. Built in 1933, the Boulder Dam Hotel has preserved its appeal and basic type of the period. The foyer is a big and open area inviting visitors to congregate in a wide range of seating configurations. My companion and I loved the wingback chairs subsequent to the expansive hearth within the evenings with a cocktail in hand.
There are three lodging ranges to select from. We stayed in one of many suites which was 420sf and included a big lavatory, king mattress, seating space and kitchenette. The normal rooms have a queen mattress at 210sf and so they have king rooms which might be 100sf bigger. They even have an on-site restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and a basement bar that always has dwell music. There can also be the Hoover Dam museum situated on the primary flooring which is admittedly value trying out, and admission is free.
The tempo in Boulder City is way slower and extra quiet than Las Vegas, and the one ringing you’ll hear are from the church bells offering the time of day. The essential drag by way of city is Nevada Way, from which all the pieces stems. Within historic downtown are fantastically preserved brick houses from the early 30s when the dam was being constructed.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN BOULDER CITY
We tried a number of eating places whereas on the town, however since we had been off exploring within the afternoons, we ended up having late breakfasts and early dinners, skipping lunch.
Breakfast Places
- Coffee Cup Cafe – This might be one of the crucial well-known eating places on the town because of visits by Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. They are additionally well-known for his or her Bloody Marys and attractive down-home cookin’. The decor and format are basic diner type with partitions adorned by water-skis and different memorabilia paying homage to the world.
- Southwest Diner – This is one other Boulder City establishment specializing in home-made meals like Grandma used to make. This is an reasonably priced place for breakfast or lunch. Many of their menu objects, like fresh-made banana bread, pies and even their sizzling sauce, can be found for take-home buy.
- The Restaurant at Boulder Dam Hotel – Nice venue, modest and informal eating at this historic lodge.
Dinner Places
- Milo’s Cellar – Probably often known as one of many nicest locations on the town for dinner. Lovely environment with out of doors patio. Great wine choice and menu objects that complement the vino expertise.
- Momo Sushi – A improbable hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant run by a neighborhood Japanese household.
- The Dillinger – Offers connoisseur burgers, scrumptious salads and craft beer.
- Cornish Pasty Co. – The Cornish Pasty originates from Cornwall England which is known for its pasties, a sandwich of kinds made with a thick crimped edge alongside one aspect making them straightforward to eat. The venue is admittedly cool, however the meals and repair was fairly mediocre. I wish to give this place a second probability at some point as they’ve a couple of different areas in Arizona.
There are a few BBQ and Mexican eating places on the town that seemed good, however we didn’t get an opportunity to test them out on this journey. If you will have any suggestions, please depart them within the feedback beneath.
TOP THINGS TO DO NEAR BOULDER CITY
- Hoover Dam after all is without doubt one of the essential points of interest, this engineering marvel is to not be missed. If you’ve by no means been, I extremely advocate spending a couple of hours touring this unbelievable achievement. Take the tour that takes you down into the depths of the dam, see the large mills, peer out of the vents of the dam trying down the Colorado River and study concerning the historical past of constructing the dam that created the biggest man-made lake within the States. Don’t miss strolling the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge for an unparalleled view of the dam.
- El Dorado Canyon Ghost Town in Nelson – Located about half-hour south of Boulder City is a spot that encapsulates Nevada’s wild west roots. This is a privately owned ghost city obtainable to pursue by yourself, or you may take a tour, which features a take a look at the Techatticup Mine that when produced tens of millions in valuable metals.
- Hemmenway Valley Park – There are lots of fantastic parks in Boulder City, however this one is especially fascinating. This park is simply 10 acres and contains playground gear, gazebos, basketball courts, horseshoe pits and two lighted tennis courts with improbable views of Lake Mead. The park’s essential points of interest although is the Bighorn sheep that come down from the mountains to water and graze. The sheep are very used to people, you may sit on a park bench and watch them graze throughout you.
- Railroad Tunnel Trail – This is a superb scenic hike that takes you alongside the outdated railroad tracks that served to assemble the Hoover Dam. You’ll discover views of Lake Mead alongside the way in which as you go by way of a number of tunnels that had been chiseled out of the rock. You can stroll all the way in which to Hoover Dam and again, which is about 9 miles. The scenic half stops about midway while you run throughout a rest room, which additionally makes turn-around spot and is half the space.
- Lake Mead – This is a improbable leisure lake providing cruises, every kind of water sports activities, fishing and extra. The drive alongside Hwy 167 affords some spectacular views. If you drive far sufficient, you may go to the fascinating ghost city of St. Thomas, which was underwater for many years earlier than the lake start to recede. A contact farther is Valley of Fire, which is simply an hour away from Boulder City.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
- Boulder City Art Guild Gallery – Located within the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, this artwork gallery options the works of native artists and is a must-visit for artwork fans.
- Boulder Theater – This classic movie show, inbuilt 1932, has been totally restored and now serves as a venue for movies, live shows, and different occasions.
- Nevada State Railroad Museum – Located in a historic depot, this museum incorporates a assortment of restored locomotives, passenger automobiles, and different railroad gear.
- The Olive Branch – This store affords a wide range of olive oils, vinegar, and different specialty meals objects, in addition to tastings and cooking lessons.
- The Chocolate Nugget – This artisan chocolate store affords a wide range of handcrafted candies and different sweets, in addition to chocolate-making lessons.
Many will ask why Boulder City has no gaming…it’s as a result of town was based as a federal reservation for Great Depression-era staff constructing the Hoover Dam, and because it was on authorities land on the time, playing, in addition to ingesting, was unlawful. It wasn’t till a decade after the federal authorities gave up possession of town within the 60s that liquor was even allowed. Local leaders have continued to withstand playing in Boulder City to maintain it a respite from the remainder of the state.
If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas, do your self a favor and carve out a pair three days and spend it in Boulder City, it makes an exquisite residence base to discover the sights listed above, in addition to a reprieve from the hustle of Sin City.
If you will have any questions on visiting Boulder City, depart a remark beneath. If you will have any ideas, resembling locations to see or eating places to go to, please share beneath. So till subsequent time, we’ll see ya on the street…
The put up Exploring the charming city of Boulder City, Nevada: A information to its historical past, out of doors adventures, and downtown points of interest appeared first on Mike's Road Trip.