The Best Las Vegas Neighborhoods To Explore

The history of Las Vegas goes all the way back to 1905, when the Southern Railroad line went from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. As a railroad hub, Vegas quickly grew, although it wasn’t until the 1930s and 40s when casinos arrived on the scene.

Modern Las Vegas is a juggernaut city of resorts, clubs, restaurants, and master-planned community neighborhoods. Most of these communities are pretty recent, but some areas (like Downtown Las Vegas) have been around for decades.

So, let’s take a walk down the strip (and other places) to see the best Las Vegas neighborhoods.

North Las Vegas

Outsiders may be surprised to learn that the city of Las Vegas is actually pretty small. The next town to the north, North Las Vegas, was incorporated in 1946, making it one of the oldest areas on this list. This city is also the fourth-largest in Nevada.

Since casinos are everywhere in Vegas, we’ll try to avoid talking about them too much. If you really want the casino experience, go to the strip or downtown (i.e., Fremont Street). In North Las Vegas, you can find some incredible attractions like:

• Aliante Nature Discovery Park – Since Vegas has such warm weather, it’s nice to get out and enjoy it whenever possible. This park is one of the best in the area, thanks to its dinosaur playground and water elements. Over 20 acres of family-friendly fun in the sun!
• Broadacres Marketplace and Event Center – No matter where you are in Vegas, shopping is always just around the corner. However, you can come to this marketplace if you want to avoid high-priced department stores and boutiques. As a flea market, you never know what you’ll find, and haggling is part of the experience. A great place to find unique Vegas souvenirs.
• The Planetarium at CSN – Billed as the only public planetarium in southern Nevada, you and your family can get a stellar show. A great way to spend the evening if you want to trade the city lights for natural ones.

The Las Vegas Strip

Here is where all the action is, and it’s impossible to list everything here. We could write dozens of articles of the best spots to check out on the strip. Instead, we’ll focus on those attractions that may not be readily apparent, such as:

• Battista’s Hole in the Wall – Near the Flamingo hotel, Battista’s is one of those Las Vegas institutions that hasn’t been updated with the times. If you want an old-school, mob-style Italian restaurant experience, here’s where to get it. The menu is full of traditional favorites, and each meal comes with house wine and a cappuccino at the end.
• Minus 5 Experience – Since Vegas is in the desert, it’s easy to overheat during your stay. Mandalay Bay has the answer with this ice lounge. You’ll have to bundle up to hang out for more than 20 minutes, so feel free to grab a cocktail during your visit.
• Battlefield Vegas – Get out some aggression after playing on the tables and shoot guns or drive a tank. This place has a long wait, but it’s worth your time.

Downtown Las Vegas

This area is excellent if you want a taste of Old Las Vegas. Most of the casinos here are originals, so you can feel like you’re stepping back in time. The main draw of downtown Las Vegas is the Fremont Street Experience, which has live music every night and plenty of activities for everyone.

However, besides wandering around and looking at the lights, you can also enjoy:

• Slotzilla Zipline – Soar above the crowd with this one-of-a-kind view of Fremont Street. We highly recommend doing this at night, as the lights are much more exciting.
• Neon Museum – Vegas has seen tons of casinos and attractions come and go over the years. You can look at relics of neon signs from decades past and relive Sin City’s heyday.
• Mob Museum – Everyone knows that Vegas used to be controlled by organized crime, so learn more about the history from both sides of the conflict.

Summerlin

Summerlin is one of the oldest master-planned communities in Vegas, so it’s also one of the largest. Located on the west side of town, Summerlin borders Red Rock Canyon and the Spring Mountains. So, if you enjoy hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities, Summerlin is the place to be. Some other highlights include:

• Downtown Summerlin – There’s always something happening at the Lawn at Downtown Summerlin. From craft brew festivals to bulldog derbies to biking marathons, you’re sure to find an activity for everyone.
• Summerlin Trail System – This system spans 150 miles, so you can really hit the pavement and get your blood pumping. Walk, hike, bike, or skate along these paths to explore as much of the neighborhood as possible.
• Eagle Crest Golf Course – Vegas has some world-class golf courses, so why not take a swing at playing a few rounds? This course is open to the public – you just need to reserve your time online.

Henderson

Located to the south of Las Vegas, Henderson is another large city that sprawls and blends with the rest of Sin City. As with Summerlin, this area borders natural wonders like Lake Mead and the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

Henderson is an excellent place with single-family homes, making it ideal for those who want to be close to the action of the strip but without the mayhem. Some highlights of Henderson include:

• Rio Secco Golf Club – If you enjoyed golfing in Summerlin, you need to experience the grandeur of this golf club. The views are spectacular, and you can’t beat a course this luxurious. You’ll wonder how they keep it looking so good when water is in such short supply.
• Lion Habitat – If you’re familiar with the MGM casino, you know it’s famous for having an indoor lion habitat. However, you can see these gentle beasts out and about at the Lion Habitat Ranch outside the city. The ranch hosts several types of animals, and you can feed some of them up close.
• Clark County Museum – Vegas has such a storied history that it’s impossible to ignore. You can dive into some of the non-casino-related records at this museum.

Lake Las Vegas

For an area that’s supposed to be devoid of water, Las Vegas has quite a few lakes and water attractions. Lake Las Vegas is located in Henderson, and it’s one of many master-planned communities in the area. So, if you enjoy the natural beauty of lakeside views, you might want to plan a visit. The top things to do in this neighborhood include:

• Floating Water Park – If you’re going to come to the lake, you better take full advantage of it. Lake Las Vegas has a recreation area like no other, complete with a floating water park. This attraction is a full-sized obstacle course, which is perfect for guests of all ages. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the end – the water is very forgiving!
• Enjoy Lakefront Dining – A big appeal of Lake Las Vegas is the Tuscan-style village along its shores. You can pretend you’re dining on the French or Italian Riviera, complete with waterfront views, incredible wines, and tasty entrees. There are quite a few fine dining options, so be sure to come hungry.
• Hike Some Trails – Lake Las Vegas is next to multiple desert hiking trails that can take you all the way to the Colorado River. The scenery is second to none, and you’ll get plenty of exercise while out and about. Just make sure to bring enough water for the journey back to your resort.

Boulder City

At the southern tip of Las Vegas sits Boulder City. So, if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the casinos and the strip, this is the place for you. There’s plenty of room to stretch your legs and see the sights, including:

• Hoover Dam – If you’re really trying to avoid gambling while in Vegas, a trip to the Hoover Dam is an excellent alternative. This dam has a fascinating history, which you can enjoy through a guided tour or by visiting the on-site museum.
• Flightlinez Zip Lining – Although there’s something special about zip lining across Fremont Street, that pales in comparison to doing it over a canyon. The wind whipping your face gives you far more exhilaration, especially when you look down. This adventure is not for those who don’t like heights.
• Nevada Southern Railroad Museum – Considering that Vegas began as a railroad stop, it’s fitting to learn more about the railroad that helped build Sin City. This museum is a must-visit for those who can’t get enough of the history of this unique metropolis.

As you can see, the best Las Vegas neighborhoods have a lot to offer. So, whether you’re in the market to buy some Las Vegas real estate or just visiting, be sure to take in all the sights.