We get it. Summer’s here and you want to go on vacation, but flying is a mess and driving is more expensive than ever, even as gas prices drop. Just a 45-minute drive from Sin City, Boulder City could be your best bet for a road trip getaway from Las Vegas. It’s an easy drive that won’t max out your credit card and feels a world away from the bright lights of Sin City. It’s got the Hoover Dam, outdoor adventures, and the blue waters of Lake Mead. Everything except gambling-which is actually banned inside city limits, making this Nevada destination feel not so Nevada-ish. Just remember, Boulder City gets just as hot as Vegas, so plan accordingly and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Ready for a healthy dose of summer fun and a little bit of history? Here’s what to do when visiting Boulder City.
The Hoover Dam isn’t just the most identifiable landmark in Boulder City, it’s pretty much the reason the place exists. Boulder City was founded in 1931 as a home for workers constructing the engineering marvel (originally known as the Boulder Dam), which interrupts the Colorado River to form Lake Mead. It’s so large, the amount of concrete used could create a sidewalk around the equator.
Tours of the Hoover Dam are back on after a pause during much of the pandemic-an understandable move, since crowds share close quarters in large elevators. You’ll travel through underground tunnels (refreshingly cool during the hot summer months) and learn how the whole thing was built and operates today. Tours connect from the Visitor Center, which has a series of exhibits and an outdoor viewing deck overlooking the dam for photos.
When it’s time to hit the water in Las Vegas, you’re either paying for bottle service at a pool party on the Strip or taking a drive out to Lake Mead near Boulder City. Having an enormous, artificially created body of water over what was formerly a vast desert landscape adds up to some interesting aesthetics. The beaches tend to be rocky with rough terrain-no soft, white sand here-making Lake Mead more of a destination for boating and JetSkis than swimming and sunbathing. Kayaking and paddle-boarding are popular too.
Lake Mead is also suffering from drought and historically low water levels. At times, you get the feeling you’re in a giant slow-draining bathtub with the previous high-water marks leaving “rings” throughout the surrounding sandstone. Only one launch ramp (at Hemenway Harbor) is currently active. Always check in with the National Park Service for the latest conditions. If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, Lake Mead Cruises offers tours of the lake on the Desert Princess, a three-level vintage-style paddle boat with booze and food available on board.
Historic downtown Boulder City often feels stuck in time-a mix of residential and commercial structures that wouldn’t look out of place in 1950s California. You’ll experience throwback charm at the Boulder Theater, an old movie house that was once the only air-conditioned building in town and is now home to concerts, special events, and the annual Dam Short Film Festival.
Overall, the neighborhood is refreshingly low on national chains, so spend a few dollars at antique thrift shops like Goatfeathers Emporium, Bella Marketplace, or Sherman’s House of Antiques. Pick up a different kind of collectible at The Flying Saucer (dedicated to Nevada’s obsession with AREA 51 and space aliens) and the Boulder City Co. Store (a coffee shop that also sells Boulder City branded merchandise). The Fisher Space Pen manufacturing plant is just outside downtown with a gift shop selling the same pens that helped NASA astronauts write upside-down in space. Beyond the shops, the downtown district is decorated with scenic parks, murals, and more than 30 sculptures that pay homage to Boulder City history.
Boulder City is usually a day trip for anyone driving in from Las Vegas, but there’s nothing wrong with spending the night to make the most of the area-especially if you’re getting up early to enjoy the outdoor scenery. The Boulder Dam Hotel is the most historic option, dating back to 1933. The 21-room hotel is in the heart of downtown and within easy walking distance of shops, bars, and restaurants (helpful since the in-house lobby restaurant is currently closed). Save a few bucks with a night at a vintage-style motor lodge like Oasis Boutique Motel, Sands Motel, or El Rancho Boulder Motel-the latter is your best bet for nicer rooms and a resort-worthy pool. Otherwise, spend the night outside city limits where gambling is allowed at Railroad Pass (close to Henderson) or the Hoover Dam Lodge (close to the Hoover Dam), with historic artifacts in the lobby and casino.
The restaurants in Boulder City don’t get too fancy, but many are affordable, family-owned, independent businesses that serve great food. Fox Smokehouse has barbecue that competes with the best in Las Vegas. The owners recently opened Fox Family Bakery for fresh-baked breads and pastries. If you’re craving a good burger, it’s hard to beat The Dillinger, a mob-themed gastropub in a space that used to be a bank. Southwest Diner serves a more modest take on classic American comfort food in a retro roadside environment. If you’re looking for breakfast, the Coffee Cup Cafe is a fun, quirky spot with a killer house-made Bloody Mary and walls covered with license plates and coffee mugs brought in from customers. Chilly Jilly’z is an eclectic mashup of concepts, featuring soft-serve treats and Dole Whip alongside bakery bites and regular lunch and dinner menus that get fancier on Friday and Saturday nights. Recent newcomers to Boulder City include the Cornish Pasty Co. a regional concept that serves a variety of savory recipes inside English-style pastry pockets, Big T’s Cantina for Mexican food and margaritas, and Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore, a cafe with locally roasted coffee and a mix of new and used books for sale.
If you’re going to play with trains, do it in a big way. The Nevada State Railroad Museum was built on the historic rail tracks that once serviced Hoover Dam construction workers. You had to get all that material and equipment there somehow, right? Take a look at vintage equipment, cars, and locomotives with 40-minute train rides offered on weekends during select times of the year.
Learn even more about the history of the Hoover Dam with a visit to the free Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum on the first floor of the Boulder Dam Hotel. The exhibits highlight the massive undertaking of the project, the men and women who sacrificed to make it happen, and society in the era of the Great Depression.
Want a cool museum that has nothing to do with the Hoover Dam? Boulder City has that too. Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum highlights horror movie villains and creatures past and present. The exhibits feature artifacts and the work of Tom Devlin, an accomplished Hollywood makeup and effects artist. The man himself can be booked for a guided tour, but most visitors take a self-guided walk throughout the winding maze-like museum, which includes a rare set piece from Gremlins 2. A small, on-site movie theater screens documentaries (with candy and popcorn for sale) and the coffin door to the bathroom is a nice touch.
If you’re craving a cold beer after a long day of running around Boulder City, head straight to the Boulder Dam Brewing Co., which makes its own beer on site or The Tap, a sports bar by the same people behind the Dillinger with a revolving lineup of craft brew on draft. Milo’s Cellar is the best place in town for wine, with more than 300 options by the bottle. Your server may actually be a sommelier, so fire away with questions if you want something unique or offbeat. Anything pairs well with the charcuterie and melted brie. Cleveland’s The Lounge has a speakeasy feel, tucked away downstairs from the lobby at the Boulder Dam Hotel. Dark and moody, it’s a great spot for craft cocktails and live jazz.
The Historic Railroad Hiking Trail is a two-mile walk that follows the path where trains once carried supplies to the Hoover Dam. It’s a relatively easy, two-mile hike on flat terrain that passes through five tunnels with sweeping views overlooking Lake Mead. Just remember to bring plenty of water and keep your hike to early morning or early evening when visiting during summer. Parking for the trail is just outside the south gates of the Lake Mead Recreational Area (which means you’ll avoid an entrance fee). You can also access the trail from the parking lot at the Hoover Dam Lodge.
Get an up-close look at Nevada’s state animal in an unexpected place. Hemenway Park famously attracts bighorn sheep from nearby foothill dwellings to graze on close to ten acres of reliably well-maintained grass. The animals generally aren’t dangerous and have no issues hanging around humans. Just respect their space and don’t try to pet them. In other words, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Snap as many photos as you like, but the experience is best enjoyed when you relax, hang out, and appreciate the uniqueness of the environment. Hemenway Park, on Ville Drive near U.S. 93, also has tennis courts, basketball courts, and a playground, as well as shaded areas for picnicking, so you can munch on a meal along with the sheep. A wide-open view of Lake Mead is a nice bonus.
Lake Mead has its perks, but you may appreciate the relative serenity of the Colorado River that’s further south of the Hoover Dam. Tour companies like Blazin’ Paddles and River Dogz lead half- and full-day kayaking expeditions through the Black Canyon cliffs that include stops at Emerald Cave (a cove where water illuminates in a unique way when hit by the sun), the Gold Strike Hot Springs, and Willow Beach. You can even sign up for a see-through version with Vegas Glass Kayaks. Keep in mind, this particular stretch of the Colorado River runs between the Hoover Dam and Davis Dam (north of Laughlin, forming Lake Mohave), so expect to put in some grunt work to make up for the minimal currents. However, the cold temperature of the river helps take the edge off the summer heat, especially when booking a sunset or twilight tour. If you’d rather stay dry, Lake Mead Mohave Adventures has a Hoover Dam Rafting Tour with special security clearance to get an up-close look at the dam from the river. The “raft” is a comfortable motorized vehicle with plenty of seats and legroom, allowing you to focus on the scenery and snapping photos.
Did you know Boulder City is haunted? Nearly 100 people (and at least one dog) died during the construction of the Hoover Dam, setting the stage for decades of ghost stories and sightings. The Haunted Boulder City Ghost & UFO Tour is a one-hour guided walking tour of downtown-after dark, of course. Along the way, you’ll learn about the spirits that roam city streets, mob hits, and the woman who became Boulder City’s first convicted murderer. The tour also touches on UFO sightings and Nevada’s role as the home of AREA 51. Even if you don’t buy into any of this, the tour is a fascinating crash course on the sights and landmarks of downtown Boulder City.
Who needs a train when you can take your own ride down the tracks? Rail Explorers offers a series of tours with self-pedaled vehicles (given an added boost of electric propulsion) that travel eight miles round-trip between the Nevada State Railroad Museum and Railroad Pass casino. The journey requires minimal effort, making it easy to appreciate the surroundings, especially during sunset and twilight tours. Before turning around, you’ll take a break underneath string lights in an outdoor lounge area, so feel free to bring along some drinks and snacks. Rail Explorers also has a morning “Summer Soaker” tour throughout the season that basically turns your journey into a big water fight. Towels not included.Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than seven years. In addition, his work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Leafly, Supercall, Modern Luxury, and Luxury Estates International’s seasonal publication. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.
The second half of 2022 is shaping up to be a busy time for Las Vegas, especially if you’re a music fan. Day N Vegas may have been cancelled and Punk Rock Bowling postponed until next year, but the Sin City entertainment scene is back on solid ground with festivals, residency debuts, and other big music events. Ticketmaster and other ticket brokers have seized on the dynamic pricing format, which jacks up prices based on demand. However, there’s always a way to score cheap tickets in Las Vegas. So get familiar with the biggest music events to round out what’s left of the year.
Thursday, August 18–Sunday, August 21 Resorts World Same intensity. New venue. Psycho Las Vegas is back for the sixth year in a row, but switching from Mandalay Bay to Resorts World with more than 130 bands on six stages throughout the property. So if you want to see Church of the Cosmic Skull play the Famous Foods Street Hall at 11 pm, this is your kind of music festival. Everywhere is fair game, from the main Event Center and Rose Ballroom to Ayu Dayclub, Dawg House, and Redtail. As usual, there’s a focus on rock and heavy metal bands, with Emperor, Suicidal Tendancies, and Mercyful Fate as the headliners, but the four-day event is also working in some rap and hip-hop this year, including Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Raekwon with Ghostface Killah. Cost: Single-day passes begin at $129, three-day passes begin at $349.
Saturday, August 20 Wynn Swedish House Mafia helped launch the worldwide EDM boom, so it only makes sense for the group to (finally) stick around in Vegas for a little while. The trio just signed their first-ever North American nightclub residency with the Wynn and is booked August 20 and September 3 at XS Nightclub with more dates to come. Funny enough, Swedish House Mafia already has a show scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena on September 2, giving fans the opportunity to see the DJs in two dramatically different venues the same weekend. Cost: Tickets begin at $40 for XS, $39.50 for the T-Mobile Arena.
Saturday, August 20–Saturday, November 19 Downtown Downtown Rocks is a weekend series of free open-air concerts at the Fremont Street Experience, where fans can see national acts surrounded by the lights, neon, and energy of nearby casinos and attractions. And who doesn’t love something for free? This year’s lineup continues with Simple Plan (August 20), an ’80s revival of Rick Springfield, Men at Work and John Waite (September 3), The Pretty Reckless (September 10), Jelly Roll (October 15), Slaughter, Vixen, and Sweet (October 22), and Stone Temple Pilots (November 19). Cost: Free
Saturday, August 20–Saturday, September 24 Off the Strip The biggest concerts in Las Vegas not named “Weekends with Adele” are taking place at Allegiant Stadium this year. After a run of shows with Billy Joel, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the 65,000-seat venue welcomes The Weeknd (August 20), an ’80s hard rock package of Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, and Joan Jett (September 9), a homecoming for Sin City’s own Imagine Dragons with Macklemore (September 10), Mexico’s Grupo Firme (September 15), and Bad Bunny, who might be the most overachieving reggaeton act on the road with two dates (September 23-24). Somewhere in the middle of all this, you might want to come by and see the Raiders play some football too. Cost: Tickets begin at $88 for The Weeknd, $60 for Def Leppard/Motley Crue, $23 for Imagine Dragons, $59 for Grupo Firme, and $106 for Bad Bunny,
Thursday, August 25–Sunday, August 28 Westgate This music festival truly is a bender with four straight days of blues performed on stages throughout the Westgate resort near the Strip. More than 45 acts (including Buddy Guy, Tab Benoit, and Little Feat, celebrating 45 years since the band’s best-selling Waiting for Columbus live album) are taking part, playing 22 sets a day with an emphasis on convenient, intimate spaces. Yet the festival is about more than music. Guests are encouraged to upgrade their experience with hotel room and drink packages. Cost: Four-day wristbands begin at $499.
Wednesday, August 31–Sunday, September 4 Wednesday, September 28–Sunday, October 2 Westgate Boombox! is a retro dance party with some of your favourite acts from the ’80s, ’90s, and a little bit beyond at the Westgate’s International Theater. Get on your feet as Ceelo Green, Tone Loc, Kid ‘n Play, J.J. Fad, and Thea Austin (the voice on “Rhythm is a Dancer” by Snap!) perform their own hits, share the stage, and collaborate in a show designed to be all energy from beginning to end. Eric B. will keep things moving along as the DJ. If you can’t make the August event, Boombox! will return in late September. Cost: Tickets begin at $29.
Thursday, September 8 Rio It was only a matter of time. Vegas is catching on to the trend and launching its first-ever yacht rock residency at The Duomo, an intimate theatre inside the Rio. You’ll have five nights a week to hear the smoothest of smooth rock from the Docksiders, a band led by Grammy-nominated and Oscar-winning studio whiz Kevin Sucher. Hear your favourite hits from the likes of Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, and others who rocked hard (but not too hard) in the ’70s and ’80s. Cost: $35.99
Saturday, September 10 Downtown The Rumbazo festival debuts in Sin City with an all-day celebration of Latin music and culture at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Maluma, Ivy Queen, Prince Royce, Natanael, Yendry, and Omar Apollo will all take the stage with back-to-back sets. Festival organizers are teasing affiliated events like after parties and pool parties with a sign-up form on the website promising the latest info. Cost: Tickets begin at $59.
Wednesday, September 14–Wednesday, October 5 Park MGM Aerosmith’s return to Las Vegas comes with a lot of anticipation-and a few questions. The band sounded great when they kicked off their Deuces Are Wild residency at the Park MGM back in 2019, especially Steven Tyler, who still had the voice and abs to shame far younger rock stars. That feels like a lifetime ago, and Aerosmith are back with their first shows since the onset of the pandemic-a run that was supposed to begin in June, but was delayed when Tyler checked himself into rehab. A few other band members have dealt with various health issues in recent years and last we heard, longtime drummer Joey Kramer was out of the picture. Time to see if Aerosmith can pull off another comeback, even if everyone in the band is in their 70s now. Cost: Tickets begin at $75.
Friday, September 16–Sunday, September 18 Downtown The Life is Beautiful festival takes over 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas east of the Fremont Street Experience for three straight days. A deep and diverse lineup is headlined by Calvin Harris, Jack Harlow, The Gorillaz, Lorde, and more on multiple stages. Yet sometimes you just want to come for the food. This year, you can check out The Cookout (with bites grilled over an open flame), Cocktail School (mixology tastings and demos), The Pizzeria (featuring rotating slices from some of the best pizza shops in Vegas), and Omakase Cantina (reservation-only intimate dinners by top local chefs). Life is Beautiful also has comedy, educational speakers, and a compelling art program with large-scale murals and installations often left behind when the festival is over. Cost: Single-day tickets begin at $180.
Saturday, September 17 Resorts World Travis Scott kicks off Road to Utopia, the first night of a seven-show residency at Zouk Nightclub with a second date confirmed for October 15. Watch the rapper go into “Sicko Mode” and perform crowd favourites in an intimate setting, but the shows are also looking to push the boundaries of special effects and technology, making full use of the club’s “Mothership” LED light system and ever-shifting ceiling. Travis Scott was originally one of the headliners of the now-cancelled Day N Vegas festival, but admit it-you’d rather see him in a club anyway. Cost: General admission begins at $75.
Friday, September 23–Sunday, April 9 Planet Hollywood Miranda Lambert debuts her first-ever Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater, less than two weeks after Shania Twain wraps up her own two-year run at the same venue. Country has been a consistent draw in Vegas with no signs of slowing down. Lambert’s Velvet Rodeo residency is scheduled for at least 24 dates through early April, featuring nearly 20 years worth of hits and material from her new Palomino album. Cost: Tickets begin at $79.
Friday, September 23–Saturday, September 24 The Strip Here’s what happens when a music fest goes mainstream. The iHeartRadio Music Festival celebrates your favourite hitmakers with a lineup that ranges from pop and R&B to country and classic rock, almost like you’re changing radio channels. The mainstage at the T-Mobile Arena hosts performances by Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, Sam Smith, Pat Benatar, the Black Keys, and others, as Ryan Seacrest continues his role as master of ceremonies. The Daytime Stage is back at AREA15 this year with younger, rising stars like Maggie Rogers, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Willow. Avril Lavigne is booked on both stages-’cause why not? Cost: Tickets begin at $86.75.
Friday, September 30–Saturday, October 1 Downtown Dress to impress and bring your glow sticks. The Lost in Dreams festival is back after a Vegas debut last year, presented by Insomniac, the brains behind the upcoming Electric Daisy Carnival. So think of this as a smaller-scale preview of what’s to come this spring. Jai Wolf, Slander, Madeon, Audien, Whethan, and dozens more EDM artists perform over two days on three different stages at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Expect a focus on future bass and dubstep with elaborate effects and immersive art installations. The music gets underway at 6 pm each night. Cost: Single-day passes begin at $64.99.
Friday, October 7–Saturday, October 8 Mojave Desert Depending on how you look at it, the RiSE Festival is about lifting your dreams and positive energy to the heavens-or letting everything you’re ready to let go of go up in flames. The event (with a choice of two days) takes place on the Jean Dry Lake Bed in a remote part of the Mojave Desert south of Las Vegas. Guests will eat, drink, and inscribe messages onto their own self-assembled lanterns, which are released into the sky after dark-all while listening to the live music of RY X. The lanterns are upgraded this year, making them easier to release, and as always, they’re 100% biodegradable (and recovered by event organizers anyway to minimize the environmental impact). Also new this year-a Resorts World Village VIP lounge (with a private bar and food), Chandon Picnic Experience package (with champagne and charcuterie), and Space Apart (an interactive experience that combines art and meditation). Cost: Tickets begin at $99.
Friday, October 7–Sunday, October 9 Downtown A weekend of reggae music in a town with legalized weed? Not a bad idea, but keep in mind-you’re technically not allowed to consume in public. Even at music festivals. Regardless, Reggae Rise Up is back and bigger than ever, expanding to three days this year at the Las Vegas Events Center. Check out bands on two stages, including headliners Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, and Stick Figure, while visiting more than 40 vendors with food, art, and activities to round out the experience. Cost: Single-day general admission starts at $55.
Saturday, October 22–Saturday, October 29 The Strip Don’t underestimate the nostalgic hook of the early aughts, when power-pop, emo, and radio-friendly punk rock ruled mp3 players around the country. The When We Were Young festival is coming to Vegas and ticket sales were so strong for the initial date, two more were added. The spectacle at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds is headlined by Paramore (reuniting for their first shows in years) and My Chemical Romance (also playing a pandemic-delayed makeup date at the T-Mobile Arena on October 7). The lineup is filled out with A Day to Remember, Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, the All American Rejects, Avril Lavigne, and dozens more with affiliated “sideshows” taking place at the House of Blues, Pearl Theater, and Brooklyn Bowl. Dig out your best skinny jeans, grow out your bangs, and paint your nails black. It’s time to emote like never before. Cost: General admission tickets begin at $224.99. All three festival dates are technically sold out, but you can sign up for an official waitlist online.
Wednesday, October 26–Saturday, October 29 Wynn Adam Lambert may not be the biggest music star in the world, but he’s one of the best things to come out of American Idol and has some of the most loyal fans in the business. (Mention him in a Tweet and see what happens.) The singer follows up a successful mini-residency at the Venetian last year with The Witch Hunt, a three-show run at the Wynn’s Encore Theater leading up to Halloween. Expect Lambert to play up his theatrical side with shows that make the most of the holiday theme. Cost: Tickets begin at $85.
Saturday, October 29 The Cosmopolitan Whiskey and music is a combination that works perfectly in Las Vegas. So it’s good to see The WhiskeyX return for the second straight year as a one-day rooftop festival at the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool. Which is the true headliner: hearty samples of rye, bourbon, Scotch, and other forms of whiskey, or the rock and soul of Alabama’s St. Paul and the Broken Bones? You decide. Along the way, you’ll enjoy food from the Cosmopolitan’s best restaurants and even get in on some grooming services from The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails. Cost: Tickets begin at $75.
Friday, November 18–Saturday, March 25 Caesars Palace Adele. Yes, Adele. The British singer has somehow managed to become the most popular and most reviled Las Vegas headliner within the span of a single year. After pulling the plug at the last minute in January on her Weekends with Adele residency at Caesars Palace, she has since tried to make things better with a few Facetime chats and an about-face on her COVID excuse in a recent interview. Despite the negative press, Adele seems as popular as ever. Ticket holders were given take-it or leave-it makeup dates (no rescheduling allowed) and a few additional shows were added, selling out quickly and carrying the residency through March of next year. Hopefully, she shows up. Cost: Tickets are going for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on the resale market. Try your luck and hope she doesn’t cancel.
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Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than eight years. His work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. He knows the secret to good parking during Life is Beautiful. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.
By Robert kachelriess and nicole rupersburg