Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Henderson Nevada - A Quiet Retrench From the Bright Lights of Las Vegas

Henderson Nevada

 

Henderson Nevada offers a tranquil respite from the busy streets of Las Vegas. It boasts stunning golf courses, world-renowned shopping districts, and stunning Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as well. Henderson is renowned for its bike trails, including the River Mountains Loop Trail. This 34-mile paved pathway connects Henderson with Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam.

The Lion Habitat Ranch

If you're looking to get up close and personal with lions while visiting Las Vegas, Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson Nevada is the ideal destination. Here, over 40 lions and their cubs live on an 8.5-acre habitat that was formerly home to lions at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. This sanctuary offers visitors a rare chance to witness big cats in their natural environments while helping save the species from extinction. For an additional fee, guests can purchase general admission tickets which allow them to observe lions playing in their cages. Plus, guests have the option of having photos taken with a lion or even feeding giraffes for an additional cost.

You can take a guided tour of the habitat or just stroll along paved pathways to watch the big cats roam, play and nap in their dens. For an even more personalized experience, upgrade to a private guided experience that provides you with an insider's view of lion life on the ranch. Lion Habitat Ranch welcomes retired lions who have all retired from their jobs at MGM Grand and are now enjoying a safe, humane home. Here, the animals get daily walks, monthly baths, as well as plenty of love from staff members and visitors alike.

At this sanctuary, the lions seem quite contented in their environment - it almost feels like they're living in their own world! There are den structures, toys for playtime, and plenty of food and water provided for them. It's worth mentioning that they seem relaxed in their environment. For those who want to have an up close and personal experience with Lions, Feast with The Beasts is a must-try. Here, you'll have your own table set up inside their habitat area where you can enjoy whatever meal you please while spending time interacting with them and watching them interact with people around you! In addition to the lions, Lion Habitat Ranch also houses giraffes, ostriches, and other animals. One special guest is Ozzie the painting giraffe who paints for visitors! For $10 per person, you can hand-feed the giraffes as well.

The District at Green Valley Ranch

The District at Green Valley Ranch is an elegant mixed-use development featuring retail shopping, dining, offices, and luxury lofts. It's situated in a pedestrian-friendly main street plaza with an exquisite central park. The District at Green Valley Ranch, situated next to the esteemed Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa, is Henderson's first New Urbanism development. Here you'll find local eateries and shops alongside national brands like Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma and REI. A short walk from The District at Green Valley Ranch, this picturesque area is the perfect place to spend a day shopping, relaxing, and enjoying some delicious meals. It has lush landscaping as well as plenty of outdoor seating so you can take it all in. On hot days, kids can cool off in the splash pad area. Additionally, there are multiple restaurants where visitors can have a meal or just enjoy some drinks.

This luxurious resort is the ideal getaway for those who appreciate style and sophistication without fuss. With its Mediterranean-inspired architecture, sophisticated ambiance, and world-class amenities, it has become a favorite destination among both visitors and locals alike. This Four Diamond Award-winning property boasts 8 fine-dining restaurants, a salon, and spa, a full casino with slots, table games, bingo, sports book and video poker machines, a movie theater, indoor/outdoor lounges and bars, a whirlpool, swimming pool with sand bar and cabana offerings, plus much more! Rooms are luxurious and spacious, featuring plush beds with premium bedding. They also boast modern conveniences like a 42-inch TV, docking stations, mini bar, shower/tub combination, and separate toilet.

Guests at this hotel can take advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi and daily maid service. It also features a gym, spa, hair salon, and other amenities. It offers 495 air-conditioned rooms with iPod docking stations, flat-screen televisions, and premium bedding. The bathrooms boast deep soaking bathtubs as well as designer toiletries. Hank's Fine Steaks restaurant provides lunch and dinner daily. A cooked-to-order breakfast is also provided each morning. Additionally, the hotel provides 24-hour room service as well as a business center. The resort's outdoor pool is a favorite destination for both locals and visitors. Along with the large, sandy-bottomed pool, there's also a kids' splash pool complete with waterworks. Plus, there's an adjacent sauna, Jacuzzi, as well as full-service spa services available.

Sloan Canyon

On the fringes of Henderson, Nevada lies Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA), a 48,000-acre preserve offering breathtaking scenic and geologic features, stunning cultural resources and diverse recreation options. This NCA boasts one of North America's greatest concentrations of petroglyphs - over 1,700 images adorning its walls. These ancient symbols, incised into Black volcanic rock, date back approximately 13 million years ago. Crafted by Native cultures throughout various eras of history, they remain some of the most significant and pristine examples of American Indian rock art still in existence today. The petroglyphs in the canyon are so well preserved, you can almost make out their shapes when gazing upon distant rocks. Unfortunately, not enough people visit here to truly appreciate this breathtaking place.

Thankfully, Henderson City and BLM are working together to make it easier for local residents and tourists alike to access this incredible resource. In 2016, they constructed Nawghaw Poa Road (Paiute language for Bighorn Sheep Road), featuring a visitor contact station, parking lot, and trailheads leading into various wilderness areas. Petroglyph Canyon, one of the most popular hiking trails in the area, can be a difficult hike with numerous pour-overs to negotiate. Furthermore, you'll need some skill at maneuvering around its rocky ledges and cliffs for safe passage. Hikers should be prepared for moderate to difficult terrain and a roundtrip hike of up to 12 miles, as well as extensive off-trail hiking in the wilderness. If you decide to explore Sloan Canyon's petroglyphs, wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water for your journey. On your hike, be aware of potential hazards such as trash. If you have pets, make sure they are leashed and under control at all times. Furthermore, be extra wary if someone appears with a gun - extra caution should be exercised in such instances.

Clark County Heritage Museum

If you're interested in learning about Henderson Nevada's history, look no further than Clark County Heritage Museum. Situated on 30 acres, this museum provides an immersive experience of local heritage with several exhibit halls to explore and admission is free! On site are several historic buildings, such as a candlelight wedding chapel that used to be located on the Las Vegas Strip but was relocated here in 2007. Decorated with period furniture, it has been featured on History Channel's "Pawn Stars." Inside the Anna Roberts Parks Exhibit Hall, visitors can explore southern Nevada from prehistoric times to the present day. Displays include a diorama of an ancestral Puebloan and Paiute camp as well as authentic artifacts found in the region.

Afterward, take a leisurely walk down Heritage Street. Here, a collection of restored historic homes depicts daily life from different decades in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, and Goldfield. All houses have been lovingly reconstructed to their original period details; many have even been plexiglass with themes to portray what the houses looked like then. Another interesting building you can visit is a replica print shop designed in the style of early newspapers. It boasts a Babcock printing press, Mentges folding machine, and a national paper cutter. The museum recently acquired Union Pacific engine 4442, which was once part of the Las Vegas railroad. Its presence on the property has caused some controversy. Many people mistakenly assume this is just another tourist trap, but it's actually quite educational and entertaining. If you have children in tow, they are sure to love the exhibits here!

In addition to indoor exhibits, there are a few outdoor historical buildings such as a blacksmith, jail and barn; plus there's also a train station and mining trail. You might even spot some jackrabbits or ground squirrels along these trails! The best part of visiting the museum is that it's completely free to enter and doesn't charge for parking or admission. The only exception to this rule is that you'll need a membership in order to view certain exhibits.

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