Boulder City is just 25-miles to the southeast of Las Vegas, and it’s not only the gateway to Hoover Dam, it’s a destination in itself. Just take US-515 or US-215 to US-11, and finally, get onto US-93 to get there.
Boulder City was conceived and built-in 1931 as a planned community for the workers who were building the Hoover Dam. Before the construction of Boulder City, the men seeking work on the dam had settled along the Colorado River in tents. This ramshackle community was known as “Ragtown.” However, the sheer size and long-term aspect of the Hoover Dam project necessitated better housing for the workers. Boulder City was consequently a carefully planned, model community, supervised by the federal government.
Since the Hoover Dam project represented a glimmer of optimism during the Great Depression, the town of Boulder City was also designed to be a focal point of optimism. The design had an emphasis on clean, outdoor living, with lots of beautifully landscaped public space. The abundance of landscaped greenery earned Boulder City the nickname “Nevada’s Garden City.” This emphasis on green landscaping was a part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s “mission to reclaim and ‘green’ the American West.”
Today, Boulder City has a pleasant, small-town atmosphere close to the big city of Las Vegas. In fact, Money magazine named Boulder City as number 6 in its 2009 list for the top 25 best places to retire in the US. This was based on the quality of affordable housing, tax rates, medical care, and arts and leisure. Boulder City is also one of only two cities in Nevada that doesn’t allow gambling.
The Alan Bible Visitor Center
Four miles before you get to Boulder City, on Highway 93, the Alan Bible Visitor Center for Lake Mead is worth a stop. The building was originally constructed in 1966, and has recently been renovated. The renovations include nine solar panels, earning the Visitor Center a silver rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. That’s a unique honor for a historic building.
Inside the visitor center, you can see a large, amazingly detailed relief map of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You can also explore displays of Lake Mead’s ecology and wildlife, and browse the well-stocked gift shop.
The Historic Railroad Trail
While you’re at the Alan Bible Visitor Center, you might want to take the path along the Historic Railroad Trail. It’s just about .3 miles beyond the Lake Mead Visitor Center sign, to the right. The trail follows the original railroad tracks built to bring supplies into the Hoover Dam construction site. However, the hike is best when the weather is cool, so you may not want to do this in the heat of the summer.
The hike is easy and mostly level, passing through five railroad tunnels. All along the trail you’ll be treated to fabulous views of Lake Mead as well as the surrounding desert and mountains. When you get close to Hoover Dam, there are displays with signage of old equipment used to build the dam. The full length of the hike round trip is about 7 miles. If you enjoy the fresh air and fantastic views, you’ll definitely enjoy this.
Bootleg Canyon Mountain Biking Trails
If you like mountain biking, you’ll want to stop by the internationally renowned trails at Bootleg Canyon before you get into Boulder City. Once upon a time, it was the secret trail to deliver bootleg alcohol to the then “dry” Hoover Dam construction site. Today, there are miles and miles of mountain biking trails suitable for all levels of skill. However, be cautious when taking to the trails during the summer. It’s very hot here, and there is no water along the trails.
The Railroad Museum
The next stop along Highway 93 is the Nevada State Railroad Museum at 600 Yucca Street. When Hoover Dam was being built, this railroad was the only way to transport the construction materials into the area from Las Vegas. In 1985, the Union Pacific Railroad donated the station and a portion of the railroad lines to the Nevada Department of Museums and History.
If you love trains, you will fall head over heels in love with this place! Not only are there tons of trains and historical information on display, but you can also ride the rails on a vintage train. You can even be an “Engineer For An Hour”; you can be in control of one of the locomotives, driving it along four miles of the track, from the Boulder City Station up to Railroad Pass.
Historic Boulder City
Once you drive into Boulder City, you’ll notice the quaint, well-maintained downtown shopping district. Downtown Boulder City was built in the 1930s as the center of the original planned city. The Historic District has more than 400 well-maintained vintage buildings, including the Boulder Dam Hotel; if you go inside the Boulder Dam Hotel, you’ll find the Boulder City Museum. It’s at 1305 Arizona Street, and the museum has lots of artifacts, photographs, and displays, documenting the construction of Hoover Dam. It’s free, and it’s a fascinating look into the Depression Era and the building of Hoover Dam.
Boulder City’s Historic District is full of fun shops, art galleries, and restaurants, making this a great place to spend a few hours having lunch and browsing the shops. You may want to stop by the Coffee Cup for breakfast or lunch; this local gem was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. There’s often a wait for a table, but the outdoor atmosphere, as well as the world-famous Bloody Marys, are worth it.
You’ll also notice the fabulous vintage neon sign for the Southwest Diner. While the food is good, the building’s vintage, “rat pack” exterior is what gets the most attention. Admire this flash from the past, before going inside for the all-day breakfast.
The city is also known for its displays of public art dotting the shopping district. The city adds around a dozen sculptures every year to its street art collection, and some of the art pieces are for sale. There are also well over a dozen art galleries in Boulder City, displaying every type of art you can imagine.
If you go during the first weekend of October, be sure to stop by the Art in the Park event, around City Hall in Bicentennial Park. It’s among the largest outdoor juried art festivals in the entire Southwest and raises money for the Boulder City Hospital Foundation.
While slot machines are ubiquitous everywhere in Nevada, you won’t find them in Boulder City. Besides Panaca, Boulder City is the only other city in Nevada that doesn’t allow gambling. Overall, the original city planners of Boulder City would be quite pleased with how their little planned community has grown up. It continues to be a clean living place full of beauty.
Hemenway Park
Keep going down Highway 93 for a few miles to Bighorn/Hemenway Park. This is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in all of Nevada. Here, you’ll not only be treated to a fabulous, expansive view of Lake Mead, but you may also even meet the Nevada state animal. While Bighorn Sheep often prove elusive, they make a regular appearance here at the park.
This is one place you’ll definitely want to have your camera handy. Just sit quietly on one of the park benches and enjoy the view! This is one of the only places in the world where you’ll see these magnificent animals up close. During the hot weather, as many as 80 Bighorn Sheep will come down from the mountains to enjoy the fresh water and grass in the park. Even if the Bighorn doesn’t make an appearance, the view of Lake Mead and the mountains is sensational and well worth it. Please remember, don’t attempt to pet or feed the Bighorn Sheep; if they feel threatened, they could react in a way that’ll get you hurt.
The Hoover Dam Bypass
Keep driving along Highway 93, and you’ll finally reach the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. This awesome bridge took five years to complete, soars 890 feet above the Colorado River and spans 1,900 feet. In fact, this is the highest bridge in the United States and among the most beautiful.
While you can’t see Hoover Dam while driving across the bridge to Arizona, you can get some great pictures from the pedestrian walkway. To get to the walkway’s parking area, keep going as if you’re going to Hoover Dam, not the bridge. The turn-off for the walkway is clearly marked and parking is free.
Be aware, there is a security check-point before you can walk across the bridge. It can also be crowded on the weekends. But once you’re walking across the bridge, you’ll get the best views imaginable of the Hoover Dam. You’ll get a full view of how massive this entire project is, and you’ll certainly appreciate the hard work of the original dam workers of Boulder City.
You may not want to leave Boulder City; while there aren’t any slot machines in town, it is a pretty little place to stay a while.
