For all the thrills and the glamor of Sin City at a bargain price, groups can head to Henderson, Nevada. Capitalizing on its proximity to Las Vegas, this city of 337,000 lets groups feel like a big fish in a small pond. From its gaming resorts to its vibrant shopping, entertainment and dining districts, Henderson abounds with fun. Groups can find plenty of ways to enjoy the sunny desert climate, whether it’s an adventurous excursion like paddleboarding or a relaxing game of golf.
“You’ve got the best of both worlds because Las Vegas is super close,” said Ed Kirby, national sales executive at City of Henderson Economic Development and Tourism Department.
Here are some of the attractions in Henderson that make for a well-rounded itinerary.
Gaming Resorts
A trip to Henderson isn’t complete without hitting the casino. Groups can always make the trip to the Vegas Strip, less than 20 miles away, or they can enjoy a good dose of gaming right in Henderson. The city is home to several gaming resorts with plenty of amenities, including the M Resort Spa Casino. With 384 rooms, the resort is adding an additional tower that will bring the total number to 774. The resort features 92,000 square feet of gaming, including slots, table games and a VIP lounge. A spa, pool, fitness center, live entertainment and a variety of bars and restaurants await guests.
Another gaming property in Henderson is Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino. This 500-room luxury resort is exceedingly popular with groups. With its European-style architecture and abundant gaming opportunities from slots to bingo, this resort is sure to charm groups. Green Valley Ranch’s restaurants include fine dining options like Hank’s Fine Steaks and Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill, as well as a handful of casual eateries and cafes for a quick bite. The property’s long list of amenities also includes a pool, spa, salon, fitness center and even a movie theater, in addition to live entertainment.
A third gaming property in Henderson, Sunset Station Hotel and Casino, offers more than 450 guest rooms and a comparable list of amenities, including a pool, a fitness center and several restaurants.
“People want to be close to Vegas but also to keep their group together,” Kirby said. “Vegas does a good job, but you tend to lose some of your attendees. We have some amazing hotels and great gaming resorts.”
Lake Las Vegas
Henderson’s Lake Las Vegas is a 320-acre reservoir, but it’s what surrounds the reservoir that draws in visitors. Lake Las Vegas is home to several resorts, including the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa and the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa, which is a Four Diamond hotel. Both properties feature stunning mountain views and lakeside relaxation at their spas and restaurants.
There’s plenty of outdoor recreation for groups to try at Lake Las Vegas. Water sports include everything from exciting activities like standup paddleboarding and kayaking to more low-key electric boat rentals. There’s also golfing at a selection of different clubs and the High Performance Golf Institute, as well as hiking and biking trails that total over 180 miles for the city of Henderson.
The Village at Lake Las Vegas takes inspiration for its design from Italy, creating a charming aesthetic for visitors to enjoy as they shop and dine. It hosts live entertainment weekly. Groups can split up to walk the village and step into its boutiques and small businesses. Its restaurants include French, Italian and Mexican cuisine, as well as a gelato shop and a pub.
Water Street District
Another district brimming with shopping and dining can be found in downtown Henderson. The Water Street District comprises three walkable blocks of small businesses. It also hosts community events, from farmers markets to live music and performances in its Water Street Plaza. Groups will especially enjoy the district’s culinary contributions, whether they sit down for a meal together or peruse the district at their leisure.
“Water Street is blowing up,” Kirby said. “Now we have a ton of mom-and-pop restaurants and bars, live entertainment and a great thriving area down there.”
Chinitas Tapas and Sushi offers a mouthwatering assortment of Mexican and Asian fusion small bites. Popular menu items include the Quesabirria tacos, elote ribs, Wagyu sliders and crispy pork wontons. For dessert, the churros won’t disappoint. The restaurant features a separate dining space for events and groups.
Another great stop for groups in the district is BLVD Grille, which serves elevated pub fare alongside impressive entrees. Groups can start off with a shareable small plate like beer-brined chicken wings, hand-breaded onion rings or the crowd-pleasing cheeseburger eggrolls. Or, they can go straight for hearty mains like the 16-ounce bone-in ribeye, a petite filet or a chili-rubbed porkchop. Desserts like chocolate cheesecake and brownie sundaes await.
For a more casual stop, groups can head to Biscuits and Bourbon, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Barbecue, including a 10-hour smoked brisket, fresh buttermilk biscuits, and as the name suggests, bourbon, are among the restaurant’s staples.
The Booze District
If groups are especially thirsty, take them to the Booze District, where a concentration of microbreweries, wineries and distilleries is sure to knock their socks off.
Oenophiles will love to visit Grape Expectations, where they can learn about the wine-making process and even get started crafting their own wine. They’re welcome to arrange private wine-blending classes, which are 90 minutes of guided instruction about wine blending. They’ll get to make their own blend and even leave with this blend bottled with a custom label. The experience comes with light bites and wines to sample. Vegas Valley Winery, the winery associated with Grape Expectations, offers tastings, private tours, and wines, hard ciders, charcuterie and pizza for guests.
The only distillery in Las Vegas Valley is also found in the Booze District. Las Vegas Distillery was founded in 2011 and makes rum, bourbon, moonshine and vodka. Groups can take a 45-minute tour of the distillery to learn about its products and enjoy samples in their tasting room. Cocktails, Sicilian-style pizzas, charcuterie boards, light bites and desserts are available.
The Artisan Booze District is also home to three breweries: Astronomy Aleworks, founded by a father-son duo; Bad Beat Brewing, the first brewery and taproom in the district, which hosts food trucks and events; and Crafthaus Brewery, which offers guided tours of the facility, flights of beer and some pub fare in their taproom.
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