"Hemenway Park, Boulder City. It's pretty exciting to see a wild animal in person. What's even more exciting? Seeing the state animal—which in Nevada—proves to be quite elusive. On any given day, you can see bighorn sheep gather at Hemenway Park (not to be confused with the author of the same name) and sit in the shade or eat the endless amounts of grass. Soak it in but respect them and keep your distance."

"Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City. From beginner terrain to the technically insane, Bootleg Canyon offers mountain biking trails that make it a destination for those in the scene. Hidden in the periphery of Boulder City, it was originally a secret shortcut to deliver booze to the then dry Hoover Dam site. The only lawbreakers you'll find now are those defying gravity on two wheels, and it's great fun to watch."

"Bicentennial Park, Boulder City. This public park has 7 acres of beautiful green grass and large mature trees, which makes it an oasis in the middle of the desert. It's nestled between a quiet residential area and the historic Bureau of Reclamation building, it offers a nice vantage point to see both downtown Boulder City, and Lake Mead (on the other side of the building). Bring a a frisbee and enjoy a low-key picnic here."

"Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder City. Built in 1932, this hotel was built for people of high importance who worked on the Hoover Dam. You'll find that most of the interior furnishings are original. The hotel also boasts a restaurant, an art gallery that houses work by local artists, and a small museum about the history of Hoover Dam."

"Grandma Daisy’s Candy & Ice Cream Parlor, Boulder City. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder-especially when you feast your eyes on all the sweets this cute shoppe has to offer. Grandma Daisy's is known for their world famous fudge; almost every flavor imaginable is offered. They also have ice cream, sundaes, jelly beans, homemade caramel apples with different toppings, salt water taffy, and the kind of old fashioned candy you can't get anywhere else."

"The Coffee Cup, Boulder City. This little gem was featured on the show Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. But even without that accolade, locals and tourists alike will tell you that this is the place to go for friendly service and good food 7 days a week. You might have to wait for a table but not to worry, it becomes more enjoyable while sitting outside drinking one of the famous Bloody Marys."

"Boulder Dam Brewery, Boulder City. This now famous brewery started from the owner’s garage as he tested the different beers they now offer - six total and two on reserve. During cooler nights, you’ll want to sit outside and listen to one of the many musical lineups they feature. Side note, the Killowatt Sliders are a must have!"

"Goat Feathers Emporium, Boulder City. It'll take you hours to walk through the individual rooms at Goat Feathers Emporium because you don't want to miss any of the treasures tucked away in every nook and cranny. They have everything from vintage neon signs to old cameras, and everything in-between. Crystal Wizard Glass Blower, a co-owner of the emporium offers glass-blowing demonstrations daily."

"Railroad Museum & Southern Railway, Boulder City. At the time that Hoover Dam was being built, this railway was the only way to move the massive amounts of materials from Las Vegas to Boulder City. Union Pacific constructed the three separate railway lines starting in the 1930's. The first public runs on the restored open-air car and air conditioned coach trains began in 2002. Tickets are available for weekend train rides, and are a must-do while in Boulder City."

"VegeNation, Downtown. Believe it or not, Las Vegas actually has a plethora of vegetarian offerings. So why do we need another one? VegeNation fills the gap between fine dining and the health food store food counter, and does it really well. For about $12, you can get a sandwich that tastes so good, your meat-eating companion won't flinch an eye. Save room for desert, and try the organic wine while you're feeling frisky. If the weather's nice, ask for one of the tables out back in the enclosed private patio."

"Retro Vegas, Downtown. This midcentury staple on the edge of the Arts District could decorate the entire set of Mad Men in a pinch. With a warehouse full of furniture that exudes cool, it's tough to get in & out without buying something. They seem to specialize in unique bars, the kind that you showcase in your rumpus room overlooking the pool circa '66. There's a lot of affordable stuff if you're waiting until next paycheck: vintage glass, ceramics, and ornaments. Look in the glass display case for a glimpse of Vegas days gone by."

"Bier Garten, Downtown. Just past the tourist-laden Fremont Street Experience, BeerGarden offers an extensive menu of craft beers paired with delicious sausages & bread. The garden atmosphere, grass and picnic tables, and overall breathing space make it a world away from the stuffy confines of the casino it's technically part of. Use the side gate to avoid having to walk through the plaza, and try the German pretzel if it's the last thing you do in this world."

"The Writer's Block, Downtown. The Writer's Block has the distinction of being the only independent bookstore in Las Vegas. There's a lot under their roof including a great art, design, & architecture section. Into cool notepads? They rotate through brands you've never seen before, and you'd die to get again. TWB has also branded their own set of games, toys, and other random offerings in a Wes Anderson meets Eames sort of way. A secondary space as big as the shop itself known as The Codex is their workshop space that hosts a full calendar of events. They even have a book machine that will print, bind and cut a library-quality softcover book in a few minutes."

"11th Street Records, Downtown. A legit record store that sells vinyl, not discs. Check out everything from the nicely treated vintage wax (no abused junk here), to new releases, imports, and reissues that grace their wall of fame. Spend $4 on a gently used Jimmy Cliff greatest hits album, or $400 for that original pressing Joy Division. If it's on wax, they've got it. You can listen to anything at the listening station in the corner, and if you happen to play music, check out the professional analog recording studio in the back of the store."

"Container Park, Downtown. A few years ago, this lot was an abandoned motel. Now it's a thriving urban outdoor shopping mall. As the name implies, the city block-sized attraction is built using shipping containers. Although this gives it an industrial feel, a family friendly tot lot featuring a two-story slide is the feature attraction. Some favorites include Oak & Ivy whiskey bar, Pinches Tacos, and Cheffini's hot dogs. Climb up to the third floor and watch the action from above. Oh, did I mention the 55-foot-tall steel praying mantis that spits fire?"

"El Cortez, Downtown. One of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas, the El Cortez has a storied history. The hotel was purchased by gangsters Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky in 1945. While they still have yet to put in a pool, locals seem un-phased by the lack of swimming options given the casino’s philanthropic tendencies. They also have a pretty sweet karaoke lounge that can feel more like a time machine to Vintage Vegas on the right night."

"O Face Doughnuts, Downtown. You might not usually make your O face just for a doughnut, but for this cute vintage-inspired shop in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, you'll make an exception. With flavors like Mexican chocolate with horchata pudding, apple bacon, and rosewater pistachio, O Face Doughnuts has a few secrets worth knowing: They have one of the best cups of coffee in town, and many of their offerings are vegan or gluten-free."

"Atomic Liquors, Downtown. Atomic Liquors is the oldest bar in Las Vegas though it's undergone a lot of renovation in recent years. Originally founded by Joe & Stella Sobchik in 1952, it was named for a time when customers watched atomic blasts from the roof. Its sign can be seen in Casino and The Hangover among other films. Featuring décor that includes Geiger counters and blast-themed drinks, this bar is not actually hazardous to your health, unless you stay too long. After all, there's no last call in Las Vegas."

"Makers and Finders, Downtown. So you didn't think Eggs Benedict could get any better? But Makers and Finders took a classic breakfast and swapped your English muffin for a golden and delicious arepa, replaced your rubbery Canadian bacon with coffee-rubbed beef, and added grilled tomatoes and salsa verde to your hollandaise. Yes, it gets better and better. Makers and Finders is a great spot to catch up with friends over fair-trade cups of coffee that'll speed up your conversation or sit on a comfy couch and read or work. But their food is the real reason to visit."

"Calico Basin, Summerlin. Alright, so you’ve eaten, drank, and shopped your way through Summerlin by now. Let’s hit the great outdoors. Most Nevada locals and tourists are familiar with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, but about 1 mile before you hit Red Rock, there’s a somewhat hidden gem known as Calico Basin. The mountainous area provides hikers with beautiful scenery and a variety of trails, all without the entry fee they collect at Red Rock. We like to climb to the top (of the shortest mountain) to soak in panoramic views of the entire Las Vegas valley. It’s a peaceful, quiet place to sit, breath, and bow to the beauty of our great city. Namaste."

"Farmer’s Market at Tivoli Village, Summerlin. Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, we desert dwellers get to experience a bit of what our California neighbors to the west enjoy on the regular: a farmer’s market! Thanks to Fresh52, Summerlin-area locals get to celebrate a bounty of local and regional agriculture. All of the vendors here are super friendly, knowledgeable, and offer samples of their goods. If the samples don’t fill you up, there are vegan street tacos and small-batch baked goods to snack on while you shop. For those with little ones, Tivoli’s playground is in the center of the action so bring the whole family!"

"Echo & Rig, Summerlin. An all-in-one steakhouse, raw bar, and butcher shop, Echo & Rig does it all and they do it well. They happen to offer my favorite oyster variety, the Malpeque, which is reason enough to grab a seat at the bar. However, the thing that keeps me coming back is their brunch! Echo & Rig’s second-floor patio is a beautiful way to spend a weekend morning, especially with bottomless mimosas. The house-made breakfast sausage and bacon, straight from the in-house butcher shop, is so necessary. For non-meat eaters, you must have the portobello fries with an avocado dipping sauce. If you’re saying “I don’t like mushrooms,” we bet you a dollar you’ll like these."

"DW Bistro, Summerlin. Jamaica meets New Mexico at DW Bistro, a south side Summerlin gem. Their extraordinary culinary point-of-view is a result of chef-owner Dalton Wilson’s upbringing. He learned to cook from his father at an early age. You guessed it... chile peppers play a big role here, but in a very well-rounded, flavorful way. Co-owner, Bryce Krausman, runs the front-of-house and greets each guest like family. The brunch scene is crazy fun here. Arrive early to avoid the wait. If you slept in, don’t worry, they’ll make sure you get a drink to tide you over. The DW Blood Mary is nearly a meal on its own—complete with heirloom tomato, habanero olive, a pickle, and strip of jalapeño bacon. Yup."

"Sambalatte Torrefazione, Summerlin. “Sip. Savour. Socialize.” That’s what the good folks at Sambalatte encourage you to do when you visit them. Sure, you can grab your cup to go, but you’ll want to stick around and soak up the atmosphere. Brazilian ex-pat, Luiz Oliveira, started his café lounge and espresso bar to stimulate all of his customers’ senses. Every detail is thought of, from the premium coffee beans from around the world to the selection of home brewing products for the coffee and tea connoisseur. The décor is so cozy. A place where time stands still and you can cherish the moment with a good book, or better yet, a good friend."

"Andiron, Summerlin. An homage to all things grilled, roasted, shucked, and seared, Andiron Steak & Sea is a Downtown Summerlin steakhouse from powerhouse restaurateur couple, Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau. Their apricot wood-burning grill chars nine cuts of steak. For those who are non-fans of beef, the kitchen’s vegetarian and pescetarian dishes are equally delicious. Feeling like living large? Go for the shellfish platter for two with Maine lobster, king crab, oysters, shrimp, and ceviche."

"Honey Salt, Summerlin. The epitome of farm-to-table dining, desert style, Honey Salt takes advantage of Las Vegas’ surrounding fertile areas to bring farm-fresh fare to Summerlin. This is the first restaurant from Summerlin dining superstars, Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla. The bar at Honey Salt offers a slew of hand-crafted cocktails, along with a fine selection of wine and beer. Everything is so delicious that we rarely get the same thing twice (both at the bar and at the dinner table). With such outstanding items on the menu, we keep coming back again and again. The warm and inviting atmosphere doesn’t hurt either. When it’s time for dessert, whether you’ve left room or not, get their famous Brookie or the oft-overlooked Warm Bread Pudding. You’ll sleep well."

"Settebello, Summerlin. These local masters of pizza Napoletana use authentic Italian ingredients to craft the perfect pizza: an aromatic sauce, the right proportion of toppings, and a smoky, chewy, crispy crust. Each pizza is cooked in a blistering hot, wood burning oven and presentation counts for the chefs of Settebello. When yours hits the table, you’ll see why each pizza they create is a work of art. [Kisses fingers] MUA!"

"The Juice Standard, Summerlin. Raw, responsible, cold-pressed, non-HPP juice. The good stuff. You know how Popeye feels after putting down a can of spinach? You’ll feel even better because the veggies you’ll drink are pure, healing, and tasty—just as Mother Nature intended them to be. The friendly staff is well-versed and knowledgeable. They’ll gladly offer you a complimentary juice tasting while guiding you through the benefits of every item on the menu."

"Paper and Home, Summerlin. Paper and Home is a paper lover’s dream—a quaint shop filled with artisan stationery, books, art prints, small gifts, and home décor items. We even wrap gifts for you no matter where you bought them! In addition to our retail boutique, we are a full-service graphic design studio specializing in couture invitations and stationery. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional, individual service to our clientele."