1. Coffee Is Henderson’s Beverage Of Choice
Is there really any doubt that this city loves coffee when some of the street names are Coffee Bean Place, House Blend Lane, French Roast Place and Doubleshot Lane? If you’re heading out in the morning to grab a latte, expect a line no matter what shop you hit up.
2. Weiss Deli Has The Best Matzoh Ball Soup On This Side Of Jersey
The Weiss Restaurant Deli Bakery cooks up such delicacies as Matzoh Brei, whitefish and fresh challah bread. Once you’ve tasted the Matzoh Ball Soup, you’ll have no doubt why Weiss’s is a jealously guarded townie secret.
3. This City Is Made For The Most Plucky Outdoorsmen
Henderson contains more than 80 miles of trails for walking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. They range in difficulty from the pleasant and easy paved neighborhood trails to the ridiculously difficult mountain face trails. It’s been listed as one of the most walkable cities in the country for exercise purposes.
4. People From Henderson Love Hometown Talent
The Book Boutique Family Book Store is a fanatical supporter of all kinds of local talent. From new bands to student playwrights, you’ll find all sorts of interested and talented folks from Henderson congregating here. Each month, local authors are invited in to do readings of their works and to autograph copies for adoring fans.
5. Lions Live Out Their Golden Years Here
The Lion Habitat Ranch is the loving home where retired lions from the MGM come to live out the rest of their days in peace and leisure. If you’ve ever wanted to be a lion tamer, check out the “Trainer 4 A Day” program to see if you’ve got what it takes.
6. You Can Keep Your Vegas Casinos--We’ll Take Sunset
You’ll quickly find out that locals don’t bother with the glitz and glamour of the more popular Vegas casinos. They prefer the “locals casinos” like Station Casinos, and one of the best–the Sunset Casino–is located right here in Henderson.
7. Have You Heard About The Top Secret Naval Base?
Rumor has it that Henderson is home to a top secret Naval base. If you’re thinking it’s odd that a Naval base would pop up in the middle of the desert, then you’re not the only one. Supposedly, an underground tunnel leads from the base in Henderson out to a large lake in the abandoned Nevada desert where super sophisticated submarines are taken for test drives.
8. Henderson’s A Tad Bit Haunted
Like any noteworthy American town, Henderson has a few spooks hanging around. Locals hanging out at Foxridge Park have repeatedly reported sightings of a demonic looking little boy swinging on the swing set after midnight. And students at Harriet Treem Elementary School have told tales of a white-faced girl appearing in the hallway and screaming for help.
9. The Best Sushi Is 300 Miles From The Sea
You might be skeptical that good sushi could be found in the middle of the desert. Well, my friend, you’re in for a treat. The I Love Sushi shop in Henderson boasts some of the best Japanese delights in the entire region.
You’ll start your visit with a warm towel, end it with a sculpted orange,and enjoy every second in between. The oyster shooters are to die for, the sushi boat is a bargain and the strawberry sake is good to the very last drop.
10. People From Henderson Are Big Fans Of The Bard
Last year, Henderson hosted its very own Shakespeare in the Park event, and this year the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company will be performing Willy Wonka in the Henderson Pavillion. Check out the events calendar on the Henderson website to see which rich cultural events are taking place each month.
11. Before There Was See’s Candy, There Was Ethel M.
Over 100 years ago, Ethel Mars made artisan chocolates in her humble home. Her son would later go on to help found Mars, Inc. Thanks to Ethel, we now can enjoy favorites like M&M’s, Snickers and Twix.
In 1978, Ethel M’s Chocolates set up shop in Henderson. The factory still stands there today, and is open to the public free of charge. You can see the whole chocolate making process from the viewing deck, sample their chocolate coins and finish up with a walk through the Botanical Cactus Garden. If you’re an M&M’s lover, check out M&M world for free samples and a smorgasbord of exclusive M&M flavors.
12. People Here Are All About The Luck Of The Irish
The famous Southern Nevada Sons & Daughters of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival is probably one of the coolest things about Henderson, despite its super long name.
The entertainment includes some unusually fun traditions like the Irish Whisky Tasting Contest and the St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving ceremony. And, of course, there are hundreds of local vendors and performers that come out to show their stuff for the festivities.
And who knows? With all this celebration, maybe the luck of the Irish will rub off when you visit the local casinos!
13. Henderson Has Its Very Own Folk Tale
The Henderson Hermit is a legend that’s circulated the area since the 1950s. The story goes that the Hermit holed up in the Henderson swamps, living in caves with his loyal canine companion. Many residents claim to have made contact with the Hermit. Some have said his ghost now frequents the area around Lake Las Vegas.
14. Henderson Is The Hideaway Home For Professional Athletes
Henderson has served as a peaceful home to a handful of famous athletes, including NFL Hall of Famer Tom Mack and LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg. Even Notre Dame football legend “Rudy” Ruettiger lives here. If you’re a baseball fan, then prepare to find yourself strolling the same streets as greats such as Frank Thomas, Jason Giambi, Rollie Fingers and Tyler Houston.
15. The Las Vegas Strip Is Only 15 Minutes Away
One of the best parts of living in Henderson is the close proximity to the best Vegas has to offer. You can quickly access the biggest and best casinos, restaurants, and entertainment venues without having to live in the middle of the madness.
Henderson is literally as close as you can get to Vegas without actually being in Vegas.
16. The Best Beer Is At Barley’s
You better believe it! Barley’s Casino & Brewing Company is Henderson’s only brewery and the oldest of its kind in the whole Valley. With beers this good, it’s understandable why it has dominated for so long.
A local favorite is the Red Rock Original Oktoberfest Lager, but the Black Mountain and Blue Diamond beers are worth a try too. A handmade wood-fired pizza goes perfect with a cold pitcher of beer.
17. Henderson Stole A Lake From Vegas
Okay, they didn’t really steal it. Lake Las Vegas was actually constructed in Henderson and is one of the coolest features of the city. The 320-acre man-made lake is frequented by schools of fish like large mouth bass, great basin bonefish, bluegill and trout. Some of the nicest resorts in the area overlook its tranquil waters.
18. Henderson Has The Most Green In the Desert
As in grass. Henderson has the most public parks per capita in all of Nevada (50 within the city limits and five that are connected to schools).
The Acacia Demonstration Gardens is a space devoted to helping residents develop water efficient landscapes in the dry desert climate. Oh, and did I mention Henderson has been called “Tree City USA because of their dedication to community forestry and their devoted observance of Arbor Day?
19. And The Most Water
In addition to Lake Las Vegas, Henderson is now home to the Cowabunga Bay Water Park. Designed to be reminiscent of the 1960s, this gigantic theme park covers 23 acres of land and features a lazy river, dozens of waterslides, wave pools, swimming pools, family areas, cabanas and more.
20. Henderson Might Just Be The Best City Ever
Why? Because Forbes, Bloomberg Business, and CNN Money all say so! It’s been ranked the second safest city in America, one of the top 100 best cities to live in and one of the best places to retire.
21. “A Place To Call Home”
That’s the city’s motto, and it’s not hard to see why. Here in Henderson, you get that small town feel without sacrificing the best big city amenities.
