Located just outside Las Vegas, Henderson provides a vibrant blend of outdoor adventures, family fun, and small town charm. Nicknamed “America’s Best City to Live In,” Henderson has blossomed while retaining its friendly, community vibe.

Attraction	Highlights
Hike in Lake Mead National Recreation Area	Offers trails leading to secluded coves, rugged canyons, and panoramic views with historic tunnels.
Cowabunga Bay Water Park	A family-friendly water park with slides, a lazy river, and a kids’ splash area.
Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium	Features a vast collection of marine life including sharks and a shipwreck replica.
Topgolf Las Vegas Golf Entertainment Complex	A unique blend of driving range, lounge, and mini golf course.
Sunset Station Hotel & Casino	Hosts concerts and shows in a 3,000-seat indoor amphitheater and lounge.
Clark County Museum	Showcases Southern Nevada’s history with indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Henderson’s Outdoor Concert Series	Features a range of musical events and concerts in various locations.
The Mob Museum	Chronicles the history of organized crime in America with artifacts and interactive exhibits.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Offers thrilling

For visitors, it serves as the perfect home base to experience Nevada’s beautiful landscape along with top-notch entertainment and dining. Here are the 12 best things to do on a trip to Henderson, Nevada.

Table of Content

Hike in Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Name and Location: Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located near Las Vegas, NV.

History and Significance: Established in 1964, Lake Mead provides outdoor recreation around the massive reservoir along the Colorado River.

What to Expect: Hiking trails of varying difficulties with scenic desert views. Popular activities include boating, fishing, camping. Diverse wildlife.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Entry fee per vehicle. Visitor centers and marinas provide info and resources.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers spectacular desert scenery just a short drive from Henderson. Hikers can choose from trails of varying difficulty that lead to secluded coves, rugged canyons, and panoramic overlooks.

Must-do hikes include the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail passing through train tunnels from the 1930s and the steep Bowman Trail leading to an impressive limestone arch. End the day watching one of Lake Mead’s famous desert sunsets.

Ride the Thrills at Cowabunga Bay Water Park

Name and Location: Cowabunga Bay Water Park in Henderson, NV.

History and Significance: Family-friendly water park that opened in 2014. Features rides and attractions for all ages.

What to Expect: Thrill rides, lazy river, wave pool, kids splash area. Concessions and private cabanas available. High safety standards.

Visitor Information: Seasonal operation. Purchase tickets online in advance. Parking fee onsite.

On a hot Nevada day, cool off with a visit to Cowabunga Bay. This massive water park 15 minutes from Henderson provides hours of family-friendly fun. Shoot down speedy slides like the Surf-A-Rama Wave Racer or take a more relaxed float along the Lazy River.

Little kids have their own designated splash area away from the big rides. Cabanas, restaurants, and private events make Cowabunga Bay more than just water slides. It’s one of the area’s top spots to beat the heat.

See Sharks at the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium

Name and Location: Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV.

History and Significance: Since 2000, showcases thousands of exotic marine species including sharks, giant rays, sea turtles, piranhas.

What to Expect: Walk through aquarium tunnels surrounded by sharks and shipwreck theming. Interactive exhibits and presentations.

Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-8pm. Tickets purchased online or onsite. Guided tours available.

For an up-close underwater experience, visit the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. This Henderson area attraction contains over 2,000 animals including Giant Pacific Octopuses, Giant Crocodiles, and dozens of shark species. Visit the shipwreck replica to come face-to-face with sharks and stingrays.

Interactive exhibits provide fascinating education about the aquatic species and their ecosystems. With so much to see, you can easily spend hours diving into the Shark Reef world.

Play the Topgolf Las Vegas Golf Entertainment Complex

Name and Location: Topgolf complex located along the Las Vegas Strip.

History and Significance: Part of the popular Topgolf gaming/entertainment brand. Opened Las Vegas location in 2016.

What to Expect: Hit microchipped golf balls at giant outdoor ranges. Food, drinks, games in a lively, high-tech setting. All skill levels.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Reservations recommended. Paid parking onsite. All ages welcome.

Located right off I-215, Topgolf Las Vegas combines a driving range, swanky lounge, and mini golf course all in one. Players hit golf balls containing microchips that track distance and accuracy across a lush outfield. Comfy climate-controlled hitting bays mean you can play even in the Vegas heat.

When you need a break, feast on chef-driven dishes and signature cocktails inside. With games, music, and upscale amenities, Topgolf satisfies for a full day out.

Catch a Show at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino

Name and Location: Sunset Station in Henderson, NV.

History and Significance: Family-friendly Vegas-area hotel featuring affordable rates. Concerts and entertainment onsite. Opened 1997.

What to Expect: Well-known music acts perform at the indoor amphitheater. Bars, restaurants, pool, and movie theater onsite.

Visitor Information: Shows year-round. Book rooms and purchase show tickets directly through hotel website.

For top-notch entertainment off the Strip, Sunset Station in Henderson provides big Vegas experiences in an accessible local setting. The largest property in the Station Casinos group, it hosts concerts in a 3,000-seat indoor amphitheater as well as free lounge acts.

Comedy shows, touring Broadway musicals, tribute bands, and more regularly come through the venue. Just 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport, Sunset Station offers convenience with the fun.

Learn About Nevada History at the Clark County Museum

Name and Location: Clark County Museum in Henderson, NV.

History and Significance: Showcases the history and heritage of Southern Nevada since 1970. Housed in the historic Heritage Street buildings.

What to Expect: Permanent and changing exhibits on local history. Historic houses and buildings to explore. Artifacts, photography, more.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Admission fee. Tours and educational programs offered.

The Clark County Museum complex houses indoor and outdoor exhibits highlighting different eras and aspects of Southern Nevada’s regional history. Outdoor attractions like the relocated ghost town of Bonnie Springs showcase old west life.

Inside, learn how Hoover Dam fueled the growth of Henderson through interactive displays. The museum also shelters heritage buildings and trains you can explore. Dedicated to preserving local history, it provides a meaningful look at the area.

Enjoy Henderson’s Outdoor Concert Series

Name and Location: Henderson Events Plaza hosts free Outdoor Concert Series.

History and Significance: Popular annual concert series featuring tribute bands. Local family tradition since 1999.

What to Expect: Themed concerts on select evenings. Food vendors onsite. Bring blankets/ lawn chairs and refreshments.

Visitor Information: Free admission. Held spring and fall. Parking at the venue and garages nearby.

Henderson really comes alive through its musical events and outdoor concert series. Groove to the tunes of tribute bands during the Super Summer Theatre Series at the Henderson Pavilion.

Marvel at the Mob Museum

Name and Location: The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas.

History and Significance: Officially the “National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement.” Opened 2012 in a historic courthouse.

What to Expect: Artifacts, interactive exhibits on mob history, law enforcement efforts. Archival speakeasy and crime lab onsite.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Admission fee. Valid ID required for speakeasy. Parking garage nearby.

For an unconventional history lesson, the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas chronicles the rise and fall of organized crime syndicates in America. Peruse artifacts like handwritten letters from mobsters and the barber chair where Albert Anastasia was murdered.

Take a speakeasy tour or test your crime solving skills with interactive exhibits. It may seem quirky, but provides illuminating – if not disturbing – insights into mob influence in 20th century America.

Race Down Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Name and Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway located in Clark County, NV.

History and Significance: Premier racing facility hosting NASCAR, NHRA and other races. Opened in 1996.

What to Expect: Race watching, driving experiences like Speed Vegas. Wide range of racing events held throughout the year.

Visitor Information: Event schedules and ticket information on speedway website. Parking fee on race days.

Even if you’re not a racing fan, riding shotgun down a Nascar track offers thrills. At the Las Vegas Motor Speedway just outside Henderson, you can book a Dragster Ride Along reaching speeds over 100 mph as a professional driver navigates the course.

For an extra adrenaline boost, try the Richard Petty Ride Along where you’ll zoom around in a 600-horsepower stock car at full racing speed. Feel the rush without any driving needed!

Relax at the Acacia Demonstration Gardens

Name and Location: Acacia Demonstration Gardens in Henderson, NV.

History and Significance: Beautiful public garden focused on desert landscaping. Established in 1997 by the Henderson Water Utility.

What to Expect: Walk winding paths through creatively designed water-efficient gardens. Peaceful, shaded oasis.

Visitor Information: Free access during daylight hours daily. Parking lot on site. Guided tours available.

For serene green space, visit the CSN Acacia Demonstration Gardens, spanning 10 acres and showcasing 3,500 plant varieties suitable for Southern Nevada. Meandering paths lead past colorful flower beds, mature trees, and peaceful fountains.

As an oasis amid the Mojave Desert, the gardens teach homeowners how to garden lushly while conserving water. It’s the perfect place to take a meditative stroll and admire the vibrant botanicals of the arid landscape.

Experience Henderson through Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon

Name and Location: Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV – near Henderson.

History and Significance: World’s first zipline tour over mountain terrain. Opened 2006. Unique outdoor adventure option.

What to Expect: Soar over desert landscape on ziplines ranging up to 1,800 feet long. Unrivaled thrills and views.

Visitor Information: Book tours online. Transportation from Las Vegas available. Waivers required. Weight restrictions.

See Henderson’s unique landscape from new heights at Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon. Travel nearly 1,000 feet down a mountain while securely harnessed on a paragliding-style zip line.

With speeds around 50 mph, you’ll soar over the desert and limestone cliffs for unparalleled views and an adrenaline rush. Henderson has diverse natural terrain perfect for active adventures through companies like Flightlinez.

Browse the District at Green Valley Ranch

Name and Location: The District at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV.

History and Significance: Large mixed-use development opened in 2006. Offers shopping, dining, entertainment near the hotel.

What to Expect: Department stores, boutiques, restaurants, spas, bars, concert venue. Pedestrian-friendly open-air promenade.

Visitor Information: Shops/dining open daily. Concerts and events scheduled year-round.

The District at Green Valley Ranch provides a stylish shopping and dining hub just outside the bustle of Las Vegas. Browse through boutiques and specialty stores selling fashion, gifts, toys and home goods.

When you need a break, grab an upscale casual bite from one of the District’s trendy eateries like Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ or Burgers & Brews. With its range of stores and restaurants, the District delivers retail therapy close to Henderson.

Conclusion

From extreme water slides to contemplative gardens, Henderson has activities satisfying adventure seekers, families, foodies, and everyone in between. Its proximity to Las Vegas landmarks coupled with outdoor recreation in Lake Mead National Recreation Area means you get the best of both worlds.

For your next Nevada getaway, choose Henderson as your launching pad to take in the natural highlights and excitement unique to this southwestern region.

Top 12 Things to Do in Henderson, Nevada