Between a state road in 66 and a highway in 99. Much like a…read moretime when pioneers rushed towards the Gold in state of California. Overlooking the greatness within the states of Utah and Colorado. Whether as a returning pioneer or a traveling treasure seekers. Both pathways lead into Boulder City. A city of historical preservation. Hence the reasons for their main street row of antique shops. Along with the annual spring jamboree display of keepsakes. A theme of finding rewarding things. With the options to Buy for little cost. Or keep the memories for free. Perhaps Symbolic of purposful things as needful reminders. Much like the towns protected horned sheep. A species once considered the last of its kind. Has grown from a few, into a flock of dozens. When I questioned residents the reasons for the towns secretcy. Do they feel like their town is a special place for certain people. One elder replied. "Yes. This town is special. A place that welcomes people who have a special way of finding it.

When your voluntarily kidnapped across the Stateline to go places you will most defiantly be taken…read moreto Boulder city jamboree. Trinkets, old favorites , and collectibles are in-store to remember good times and, funny thing, smell good times. Even if the doors are locked there is always another open door with a friendly smile and a genuine handshake. A desire to see everything, but you can't stop the Sun from setting, however,you can visit slowly and slow down time. Always there are two to travel, a master and an apprentice.

Wilbur Square otherwise known as Government Park to us natives. I lived in Boulder City for a…read moreportion of my youth and I have always loved this park. Wilbur Square is dedicated to Ray Lyman Wilbur who was the Secretary of Interior from 1929 - 1933. There were also several trees planted in the immediate area that were dedicated to some loved one who have passed on. This park is the host of the annual Art In The Park that the city hosts each October as well as the BeerFest and I am sure many other events. The park is a nice size and is a great place for a game of frisbie, football, having a picnic or just enjoying the day. Mature and tall trees provide ample shade and although the grass is not as lush as it used to be, it is still provides good ground cover. The pathways are wide and there are plenty of park benches to sit on to read a good book or just destress. You can't miss this park as it is the star of Boulder City. It is at the very end of the highway before you descend down towards Lake Mead begging you to stop and take a stroll.

Site of the yearly BCBF with about 30 breweries and 10 food trucks. The park is a grassy oasis and…read morea nice setting for imbibing in craft brews of all sorts! Plenty of room to lounge on blankets and soak up the sun and atmosphere. When not overrun with beer stations and food trucks, the park is mostly open space. A paved path winds through the park as well. The park would be a nice side trip while visiting downtown Boulder City as it's located in that area. Perhaps after purchasing a lovely picnic lunch at one of Downtown's quaint restaurants. TIP- Take a short walk up the hill behind a government building to get an expansive view of Lake Mead (while it's still there).

Xeriscape is an escape to a 1/2 acre Xanadu in Boulder City, Nevada. It is a tiny peaceful and…read morehappy oasis that I encouraged me to slow down and live in the moment for a good hour. In a sense Xeriscape Park belongs on a "From Google Street View to Yelp Review" list. I am driven to see new places and landscapes, which causes me to do some exploring on Google Maps. When I was exploring over Boulder City on Google Maps, I saw a small parcel of open space at the northeast corner of Veterans Memorial Drive/Georgia Street and Buchanan Drive directory east of Veterans Memorial Park. It was inevitable that when I returned to Veteran's Memorial Park, I was going to explore it in real life. What amazes me about Xeriscape Park is the fact it is surrounded by homes and a substation at the exact time it resembles a miniature pine forest. The tall mature pine trees are a breath of fresh air. And very clean fresh air. If there was such a thing as a scent recorder, the scent of these mature pine trees would be a five star production. Seated on a comfortable bench and breathing in the aroma of the pine under the canopy of mature trees had the magical touch of putting my mind at ease and bringing me to living in the moment. The soundtrack was chirping birds. Xeriscape Park is also a place where children and bunny rabbits come to play. At the entrance stands an idyllic playground that includes swings suited for little kids and adults. Just like the park, the playground was well maintained. If you are travelling from outside Boulder City, I recommend visiting Xeriscape Park in conjunction with Veteran's Memorial Park. Now, Veteran's Memorial Park in my opinion is worthy of a drive. Xeriscape Park is an extension of a Veteran's Memorial Park adventure. This paragraph explains hiking to and through Xeriscape Park from Veteran's Memorial Park. It is approximately. 33 miles and 5 1/2 minutes. What you want to do us locate the walkway between the dog park and the BMX track. This leads outside the park to Buchanan Drive. Now you want to turn left on Buchanan Drive headed North. The Park will be on the right across the street where a sidewalk is nonexistent. Here you will see the Xeriscape Park sign. At the first cross street, you will walk or I suggest run across a Buchanan Road minus a crosswalk to the park. The Park is in actuality to segments. The north segment that you have entered is a diminutive forest featuring pine and supposedly plants that are adaptable to the desert. When you continue walking south alongside a drainage channel parallel to Buchanan Drive there is a substation. You want to continue south between the substation and drainage channel while being attentive to branches. You will enter the south segment. You want to turn right where a shady walkway leads to the idyllic bench and playground. This is the perfect spot to breath in the crisp pine tree air and live in the moment. Now that all the stress has been released you will want to retrace your steps back. In my opinion being stressed out is a decision. In the future when I feel that I am about to become stressed I will strive to make the decision to escape to a little Xanadu like Xeriscape.

What a crazy fun walking park! So many photo opportunities from views, plants, mountains, trails…read moreand sculptures. Easy paved walkway in a short loop trail with slight elevation. There is a covered picnic table. Lots of parking. No restrooms, water fountains or shade, but the walk is so short, one should survive. It's connected to a bunch of other trails and bike roads.

Bootleg Canyon Park paved trail was a fun short little hike. Slight incline on the way up. Love…read morethat it is paved...easy walking. Easily accommodates strollers or wheelchairs. Dogs are allowed. The various animal statues along the way are fun. This would be a great little hike with children. We opted to bring our dogs. There is really no shade along the trail, but at the top are two picnic tables under a shade cover. A nice breeze blew up their also. Note: we did this in October, late morning. It was 79 degrees. It might not be so fun during the warmer months. I think the dogs thought it was too warm. but we had plenty of water and the walk is really very short. Worth doing once especially if you have kids/grandkids visiting.

Nice memorial park for the dam builder if it wasn't for him no dam the park has a few picnic tables…read morenice place to rest after walking downtown. Within walking distance to everything

Frank Crowe Park is one acre in size. No playgrounds or basketball courts will be found here, but…read moreit's still a relaxing and beautiful park with common amenities. There are paved walking paths throughout the grassy open park and benches under tall shaded trees making for a perfect lunch spot. There was a fair amount of open space for my fur baby to run and have a potty break and they have doggie stations with bags and a trash for you to clean up after your pet. There are a couple of picnic tables with a bbq grill near them as well trash cans. The park is named after Frank Crowe, who had a large part in the building of Hoover Dam and there are some statues and markers around the park that mention him. Every year around the beginning of December there is this Annual Tree lighting Ceremony at the park and once the tree is lit everyone cheers and celebrates while drinking hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols. That's just how the town of BC rolls and I like it.

The beauty of the outdoors should make your heart pound and sing…read more Are you singing, humming some special tune, tapping your foot to a rhythm. Does your heart go thump thump and pound fast ! Do you why? Your outside! This is Sun Dial Park! This was a previous space that housed workers fixing the Hoover Dam endeavor oh so long ago. It's a peaceful piece of green that has huge trees to provide shade and protect you from the sun. The huge trees create a canopy to keep excess heat and sunlight out. Now we can explore the park being cool and not hot! It's not a huge place it's small. Some things come in small packages anyways. Ever wonder or need to let your thoughts wander and flow . Come and sit under a tree and absorb. What are we absolutely absorbing? The serenity of the world. Let it speak to you . The tree you're sitting under is beautiful and proud to hold you in its arms while you contemplate life. The beautiful mural done in turquoise that greets an individual as they walk into the park sparks your imagination and curiosity . While the front of the mural takes you a moment to admire on the backside is a small portrait of those that made the dam and Boulder City possible. This beautiful art piece makes a wonderful backdrop for a picture too . If you blink you will miss it! What am I talking about? Blinking life will pass you by. In an instant it's gone ! Live life and be free and love each and everyday. Go outside . Now the sundial is so small that you will miss it . And if you're seeking it, look hard because it's in the middle of the park . Now why are you standing here. Go outside and play . Don't waste it !

Today is the first weekend of October when the cool weather replaces the brutal hot weather and…read morewhen the annual Art in the Park Festival takes place in the Boulder City Historic Business District. Unfortunately this year, I worked instead of partaking in the festival. However, mentally my mind is very close to the Art in the Park as I write my review on a diminutive, pretty pocket park close to the site of Art in the Park. It is Sun Dial Park.     This pocket park is named after the sun dial in the center. In spite of this, the point of concentration is the Boulder City Big Horn Sheep Mural. This mural is a popular photo spot in the Boulder City Historic Business District. Psychologically it serves as a "Welcome to Boulder City" monument.     It is tremendously easy to confuse Sun Dial Park with Frank Crowe Park. The residential Birch Street separates the two sister parks. If I overlooked the sign, I would likewise believe that it is part of Frank Crowe Park. With that said, I would recommend checking out the Frank Crowe Park Yelp listing. But, before doing that I would recommend continuing along with this review. And from here, it discusses Sun Dial as a park by itself and as a component in a downtown walk. This walk is based on my first hand experiences as part of an annual Railroad Pass to Art in the Park hike, as part of a downtown walk, and numerous visits.      As a park by itself, I rate it three stars. It is a transition spot between the autocentric Nevada Way and the walkable downtown. From my observations, the main amenities are the open grass, benches, mature trees, big horn sheep mural, and sun dial. My main activity here has been pausing on the shady bench overlooking the sun dial.    My logic for taking long to write this review is that by itself it is a tiny park. I decided on four stars because it is one of the points of interest on a downtown Boulder City walk including Jim Crowe Park, Reflections Center, Lake Mead Overlook, Wilbur Square Park, and the Historic Business District that is cumulatively is a great experience. Here is a description of this walk. I started off with coffee in downtown's Dam Roast House and then walked a short distance to the southwest periphery where Sun Dial Park is. Here, in this safe and clean pocket park, I relaxed sitting on a shaded bench overlooking the sun dial. From there I passed through the contiguous Frank Crowe Park and onto the historic residential streets that remind me of Heritage Street in the Clark County Museum. They would lead me to Reflections Center. After taking in the sculptures and the Red & Black Mountain vista, I rejoined the residential streets back to Nevada Way at the northeast preiphery of downtown. I would take a short out and back walk to the Boulder City Lake Mead Overlook. Then I would walk back to the downtown where I sat on a bench in Wilbur Square Park (where Art in the Park is held) overlooking the Historic Business District where the hike concluded. Recently I complemented the walk with lunch in Tony's Pizza. Therefore, I give Sun Dial Park four stars in lieu of three on account of real life experiences of where it has been a component amungst components that make up a four star downtown Boulder City walking experience.

We came with a social group and conquered over 5 miles and an elevation change of over 900'. The…read moreparking and bathrooms were well maintained, and the signage made clear the natural challenges presented in this part of the country. We easily followed the beaten path to see the arch and the Colorado River in 3.5 hours. Pro tips: wear hiking boots, wear layers, bring water and a snack, and plan for sun and wind. We were fortunate so many things were in bloom today. We'll do this hike again!

Such a fun rewarding hike with gorgeous views of the Colorado river!…read more This hike is known for its interesting combination of features, including an old mine area, the iconic Liberty Bell Arch, and the river overlook. The hike was 4.55 miles round trip. Moderate, with a mix of inclines and flat sections. The trail can be sandy and rocky in places, so wear good hiking footwear. It took about 3 hours round trip because we spent about 30 minutes enjoying the view up top. Make sure to bring water and some snacks to enjoy before hiking back down. Take lots of pictures too. This hike was very peaceful and serene. You will love it. I can't wait to do this hike again with my girls!

My husband and I did the full-day Black Canyon kayak tour with Desert Adventures and I seriously…read morecan't recommend it enough. I grew up in Vegas and have been on this river a ton by boat, and I've also hiked to both Gold Strike and Arizona Hot Springs. Those hikes are super rewarding but honestly brutal. This experience was completely different in the best way. Being able to get out of the river and be steps away from hot springs was amazing, and the views from the water are hands down the best. We met the team bright and early at 5:30am for launch, and everything was super smooth. They shuttled us, got us fitted for life jackets, handled waivers, and gave a quick safety rundown. Launch timing is strict because of the park service, but they made it feel easy and not stressful at all. Definitely be on time, though, because due to this strict timing, they will leave without you. The kayaks were such a game-changer. They were longer touring kayaks with foot-controlled rudders, dry storage, and actual back support. Super comfortable for me and somehow also worked great for my 6'2" husband (he had a larger boat). Since it was just the two of us, our guide Holmes customized the whole day to our pace. He took us to hidden spots I had never seen before, even as a local, and helped us avoid crowds. We did some hiking, rock scrambling, used ropes at Boy Scout Canyon, and explored hot springs that you can only get to from the river. It felt adventurous but still very safe, and he gave great tips the whole time. He also knew so much about the area. History of the Hoover Dam, plants, wildlife, etc. I learned a ton - even as someone who felt familiar with the area. This is exactly why I'm glad we didn't just rent kayaks. Having a guide made it feel like a next-level experience. We got to relax more while he handled the route and found the best spots. We got lucky with perfect early April weather. No wind, super glassy water, and we could see fish deep in the water. The 12 miles honestly felt way easier than expected, especially with how well Holmes guided us through the current so we could just float and chill a lot of the time. They also packed a great lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. You really just need a sun shirt, hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, water shoes, and sunscreen. They take care of the rest. Even though we leaned a little more adventurous, I could totally see this being doable for beginners, too. You don't need to be super athletic to enjoy it. Pickup and cleanup were easy and seamless. They handled everything while I grabbed a snack and relaxed, which honestly made it feel even more special. This was such a cool experience, and I would 100% do it again. Already recommending it to friends, and I would definitely consider doing the overnight version next time.

Desert Adventures is great! We did a self led excursion…read moredown the Colorado river but used this company to drop us off and pick us up! They provided a large trailer with ample shelves and space to put are gear onto. A safety speech was also given. This company has special authorization to enter the Hoover Dam property and take people down to launch from the entrance of the Hoover Dam. They instructed you to move quickly as there was a time limit for getting everyone/everything Into the water and away from the area. The next day, they were prompt with their pick up and helped us load our gear back onto the trailer. I would definitely use this company again and recommend them to others.