The Best Things to Do in Boulder City

Historic photo of the Boulder Theatre
Historic photo of the Boulder Theatre | © National Archives / Wikicommons
Lissa Townsend Rodgers

The quaint, historic town of Boulder City is only 30 minutes from Las Vegas—but it feels much farther. Nevertheless, it offers a lot of activities for the Nevada wanderer.

The town of Boulder City was born in the 1930s, when workers on the Hoover Dam needed a place to live. Today, it’s an alternative to Las Vegas that offers a quaint, small-town feel. But that doesn’t mean it’s a dull spot: Boulder City has plenty to lure visitors to spend an afternoon or a weekend.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Where to eat

Coffee Cup Cafe

Restaurant, American

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© J.R.Ramos / Flickr

The Coffee Cup Cafe specializes in a well-brewed cup of coffee and a big breakfast, like a broccoli scramble, pork chili verde burrito, or a “Big Texan” omelet. This family-run restaurant is a community standard, with the turquoise walls crammed with regulars’ relics, from snapshots to gold records.

The Dillinger Food & Drinkery

Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Gastropub, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub

dillinger-boulder-city
© Bradley Fortner / Flickr

As you may guess by the name, The Dillinger Food & Drinkery works a gangster theme. There are sepia-toned photos on the walls, as well as Capone and Baby Face Nelson burgers on the menu, which is complemented by an extensive beer list. The Dillinger also frequently hosts live bands.

Fox Smokehouse BBQ

Restaurant, BBQ, American

Come hungry and ready to get your fingers sticky at Fox Smokehouse BBQ. Everything here is slow-cooked, from brisket and pulled pork to smoked wings. You can get a sandwich, combo platter, or buy meat by the pound.

Milo's Cellar and Inn

Restaurant, Wine Bar, Italian, Mediterranean

Located in the middle of Boulder City’s Old Town neighborhood, Milo’s is a combination restaurant, wine bar, and bed and breakfast. Milo’s has over 300 varieties of wine, all of which are available in flights. The menu is on the light side, with small plates, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.

Where to drink

Back Stop Sports Pub

Bar, American

The Back Stop Sports Pub first opened in 1931 as a recreation center for dam workers and has been in its current location for 25 years. The historic oak bar boasts cheap drinks, comedy nights, and a daily 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. happy hour to keep things festive.

Boulder Dam Brewing Co.

Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Gastropub, Restaurant, American

A brewpub with bands, DJs, and special events, the Boulder Dam Brewing Co. is a lively community hot spot. The eponymous beer is brewed on-site in eight tanks and includes varieties such as Spillway Saison and Pekoe Pale Ale. The space is adorned with photographs and other memorabilia of the Hoover Dam.

Activities to do

Boulder Dam Hotel

Hotel

Built in 1933, the elegant Boulder Dam Hotel was a stopping-place for Hollywood stars like Bette Davis and Boris Karloff. Along with rooms, there is also a restaurant, bar, and shopping arcade—be sure to check out the vintage murals. The Boulder City and Boulder Dam Museum is also on-site, allowing visitors to dive even deeper into history.

Hoover Dam, Nevada

Natural Feature

Hoover Dam at Night | © Gayinspandex/Wikicommons
© Gayinspandex / WikiCommons
The Hoover Dam was the largest dam in the world at the time of its completion in 1935, with a height of 726 feet. Taking five years to complete, the Hoover Dam was one of the most challenging projects of its time. Today, it’s a hugely popular tourist attraction that includes glorious views of the landscape and impressive architecture from the enormous towers to the interior mosaics.

Nevada State Railroad Museum

Museum

Steam locomotive, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City, Nevada, United States of America, North America
© Michael DeFreitas / robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo

For those who are interested in trains, the Nevada State Railroad Museum has plenty to offer, from antique tickets to fully functional locomotives. And if all you want is a scenic train road to the Hoover Dam, they have the Nevada Southern Railway for that.

Tom Devlin's Monster Museum

Museum

Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum features a collection of props, masks, memorabilia, and more from horror movie history. A number of life-sized, life-like figures up the creep factor, especially with Ash from Evil Dead or Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre coming right at you.

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