The Best Things to Do in Boulder City

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.