Boulder City
Today, you can cool off with a cocktail anywhere in town. (When the weather's not outrageously hot, the outdoor patio at Boulder Dam Brewing Co., 453 Nevada Way, offers a kick-back spot to quaff a frosty pint.
Besides serving as a lodging base for visits to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam, Boulder City's main draw is its historic Old Town. Chockablock with restaurants, sidewalk cafés, public art, boutiques and antique shops aplenty, this laid-back little burg makes for a nice half-day trip from Vegas (one-way drive time from the Strip: about 30 minutes).
Visitor Centers
Boulder City Chamber of Commerce 465 Nevada Way Boulder City, NV 89005. Phone:(702)293-2034 or (866)297-4750
Self-guiding Tours
A map and brochure featuring a walking tour of the Boulder City Public Art Scape is available at the chamber of commerce. A collection of some 30 outdoor sculptures—from classic bronzes to abstract creations—dots the sidewalks of Nevada Way and surrounding streets.
Shopping
Antique and curio shops abound in Boulder City. Back in Thyme, 524 Nevada Way, carries a fine selection of antique children's pedal cars, jewelry (including Native American pieces), vintage postcards, used books and more. Enter the time warp that is Sherman's House of Antiques, 1228 Arizona St., a mazelike emporium packed with all things aged and collectible. Pointing you to some two-dozen other Old Town retailers are shopping brochure/guide maps, available free from the chamber of commerce as well as from most stores and restaurants.