The Strip - Las Vegas

It’s the season to make it happen in Southern Nevada - with delightful sunny Mohave desert days and cool evenings, pack your favorite duds and away you go to Las Vegas. Convenient flights into McCarran International Airport bring visitors from across the globe to the delights of "Sin City". Travelers across the southwest arrive via automobile from Interstate 15 north and south, and scenic highway 93 and highway 95. The Las Vegas Golf Club, Clark County’s oldest course, Bali Hai Golf Club and Henderson’s Black Mountain Golf Club are just a sample of the courses that make Las Vegas a golfers paradise this time of year.

The traditional Las Vegas Casinos, from the Golden Nugget in old-downtown, to the bold and beautiful Bellagio, are among the gaming draws. Filled with alternative entertainment, visitors fly above the crowds on the zip line at Fremont Street Flightlinez, leap off the world’s longest free-fall at SkyJump at the Stratosphere and ride through a jet fighter’s barrel roll on the New York New York Roller Coaster.

Las Vegas is endless entertainment. See Celine Dion at the Colosseum at Cesars Palace featuring a full orchestra and specially designed theater. Celine’s early 2012 performance calendar includes January and then again from February 22nd through March. Donny and Marie are performance at the Flamingo Las Vegas Tuesdays through Saturdays through March. Enjoy their classic hits on stage in the Flamingo Showroom. Famous names, magic shows, reviews and cabaret – Las Vegas has it all.

In the shadows of Las Vegas, Henderson, to the south, is a delightful suburb and hub of activity. Enjoy the Country Fresh Farmers Market downtown on Thursdays at the Events Plaza, and Fridays off the Green Valley Parkway at the Pavilion. Remember, this is the desert and fresh produces keeps growing year round.

In honor of Black History Month, Henderson celebrates the 2012 Gospel Fest February 24th and 25th. Enjoy traditional, contemporary and urban styles of gospel music at Black Mountain Recreation Center. The 46th Annual Sons of Erin St Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival is celebrated in Henderson, March 16th through the 30th. Join the fun and festivities in the Water Street District at Henderson’s Events Plaza. Carnival rides, midway games and entertainment begin Friday at 3pm, with the Parade at 10am on Saturday. Irish or not, this is a party for everyone.

Enjoy all the fun of Southern Nevada, in a more laid-back atmosphere, with a visit to Mesquite. Just south of Utah and on the Nevada – Arizona state line, Mesquite offers all the fun, entertainment and gaming of Las Vegas in a small town setting. Enjoy gaming at Eureka and Casa Blanca Casinos, or golf at Coyote Springs and Conestoga Golf Courses. Nice for outdoor enthusiasts, Mesquite is convenient to Zion and Bryce National Parks, Cathedral Gorge and Valley of Fire State Park.

Colorado River & the Hoover Dam

Travel to southern Nevada is now more convenient with the opening of the new Hoover Dam Bridge, spanning the Colorado River linking Nevada and Arizona. The new bridge offers a direct and efficient crossing formerly provided by the dam-top roadway on the Hoover Dam. Spanning the 1,900 foot Black Canyon, 900 feet above the Colorado River, travelers over Hoover Dam Bridge enjoy a spectacular view of the area. Be sure to stop and enjoy the pedestrian walkway across the bridge for the full effect of the views and scenery. Hoover Dam remains a must see attraction of Southern Nevada – worth the short detour to see this National Historic Landmark.

Not a big fan of Las Vegas crowds? Henderson just south of Las Vegas is a wonderful community offering great amenities in the area. Henderson hotels offer a calm option to the action of nearby Las Vegas. Convenient for a quick trip to the Las Vegas strip, the waters of Lake Mead or the magnificent Hoover Dam, Henderson’s central location is ideal.

As the scorching summer cools in southern Nevada, the beautiful fall weather invades bringing with it a plethora of Henderson events and activities. Celebrate the 21st annual Prince Jonah Kuhio Ho’olaule’a Pacific Islands Festival with the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club at Henderson’s Event Plaza. The 2011 festival is September 10th and 11th. Henderson hosts the Marine Corps Ironman World Championship September 8th through 11th – race day is the 11th.

October brings the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company to Henderson’s parks. Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed on Saturdays at locations like Sonata Park and Discovery Park. The 2011 Nevada Wild Fest features five days of family fun including the world’s largest outdoor BBQ, carnival rides and midway games at Henderson Pavilion October 12th through the 15th.

One of the toughest events in the world comes to Henderson in November. The International Triathlon Union brings the ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championships to Henderson and the course of the Nevada Silverman Triathlon. This world championship triathlon replaces Henderson’s Nevada Silverman Triathlon for 2011. Triathlon fans come enjoy the 4K swim scheduled for the waters of the Lake Las Vegas Resort, an excruciating 120K bike ride with over 9,700 feet in climb followed by the 20K run adding a 2,000 climb to the challenge. Southern Nevada and Henderson are proud to be the US host for the 2011 ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championship.

Off-road racing fans don’t miss the TransWest Ford Henderson 250 Desert Race. This is the season’s last race in the Best in the Desert racing series. Race day events are held in the desert area near Jean, Nevada, with the welcome party, meet and greets, inspections and expo held in Henderson’s Water Street District.

Downtown Reno Nevada

Announcing itself as the Biggest Little City in the World, Reno is a center for business, education and recreation in Northern Nevada. Reno is located near the western Nevada state line on Interstate 80, combining with neighboring Sparks to create a burgeoning metropolitan area. Now diversified from its former casino and gambling based economy, Reno is home to the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada’s oldest university and Truckee Meadows Community College. Business and vacation travelers flock to the area via the Reno-Tahoe International Airport for the surrounding outdoor recreation and visits with Reno based companies, the likes of Bally Technologies, International Game Technology and PC Doctor.

Reno’s Riverwalk District is a focal point of downtown. Reno developed along the banks of the Truckee River which runs through the now revitalized urban core of the city. Home to Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts where Reno’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Nevada Opera and Ballet Theatre perform, the Riverwalk District is the core of Reno’s cultural events. Enjoy the latest restaurants, shopping and nightlife in Reno’s Riverwalk District.

Unique to few cities, downtown Reno and the Riverwalk District features a whitewater park. The Truckee River Whitewater Park offers urban outdoor recreation like no other city – 11 drop-pools along 2,600 feet of class 2 and 3 rapids make the park a year round recreational destination. Running right through the heart of downtown Reno, the Truckee River Whitewater Park was developed to accommodate low water conditions and is fed by a constant flow of fresh water. Not many prime kayak spots where you can hop out and enjoy a nice restaurant meal and casino gambling.

September brings some delightful events to the Reno – Lake Tahoe area. The Virginia City International Camel Races is one of the most unique. Virginia City, Nevada located less than 30 miles southeast of Reno off US 395 hosts the 2011 camel races September 9th through 11th. Bring your camel? Maybe just visit for some great fun and laughs, as locals compete for bragging rights. Not to be outdone by themselves, Virginia City also hosts the Virginia City World Championship Outhouse Races complete with a city parade featuring the competing outhouses and Virginia’s one and only Plungerettes.

On Reno’s more serious but entertaining side, The 2011 Great Reno Balloon Race is September 9th through 11th at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park north of downtown. Be sure to visit early dawn or evenings for the spectacular sight of glowing hot air balloons. Later in September the 2011 National Championship Air Races and Air Show are held at Reno Stead Field eight miles north of Reno off US Route 395. The Reno – Sparks Livestock Events Center hosts the 2011 American Cowboys Team Roping Association’s National Finals October 16th through the 23rd. Enjoy the team roping competition along with a Western Art show and variety of vendors.