To read more about the wild desert outside of Boulder City, read my post about Las Vegas here (coming soon)
When people think of pole dancing, they assume that I spend all of my time in strip clubs, surrounded by violent pulses of bass and loud, drunken party-goers looking to throw their dollars on stage. They also might think that I waste away the early hours of the morning in bars, relishing in cold vodka and a hot piano.
Neither of those things is true. I almost always hate partying. If 10 PM rolls around and I’m not home, this old girl gets cranky.
For me, the real romance is in the early hours of the morning after waking up. I’m often out of bed at 6 AM to drive to a coffee shop and write, in the quiet of the morning, where nobody can interrupt the peace of the day.
The best place to find that peace in Las Vegas is actually on the outskirts of the city proper. When it’s time to escape the sensory overload of the Strip and downtown, there is one spot I always recommend, and that is Boulder City.
escape the sin in boulder city
A brief history
The idea of Boulder City was born in 1928, to provide homes to those working on the Hoover Dam. At the time, creating a town around a construction project was not a common practice; in fact, housing for the dam didn’t pop up until 1932.
For the international audience reading this, the Hoover Dam is a fucking huge concrete structure built during the Great Depression. The purpose of its construction was to harness power from the Colorado River to provide power to Los Angeles, which is some 300 miles (482 km) away. Now it provides power to three states, in addition to draining into seven.
The name Hoover comes from president Herbert Hoover, who initiated the project during his terms in office. Since the contractors called for the dam to be built “near or around Boulder Canyon,” for a while, the dam was called Boulder Dam. However, since people like to name things after themselves (see: any university building on the planet) the name was officially changed to the Hoover Dam in 1947.
The Hoover Dam was built wicked fast, almost TWO YEARS ahead of schedule. This wasn’t without consequence, though. Over 100 people died during the dam’s construction, from drowning, slipping in the concrete, or from other gruesome causes.
Boulder City has grown since then, with a population just shy of 16,000 residents. The town was registered as a historic place in 1983, with many of the buildings and landmarks earmarked from the original dates of its inception. As a result, we now have a super Americana town steeped in a unique history surrounding an ultra-famous US landmark.
Boulder City is unique because it has exactly one of everything. There is one wine bar, one brewery, one Mexican restaurant, and so on. Any duplicates are most likely chain restaurants, so going right to the source can guarantee a more memorable experience.
Oh, and there are also random statues EVERYWHERE.
Since this place is in my backyard, I often drive the twelve-minute distance to escape the feel of conventional Las Vegas and enjoy a more laid-back vibe. For any tourists that are feeling burned out from the Strip, Boulder City is only a short drive away.
coffeeshop heaven
Anyone that doesn’t like the old-timey style of a 50’s diner can’t call themselves an American. That might sound harsh, but to dislike them is to ignore an integral part of our culture. There are countless movies and TV shows that use this exact mold of the restaurant as a setting and for good reason. It’s charming as hell.
For a brunch spot that is literally always busy, sneak into The Coffee Cup. Their menu has all of the classic diner dishes and a solid beverages menu. Gotta sneak in a boozy drink or two; this is still Nevada, after all.
Not in the mood for food? Luckily, BC is full of other cute places. My favorite pick is Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore, which has a calming ambiance and a mini bookstore tucked into the back corner.
local lodging
It would be really easy to crash at the Best Western in town, but why deprive yourself of a local experience?
That’s why the Boulder Dam Hotel is the place to go. Not only is it a historical monument, and almost everything on my list is within walking distance from it, but the nightly price is cheaper than any of the name-brand motels nearby. Visit the museum, art gallery, or even better, the skincare specialist for pampering.
Plus, one of my favorite parts about it is that, in the basement, there is…
low-key bars
…a speakeasy!
Boulder Dam Hotel recently reopened its basement bar, Clevelands Lounge. When the above-ground bars get too crowded, duck into this intimate spot for a cocktail.
If the weather doesn’t call for a Manhattan at Clevelands, try Boulder Dam Brewing. They have a delicious beer selection, only overshadowed by their pretzel bites. Plus, they have a pretty sweet Groupon deal.
Lastly, for the winos of the world (I see you) there’s always Milo’s Cellar, which is a Poletrotter’s favorite for its internationally-inspired B&B rooms and restaurant. When a master sommelier picks the wine list, that’s a clear sign of quality. Plus, who doesn’t like wine?
restaurants that rock
I have a hard time recommending restaurants to people because I eat some variation of meat, vegetables, and some grain-free starch for literally every meal. That tends to bore the vegans and gluten-tolerant folk of the world, so I’ll keep this short.
Fox Smokehouse BBQ is delicious, with a decent drinks menu and bomb daily specials. Their origin story is one that took them all over the country, and that makes them another Poletrotters favorite.
Another can’t-miss spot is the most famous one in town, and for good reason. The Dillinger has that thing that makes a place an amazing spot. It can’t be described, only experienced. Their burgers are insanely good.
chill activities
The obvious one here is to check out the Hoover Dam. There are a million and one services to use, Groupons included, so shop around.
Lake Mead, the sometimes-overlooked leisure spot of southern Nevada, is very close to BC. The view from the neighborhoods at the top of the mountains where Boulder City rests is gorgeous, and it looks like a mirage in the distance.
To keep up with the outdoorsy types, but not kill yourself with the exertion, the Historic Railroad Trail is a super easy trail with stunning views and informational tidbits along the way.
For the cutesy boutique goers, the city is awash with antique shops. I do recommend Bloom, which is where I get my candles from exclusively.
a piece of peace
So many people tell me how much they hate Las Vegas because they visit the Strip exclusively and it burns them out after a few days. Boulder City is so close, and so accessible, that those poor souls stuck in the desert for a week-long conference or bachelorette party should take advantage of the closeness and stop by.
For more posts about Las Vegas, pole dancing, and beyond, read more of the Poletrotters blog here.
Resources:
The Historic District of Boulder City, Nevada
[…] Boulder City is a must-see for anyone that’s burned out on gambling and drinking. For more information that does it justice, read my post here. […]