A short drive southeast of the Strip, in Henderson, the Clark County Museum offers one of the happiest history walks in the Las Vegas valley: a 30-acre open-air site where visitors can stroll through Southern Nevada’s past, one restored building at a time. Run by Clark County Parks and Recreation, the museum is at 1830 South Boulder Highway.
Start inside the Anna Roberts Parks Exhibit Hall, whose timeline travels from prehistoric Southern Nevada to modern times — a journey the county describes as going from the Ice Age to the Age of Entertainment. Displays trace the ancient Pueblo and the Paiute, the first pioneers, mining technology and the gaming and entertainment heritage that shaped Las Vegas.
Outside, Heritage Street steals the show. Its restored historic homes recreate everyday life from the 1910s to the 1970s in Las Vegas, Boulder City and Henderson, and a replicated 1900s newspaper print shop brings the old headlines back to life. Railroad fans can tour the 1932 Boulder City Depot, admire a real 1918 Union Pacific steam engine and step through an old-time crummy — railroad talk for a caboose.
There is more to explore along the way: a mining exhibit filled with mineral specimens, a resurrected ghost town and a half-mile nature trail, plus a pueblo honoring the region’s ancient peoples. Best of all, admission is free. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, making it an easy, cheerful day out for families and history lovers alike.
Photo: Ron Mader / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
