A Breakdown Of Las Vegas's Neighborhoods

The Daily Meal Staff|July 19, 2014 6:00 am EST

Most people visiting Las Vegas think the city starts at Mandalay Bay and ends at the Stratosphere. However, those of us who live here know that there's plenty to see and do off-Strip as well. In fact, some of the city's coolest attractions can't be found among the Strip's stretch of neon. Here's a look at five Las Vegas neighborhoods that are always worth the trip off-Strip.

Downtown Las Vegas

It wasn't that long ago that the only reason to go downtown was to visit Fremont Street and check out its many casinos. Today, however, the revitalized area is home to several exciting new projects, including Downtown Container Park: an open-air shopping center and entertainment venue that was built out of repurposed shipping containers. Featuring 39 shops, restaurants and bars, guests will find everything from art boutiques (including one selling Disney paintings) to an old-fashioned candy shop. Downtown is also home to one of the city's coolest museums, The Neon Museum, which preserves and exhibits iconic Las Vegas signs. It even boasts a thriving theater scene thanks to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions and internationally acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance.

Henderson

Located in the southeastern end of the valley, the City of Henderson is definitely making a splash with locals and tourists alike this summer thanks to Cowabunga Bay, a new water park that splashed onto the scene July 4. Spanning approximately 23 acres, the park features eight water slides and five heated pools, including Nevada's largest lazy river: the 1,200-foot-long, 19-foot-wide Cowabunga River. Green Valley Ranch Resort is also undergoing some exciting changes, as Station Casinos has invested $20 million into the popular Henderson property. Guests can expect four new restaurant and bar concepts to open over the next year, including 11-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani's Pizza Rock. For cineastes, Henderson is home to one of Las Vegas' best movie theaters: Galaxy Green Valley Luxury+ Theatre. Featuring fully reclining seats with powered footrests and attached snack tables, extra wide rows, premium concessions, beer on tap and wine service, it's the perfect place to catch the latest blockbuster.

North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas offers guests a Strip-worthy experience off-Strip thanks to one of Las Vegas' newest award-winning resorts: the AAA Four Diamond Aliante Casino + Hotel. Situated on more than 40 acres within the master-planned community of Aliante, the resort is home to four signature restaurants, a 650-seat showroom, more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space, a resort-style saltwater pool, a 3,500-square-foot spa and more than 200 hotel rooms. North Las Vegas is also home to Aliante Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by Scottsdale-based Gary Panks Associates. For movie lovers, Galaxy Green Valley Luxury + Theatre's sister cineplex, Galaxy Cannery Luxury + Theatre, can be found inside the Cannery Casino, featuring D-BOX motion chairs that move in sync with the movie.

Summerlin

This picturesque master-planned community in southwest Las Vegas has become a major destination thanks to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area being so close by. Nature enthusiasts flock to the area to go hiking, biking and rock climbing. The area has also become quite popular with foodies thanks to Tivoli Village, an outdoor retail center that offers a unique mix of retailers and enticing restaurants, like the mouthwatering Poppy Den by Chef Angelo Sosa. Other noteworthy attractions include the lavish Spa Aquae inside the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, the stunning Red Rock Resort (also undergoing a major renovation) and Golf Summerlin, featuring three different golf courses: Highland Falls, Palm Valley and Eagle Crest.

UNLV Area / Maryland Parkway

Like downtown Las Vegas, the area surrounding the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus is going through a bit of a transformation with the Boulevard Mall, one of Las Vegas' most iconic shopping centers from the mid-1960s through the 1980s, undergoing its first major renovation in more than two decades. Changes are expected to be completed by 2015 and will include new retail and food court tenants, the addition of a farmers' market and children's playground, a redesigned exterior and more. The area has also become quite popular with foodies, as several delectable restaurants are located close by, including Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas—an exact replica of the legendary Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany—and Las Vegas' longest running, family-owned and operated restaurant, Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar. The popular 24-hour British pub Crown & Anchor can be found here, too, serving the best fish and chips this side of London.

When she's not interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest celebs, Heather Turk can often be found visiting some of Las Vegas' most popular restaurants and spas for Examiner.com. She also covers the Las Vegas market for a variety of other media outlets, including Allegiant Air's in-flight magazine, Sunseeker. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.