This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Nevada
Forget the bright lights of Las Vegas. Just a few miles from the glitz and glamor of the strip is one of Nevada's most welcoming small towns. Boulder City is a historic community best known for its most famous attraction, the Hoover Dam. Overlooking the Colorado River, the dam is one of America's most visited tourist attractions, but it is also worth getting to know the town that sprang up to house the workers who built the impressive structure. Boulder City retains the entrepreneurial spirit of those industrious first residents with vibrant local businesses, a thriving arts scene, and family-friendly entertainment.
The History of Boulder City
The history of Boulder City is the history of the Hoover Dam. That history began in 1928 when President Calvin Coolidge authorized its construction. The ambitious project, undertaken during the Great Depression, required a lot of manpower, and planners immediately began looking at how and where to house those workers. Initially known as the Boulder Canyon Project Federal Reservation, the first wave of housing was built in 1931, the same year the dam was officially named for then-President Herbert Hoover.
As construction progressed, the town grew, and by 1935, there were more than 4,000 workers in 1,500 buildings. Not all of these laborers worked on the dam. Some were employed at other local construction projects, including Lake Mohave and Davis Dam.
When the Hoover Dam was completed in 1936, many workers left and in 1958 the federal government ceded the land to its remaining residents. In 1983, downtown Boulder City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in an effort to recognize and preserve over 500 structures at the heart of the town that were built between 1931 and 1942.
Boulder City Attractions
Around 7 million tourists visit the Hoover Dam each year to see the iconic structure, which is 726 ft high and 1,244 ft long. Visitors can enjoy the views over Lake Mead, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world, and/or take a tour around the facilities and learn about the dam's role in controlling water supply and producing hydroelectric power.
There is more to Boulder City than its most famous landmark, however. Much more. The town is known as an art-lovers paradise and has been supporting South Nevada artists for more than 40 years. See their work at the Boulder City Art Guild and Gallery, housed on the second floor of the Boulder Dam Hotel.
Wandering downtown, you will get another chance to see stunning artwork thanks to the Boulder City Public Art Scape, a project that began in 2006 to give visitors a taste of the town's artistic talents and includes over 30 sculptures scattered throughout the historic district.
Find an eclectic souvenir of your time in Nevada at the Boulder City Antique Market, where both locals and visitors love to shop. It is easy to spend a day in this fascinating emporium, which houses all kinds of collectibles, memorabilia, furnishings, and more. Nearby, Sherman's House of Antiques is another great spot to mingle with the town's friendly locals while picking up one-of-a-kind vintage clothing, antique jewelry, or classic toys.
When Boulder City has an outdoor event, it is often at Frank T Crowe Memorial Park. This natural oasis in the heart of the historic district was named after the chief engineer of the Hoover Dam and was the perfect place to take a break from strolling the streets. If you are here during the holidays, you are in luck. The park hosts the town's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Events and Festivals in Boulder City
Get to know Boulder’s historic district while sampling its wines with the Best Dam Wine Walk, a sip-and-stroll event that takes place every second Saturday from September to April. Guests can sample wines from 20 different locations throughout downtown and are encouraged to get creative with monthly themes and costumes.
Boulder City hosts the largest outdoor juried art show in the Southwest, Art in the Park. A fundraiser for the Boulder City Hospital, the popular show attracts over 100,000 visitors each year to browse the massive collection of artwork, pick up unique craft souvenirs, enjoy a bite from local food vendors, and listen to open-air concerts and performances.
Enjoy art on the silver screen at the Annual Dam Short Film Festival, which runs in February at the Elaine K Smith Building and showcases some of the most entertaining and original short films from around the world.
A town tradition since 1977, the Spring Jamboree is Boulder City’s way of celebrating the new season with spring-themed activities in historic downtown’s green spaces and parks. The weekend event features local food vendors, live music, a classic car show, and arts and crafts booths.
Discover the Charm and Warmth of Boulder City
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, a relaxed break, or a family vacation, Boulder City is a great choice, offering big attractions but with a small-town feel. See a different side of Southern Nevada in this friendly, hospitable, and close-knit town that is happy to show visitors around. Founded by people who came from across America to work together, Boulder City knows what it takes to build a community and how to extend a warm welcome to others.
