Henderson, Nevada, lies within the Las Vegas metropolitan area just five miles from Las Vegas. It is Nevada's 2nd largest city (Las Vegas is the biggest). This rapidly growing suburb of 257,729 inhabitants is located in the Mojave Desert within Clark County. Henderson has the good fortune to be located close to three of the world's top man-made attractions - Lake Mead, Las Vegas Strip and the Hoover Dam - and world-famous natural attractions - Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. This particular resort city features famed casinos, first-rate golf courses, celebrated attractions and world-class meeting facilities. Each year, lots of of people come to the city of Henderson to benefit from all the entertainment the area has to provide.
The location of Henderson was the chosen site of the World War II Basic Magnesium Plant. This plant produced magnesium for use in the munitions casings of incendiary devices and in airplane parts. Engineer Fred D. Gibson learned the secret of producing magnesium on a trip to Great Britain. The "miracle metal" technology gave an edge to the US and its allies which helped win the war.
There are numerous cultural attractions within the city of Henderson, such as the Water Street Arts District. This particular area consists of numerous shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Old Town Art Gallery features various exhibits of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass and jewelry. Two vibrant Farmers Markets provide crafts and local produce. Acacia Park features the Acacia Demonstration Gardens where visitors can see exhibits on creative landscaping and water conservation methods. At City Lights Art Gallery, art lovers can join the visual arts via workshops, exhibits and art classes. Art a la Cart cafe is an excellent location for craft-making. The Clark County Museum maintains several historic homes which feature key periods within the history of the area.
Outdoors activities are also plentiful throughout Henderson. The city's close proximity to Death Valley, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire means that there are lots of sightseeing possibilities awaiting residents and visitors. Among the best ways to experience the natural attractions of the region is to visit the world-famous parks, such as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy picnicking, hiking, camping, wildlife observation, rock climbing and cycling. The recreation of a western mining town can be located in Bonnie Springs, along with horseback riding and a petting zoo. You can rent watercraft at Calville Bay Marina on beautiful Lake Mead. Mt. Charleston area is a great place for experiencing a cowboy trail ride.