Midway Henderson, NV

When Henderson first appeared on a map, it was expected to be a temporary village. Originally a small desert mining town that sprung up in support of World War II, Henderson now ranks as the second-largest city in the Silver State. Henderson sits a comfortable distance from the Las Vegas Strip, and contains everything anyone could need in the way of food, drink, history and entertainment.

The Clark County Heritage Museum on South Boulder Highway provides residents with a glimpse into the fascinating past of Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley.

Wake up over a Nomnom vegan-veggie breakfast burrito and steaming cup of fair-trade Joe at Sunrise Coffee on East Sunset. You can stop by for a minty mocha, Mexican coffee or Nutella latte made with almond milk any weekday morning after 6 a.m. or after 7 a.m. on weekends. Buy your Mothership Roasters beans here, too.

For a sweet mid-morning treat, drop by Lil' Brown Sugar's Cupcake Cafe on South Gibson Road. The family-owned bakery presents a sweet selection of cinnamon rolls, baked fruit bars, cookies, pies, and (of course) cupcakes. Be sure to try the strawberry-lemonade cupcake.

Penn's Thai House serves an exceptional assortment of Asian delights that range from mild to super-spicy. For starters, try the creamy crab rangoon or crispy-sweet fried squid rings with chili sauce. The red and yellow curries here prove a savory and complex treat for your taste buds. A favorite among Midway residents, the chef's salmon Panang curry comes made with coconut and kaffir lime leaf. Find Penn's Thai House on Sunset Road west of Boulder Highway.

Presto Cafe presents a menu of comfort food you can feel good about eating. The from-scratch kitchen at Presto Cafe takes family favorites like lasagna and sliders, and turns them into something health-conscious people crave. Be sure to sample the hanger steak chimichurri with truffled couscous and wild mushrooms. Find the restaurant on South Stephanie between Paseo Verde Parkway and Interstate 215.

For after-dark fun close to come, head to Elixir Lounge in the Sunset Station casino. The overstuffed chairs, velvet drapes, and elegant chandeliers at Elixir provide a comfortable ambiance not typical of Las Vegas. Select from an extensive cocktail menu that features classic adults-only beverages, including Sloe Gin fizzes, martinis, and handmade margaritas.

People move around the Las Vegas Valley via Interstates 15 and 515, and U.S. 95. State Road 582 connects Henderson with downtown Las Vegas and Boulder City. Locals refer to State Road 582 as the Boulder Highway.

Henderson's flat, but most people in the neighborhood get around in air-conditioned cars not on bicycles or walking. If you choose to bike around Midway, stick to residential streets, and stay hydrated. RTC Transit operates a network of routes throughout the Las Vegas Valley with buses that run 24/7. A one-way bus ride costs $2. A two-hour bus pass with transfers included costs $6.

Taxis prove fairly easy to find on commercial streets in the Midway area.

Heritage Bark Park at 350 Racetrack Road provides a pooches-only splash and agility area, and separate fenced play yards for large and small pets. Heritage Bark park remains open every day of the year from 6:00 am to midnight. Admission remains free.

Spend an afternoon at Wetlands Park, and you might forget you're only minutes from Las Vegas. Here you can meander miles of walking trails, tour the information center, or feed the ducks and geese who nest in the nearby bird sanctuary.

Every summer, the annual Super Run Classic Car Show happens on Water Street in downtown Henderson. Here you can marvel at an amazing assortment of hot rods, muscle cars, funny cars, vintage vehicles and the owners who love them.

Take a walking tour through the Water Street Historic District to learn about the history, traditions and culture of the Midway-Henderson area.

The average rental price of a one-bedroom apartment in Midway costs $890. A gallon of gas costs about the same here as the national median. A typical cab ride costs $3.30 when the meter starts plus $2.60 per mile. Most cab drivers charge at least $25 an hour for waiting time. A one-way bus ride to the city center costs $2.

Smith's and Albertsons have locations all around the Las Vegas Valley. Residents find hard-to-get bulk dry goods, organic cheeses, live lobsters, and natural cleaning products for reasonable prices at WinCo on North Stephanie Street. Bag your own at WinCo, and save serious money.

Shoppers at The District on Village Walk Drive can choose from a cluster of shopping and dining opportunities within strolling distance of each other. The neighborhood mall presents live music and yoga classes, too. While you're here, stop into the Elephant Bar Global Grill, and try the quick-fried soy-ginger calamari and Parmesan-crusted green beans.

Galleria at Sunset provides mall convenience close to Midway. Here you can put together an outfit at Abercrombie & Fitch, get a makeover at Bobbi Brown, enjoy a quick lunch at Bravo Cucina Italiana, and grab a bag of Cinnabons before you head home. If you want to shop at Dillard's, Macy's, Kiehl's, Kohl's or Bath & Body Works, you find them at Galleria.

The Refinery Celebrity Resale Boutique on East Sunset Road east of Pecos sells an ever-changing selection of first-class vintage clothes that feature labels by such designers as Manolo Blahnik, Chanel. Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton.

Health-conscious eaters and folks who enjoy farm-fresh foods find a splendid selection of fruits, veggies, locally laid eggs, bakery fresh bread, loose leaf tea, local honey and other tasty treats at Country Fresh Farmers Market. Vendors set up at 240 Water Street on Thursdays at 9:00 am.