boulder city tours

THE 10 BEST Boulder City Tours & Excursions

Boulder city tours.

• Helicopter Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Grand Canyon West Tour with Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Skywalk

2. Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch

3. Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk

4. 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Las Vegas

5. Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas

6. Grand Canyon West with Hoover Dam Stop, Optional Skywalk & Lunch

7. Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas

8. Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas

9. Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour

10. Extended Grand Canyon West Rim Air-Only Helicopter Tour

11. Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, 7 Magic Mountains Small Group VIP Tour

12. Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour with Eagle Point Rim Landing

13. Hoover Dam: From Above, On Top and Below Small Group Tour

14. 20-Minute Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight with Optional Upgrades

15. Las Vegas Strip Highlights by Helicopter at Night

16. Grand Canyon West Rim With Hoover Dam Photo Stop From Las Vegas

17. Hoover Dam Comedy Tour with Lunch and Comedy Club Tickets

18. Hoover Dam Private Tour BY Luxury SUV

19. Hoover Dam Mini Tour and Seven Magic Mountains Small Group Tour

20. Grand Canyon West Rim by Coach with Meals and Helicopter Tour

21. Hoover Dam Highlights Tour from Las Vegas

22. Grand Canyon Sunset Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas

23. 4 Gun Vegas Desert Shooting Adventure with Lunch from Las Vegas

24. Hoover Dam Tour by Luxury SUV

25. Hoover Dam Walk-On-Top Tour with Seven Magic Mountains

26. Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast

27. Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam, Route 66 from Las Vegas

28. 3-Hour Black Canyon Tour by Motorized Raft and Optional Transport

29. Grand Canyon West Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas with Optional Skywalk

30. Grand Canyon South Rim Small Group Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with Optional Skywalk
• Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas With Lunch
• Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk
• 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Las Vegas
• Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas
• Nevada State Railroad Museum
• Serenity Helicopters
• Skydive Las Vegas
• Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon
• Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
• Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines
• Hoover Dam Tours
• Lake Mead Cruises
• Dam Helicopter Company
• Black Canyon/Willow Beach River Adventures
• Boulder City Ghost Tour: Haunted Boulder City Ghost & UFO Tour
• Vegas Glass Kayaks
• Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicoptors

• TEXT US: (702) 825-0388
• (702) 948-4190
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• MEET THE TEAM
• WHY CHOOSE US
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• 1-702-948-4190

Boulder City Tours From Las Vegas

Visit this charming and historic town located in the Mojave Desert of Nevada. Boulder City offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. With its relaxed atmosphere and scenic surroundings, this small city has something to offer everyone! 

This tour is completely self-guided, so you are free to explore on your own time.

Enjoy the quaint charm this city has to offer and get your cameras ready! There are picture-perfect opportunities around every corner.

Created in the 1930s, this unique town was home to the workers who built Hoover Dam. Walk through time as you discover Boulder City.

Book a Tour in Boulder City

Boulder city historic district self-guided tour from las vegas.

• Your excursion begins with a pickup from the Las Vegas strip for time to explore “The town that built Hoover Dam”...
• Approx. 5 Hours

Why BOOK A TOUR IN BOULDER CITY?

Boulder City is a hidden gem in the heart of the Mojave Desert, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventure. With National Park express, you will be able to step back in time and explore the fascinating story of the Hoover Dam and its role in shaping the American Southwest at the Boulder City Museum. In addition to its rich history, Boulder City offers a charming downtown area with boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries to explore. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the town’s proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where they can enjoy a variety of activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Boulder City has something for everyone.

All of our vehicles are well-maintained and are driven by experienced guides that are trained to handle any and all situations that may arise.

By taking a tour with us, you can spend less time planning and more time getting ready to enjoy your experience.

Our expert guides will provide you with insight into the history and hidden secrets of the Grand Canyon.

We offer you a chance to take a break from everyday life and ease into the comfort of nature.

We are a group of  nature enthusiasts  who are dedicated to sharing the beauty of the Earth’s creations with the world. With over 20 years of experience under our belts, we are beyond proud to continue to serve such an amazing community. For years we’ve provided a network connecting various destinations in the Southwest United States for travelers to have the opportunity to visit multiple attractions in the region. Our company offers flexible itinerary planning, making it easy for visitors to experience the beauty of the Southwest.

What To Expect

When booking a Boulder City tour with National Park Express, you can expect a comfortable and safe journey accompanied by experienced guides who will provide in-depth knowledge of the canyon’s natural beauty and cultural history.

All of our tours are customizable, with options ranging from day trips to multi-day excursions, helicopter rides, and sunset tours, allowing you to choose the tour that best suits your preferences. Be prepared to enjoy breathtaking views while creating lasting memories amidst the tranquility of nature.

Enjoy & Appreciate the Native American Influences

The Grand Canyon and its surrounding landscapes are not just geological wonders but living expressions of a deep-rooted connection between the land and its indigenous

The Best Adventures Await in Page, Arizona: A Desert Oasis Beckons

Amid the breathtaking canyons and shimmering waters of the American Southwest, Page, Arizona, stands as a gateway to a world of awe-inspiring natural wonders and

What can we see in Zion?

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Utah, Zion National Park stands as a testament to the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest. With its towering

What Our Customers' Say

Take a look at what our customers have to say about their National Park Express Experience.

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Let us help you plan your adventure to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, Hoover Dam, Boulder City, and other nearby regions.

Thank you for choosing National Park Express.

Papillon Boulder City/Las Vegas Tours Terminal

Located just southeast of Las Vegas, our state-of-the-art Boulder City terminal serves as the launch point for some of our most popular Grand Canyon helicopter tours . Tours leaving here offer guests the chance to explore the Grand Canyon in a variety of ways. Descend into the canyon’s West Rim and take a boat ride down the Colorado River. Enjoy sights from the world-famous Skywalk and explore Native American history and culture through a visit to the Hualapai Nation. Take in the Grand Canyon and extend your tour to Eldorado Canyon, where you’ll have the chance to ride ATVs and take a fully-guided tour through the Techatticup Mine. There are plenty of options to choose from for your Grand Canyon adventure.

Getting here is easy - we offer shuttle service from most major Las Vegas hotels (you don’t have to be staying at the hotel to make use of the shuttle service). The terminal itself is spacious with a comfortable lounge area and full view of the helipads, offering you an entertaining glimpse of our operations while you wait to board your tour. Additional amenities available at this terminal include our gift shop, cafe, restrooms, and storage lockers.

Boulder City and the Surrounding Area

Boulder City was initially founded to provide housing for workers building the Hoover Dam. Nowadays the historic city offers outdoor attractions, golfing, and restaurants. It’s also home to one of our most popular helicopter terminals. Its proximity to Las Vegas makes it an ideal base for your exploration of the Grand Canyon. On the way to the Grand Canyon, guests can experience amazing aerial views of the Las Vegas strip, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam.

Contact Numbers

Boulder city tours.

Golden Eagle Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

Grand Celebration Tour

Grand Celebration with Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Tour

Top Tours in Boulder City, NV

Boulder city tours.

• Helicopter Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Grand Canyon West Tour with Hoover Dam Stop and Optional Skywalk

2. Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas with Lunch

3. Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk

4. 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Las Vegas

5. Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas

6. Grand Canyon West with Hoover Dam Stop, Optional Skywalk & Lunch

7. Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas

8. Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas

9. Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour

10. Extended Grand Canyon West Rim Air-Only Helicopter Tour

11. Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, 7 Magic Mountains Small Group VIP Tour

12. Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour with Eagle Point Rim Landing

13. Hoover Dam: From Above, On Top and Below Small Group Tour

14. 20-Minute Grand Canyon Helicopter Flight with Optional Upgrades

15. Las Vegas Strip Highlights by Helicopter at Night

16. Grand Canyon West Rim With Hoover Dam Photo Stop From Las Vegas

17. Hoover Dam Comedy Tour with Lunch and Comedy Club Tickets

18. Hoover Dam Private Tour BY Luxury SUV

19. Hoover Dam Mini Tour and Seven Magic Mountains Small Group Tour

20. Grand Canyon West Rim by Coach with Meals and Helicopter Tour

21. Hoover Dam Highlights Tour from Las Vegas

22. Grand Canyon Sunset Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas

23. 4 Gun Vegas Desert Shooting Adventure with Lunch from Las Vegas

24. Hoover Dam Tour by Luxury SUV

25. Hoover Dam Walk-On-Top Tour with Seven Magic Mountains

26. Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast

27. Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam, Route 66 from Las Vegas

28. 3-Hour Black Canyon Tour by Motorized Raft and Optional Transport

29. Grand Canyon West Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas with Optional Skywalk

30. Grand Canyon South Rim Small Group Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour & Hoover Dam Photo Stop with Optional Skywalk
• Ultimate Hoover Dam Tour from Las Vegas With Lunch
• Grand Canyon West with Lunch, Hoover Dam Stop & Optional Skywalk
• 3-Hour Hoover Dam Small Group Mini Tour from Las Vegas
• Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas
• Nevada State Railroad Museum
• Serenity Helicopters
• Skydive Las Vegas
• Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon
• Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
• Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines
• Hoover Dam Tours
• Lake Mead Cruises
• Dam Helicopter Company
• Black Canyon/Willow Beach River Adventures
• Boulder City Ghost Tour: Haunted Boulder City Ghost & UFO Tour
• Vegas Glass Kayaks
• Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicoptors

Boulder Dam Hotel's Recommendations for Your Stay in Historic Boulder City, Nevada

"The Town that Built Hoover Dam"

Let Boulder Dam Hotel's friendly, knowledgeable staff guide your exploration of Boulder City's remarkable history and its amazing outdoor adventures.  Try our self guided, audio walking tour of Boulder City's Historic District, then venture out into our vast natural surroundings for a walk along the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail, a bike ride on the River Mountains Loop Trail, a thrilling descent down Black Mountain on the  Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon zip line, an invigorating ride through railroad pass with RailExplorers, or enjoy the clear waters of Lake Mead and the Colorado River with the help of one of Boulder City's excellent outfitters.  Boulder City also has wonderful, independently-owned restaurants and an interesting historic district lined with fascinating artwork and specialty shops.

A modern marvel of engineering and architecture with stunning vistas.

Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

The largest concrete-arch bridge in North America, with a walkway providing scenic views from 890 feet above the Colorado River.

Visit Lake Mead Marina for information and rentals, and the Lake Mead Visitors Center for details of the National Recreation Area.

Valley of Fire

A geologic wonderland with 2000 year old petroglyphs. 

Rail Explorers

Pedal powered explorers + a ride on a historic train

Map & Info

Lake Mead Cruises

An Oasis of Blue on the Desert Princess

Hoover Dam Museum

The Story of  Hoover Dam and Those Who Built It

Self-Guided, Audio Walking Tour of Historic Boulder City

walkbc.oncell.com

Hemenway Park

Scenic Vista, Big Horn Sheep Grazing 

RR Tunnel Trail

Historic Trail Starting at the Lake Mead Visitor Center

FlightLinez BC

The Exhilaration of Flight

Eldorado Canyon Mines

Oldest, Richest Gold Mine in So. NV

Reservations Required

Southern NV Railway

Nevada State Railway Museum

Rides Available on Weekends

Devlin's Monster Museum

Creations of Film Artist Tom Devlin

Desert Adventures

Outfitter and Guide Services

Lake Mead Marina

Kayak, Paddleboard, and Boat Rentals

All Mountain Cyclery

Trail, Road, & EBike Rentals

Papillon Tours

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

Restaurants within walking distance of the Boulder Dam Hotel

The Dillinger

Gourmet Burgers & Craft Beers

702.293.4001

Cornish Pasty Co.

Pasties, Soups & Salads

702.268.7864

Boulder Dam Brewing Co.

Micro-Brewery with Pub Fare

702-243-2739

Milo's Cellar

Wines and Mediterranean Fare

702.293.9540

World Famous Coffee Cup 

Breakfast and Lunch

702.294.0517

Jack's Place

702.293.2200

Tony's Pizza

702.294.0023

BC Co. Store

Coffee, Tea & Pastries

725.735.4475

The Dam Bistro

Energetic, yet Relaxed Eatery

702.278.1317

Cleveland's

Classic Cocktails in a Speakeasy Atmosphere

Inside the Boulder Dam Hotel

Big T's Cantina

Street Tacos and Great Fun

725.200.3130

Big T's

Las Vegas Strip

Grand Canyon South Rim

Death Valley

Zion Nat'l Park

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines Boulder City

Just southeast of Las Vegas, our Boulder City terminal is located in the Boulder City Municipal Airport. This state-of-the-art, spacious facility operates as the launch point for some of our most popular air tours to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and more. Flights leaving this location offer visitors amazing views of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead as they head to either Page, AZ or Grand Canyon National Park, where exploration of the American Southwest begins.

Guests can choose between exploring the Grand Canyon’s West and South Rims, or they can choose to adventure to Page, AZ, where Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge and Horseshoe Bend all wait to be discovered. If you’re looking to extend your tour, adding a helicopter tour, water rafting experience, or hummer tour are all great ways to broaden your adventure.

Getting to the terminal is simple, shuttle service is available from Harry Reid International Airport and most major Las Vegas hotels (you don’t have to be staying at the hotel to make use of the shuttle service). Our Boulder City facility offers a comfortable lounge area to guests while they wait to board their flight. This terminal also has a gift shop and cafe, storage lockers, and restrooms.

About Boulder City

Initially founded to house workers building the Hoover Dam, this city has a unique blend of historic and modern personality. Attractions include historic points of interest, golfing, and restaurants, making it an ideal base for exploration the Grand Canyon.

Contact Numbers

Tours Departing from Boulder City Terminal

Grand Voyager Rim to River

Grand Canyon Deluxe with Helicopter

Antelope Canyon Expedition

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• Lake Mead Cruise Experience
• Hoover Dam Sightseeing Cruise
• Champagne Brunch Cruise
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See our cruise specials & additions.

An Oasis of Blue

Lake Mead Cruises welcome you for a relaxing tour aboard the famed Desert Princess—just minutes from the glitter and glamour of the Las Vegas strip. Built especially to cruise the clean, blue waters of picturesque Lake Mead and tour the Hoover Dam, the authentic, three-level, Mississippi-style paddlewheeler offers an unrivaled sightseeing experience. Whether you choose a brunch tour, mid-day tour or evening dinner tour, you’ll enjoy the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, or the absolute comfort of the climate-controlled enclosed decks—surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

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The Dam Crew

Boulder city/hoover dam museum, environmental/cultural exhibits .

The Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum tells the story of the men and women who braved the desolation of the southern Nevada desert to build Hoover Dam and settle Boulder City.  Their's is a story of American ambition, vision and grit.  Built during the Great Depression and as the Dust Bowl ravaged the American heartland, the engineering and construction marvel that is Hoover Dam also served as a beacon of hope -- signaling a brighter future.

 Open FREE to the public daily:  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  7 days/week, 365 days/year   School & Group Tours Available (702) 294-1988

MUSEUM / THEATRE HOURS

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

1305 Arizona Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

 Inside the historic Boulder Dam Hotel 

(702) 294-1988

[email protected]

Contact Form

for Researchers and Educators

Boulder Dam Hotel & WALK BC Audio Walking Tour

Boulder City / Hoover Dam Museum ' s three-dimensional, interactive displays and exhibits describe the great social and economic forces surrounding the 1929 Stock Market Crash and Depression that drove thousands of unemployed citizens from their homes into the isolation of the Nevada desert where the Boulder Canyon Project was one of the few places in the United States where men could find work.

Photographs, artifacts, oral histories, and the sounds of Hoover Dam construction ringing off the walls of Black Canyon provide a sense of the complexity, danger, and immense scale of the construction project, as well as a picture of ordinary life in an extraordinary time and place.

Listen as these pioneers tell about their lives in Boulder City and down at the Hoover Dam construction site in the desperate years of the early 1930s.

Mothers describe how they set up households in the sandy wastes along the Colorado River. Dam workmen tell stories of the dangers they faced building Hoover Dam, an engineering project unlike any attempted before.

How did they live? How did these people survive 120-degree heat in the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter?

How did they care for their children? How did they get back and forth to work? How much money did they earn in Boulder City, a town completely controlled by the federal government? What did their homes look like? What happened if workmen were injured or killed on the job?

OUR  HOME

We are located on the 1st floor of the historic Boulder Dam Hotel.  Built in 1933 to accommodate visitors to the Hoover Dam construction project, the  building is one of the oldest in Nevada still operating in its original capacity.  The masonry; the gum wood paneling, fireplace, and chandeliers in the lobby; and the windows throughout the building are original.  We offer 21 guest rooms that blend the classic style of the era with the amenities modern travelers expect. The hotel is the top-rated lodging in Boulder City and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

702-293-2034

[email protected]

TEXT​ "BOULDER" to 866-866-5545

[email protected]

100 nevada way boulder city, nv 89005, historic walking tour, boulder city historic walking tours.

Boulder City Chamber of Commerce is a 501 c (6) organization. The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce also manages four other non-profit 501 c (3) corporations; the Boulder City Tourism Commission, the Boulder City Economic Vitality Commission, the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Boulder City Community Foundation.

Nevada State Railroad | Boulder City

American Railbike Adventures Begins Operations in Boulder City 

The Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City is excited to announce that rail bike operations return to the museum this weekend! American Railbike Adventures will begin offering tours along the museum’s track between Boulder City and Railroad Pass beginning Friday, October 6, 2023.  

The new lease was a result of a wide Request for Proposal process as required by state law. American Railbike Adventures will operate as a vendor with the museum for five years, with the possibility of two five-year extensions. The museum’s contract with its previous vendor expired in 2020.  

“Boulder City is known for its wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities and its historic lineage,” said museum director Dr. Christopher MacMahon. “We welcome American Railbike Adventures to the museum and to our community where they will help promote the railroad’s history while providing a unique recreation experience for residents and visitors alike.” 

Guests interested in booking tours can contact American Railbike Adventures at 702-550-1152 or visit www.lasvegasrailbikes.com . 

Where are all the boulders? Everything you need to know about a visit to Boulder City

I find it interesting the places I travel where the names do not always make sense.

For instance, I once traveled through Boring, Oregon and when I asked a man for a good place to have lunch - he jumped up and down, “Dude, there is this awesome burger joint, it’s always rockin’."

I drove through Canada and Texas a few years back and was surprised no one had a French accent, and the folks there liked me, an American.

Another time, I cruised through Intercourse, Pennsylvania - I did not stop.

Does Boulder City have lots of boulders?

So, when Laureen and I visited Boulder City, Nevada, recently, I saw no boulders.

“Where’s the boulders?” I asked.

My lovely wife shook her head. “It’s named after Boulder Canyon, where Hoover Dam was built.”

I nodded. “Still, it would be nice to see some boulders since its name is Boulder City. Just one huge granite rock stuck in the middle of the main street, with a sign pointing to that igneous thingie that says, "Welcome to Boulder City.”

“Time for lunch and your meds,” Laureen commented.

And soon, we found ourselves at the Boulder Dam Brewery in the Boulder City Historic District. All was well with the day.

It was our two-hundredth wedding anniversary, and as a surprise, I booked a room at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel.

Laureen wanted Paris, France, and frowned when I suggested Perris, California.

So to Nevada, we went.

No gambling in Boulder City? You betcha'

Boulder City is only one of two cities in Nevada that does not allow gambling. The other is a town named Panaca - somewhere near the border of Utah.

What if I wanted to wager a month's salary on the spinning ball of Roulette?

According to the Boulder Dam Hotel concierge, “You’ll have to leave town to gamble. This city was one of the first planned town developments in the nation, and gambling was not one of the vices for the residents.”

It turns out that Boulder City was built on federal land and was, in fact, an experiment on how to lay out a city with everything that would be needed for the folks who would reside in the area. There would be paved roads, houses, grocery stores, churches, and everything else that would make up a wholesome community, excluding games of chance.

The Bureau of Reclamation headed the project, tasked with overseeing the construction of the Boulder Canyon Project, later known as Hoover Dam, along with six separate construction companies that had won the building contracts from the federal government. The project was too humongous for any one company to construct.

It was in December of 1928 that President Calvin Coolidge authorized the building of Boulder City to house all the workers needed for the massive and ambitious plans of creating a dam along the mighty Colorado River.

“We need a place for our laborers to rest after laboring all day in a gazillion degrees while hanging off sheer cliff faces,” it is rumored that President Coolidge stated to a flunky.

The flunky may have nodded in agreement. “Should there be gambling?”

“Brothels?” the flunky asked.

“No brothels for them or you,” the president said quickly, grabbing a pen and ensuring it was in the construction by-laws.

It seems when news of the huge dam project was floating around the area of Boulder Canyon, the smallwigs in Las Vegas wanted dam workers to reside in Las Vegas - this was before Bugsy Siegel and the mob had taken over Sin City - they would later be known as bigwigs. Las Vegas was just a small gambling locale in the middle of the desert, and the smallwigs thought having a large group of men with loads of cash in their pockets after working all day along the river might bring some more stability to the desert gambling mecca.

The government, later to be known as Big Brother, told the gambling folks from Las Vegas to keep their distance from the hard-working men building the dam in the canyon.

“Last thing we need is to have a man lose a month’s salary in one naughty night in Las Vegas and have him dangling from a rope high above the Colorado River,” one foreman may have uttered.

“He may become untethered and then really untethered,” another foreman may have commented.

So, Boulder City was built in two years, from 1931 to 1932 - very fast for a full-blown town, but then again, the Hoover Dam was completed two years earlier than expected—a solid work ethic in those roaring thirties.

All the seven main streets in the town were named after states through which the Colorado River runs: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. It was a lovely touch since these states were also where many workers had resided before moving to Boulder City to be employed for the dam project.

Boulder City has some marvelous views

As Laureen and I drove through this beautiful hilltop town overlooking the stilled waters of the Colorado River just north of the Hoover Dam, we marveled at the view from Denver Street. The story goes that it has the same view as back in 1932, with huge mountain vistas looking east toward Arizona with the startling blue waters of Lake Mead below. I wondered about that for a moment. Why wouldn’t it have the same view? What could have changed the landscape? An earthquake, a meteor impact, the Colorado River drying up, or perhaps Denver Street rerouted through the years.

These are the ponderings that keep me awake at night.

After the dam was completed in 1936, the hydroelectric power was delivered to Nevada and Southern California and turned over to the Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light (later changed to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) and the California Edison Company.

The Feds controlled the entire region upon which Boulder City was built until 1958, when Congress approved the Boulder City Act, allowing the Bureau of Reclamation to turn over nearly 33 square miles to the newly enacted city government. In January of 1960, Boulder City was incorporated with huge fanfare from its many residents.

“About time,” one happy resident was heard shouting.

The Bureau of Reclamation kept control of all facilities needed to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of such a vital structure as the dam. And even the townsfolk realized the federal government always ran things much better and more efficiently than the local bureaucrats could (he typed with a wink).

The historic district is meant to meander and leisurely enjoy all the sights. There is a comfortable and quaint feeling while walking down the town streets, with buildings dating back to the dam's construction.

Downtown Boulder City full of art, history

The downtown district is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, with most buildings dating from 1931 to 1942. Only 40 or so were built after 1950, and since there are 514 buildings within the district, the entire area is a historical adventure for the tourist to take in and appreciate.

To highlight how life was in the early days of Boulder City, there is wonderfully crafted metal artwork seemingly every few yards down the main street.

A work created by artist Sutton Betti depicts men known as puddlers. These men smoothed cement with shovels after a pour, creating the shape of the dam.

Further down the street, a huge green metal frog by artist Kim Kori is blowing a kiss to visitors. Dozens of other uniquely created metal sculptures with descriptive plaques explain who the artist is and why such a piece was crafted.

The Boulder Dam Hotel, our abode away from home, was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in July of 1982. The hotel was a vision of Jim Webb, who believed Boulder City would need a hotty-totty sort of place where VIPs could stay.

Folks like Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., Will Rogers, the Maharaja and Maharani of Indore, India, as well as Dr. and Dr. John R. Beyer, and many such important people who needed a hotel with air conditioning, private baths, and a lavish wood-paneled lobby. And this hotel meets all those specifications.A marvelous museum, which depicts the early days of Boulder City and the construction of the Hoover Dam, is one of the main points to see within the hotel, which is visited by over 45,000 people annually.

There are modern touches here and there, with newer structures housing hotels, restaurants, breweries, and the like. Still, the overall feeling is one of stepping back in time to see how the ingenuity and perseverance of the human spirit changed this section of the Mojave Desert into a modern and welcoming destination for travelers.

John can be contacted at [email protected]

Information

https://www.bcnv.org and https://www.boulderdamhotel.com/

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Where are all the boulders? Everything you need to know about a visit to Boulder City

• Hotels Near Hoover Dam
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Third Annual Garden Tour Tickets On Sale Now

February 16, 2023 by Tina Cluver

The 3rd Annual Boulder City Garden Tour is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 8:00AM to 1:00PM . Tickets to the event are on sale now. Advance tickets are just $20 and tickets purchased on the day of the event are $25. Tickets can be purchased at Sage Boutique , located at 410 Nevada Way , Monday thru Friday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, and Saturday 10:00AM to 4:00PM. We spoke with organizer Michelle Gemmill who told us, “A portion of the proceeds will benefit local causes such as BC Kids Educational Outreach and the Boulder City Community Gardens .

The organizers are looking for volunteers and participants for this year’s tour. For more information about the tour, please contact Michelle Gemmill at (702) 972-0661 . The Garden Tour is fast becoming a community favorite event with our local gardeners and residents who love to see what the local green thumbs are nurturing in their beautiful gardens each year.

The Garden Tour begins with check in at the Seed to Table Garden , located at 1533 Mancha Drive , where attendees will be given a list of locations and a booklet about the gardens. The tour is self-guided and participants can take choose the routes and gardens to see on the tour. This is a fun way to become more familiar with native plants and get ideas for your own garden. Make sure you get your tickets soon!

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Local News | Boulder officials focus on key issues at retreat

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The Boulder City Council discussed some big-ticket issues – from homelessness to transportation, public safety to how to create a vibrant local economy – on the first day of its two-day 2024 retreat .

In Boulder, council retreats are typically held biennially to discuss and agree on policy priorities for the next two years. On Wednesday, the council and city staff members gathered at the Municipal Services Center, 5050 Pearl St., and kicked off this year’s retreat with statements from each council member about visions for the city.

Several council members, including Ryan Schuchard and Matthew Benjamin, said they want to create a more safe and sustainable transportation system in Boulder. Schuchard and Mayor Aaron Brockett both expressed interest in eliminating parking minimums.

Schuchard added that he would like to see Boulder adopt a more broad and holistic climate policy that would guide land use and transportation decisions as well as codifying citywide emissions reduction targets.

For numerous council members, affordability and housing appeared to be top-of-mind. Councilmember Tina Marquis said she’d like to see more middle-income housing in the city, while Councilmember Mark Wallach suggested the group should consider subsidizing some housing.

“We need to begin a serious, no-ideological conversation about our housing crisis and addressing affordability,” Wallach said. “Yesterday’s multiple listing service showed three homes on the market for $750,000 or less, and showed 31 for $5 million or more. This is obscene. We need to understand that the private sector will never fulfill our affordability needs.”

Benjamin and Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Speer both said they’re interested in increasing pay for council members so that serving on the council can be more accessible to a wider range of people.

“Fair pay for council won’t be a panacea, but it will at least allow us to maybe take one’s personal economics off the table in terms of whether or not they want to choose to serve this community,” Benjamin said during the meeting.

Councilmembers Lauren Folkerts and Schuchard said they’d like to make more tweaks to city zoning rules. Folkerts would like to change single-family zoning to allow duplex and triplex developments. The council voted last fall to allow duplexes and triplexes in low-density residential areas, provided that they conform with existing density limits.

“By embracing this change, we can create more housing units within existing urban areas to reduce sprawl (and) expand transportation options,” said Folkerts.

Council members also spent part of Wednesday discussing administrative, process-related items. During the second day of the retreat on Thursday, council members will narrow down their list of ideas to 10 key priority areas of focus.

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