ing just outside of town! There’s a large parking lot 12 miles up Kyle Canyon Road, where the skies are dark enough to enjoy a meteor shower or simply enjoy the view overhead.
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eigend, his website serves ToNthat as a database of every significant plant, animal, trail and road in the wilds of Southern Nevada. Centennial Hills (birdandhike.com)
Best place for bird-watching Best hardcore hike Bridge Mountain
Henderson Bird tch hood Wa r Viewing Preserve Neighbo
This is a must-bag for any serious Southern Nevada hiker. Starting atop Rocky Gap Road, Bridge Mountain’s trail climbs steeply through the pines before striding across bare rock. A few harrowing scrambles later, hikers can stand atop a massive mountaintop arch.
This little-known preserve’s 140 acres feature a handful of ponds interwoven with peaceful, University District wheelchair-friendly paths, all frequented by local and migrating birds. The staff will even loan you binoculars. (350 E. Galleria Drive, 267-4180) atch r Neighbo
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Best bike ride River Mountain Loop Trail
Our local government spent a small fortune building a 35-mile path around the River Mountains, and it shows. With paved trails and multiple parking lots, cyclists can start their ride almost anywhere and get as much scenery and cardio as they can handle. I recommend the lake shore. (365-2191, rivermountainstrail.com)
Best walking trails Sunset Park
After Sunset Park’s major renovations, there’s no shortage of wide and winding walking paths through the park’s new “natural” (read: replanted) areas. The paths now have better lighting, informational signs throughout — and the new bathrooms are downright usable. Keep a sharp eye for rabbits, and the occasional coyote (in the park, not the bathrooms). (2601 E. Sunset Road, 455-8200)
Summerlin & environs Best afternoon killer
Antique Alley Neigh
Downtown Raves from the expert next door Best star- ood Watch ighborh Newatching Commonwealth
Someone balled up and built an Commonwealth open rooftop lounge on East Southern Fremont. Finally! Highlands This staple of the you’ll appreciate urban renaisthe band’s quality sance is executed rendition of “Man exceedingly well at of Constant Sorthis Boston-styled row.” Add a $6 bar. Even better? mimosa or Bloody h tc It’s pulling o d Wa Mary and the sorh aofresh r o b h ig e row slides away. N brand of boozers 107 E. Charleston downtown.
525 Fremont St., 445-6400, commonwealthlv.com
Blvd. #155, 202-6060, barbistroaf.com
Best bluegrass brunch
Best Yelp success story
Downtown probably needs only one Bluegrass Brunch. And because the B+B kitchen can, uh, take its time when prepping your delectable, freshbaked scones,
Hipsters! Tourists! Downtowners! Almost everyone adores these chunky Venezuelan street tacos. Started as a semi-permanent stand in the Dino’s parking lot, this
Henderson
Bar + Bistro
Best outdoors website Birdandhike.com
Jim Boone, birdandhike.com’s curator, has a mission mirroring mine: Get people outdoors in a safe, responsible way and let them fall in love with the land.
Main Street south of Charleston (SoCha perhaps?) has become the place to browse furniture, vintage housewares, Mid-Mod accessories, and more. Boosted when Retro Vegas scored a huge new spot (check out that tie rack!), several shops have since opened, joining stalwarts such as the Funk House.
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Retro Vegas: 1131 S. Main St., 384-2700, retro-vegas.com
Best Caesar Salad
Retro Vegas
Oscar’s
Viva Las Arepas
foodie favorite will soon hop a block south into a permanent storefront, a success fed at least in part by 164
mostly-happy Yelp reviews. Cheap, fast, yummy.
1516 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 366-9696, vivalasarepas.com
Caesar Salad is like eggs: Many restaurants offer them, few do them well. Oscar’s, on the other hand, might plate the best Caesar in the city. It’s fresh, crisp, and perfectly balanced with just a hint of anchovy. Simplicity perfected. Pair one with a bowl of Alpine Village Inn Chicken Soup (yes!) and a happy hour Manhattan, and nobody gets hurt.
1 Main St., 386-7227, plazahotelcasino.com
— James P. Reza
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