A Local's Guide to Old Henderson's Water Street District
Adjacent to Black Mountain is the Water Street District, the original site of Henderson named after the pipeline that pumped water to the magnesium plant that made the area boom in the 1940s. The city was incorporated in 1953 when it only totaled 13 square miles.
The area, also known as Old Henderson or Townsite, has a median sale price in the high $100s, according to Neighborhoods.com. Since prices in the area are lower than the average in Las Vegas, it’s not too difficult to find a home near Water Street, desirable for residents who want to be near the area’s urban core.
Today, this historical district is the heart of the city of Henderson. In a sense, Water Street District is to Henderson what Downtown is to Las Vegas. It’s an incubator for small, local businesses and a fun, vibrant thoroughfare full of gaming, restaurants, and regular farmers markets that cultivates a sense of community among residents. While there’s been redevelopment on Water Street, its small-town charm still remains.
Here’s a guide to the best of Water Street District.
Things To Do
Since Water Street was built for pedestrians, the Historic Walking Tour compiled by the City of Henderson is a great way to get aquainted with the area’s casinos, events plaza, city hall, and original homes from the 1940s.
Some of the area’s obvious attractions are the casinos, like Emerald Island, which includes gaming and restaurants like Emerald Island Grille, known for its breakfast specials and BBQ. The casino was notably rebranded in 2003 and remains an institution. Also, Rainbow Club and Casino—which opened in 1984—features a Promise Mural, an art installation that uses symbolism to embody the spirit of Old Henderson. Besides gaming, the Rainbow Club is also known for Images Restaurant, where you can enjoy prime rib, pot roast, steak, shrimp, and BBQ.
Water Street is also home to several art galleries like Elayne LaPorta Fine Arts, which includes a collection of one-of-a-kind serigraphs (silkscreens) and lithographs (printmaking). There’s also City Lights Art Gallery, which is owned and operated by more than 60 local artists. To support the arts in Las Vegas, the City Lights Art Gallery distributes scholarships and grants to local high school students pursuing college level art programs.
The historic district also holds recurring events and festivals like its Thursday farmers market and Last Friday, a monthly festival held every final Friday of the month by the Just Add Water Street Foundation. The art, music, and culinary event is meant to foster friendships within the community as well as raise funds for charity.
Restaurants
For casual yet artisan fare, Coo Coo’s Gourmet Coffee Cafe is a local favorite known for its fresh wraps, breakfast plates, sandwiches, and quesadillas. A well-known drink at the local institution is the Funky Monkey, a blended mocha frappe with a whole banana.
Down the street is Public Works Coffee Bar, which gives off a surprisingly urban vibe. Espresso and tea drinks blend with community elements like a gallery featuring local artists and a dog-friendly patio. Public Works is grounded in the Henderson community because the business uses beverage and food products from local vendors like Lovelady Brewing, another integral Water Street District business. As the only brewery on Water Street, Lovelady has a tasting room and hosts regular events for locals and visitors alike.
On select evenings, Firelight Barn offers a dinner theater show that features Fox Smokehouse BBQ alongside a lot of singing, dancing, and fiddles, which makes for an entertaining dining experience.
Shopping
Water Street District is home to more than a few eclectic shops, like Downtown Sewing Machine Company, a sewing store that offers supplies, repairs, and workshops. The Purple Monkey includes arts and crafts memorabilia, while Priscilla’s Pantry offers crafts and items for pets. Another local favorite on Water Street is Archer and Jane, a vintage children’s and maternity clothing store that includes a curated selection you won’t find anywhere else.