A 180-acre site at the original springs that gave Las Vegas its name, with botanical gardens, trails, the Origen Museum, a recreated 1905 street and the Nevada State Museum on one ticket.
Before the casinos, there was water. The springs on this site fed the meadows (las vegas in Spanish) that drew travellers, then the railroad and finally the town. Springs Preserve now covers 180 acres west of downtown at 333 South Valley View Boulevard. It combines museums, gardens and desert trails, and it is the best place in the city to understand where Las Vegas came from and how it survives in the Mojave.
The main indoor stop is the Origen Museum. It has about 75 permanent exhibits on the region's natural and human history, including live-animal habitats, a simulated desert flash flood, a railroad display and an exhibit on Hoover Dam. Outside, the botanical gardens cover around 110 acres and hold one of the largest collections of Mojave cacti and succulents anywhere.
Desert Sol is a fully solar-powered model house. Boomtown 1905, opened in 2017, recreates early Las Vegas with a train depot, mercantile, bank and railroad cottages. About 3.6 miles of walking trails loop through the desert, and a seasonal butterfly habitat opens for limited periods.
The Nevada State Museum is on the same grounds and included with general admission. It covers the state's natural and cultural history and is open Tuesday to Sunday. The preserve itself is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission is tiered, with lower rates for Nevada residents and children. A café serves breakfast and lunch, so you can make a half-day of it without leaving.
This is a quiet, local-feeling attraction, and it works best for families, garden lovers and anyone who wants a break from the Strip. It is mostly outdoors, so in summer go early, wear a hat and use the indoor museums for the hottest hours. It is about 10 minutes by car from the Strip, with free parking. Do not expect thrills. It is a gentle, well-kept place to learn something and walk around.
What to expect
The experience
The main museum has about 75 exhibits on the Las Vegas valley's water, wildlife and people. Highlights include live animals, a flash-flood simulation and a railroad display. It is indoors and air-conditioned, which helps in summer.
Best time
Arrive at opening in warm months and save the indoor museums for midday; the butterfly habitat opens for limited spring and autumn seasons.
How long
Two to four hours.
Tips
About 110 acres of botanical gardens, with a large collection of Mojave cacti and succulents, and around 3.6 miles of trails. The trails are mostly flat but exposed, so bring water and sun protection. A recreated early-1900s street with a train depot, mercantile, bank and railroad cottages. It tells the story of Las Vegas as a railroad town and is popular with children. The state history museum on site is included with admission and open Tuesday to Sunday. If you visit on a Monday you will see everything else but not this museum. The butterfly habitat opens for limited spring and autumn seasons, with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, usually Thursday to Monday and weather permitting. Check the dates before you plan around it. Arrive at the 9am opening in warm months and save the indoor museums for midday. Go Tuesday to Sunday if you want the Nevada State Museum, which is closed on Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, garden lovers and repeat visitors who want a calm, educational half-day off the Strip.
- Families
- Made for families: gardens, trails and hands-on museums. Bring sun protection in warm months.
- Couples
- A calm afternoon among gardens and trails, away from the Strip.
- Pair with
- The Las Vegas Natural History Museum for a second family stop, or Red Rock Canyon for more desert scenery.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours.
Good questions
What is Springs Preserve?+
A 180-acre cultural and natural site on the springs where Las Vegas began. It includes the Origen Museum, botanical gardens, walking trails, the Boomtown 1905 historic street, a solar-powered house and the Nevada State Museum.
What are the opening hours?+
Springs Preserve is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The Nevada State Museum on the grounds is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Is the Nevada State Museum included?+
Yes, general admission covers both Springs Preserve and the Nevada State Museum. Nevada residents and children pay reduced rates.
Is there a train ride?+
The preserve's railroad history is presented through the Boomtown 1905 depot and the Origen Museum's railroad display. We could not confirm a regularly operating train ride, so do not plan your visit around one.
How long should I spend there?+
Two to four hours covers the museums, the main gardens and part of the trails. Families who use the play areas and the café can easily make it a half-day.
