McCullough Hills - Henderson, NV

The city of Henderson sprang up in the 1940s as a processor of magnesium for the war effort. After the war, the town became nearly abandoned, but the state of Nevada decided to resuscitate it. Henderson continued to be driven by heavy industry until 1988, when a rocket fuel factory exploded, causing damage many miles away. After that, Henderson shifted to residential and commercial development, including the residential neighborhood of McCullough Hills.

The Clark County Museum just to the east of McCullough Hills provides a fascinating look at life in Nevada in an earlier era. Actual homes from different time periods have been arranged into a ghost town that takes you back in time and includes a classic Vegas wedding chapel.

The Super Run Classic Car Show comes to Henderson every fall. This free show brings car enthusiasts from all over to show off their classic and classy rides.

Restaurants in the McCullough Hills neighborhood tend toward the casual and friendly. You'll find a wide selection of Italian, American, Thai and Chinese eateries in the neighborhood, especially along Stephanie Street, with some great bakeries and sandwich shops thrown in.

Presto Cafe on Stephanie Street serves locally sourced, healthy food that still manages to send out a comfort food vibe, to the delight of its customers. Try the turkey and bacon sandwich on cranberry-walnut bread, the ahi salad with quinoa and avocado or the gluten-free veggie lasagna with eggplant and kale. Your vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friends can all find something on this menu to make them happy.

When you want to make life easier by picking up take-out, head to Bistro Pizza on Gibson Road. This family-owned joint makes sensational New York-style pizza using fresh ingredients and family recipes. Design your own pizza, choosing from toppings that range from pepperoni, onions and tomatoes to bacon, pineapple and spinach. Don't forget to check in with social media and pick up a free order of garlic knots with dipping sauce.

Just across Highway 95, you'll find Fuego Steakhouse at the Fiesta Hotel, an ideal choice when you have something to celebrate or just want to enjoy a truly great steak. Choose from New York, porterhouse, ribeye and filet mignon, and order any steak Oscar style, with crab, asparagus and Bernaise sauce. Seafood lovers go crazy for the scallops, lobster and crab cakes, and everyone loves the varied bread basket that starts the meal. Immaculate service and perfectly cooked steaks put Fuego high on the list for date night.

The best nightlife in the world awaits you just a short drive up the road at the Las Vegas Strip, but if you want to stick closer to home, McCullough Hills gives you plenty of opportunities for after-hours fun. Hi Scores Bar-Arcade gives you the fun of an old-school arcade, the rush of video poker and the camaraderie of rooting for your favorite team all in one place. All the arcade games are completely free, so order one of the 13 craft beers on tap and see if you can beat your Frogger score from college. Head into Henderson to the Gold Mine Tavern, a hipster bar with pool tables and weekly taco nights, and enjoy live music on the outdoor patio lounge every weekend.

Most residents in McCullough Hills rely on their own cars to get them around the Las Vegas Valley. When you're driving in Henderson, you can count on free parking in most places, including residential neighborhoods such as McCullough Hills. Interstate 215 runs right past the neighborhood to connect you with Interstate 15, providing access to Las Vegas and beyond.

If you choose not to drive, RTC Transit runs bus routes throughout Henderson to connect you to Las Vegas and other locations around the Valley. While you can't hail taxis as easily as on the Strip, call any of several taxi companies or order a car through Uber when you need more personalized door-to-door service.

Henderson, including McCullough Hills, has minimal infrastructure for bicyclists, and the combination of the hills and the summertime heat often make walking inadvisable.

The community of McCullough Hills sits at the trailhead to the McCullough Hills Trail, an 8-mile trail open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The trail leads through the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, which lets visitors experience the stark beauty of Nevada's portion of the Mojave Desert. The clearly marked trail has shaded areas with horse tie-ups and benches.

Reunion Trails Park in McCullough Hills features a splash pad to let even the littlest of kids cool off when the weather is blisteringly hot. Kids love the modern playgrounds with unique play structures. Basketball courts, a large sports field and a separate dog park also attract locals.

Hidden Falls Park at the other end of McCullough Hills also features playgrounds sized for big and little kids as well as a dog park. With a free splash pad that you can turn on and off at will, covered picnic tables and terrific nighttime lighting at the playgrounds, this park lets you beat the heat. A skate park keeps teens busy, and hikers know this park as the trailhead to the Amargosa Trail.

Parks throughout Henderson feature plenty of community-building events throughout the year. Bring your pups to Bark in the Park or Doggie Paddle Day, or ride your bike at the Crazy Spokes event.

The cost of living of McCullough Hills is about 2 percent higher than that of Henderson and about 9 percent above the cost of living in Las Vegas. Taking the bus north to the Las Vegas Strip runs you only $2, and if you choose to drive, expect to pay 11 percent more than the national average price for a gallon of gas.

One-bedroom apartments average about $868 per month in rent, and a beer at a local pub costs about $5.

For clothing and home decor shopping, McCullough Hills residents often head to the Galleria Mall at Sunset or the District at Green Valley Ranch, both in Henderson. In addition, high-end shops at the Fashion Show mall and major casino shopping areas allow locals to shop for clothing from major designers. Within McCullough Hills and nearby are several specialty shops to pique residents' interest.

McGhie's Ski, Bike and Board appeals to the lovers of the outdoors in McCullough Hills. Amazing customer service from friendly salespeople helps you find exactly the right snowboard, bicycle or other gear.

Create is a wonderful craft studio that lets you and your kids access your inner artist. Come paint a T-shirt or make a collage, or arrange for a birthday party your kids' friends won't forget. When you need a break yourself, come work on a special project while your little ones play in the supervised playroom.

McCullough Hills locals typically head to Albertsons, WinCo or Vons for their basic grocery shopping. Branded Meats, also in the area, is an old-school butcher shop that sells top-quality meats, including Kobe beef hot dogs and prime cuts of steak cut to order. When only the freshest farm-to-market produce will do, head to the Country Fresh Farmers Market. It's open every Friday afternoon in Henderson.