Rancho Oakey - Las Vegas, NV

While pioneers settled in the downtown Las Vegas area in the 1800s, following in the path of John Fremont, Vegas truly got rolling in 1931. In that year, casino gambling became legal, construction began on the Hoover Dam, and Nevada loosened its divorce laws. After World War II, Las Vegas entered a boom period. In the 1980s, however, the entertainment and gambling focus moved to the Strip, leaving downtown a bit dilapidated. Rejuvenation of the area began in the 1990s, and the downtown Renaissance fostered new interest in the nearby residential areas such as Rancho Oakey.

Rancho Oakey holds Springs Preserve with its Origen Museum, the Nevada State Museum and the Sustainability Gallery. Check the Preserve's calendar for the Asian Heritage Celebration and Haunted Harvest every fall. In addition, you'll also find the International Scouting Museum for current and graduated Boy Scouts and the Hispanic Museum of Nevada.

Restaurants in Rancho Oakey tend to cluster around Sahara Boulevard. Enjoy casual, sit-down eateries featuring American, Indian, Hawaiian, Italian and soul food, as well as quick fast food and even special occasion dining experiences.

Oyster Bar at the Palace Station Casino and Hotel serves up fresh seafood 24/7 and cooks everything in front of you as you watch. Come for the freshly shucked oysters and stay for the gumbo, cioppino and jambalaya. Locals rave about the combo pan roast, in which crab, shrimp, lobster and rice are served in a brandy tomato cream sauce with your choice of spiciness.

After a long night at the tables, drop by the Omelet House on Charleston Boulevard. The six-egg omelets feed two or more, and you'll want to split your meal to make sure you have room for the luscious pumpkin bread

When you want to take a date or out-of-town guests to a dinner they'll never forget, make reservations at Dinner In the Sky. Don't be surprised when you're strapped into your seat around a table for 22, then hoisted 200 feet into the air for an unsurpassed view looking down the Las Vegas Strip. Enjoy steak, chicken and vegetarian options and superbly mixed cocktails, knowing you may not even remember the food because the experience itself overwhelms you. If you want to keep your feet on the ground, stick around the 360-degree bar to watch the tables rise, then enjoy live music on the outdoor patio.

Las Vegas puts on the best party in the world, and even with downtown Vegas and Fremont Street just on the other side of the freeway; you'll find plenty of after-hours fun in Rancho Oakey. Stop in at Frankie's Tiki Room, a local hangout famous for showing up in the movie "Swingers." This old-school tiki fantasy serves up sweet, tropical drinks that carry an incredibly strong kick. When you're in search of a 1 a.m. happy hour, head to Rebel Republic, a gastropub with 52 beers on tap and plenty of big screen TVs to watch the game. Bring your own headphones to utilize the bar's Hear TV that lets you pay attention to what's happening on the screen. When you're looking for music to liven up your evening fun, head just across the freeway to the Clark County Amphitheater for big name stadium shows, or check out the Box Office's two small theaters for smaller, local bands.

With its close proximity to downtown Las Vegas, it's possible to get by without a car in Rancho Oakey, relying on buses provided by RTC Transit. Hailing a cab downtown remains fairly easy, though they're less available on the streets of Rancho Oakey; Uber provides another alternative when you want door-to-door transportation.

If you choose to drive, Rancho Oakey's convenient location makes it simple to get downtown, or hop on US 95 or Interstates 15 or 515 to take you all over the Las Vegas Valley. Residential areas feature abundant free parking, as do local businesses.

While the flat terrain of the neighborhood makes it easy to walk or bike, only one dedicated bike lane exists in Rancho Oakey, running along Alta Drive, and summertime heat often makes life difficult for pedestrians or cyclists.

Springs Preserve sits in the heart of Rancho Oakey, at Valley View and Alta, providing the neighborhood with beautiful walking and biking trails that lead through archaeological sites, several museums, regular animal shows and a wonderful Old West-themed playground. Let your kids bring in their special findings from nature, such as rocks, shells and pine cones, to trade for other treasures. Come back in the spring to visit the butterfly habitat, sign your kids up for summer camp or school-year classes, or attend a gardening or cooking workshop yourself.

Springs Preserve also hosts regular annual events, including the Day of the Dead each November, Mardi Gras Vegas in the spring and the yearly Ohana Festival celebrating Hawaiian heritage. Moderate fees apply to some events.

Rancho Oakey head to Bob Baskin Park to walk their dogs or play a few games of tennis. The lighted courts let you play late at night as the day's heat starts to dissipate.

Life in the comfortable, older neighborhood of Rancho Oakey runs about 12 percent lower than the cost of living in Las Vegas in general. If you grab a bus to head downtown or to the Strip, it'll cost you only $2, and if you decide to drive, expect to pay 11 percent over the national average for your gasoline.

You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood at a bargain price of $557 per month. If you plan to grab a beer at one of the area's many local bars, expect to pay $5 to $9, depending on your choice of brew.

One of Las Vegas' favorite malls sits just across the freeway from Rancho Oakey. Head to Las Vegas North Premium Outlets when you want to scoop up incredible deals from designers including 7 for All Mankind, Giorgio Armani, Brooks Brothers, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade and many more.

When you want to keep your shopping in the Rancho Oakey area, you still have great choices available. Head just west of Rancho Oakey to the Charleston Antique Mall, which features not only a fine selection of antiques but also a great deal of Vegas-themed knickknacks, as well as vintage jewelry and Disney and Coke memorabilia. Plan to spend several hours once you set foot inside the door.

Zia Records on Sahara Avenue lets you combine your love for the old and new by selling up-to-the-minute CDs and Blu-rays, as well as new and used vinyl. The well-maintained organization of the shop and the helpful customer service staff guarantee you'll find some of your favorite music. If you're daring, pick up a "grab bag" CD or vinyl containing unexpected tracks at a low price.

Rancho Oakey residents head to Costco, Food 4 Less, or the Walmart Supercenter to get their grocery shopping done. They also head to Mariana's Supermarket to pick up organic, ethnic produce, authentic Mexican food ingredients, and cuts of meat that other stores don't always sell.