Spring Valley: Las Vegas

Spring Valley is one of Las Vegas' older residential communities. Located just west of the Las Vegas Strip, Spring Valley holds more homes than hotels, but it's full of terrific, off-the-beaten path local restaurants. Spring Valley begins west of the Strip at approximately Decatur Boulevard, and although some maps show it extending all the way to Hualapai Way on the west end of town, most locals consider its west end to be at about Buffalo Drive, bordering Summerlin. (To the north, it ends at Sahara Avenue, and it extends south to approximately the 215 freeway.) The off-Strip hotels of the Palms, the Gold Coast, and the Rio are all located in the small area between the Strip and Spring Valley.

The Orleans Hotel Casino, a local favorite, is on the edge of Spring Valley. The Orleans frequently hosts concerts and other events, and it's a good choice for visitors who would like a hotel away from the busyness of the Las Vegas Strip. The Orleans holds a movie theater, a bowling alley, and an on-site childcare facility, Kids Tyme; its room rates are very reasonable.

Spring Valley has a great selection of restaurants, many of them locally owned. Ricardo's and Metro Pizza are both in the same shopping center at Decatur and Flamingo. Ricardo's Mexican food and gigantic Margaritas are a favorite of locals, and Metro Pizza's generous portions often mean you'll need to take some of your meal with you. The Cracked Egg at Rainbow is popular for breakfast, and Rosemary's, one of Las Vegas' more acclaimed restaurants, is right on the edge of the Spring Valley/Summerlin neighborhoods.

Las Vegas' Chinatown is in Spring Valley, about a mile west of the Treasure Island. Asian restaurants, markets, and shops are scattered up and down Spring Mountain Road for several blocks. Distinctive Asian architecture and signage make it hard to miss, and the large Chinatown Plaza allows visitors to explore a variety of shops and restaurants in one location.
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