Henderson stretches out from the southern boundary of Las Vegas and is the second largest city in Nevada. While mostly a residential city, Henderson is home to various casinos and a variety of visitor attractions. Its proximity to Las Vegas make it a favourite place to visit and stay.
It sometimes appears that Henderson and Las Vegas are one urban landscape, Nevada's two largest cities building up against each other. They do have very different atmospheres. While Las Vegas is big and bright, Henderson prefers things to be much more low key and is home to a number planned communities. It regularly ranks as one of America's safest and most liveable cities. Sunset Station and Fiesta Henderson are good examples of the casinos in Henderson, far less glamorous than those on the Las Vegas Strip but an alluring insight into traditional Nevada life. Popular attractions in the city include the Clark County Heritage Museum, the Ocean Spray Factory, and the Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Guided tours are available at each of these. Henderson also has over 64 kilometres of hiking trails that wind above the Las Vegas Valley.
The city is just 16 kilometres east of McCarran International Airport and pre-booked airport shuttle services are available. Various bus services run between Henderson and Las Vegas, as well as to Boulder City further to the south.
Henderson developed during World War II when a large industrial plant was built to provide the United States Army with magnesium. While the city declined after the war, it was revitalised in the 1970s and 1980s through its proximity to Las Vegas and the building of a rocket fuel factory.