Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve, a 180-acre cultural and historical attraction, opened in June 2007. The $250 million project includes the new 8-acre botanical garden, an outdoor amphitheater with 1,800 seats, a 2.5-mile trail system, 250 species of wildlife, interactive galleries, a children's playground, the Nevada State Museum (under construction), and guest services with a restaurant and a gift shop.

In the 1850s, Las Vegas was already a popular rest stop for California-bound emigrants, because of its springs. Mormon missionary Hosen Stout stopped here in 1852 and wrote about a "spring of pure water about blood heat." The first settlement in Las Vegas was soon established by 30 Mormons not far from the Springs Preserve site.

The Springs Preserve is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is open seven days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm (10 pm in summer).

See www.springspreserve.org for more information.