12 of the best things to do, see and eat in North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas rarely gets the respect it deserves.

Take the travel site Tripadvisor and its “Top 30 Things to Do in North Las Vegas.” The list includes three Dotty’s casinos, two Walmarts and the Republic Services Southern Nevada recycling center.

The city is clearly on the rise, though, as it celebrates its 80th year.

Hylo Park, the 70-acre mixed-use project that’s replacing Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho, is taking shape. Apex Industrial Park is growing to nearly 30 million square feet of industrial space. Nevada State University’s North Las Vegas campus is expected to welcome students next fall, and UNLV’s North Las Vegas campus is in the works. They’ll join the city’s College of Southern Nevada campus.

You want some true innovation? There’s an IHOP with a drive-thru at 1824 E. Lake Mead Blvd. Take that, Henderson!

There’s just seemingly a lack of recognizable attractions or ways to while away a weekend afternoon in North Las Vegas. But that’s where we come in with our 12 recommendations for things to do, see and eat in NLV.

Broadacres Marketplace

The swap meet has been a community hub since its opening in 1977. Even if you aren’t in the market for soccer jerseys, luchador masks, high-visibility safety vests, used cellphones, parakeets, terrifying puppets or cowboy hats for you and your dog, it’s worth a visit just for the live entertainment and a trip through the indoor Food Fair. 2930 Las Vegas Blvd. North, broadacresm.com

West Wind Las Vegas Drive-In

It’s the valley’s last drive-in standing, and it’s been that way since 1988. The outdoor cinema celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, but it’s kept up with the times by adding LX Laser Extreme projectors to two of the six screens. Those screens seem even brighter now that the glowing lights of the neighboring Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho are gone. Admission is $10.25 for adults ($7.50 on Tuesdays), $2 for ages 5 to 11 and those 4 and younger are admitted free. 4150 W. Carey Ave., westwinddi.com

Left of Center Gallery

The nonprofit art gallery, which opened in 1987, hosts lessons in various techniques led by local artists. Its library serves as a research hub to help artists in their creative endeavors. Left of Center’s permanent collection, which began as museum founder Vicki Richardson’s private collection, focuses on preserving African American art and Southern Nevada’s cultural history. 2207 W. Gowan Road, leftofcenterart.org

Christopher Lawrence

Aliante Nature Discovery Park

This small oasis in the Aliante area packs a punch across 20 acres. With a man-made lake and waterfall at the center, the park also boasts grilling areas, horseshoe pits, jogging and walking trails, picnic tables, volleyball courts, shuffleboard courts, soccer fields, a dinosaur-themed modern playground (including play areas for bigger kids) and a splash pad. The small lake also allows for up-close viewing of waterfowl and other birds, as well as turtles. 2627 Nature Park Drive.

Dale Etheridge Planetarium

Southern Nevada’s only planetarium was established way back in 1977 at the College of Southern Nevada. Public viewing opportunities typically include a screening about space and the stars in the 66-seat theater, as well as a telescope observation of constellations visible from Las Vegas (if weather allows, all for only $6). Keep an eye out for classic special screenings like Pink Floyd shows and events for kids in the 30-foot dome. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.; csnplanetarium.square.site

Ice Age Fossils State Park

It’s our only state park that has been 25,000 years in the making. It’s hard to tell now, but during the last Ice Age, megafauna ruled the land we now see as desert. The first fossil was found in 1903, followed by the Big Dig in the ’60s and a revival of the site in the ’90s. Mammoths, lions, camels, dire wolves, giant sloths. What else can be discovered? Day-use entry is $3 per person and free for kids 12 and under. 8660 N. Decatur Blvd., parks.nv.gov

Kristen Di Chiara

The Amp

Maybe the valley’s most underrated concert venue, the 7‑acre, 10,000-capacity The Amp is a hidden gem in Craig Ranch Regional Park. The amphitheater opened in October 2015 and has since been renovated with a new stage roof and support structure, modern lighting and point‑directional sound. Vegas electronic dance music company RVLT Events regularly hosts shows there — EDM superstar Alison Wonderland played in June; next up is hard techno heavyweight Holy Priest on Saturday — and alt-hardcore favorites Turnstile headline its biggest concert yet on Oct. 15. 628 W. Craig Road; cityofnorthlasvegas.com

North Fifth Brewing

North Las Vegas’ first brewery turns 5 this December, and hmm, how should celebrate the occasion? With a beer, perhaps? There are more than a dozen to choose from at North Fifth Brewing, which is owned by siblings Amanda and Matt Payan, who also employ a pair of brewing brothers to create a variety of beers that nod to their Southwestern origins. (Desert Dust juicy IPA; Tumblewheat fruited wheat ale). Don’t leave without trying the Picklas Cage Cucumber Sour. 60 W. Mayflower Ave.; north5thbrewingco.com

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

From lead foots to fuzzy boots, so Las Vegas Motor Speedway has gone. The mammoth track has been hosting the NASCAR Cup Series since 1998 and Electronic Daisy Carnival, the Super Bowl of electronic dance music, since 2011. The two have more in common than you think: A night at EDC makes your adrenal glands feel like they’ve been hooked up to a car battery. 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North; lvms.com

Jason Bracelin

Sunshine & Tailwinds Cafe

The restaurant began life more than 40 years as Sunshine Cafe, moving in 2015 to its current spot overlooking the North Las Vegas Airport. The owners added Tailwinds to the name to celebrate this new location. The interior features vintage model airplanes hanging overhead and framed aviation images on the walls. The menu flight plan ranges across breakfast and lunch standards: French toast with two eggs and choice of meat, eggs Benedict with ham, huevos rancheros, a chef salad, and turkey or tuna melt on rye. 2730 Airport Drive; 702-644-0020

EllaEm’s Soul Food

The late Ella Rea Gray, born in Mississippi in 1913, gave her first name (and cooking traditions) to this restaurant opened by her grandson, Pierre Hudson, and his wife, Aem Upachak. The second half of EllaEm’s nods to Upchak’s first name. The menu showcases plates of oxtails, a Gray signature; fried or grilled red snapper; white or dark meat fried chicken cooked to order; baked baby back ribs in full and half racks; and thick slices of meatloaf swaddled in gravy. Essential soul food sides are here, of course: collard greens, black-eyed peas, red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and more.

775 W. Craig Road, Suite 146; ellaems.com

Scoops y Cafe

They’re not afraid to think pink at this storefront restaurant with a bubblegum pink exterior and, inside, a cluster of cherry blossoms and walls in rose pink. On the beverage side, look for classic coffee drinks, iced strawberry and mango matcha lattess, and specialty lattes in fun flavors lke Biscoff cookie, Cocoa Puffs and viral Mexican Sponch cookie (marshmallow, coconut, strawberry). Scoops also offers cups, sugar cones, waffle cones and bowls of Thrifty Ice Cream (plus pup cups). Check out the regular, bagel and croissant sandwiches, too, and ask if there’s any Hello Kitty merch for sale. 2442 Las Vegas Blvd. North; 725-285-5023

Johnathan L. Wright