Best of the City 2023: Summerlin

The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre offers classes for students from 18 months to 18 years — including Me & Mum, Ballet ’n’ Play, Pointe, and Partnering. Classes are in the company’s spacious, airy complex in Summerlin, where young dancers perfect their craft. For dancers interested in furthering their training, NBT II is a program for dancers 17-21 to work toward a professional career while performing in The Nutcracker and other company productions. They also work with students in the Clark County School District as part of NBT’s community outreach program, helping create the next generation of dancers — and audiences. LTR | nevadaballet.org 

Tucked away behind one of Summerlin’s synagogues is a small, gated courtyard with 10-foot walls, upon which is engraved the following verse from the Torah: “Guard your soul so that you will not forget the things that your eyes have seen … and make these things known to your children and your children’s children.” This sums up the raison d’être of Temple Beth Sholom’s Remembrance Garden, dedicated in 2003, which houses the U.S.’s largest collection of cobblestones (more than 200 in total) from Poland’s Warsaw Ghetto, where 350,000 Jews were held and systemically starved during the Holocaust. It’s a sobering, stirring, quiet place to sit for a while when you find yourself in need of some perspective on your own trials. AD | bethsholomlv.org/remembrance-garden 

A lot has changed since the days of Cosmo at Cashman Field. Our minor league baseball team, now called the Stars 51s Aviators, have a state-of-the-art home in Summerlin with more comfortable seats, free parking, drool-worthy concessions, a pool, and a splash pad for the kiddos, all nestled in a setting of stunning natural beauty. Did I mention free parking? And hey, $1 beer night might be $2 beer night now, but the newer park means the Aviators can celebrate 40 years as a franchise this year in style. KDS | thelvballpark.com 

There’s something about outdoor yoga: the breeze ruffling your hair, the smell of grass, the sight of peach-colored clouds during twilight. This experience was something I never knew I needed, that is until I participated in my first Fitness on the Lawn class at Downtown Summerlin, which offers a weekly rotation of yoga, barre, Pilates, and any other workout you can do outside with minimal equipment. The same principle applies to DTS’s Summerlin Sounds summer concert series, also on the Lawn, where the only prerequisites to have fun are a blanket (or chair) and a good attitude — no cash required. AD | summerlin.com/events 

Let’s be real. It’s easy to overspend here because everything is so good. But for an authentic sushi experience, presentation, and superb knife skills, it’s worth shelling out $6 for a piece of exquisitely cut sushi such as its salmon truffle aburi or kamashita toro or $9.50 for its A5 Wagyu uni. Yes, Wagyu! For the sushi lovers who prefer the tried-and-true, such as a spicy tuna and salmon roll, order from the Happy Hour menu. No worries, it has happy hours on Saturdays and Sundays, too. Today’s Specials and Happy Hour menus are all you need to navigate this bistro. Go with a plan and a budget in mind or just order until you’re full. At that point, there may be damage to your wallet. Order at your own risk. SB | nenesushilv.com

As you open the door to Pierogi Village, it feels like you’ve just stepped into a Polish family’s dining room or a village in Poland. Polish artifacts line this restaurant. There are original Polish sausages and borscht soups, but since you’re at a Polish dumpling house, it’s all about the pierogi. From duck, meat, spinach and feta, to sausage, potato and onion, sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi, you can’t go wrong with any. Undecided? Order the 10-pierogi sampler plate to try five flavors. And save room for dessert — sweet cheese and fresh fruit — your stomach will thank you. SB | thefoodygram.com/pages/pierogi-village-menu  

I was a salt room skeptic until I was diagnosed with a chronic interstitial lung disease in 2019. I’ve been on steroids, a couple different inhalers, and an anti-inflammation diet, but nothing has offered me as much immediate benefit as a 45-minute halotherapy session in a salt cave. The closest thing you’ll get in Las Vegas to a seaside vacation, each room is covered floor-to-ceiling in Himalayan salt and has a fan that gently fills the space with salty air. Its purported benefits include clearer lungs and softer skin, but even if you don’t experience those effects, a massage or body treatment — also available at all locations — is sure to unwind some tension. HK | saltroomlv.com  

I’m addicted to the afterglow of 40 minutes at 150 degrees. Perspire Sauna offers private, full- spectrum, infrared saunas decked out with custom chromotherapy lighting and streaming services (in case you want to Netflix and sweat). Depending on what studies you read, infrared saunas may have health benefits. For me, I feel relaxed and recharged. I step out and breathe in the chilled eucalyptus towel provided in the room. My skin is glistening, and I’m caught up on the latest episode of my favorite show. Self-care: superstar status. LBM | perspiresaunastudio.com/nv/summerlin