5 things you don’t want to miss at Broadacres Marketplace

With a long history in Southern Nevada and an enormous 44-acre footprint, Broadacres Marketplace attracts tens of thousands of shoppers to North Las Vegas every weekend.

Located at the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Pecos Blvd., the family-oriented retail and entertainment destination is a smorgasbord of culture, embodying the spirit of Central and South America with a spicy blend of shopping, food, entertainment and fun for all ages.

From pigging out to nabbing great deals, there’s something here for you, whether you’re part of the Latin community or you want to enrich yourself by experiencing Hispanic culture.

Still not sure? Here are 5 undeniable reasons to visit Broadacres Marketplace. 

Come for the shopping

To say Broadacres Marketplace has a little of everything is an understatement. In reality, the Mexican swapmeet has a lot of many things, plus a little of everything else, new and used. There are well over 1,000 covered vendor spaces, so there’s plenty to haggle for, from an antique trinket for your home to a new pair of brand-name jeans, a toy, pots for plants, spices, produce, framed art, cheap makeup, vinyl records, Latina-owned brands, Asian bamboo … you get the point. It doesn’t matter if you need a particular item or just browsing. Part of the fun of shopping at this outdoor market is seeing what catches your eye. The transaction should go smoothly since Broadacres requires its vendors to be state-licensed. Most accept credit and debit cards, but cash is always king. 

Stay for the food

The food fair is a big draw for customers across the valley as well as regulars. There are rows of vendors and something for everyone, including candy and beer. Just follow the scent of Spanish and Mexican spices toward the long red rooftop on the east side of the marketplace. A world of food and drink options await; dishes from cultures worldwide and all the classics, like burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, pizza and cheeseburgers. Wash it all down with aguas frescas and horchata or alcoholic drinks. Prices are affordable, but this varies by vendor and menu item. The Broadacres Marketplace food fair is basically a foodie version of the flea market with tacos and micheladas instead of crucifixes and mattresses. It can get pretty busy, but there are lots of choices, so it’s easy to pop over to another vendor If a particular line is too long.

Keep your kids happy

On any public excursion, whether you’re a parent or not, the same rule typically applies: If the kids are happy, everyone else is happy. As a family-friendly marketplace, Broadacres provides you with a great excuse to get your kids out of the house and into the open air. Broadacres is entirely family-oriented with dispersed kid sections and attractions all over the property. There’s enough to do that you can reasonably spend a day here (with or without) the family. Kids will think they’re at a carnival with games, pony rides, teacup spinners, even a Ferris wheel. Additionally, the flea market is filled with toys and the food fair has plenty of treats. 

Let them entertain you

Broadacres has live bands every weekend, performing on a large stage with a covered seating area. Large HD screens broadcast popular sporting events and shows. The vibe varies by day with norteño, cumbias, and traditional bands on Friday nights and Sundays, and a rotation of Cumbias, Latin crossover, Sierreño, Rock en Español, salsa and merengue bands on Saturdays. Past bands have included Corona Del Rey, Cuisillos, La Arrolladora Banda Limón de Rene Camacho and Banda Toro. During event season, a nighttime concert series attracts top-notch talent, with past performers including “The King of the Accordion,” Ramón Ayala. There’s plenty of comfortable seating and room to dance. You can also make it a special night, by upgrading to VIP table service.

Experience community

Broadacres Marketplace is an ideal location for people-watching, hanging out and bumping into friends, whether they’re shopping and eating or cooking and selling. If you don’t speak Spanish, however, it may be more challenging to shop here. That doesn’t mean it’s by any means impossible. Think of it as a chance to brush up on your Spanish skills and absorb the authentic spirit of Central and South America in Las Vegas.

Broadacres Marketplace is open year-round on Fridays from 4 to 11 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a small entrance fee ($2-$3), which can be paid in advance or at the door.