Las Vegas is Iconic Golf and More

5 reasons to love Sin City.

Chris Duthie

The Desert Southwest has been basking in wolf-whistling, mid-winter temperatures that demand: Let’s get outside and play golf!

It's time for Las Vegas, baby, which is enjoying mid to high 70s weather and SPF 30 sunshine, not to mention a world-class assembly of resorts, restaurants, entertainment and events that reconfigure bucket-list musts. Consider these five Sin City attractions:

1. Teeing it up in Vegas is no sin, unless you resist the temptation. Some of America’s more amazing courses are right here, including Bali Hai (designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, above), Cascata (Rees Jones, pictured at top of page), Las Vegas Paiute (Pete Dye, below, right), Shadow Creek (Tom Fazio) and The Wynn Golf Club (Fazio). Also make a reservation to play Coyote Springs Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus, below left) or Primm Valley Golf Club (Fazio), both located less than an hour from the Strip.

2. Next month is March Madness, and nobody does it better than Vegas. What better place to enjoy the NCAA’s season-ending men’s basketball tournaments than at one of the city’s innumerable live-televised sportsbooks, including The Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Lagasse’s Stadium at the Palazzo, Mandalay Bay and The Wynn. Catch some early action by attending the 2016 Pac-12 Tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. (March 9-12)

3. Vegas’ singular concert venues offer a plethora of explosive headline performers, including Britney Spears (Planet Hollywood; through Feb. 27), Celine Dion (Caesars Palace; through June 4), Rod Stewart (Caesars Palace; March 19-April 5), Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn (Caesars Palace; May 3-14), and Jennifer Lopez (Planet Hollywood; May 22-June 1). For even more entertainment, click here.

4. Like most things in Vegas, a pampering spa treatment can become an addictive “Wow!” experience. Among the best places to get utterly spoiled are at the Spa at Aria, The Mandarin Oriental, Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Palazzo Resort, Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace, and the resplendent Spa at Red Rock in Summerlin.

5. Add immeasurably to your Vegas vacation by touring some of Las Vegas’ after-dark charms, like The Mirage’s erupting volcano, The Bellagio’s water-fountain ballet, New York-New York’s breathtaking skyline, the city’s iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, and the mesmerizing glitter of the Fremont Street Experience.

RELATED LINKS

Take Your March Madness to Vegas

2015 Caggy’s Awarded to Premier Vegas Properties

Wynn Big in Sin City

Las Vegas: Go For Broke

Nevada Lodging is a Sure Bet

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com