Las Vegas Sports and Activities
See also:Las Vegas for families
Las Vegas nightlife
Cheap & free Las Vegas
back to Las Vegas highlights
In this section: Golf, Tennis, Car Racing, Cycling, Horse Riding, Hot-air Ballooning, Rafting, Skiing, Skydiving and Water Skiing/Sailing.
Sports
Las Vegas is a sports enthusiast's playground. Lake Mead's deep blue waters and 550 miles (885 km) of shoreline provide a recreation center for all types of outdoor activities including scuba diving, swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing.
Golf in Las Vegas
Golf is almost as much a part of Las Vegas history as is gaming. There are enough challenging courses to make the sport, for some outdoors and active people, the main reason to visit. Here is a selection of those open to the public:
Angel Park
100 South Rampart Boulevard.
Tel: 254-4653 or 888-851-4114
www.angelpark.com
Two 18-hole Arnold Palmer courses and one par-3 course featuring holes with similar shot values as at the world's most famous par 3s.
Badlands
9119 Alta Drive. Tel: 382-4653, 800-468-7918.
www.americangolf.com
Two-time PGA winner Johnny Miller designed Badlands in consultation with Chi Chi Rodriguez, with three nine-hole courses.
Bali Hai
3220 East Flamingo Road.
Tel: 450-8000 or 888-397-2499
www.waltersgolf.com
Located near the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, the course has numerous water features, towering palms, and tropical plants.
Bear's Best
1635 Village Circle. Tel: 385-8500
Jack Nicklaus recreated 18 of his most famous holes worldwide.
Black Mountain
500 Greenway Road, Henderson.
Tel: 565-7933.
www.golfblackmountain.com
In the shadow of Black Mountain, this par-72 course is one of the oldest in the city.
Callaway
6730 Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Tel: 896-4100.
www.callawaygolfcenter.com
This facility features a 113-stall driving range, Callaway performance center, St Andrews golf shop, and a lit par-3 golf course.
Craig Ranch
628 West Craig Road, North Las Vegas. Tel: 642-9700.
With thousands of trees, this 72-par course is a local favourite.
Desert Pines
3415 East Bonanza Road.
Tel: 450-8000 or 888-397-2499.
www.waltersgolf.com
Just 15 minutes from the Strip, Desert Pines offers a country-club experience with more than 4,000 pines and white-sand bunkers.
Desert Rose
5483 Club House Drive. Tel: 431-4653. www.americangolf.com
A county facility with narrow fairways and smooth greens.
Eagle Crest
2203 Thomas Ryan Boulevard.
Tel: 240-1320.
www.suncitygolf.com
Perfect for quick rounds in under three hours, the Summerlin course has an executive layout.
Las Vegas Golf Club
4300 W. Washington Avenue.
Tel: 646-3000. www.americangolf.com
There are several reachable par-5s on this par-72 layout. The oldest in Las Vegas, and one of the busiest.
Las Vegas National
1911 East Desert Inn Road.
Tel: 796-0013. www.americangolf.com
This par-71 has hosted several lpga and PGA Tour events. It is a traditional-style course with a lit range and lessons available.
Las Vegas Paiute Resort
10325 Nu-Wav Kaiv Boulevard.
Tel: 658 1400 or 888-921-2833
www.lvpaiutegolf.com
Owned and operated by southern Paiute Native Americans at the base of Mount Charleston, three challenging nationally acclaimed courses.
Painted Desert
5555 Painted Mirage Road.
Tel: 546-2570.
www.americangolf.com
A rugged and arid 18-hole desert-style course.
Reflection Bay
75 Montelago Boulevard, Henderson. Tel: 740-4653.
www.lakelasvegas.com
A Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 course on the shore of the man-made Lake Las Vegas.
Rio Secco
2851 Grand Hills Drive.
Tel: 889-2400. www.playrio.com
Said to be one of the world's top golf resorts, the 7,000-yard (6,700-meter) course is frequented by Tiger Woods and is home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf.
TPC at The Canyons
9851 Canyon Run Drive.
Tel: 256-2000. www.pgatour.com
This beautiful desert course is host to the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas, the first professional PGA tournament won by ace golfer Tiger Woods.
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Tennis in Las Vegas
There are hundreds of tennis courts in Las Vegas. Andre Agassi, who was born and raised here, learned how to play in the desert heat of southern Nevada. Many casinos have courts and offer lessons, while numerous courts throughout the metropolitan area are free.
Casino tennis courts
Bally's/Paris
3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Tel: 739-4111. Ten outdoor courts, seven of which are lit. Non-guests pay slightly more than guests.
Flamingo Las Vegas
3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South.
Tel: 733-3444. Four lit outdoor courts to the northeast of the hotel. Reasonable fees considering it's the Strip.
Monte Carlo
3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Tel: 730-7777. Four lit courts, all open to the public. The fee is fairly reasonable.
Jackie Gaughan's Plaza
No. 1 Main Street. Tel: 386-2110. Four lit courts Downtown. Call for reservations and fees.
Riviera Hotel
2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Tel: 734-5110. Lit courts. Guests of the hotel play for free; non guests allowed for a fee.
Public tennis courts in Las Vegas
There are numerous public parks around the metropolitan area that have tennis courts available to the public. Many are free of charge when the park is open (generally 7am-11pm daily). They are usually on a first-come first-served basis, and players simply drive around and look for an open court.
Lorenzi Park Courts
3075 West Washington Avenue
Las Vegas
Tel: 229-4867
Reservations are recommended for these eight lit courts. There is a fee charged.
Paradise Park
4770 South Harrison
Las Vegas
Tel: 455-7777
Two free lit courts on Tropicana Avenue just east of Eastern Avenue.
Paul Meyer Park and Community Center
4525 New Forest Drive
Las Vegas
Tel: 455-7723
Sunrise Park/Community Center
2240 Linn Lane
Las Vegas
Tel: 455-7600
Sunset Park
2601 East Sunset Road
Las Vegas
Tel: 260-9803
Located east of Las Vegas Boulevard South, there are eight lit courts. Call for opening hours, reservations, and cheap prices.
Whitney Park, Community and Senior Center
5700 Missouri Street
Las Vegas
Tel: 455-7573
Winchester Park and Community Center
3130 South McLeod Street
Las Vegas
Tel: 455-7340
YMCA
4141 Meadows Lane
Las Vegas
Tel: 877-9622
Lessons are available at this public facility which has five lit courts; small fee.
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Las Vegas car racing
600 Racing Inc
6825 Speedway Boulevard Suite B 102
Las Vegas
Tel: 642-4386.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
6975 Speedway Boulevard
Las Vegas
Tel: 643-4343.
Derek Daly Academy
7055 Speedway Boulevard
Las Vegas
Tel: 643-2126.
Freddie Spencer's High Performance Driving School
7055 Speedway Boulevard
Las Vegas
Tel: 643-1099.
Cycling
Downhill Bicycling Tours
7943 Cadenza Lane. Tel: 897-8287. A bus drives riders up to the 8,000-ft (2,438-meter) mark on Mount Charleston, and you ride 18 miles (30 km) back down the mountain through several different layers of desert and mountain environments.
Escape Adventures Mountain Bike and Hiking Tours
8221 West Charleston Suite 101. Tel: 596-2953.
http://www.escapeadventures.com
Providing rental bikes and guides, the company conducts tours to Mt Charleston and Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Downhill Bicycle Tours
1250 American Pacific Drive
Suite 1711, Henderson. Tel: 278-7617. Fax: 947-215. Experienced guides lead safaris down Red Rock Canyon on 21-speed mountain bikes.
Horse Riding
Bonnie Springs Old Nevada
1 Gunfighter Lane, Blue Diamond. Tel: 875-4191. Red Rock riding stables with desert tours available.
Silver State Old West Tours
Tel: 798-7788. Scenic trail including daily guided rides, sunset and sunrise tours, and Western BBQs.
Cowboy Trail Rides
800 North Rainbow Suite 204.
Tel: 387-8778. Fax: 248-9336.
www.cowboytrailrides.com
Singles to large groups guided on horseback to breathtaking views.
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Hot-Air Ballooning
Adventure Balloon Tours
P.O. Box 97. Tel: 800-346-6444.
www.smilerides.com
D and R Balloons
3275 Rosanna St. Tel: 248-7609.
www.lasvegasballoonrides.com
The Ultimate Balloon Adventure
2013 Clover Path Street. Tel: 800-793-9278. www.lvhd.com
Rafting
Black Canyon River Raft Tours
1297 Nevada Highway, Boulder City. Tel: 800-696-7238. www.rafts.com
Western River Expeditions
7258 Racquet Club Drive,
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84121.
Tel: 800-453-7450.
www.westernriver.com
Skiing
Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort
Office: 3620 North Rancho Drive Suite 103. Resort: Highway 156 Lee Canyon, Mount Charleston.
Tel: 645-2754; Fax: 645-3391.
Snow report: 593-9500.
www.skilasvegas.com
Around 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Vegas off Highway 95, this resort is open from around Thanksgiving to Easter. Fees and hours vary.
Cedar Breaks Lodge
P.O. Box 190248, Brian Head, Utah 84719. Tel: 888-282-3327.
www.cedarbreakslodge.com
A major ski resort in southern Utah, around four hours' drive north of Vegas on Interstate 15. Lifts, resort area, and rooms.
Elk Meadows
P.O. Box 511, Beaver, Utah 84713.
Tel: 435-438-5433.
www.elkmeadows.com
Around five hours north of Las Vegas on Interstate 15, a small resort famous for its powder snow.
Skydiving
Skydive Las Vegas
1401 Airport Road, Suite 4, Boulder City. Tel: 759-3483 or 800-875-934. Fax: 293-5684.
www.skydivelasvegas.com
Specializes in first-time jumpers and tandem jumps with a 46-second freefall.
Las Vegas Gravity Zone
Tel: 456-3802.
A family-owned school for first-time jumpers. Member of the U. Parachute Association.
Water Skiing/Sailing
In winter it is possible to ski in the morning, then water ski in the afternoon. Most, however, prefer to leave water skiing until the water warms up to 85°F (30°C), generally around the start of June.
Forever Resorts
Callville Bay, Lake Mead
Cottonwood Cove, Lake Mohave.
Tel: 800-255-5561.
Renting everything from luxurious houseboats to powerboats. Prices very greatly.
Las Vegas Bay Marina
Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead Drive.
Tel: 565-9111. Houseboats, tracker patio boats, Bayliner ski boats and personal watercraft can be rented. There is a restaurant and lounge.