Las Vegas

There can only be one Las Vegas. It's the top spot on earth for all things entertainment, from bachelor parties to girls weekends. Whether its cigars or spas, steakhouses or shopping, Las Vegas can be a guilty or not-so-guilty pleasure for anyone.

It's also one of the best active destinations in the West, full of hike and bike trails through the desert and mountain landscape. These parts also set the stage for dramatic desert golf. Many Sin City golf courses even overlook the Las Vegas Strip for tremendous sunset views.

Golf in Las Vegas is a relatively new hit, though high rollers and celebrities have teed it up at classic courses since the Strip began
luring the masses. Today, Justin Timerblake brings his star power to the TPC at Summerlin at the JT Shriners Open on the PGA Tour each fall. For celebs and whales alike, Shadow Creek is the most coveted Vegas play, a Tom Fazio-designed forest oasis that known to attract Michael Jordan and other Vegas and golf addicts.

But you can get the V.I.P. treatment at plenty of other Las Vegas golf courses like Bali Hai Golf Club, a Pacific-themed paradise of 18 holes right next to Mandalay Bay - or exclusive Wynn Golf Club behind the Wynn hotel. Other themed golf courses such as Cascata and Royal Links offer a touch of replica away from the hotels like Paris or Venetian.

Surrounding Vegas, you can play remote desert golf and courses at the centerpiece of luxury residential communities. The biggest hub next door to Vegas is the suburb of Henderson was one of the country's fastest growing cities in the 1990s, and golf course communities like Rio Secco, Revere at Anthem and DragonRidge are all top desert courses within a short drive of the entertainment
capital of the world.