CC BY-NC

with Las Vegas tee times in particular proving to be at a premium / @Debbie_Fletch18 / with Las Vegas tee times in particular proving to be at a premium

When you think of Las Vegas you tend to think of the same things time and time again. Whether it’s one of the many casinos, the shows, restaurants or many hotels; everyone seems to think the same way but there is actually far more to Las Vegas than meets the eye.

It’s not all about Elvis tribute acts and throwing your money away in the casinos, but you don’t tend to realise that if you go by word of mouth alone. Ask a friend to tell you a little about Vegas and they’ll probably tell you nothing new, but ask someone who has lived there or visited for any length of time and you’ll soon find out that there’s much more to it than meets the eye. Golfers, for one, are taking a keen interest in courses all over Nevada @Debbie_Fletch18 because of the overwhelming demand.

You might not think that somewhere in the desert, such as Vegas, would be the ideal location for a golf course; but the undulating lush green fairways are a sight for sore eyes when you stand on the first tee. Making the most of the natural surroundings, there are sand and water traps to catch you out if you get it wrong, but plenty of rewards if you manage to get it right with beautifully prepared greens waiting at the end of each hole.

For those who aren’t into their golf, never fear, it’s not going to be a case of golf or gamble if you don’t want it to be. For those interested in a bit of exploration, you could take a hike through Red Rock on the outskirts of the city. It’s not just walkers who will enjoy the ability to get away from the famous Strip and to marvel in their surroundings, but mountain bikers will also enjoy the chance to tackle the mountains.

Not strictly in Las Vegas, but the Hoover Dam is only an hour away, and although you might be amazed by the sheer size of it from photographs, you don’t truly appreciate the size of it until you stand at the top. For those who want to learn a little more about it, there are guided tours that will take you inside the dam, giving you a mini history lesson where you can find out about the whole region, why the dam was built and how it works.

There are a lot of western movies that get transmitted around the world, and while you might not be a fan of them, you can have the opportunity to experience what being in one might be like when you visit the famous ‘ghost town’ of Bonnie Springs Ranch, a former mining town that has long been deserted.

There’s always something new to take in on the first Friday of the month as the whole downtown area of Las Vegas is turned into a stage, with First Friday providing locals with the opportunity to stage exhibitions and displays that will leave you standing in amazement; just proving that Vegas is more than a one-trick pony.

Author: Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18