Lake Las Vegas

At Lake Las Vegas, tile-roofed buildings in shades of burnt sienna and ochre dot the hillsides above 320 acres of crystal-clear water. Bougainvillea blossoms cascade down the stone stairway walls of MonteLago Village, with its cobblestone walkways and plazas. About two dozen shops specialize in everything from designer clothes and gourmet groceries to hand-crafted furniture and toys for children of all ages. Dining choices range from pubs and pizzerias to top-drawer restaurants, almost every one of them offering both indoor and outdoor tables. During weekends, street entertainers and musicians add to the al fresco experience, especially at ...

At Lake Las Vegas, tile-roofed buildings in shades of burnt sienna and ochre dot the hillsides above 320 acres of crystal-clear water. Bougainvillea blossoms cascade down the stone stairway walls of MonteLago Village, with its cobblestone walkways and plazas. About two dozen shops specialize in everything from designer clothes and gourmet groceries to hand-crafted furniture and toys for children of all ages. Dining choices range from pubs and pizzerias to top-drawer restaurants, almost every one of them offering both indoor and outdoor tables. During weekends, street entertainers and musicians add to the al fresco experience, especially at sidewalk cafes along the water. On the lake, entertainment choices continue with gondola rides, yacht cruises, windsurfing, paddle-boating and other water sports – from mid-October through February there’s even a waterside ice skating rink. Two of the area’s top public golf courses – Jack Nicklaus designed Reflection Bay, and The Falls, a Tom Weiskopf creation – overlook the lake. From the Falls, you can also see the Las Vegas Strip, 17 miles away. The Village’s one casino isn’t at all crowded during daylight hours. Lake Las Vegas is, in sum, Southern Nevada’s ultimate alternative for travelers who prefer starlight to neon and laid-back pleasures to 24-hour action.

About the Expert

Connie Emerson is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Cheapskate's Guide to Branson, Missouri and Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guide – Las Vegas.