Summerlin: Las Vegas

The Las Vegas neighborhood of Summerlin is located on the far west end of the city. It's a short drive from Red Rock Canyon, and Red Rock's striking sandstone cliffs give Summerlin a scenic aspect unlike any other part of Las Vegas. This master-planned community was the brainchild of Howard Hughes and is named after his grandmother. Careful planning shows in its extensive landscaping, plentiful parks, and clusters of commercial areas full of shopping, restaurants, offices, and hotels.

In addition to its easy access to Red Rock, Summerlin contains several golf courses, including Angel Park, TPC Canyons, Badlands, Highland Falls, and Eagle Crest. If you're out for an early tee time, watch out for the bicyclists. Serious bicycling enthusiasts are drawn to Summerlin because of its proximity to Red Rock, and in the early morning they fill the roadways on their way to do the Red Rock Loop, the 13-mile, one-way scenic road that leads through Red Rock Canyon.

Red Rock Resort and Spa is Summerlin's newest hotel casino. Rooms on the east side of the hotel overlook Las Vegas, and rooms on the west side face Red Rock Canyon. The 215 freeway is conveniently located less than a block from the hotel, so getting to any Las Vegas destination is relatively easy (although Las Vegas drivers are notorious for their bad driving—speeding, tail-gating, and road rage—all of which can cause headaches for visitors trying to get around town).

Just east of the Red Rock Resort, you'll find the Suncoast Hotel Casino and the J.W. Marriott/Rampart Casino. Both are local favorites. JC Wooloughan, the Irish Pub in the Rampart Casino, was built in Ireland and shipped to Las Vegas for re-assembly, and has a reputation as the most authentic Irish pub in town.

Restaurants are abundant in Summerlin, from all the typical fast-food chains to places like Agave, across from the Red Rock Resort, which features Mexican food with a twist, and the Sedona Restaurant and Lounge, right off the 215 freeway, is garnering praise in Las Vegas for good food and stylish décor. Just south of the Suncoast and Rampart, the Boca Shopping Center offers several restaurants, including the Cheesecake Factory and Gordon Biersch.

© NileGuide
© NileGuide