A Travel Guide to Mesquite, Nevada

The snow is flying, your fingers feel like they will break off from cold and you just want a little vacation where a spot of sun might touch your cheek and a night of play will make you forget winter has once again descended.

Mesquite, Nevada might be the perfect desert rendezvous for a quick relaxation and rejuvenation. Resting at the base of the Virgin Mountain Foothills in the Virgin River Valley of Nevada on Hwy 15, since the 1970s Mesquite grew from a couple casinos along the Las Vegas route to a viable vacation destination and a year around home for those looking for over 330 days of sunshine, extreme outdoor activities and beautiful desert sunsets.

While Mesquite has the glitter and lure of large casinos, the town can not be defined merely by the lights and entertainment like Las Vegas. Stepping away from the casinos it becomes apparent Mesquite has a perfect blend of spiritual desert resort town and exciting gambling nightlife.

Mesquite was founded in the late 1800s by Mormon pioneers and was part of the Spanish Trail. It seemed impossible a settlement would ever survive in the location due to the flooding of the Virgin River, but eventually a settlement did survive, consisting of six families. An irrigation canal was built and the flooding controlled. The community survived by growing raisins and producing dairy products. In the 1970s I-15 was brought through town. First a truck stop, then a casino, and soon, this little town was on it's way to becoming a unique desert retreat for not only those who call it home but vacationers looking for something a little more than the lights of Las Vegas.

Golf resorts stretch out along the highway, winding naturally through the desert terrain offering golfers both traditional courses and the more challenging ones through desert canyons and valleys. World class spas provide therapeutic pools, yoga, and fitness centers. The natural desert landscape beckons hikers and bicyclers with miles of trails and stunning desert vistas, rock formations and deep canyons. Four wheeling enthusiasts will find plenty of great desert crawls and sand to keep them entertained.

Several top resorts in Mesquite offer a combination of golf, gambling, spa, and outdoor recreation. The CasaBlanca Resort has 500 rooms, a luxury spa and a unique 18 hole golf course and a popular casino. Slot lovers can head to the Eureka where they have 1200 machines to choose from, 210 rooms and suites, and golfing at three partner courses. For those looking for a more private setting, the condominium style hotel at Highland Estate Resort offers seclusion and comfort where those who want to return can own or rent their units.

Day trips from Mesquite will take visitors to some top natural sites. Lake Mead and Valley of Fire are less than an hour from Mesquite and Zion National Park a little over two hours. The Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon are both approximately 200 miles from Mesquite.

Sources:
Nevada Magazine
Mesquite, Nevada
Personal Experience