Summerlin South, NV Outdoor Activities

Surrounding sandstone peaks create a distant wall that echoes the piercing sound of practice balls being hit above Siena Golf Academy’s all-grass driving range. Over the intermittent percussion of clubfaces striking their target, golfers will likely hear the instructional musings of instructor Tony Emma, who uses Siena Golf Academy’s range, practice green, short-game area, and championship-length course as the venue for lessons that cover all aspects of golf for players of all abilities. A PGA Class A member for 16 years, Tony strives to improve players’ ball-striking skills by studying video playback of each swing, which reveals any flaws in the golfer's motions as well as whether subjects have a future in the film industry. Players can tinker with their technique in private lessons held at the practice facilities or use a divot tool to pick Tony’s mind about course strategy and club selection during on-course playing lessons. In addition, the academy hosts small-group women’s-only clinics and short-game lessons.

Goodwill towards man goes hand in hand with a cold pint of good beer, a fact not lost on the organizers of Sin City Beer Fest—a regular celebration of fermented beverages that raises money for local charities. On-hand beers come courtesy of breweries from around the world, with regular contributors that include Yanjing Beer in China, Mortiz in Barcelona, and Lost Coast Brewery in Northern California. Guests enjoy floral hops and refreshing bubbles in swanky environs throughout the city, mingling in poolside cabanas, verdant courtyards, and the Denny's that Frank Sinatra classed up by accidentally haunting.

The hot air balloon has been in use since the 18th century, and the pilots of Vegas Balloon Rides enjoy introducing the public to humankind's oldest form of air travel. Customers hover into the Las Vegas airspace on traditional ballooning flights manned by FAA-certified pilots, which end with celebratory champagne toasts and the balloon silently blushing from all the compliments. The flights tour Las Vegas and its surrounding wilderness in rainbow-patterned inflatables composed of durable rip-stop nylon ideal for safe flying. Coasting along at the same speed as the wind, pilots steer their propane-powered flying machines an average of 10 miles per ride.

Like a magnet inside a paper-clip factory, the Las Vegas Film Festival attracts celluloid images capturing the visions of storytellers from around the globe. Taking over Vegas's renowned Hilton Hotel from July 19-22, the fest unveils the best of these silver-screen treats in showings and award ceremonies. The schedule is also peppered with industry panels in which professional filmmakers and actors discuss the nitty-gritty of breaking into the film business. As the sun sets, the structured events of the day give way to red-carpet arrivals, evening soirees, and late-night Citizen Kane 2 writing sessions.

Described as “Bob the Builder on steroids” by The Los Angeles Times, Dig This reconstructs childhood play for adults letting them climb aboard excavators and bulldozers for digs inside a giant natural sandbox. Employees outfit grown-ups with the knowledge and safety gear necessary to get behind the wheel before explaining all the levers and buttons of the control panel. Patrons are then left alone inside climate-controlled cabs, connected to their instructors via headsets in case they need additional guidance. Patrons steer mechanical mammoths around the play yard, excavating trenches and toppling huge tires. Once they've mastered easy moves, they graduate to games such as Bulldozer Teeter-Totter and Excavator Basketball. After playtime, operators are awarded a certificate to commemorate their accomplishments and can cool off under a shower of their own joyful tears.

In 2008, a former Lady Rebel All-American returned to her alma mater in a new role: as head coach of the UNLV women's basketball team. Prior to that, coach Kathy Olivier spent 15 years at the helm of the UCLA team. The wisdom she’s accumulated from her years spent guiding young ladies toward their goals on the hardwood are transferred to the next generation of female athletes in youth summer programs. Led by coach Olivier, her staff, and current UNLV players, sessions fill the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center with the sound of whistles, bouncing balls, squeaking shoes, and the cheers of an imaginary crowd of fans and cool dragons. During each energetic workout, staff share their love of the game as they teach passing, dribbling, shooting, and rebounding with group and individual instruction, daily games, and contests.