Phoenix to Las Vegas road trip: 19 stops worth the detour

A fresh Nicklaus design at the base of the White Tanks, Troon-managed and currently open for daily-fee play. Catch it while you can, as it is slated to go private as the community fills in.

A rolling high-desert course northwest of the Valley in old ranching country, with saguaro-studded hills and big quiet. A scenic escape from the city.

A Kingman BBQ-and-pizza stop that gives the Oatman/Seligman day a proper sit-down option before the road gets remote again.

A bright turquoise-and-pink Route 66 diner on Andy Devine Avenue serving classic diner fare and its own famous homemade root beer. Order: Homemade root beer.

A lavish Caesars course with a stream running through the clubhouse.

A 27-hole municipal-style course in Boulder City with desert-mountain views near Lake Mead, well-conditioned and well-priced. A local value favorite.

A Mexico City-style torta legend on North 7th Street, featured on Man v. Food and beloved for enormous, overstuffed sandwiches.

The bolder of Verrado's two courses, with big elevation swings against the White Tank Mountains. A Tom Lehman design the West Valley quietly considers its best public play.

A wedding-cake "castle" on a cactus hill in Phoenix, ringed by one of the oldest saguaro gardens in the country.

A cozy, wood-and-fire smokehouse on 16th Street with pecan-grilled steaks, a fireside cellar-like bar, and a deep wine list.

Michael Mina's refined, butter-poached take on the American steakhouse. (The Strip)

A Rees Jones course in the Black Mountain foothills of Henderson, home to Butch Harmon's school and once a PGA Tour qualifier site. Canyon-and-mesa golf.

A tropical-themed course right on the Strip.

Authentic Tijuana-style tacos on the Strip; cash-line worthy any hour.

A Rees Jones layout tucked into the mountains northwest of the city, miles from anything. The elevation changes and total seclusion make it feel like a private retreat at public prices.