One early spring morning, about 300 people gathered in an empty lot across the street from the CasaBlanca Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. People milled with hands shoved into pockets and parents wrapped blankets around their kids. Everyone came to be part of the 2026 Mesquite Balloon Festival.
Unfortunately, a lot of disappointed people were among the 300. Both the 36 balloon pilots and their passengers had to face facts: It was too windy to safely float away. Still, the pilots brought out their balloons and unfurled them on the ground so bystanders could see just how tall they actually are. They looked like giant multicolored snakes and had descriptive names like Skubi Racer, Cloud Kisser V and Humpty Dumpty (it really does look like Humpty Dumpty).
Even just standing inside the basket (where passengers and pilot stand) was exciting. When the pilot fired up the burner, anyone nearby could feel the heat.
When the balloon began to fill with hot air, it started to rise and even though passengers knew they weren’t going anywhere, it was still exciting. Surprisingly, one passenger who is terribly afraid of heights couldn’t wait to get off the ground. Too bad for her.
Thus began a weekend in the small town of Mesquite, Nevada, a slower alternative to Las Vegas.
If the thought of Vegas induces panic but games of chance and entertainment are still on the agenda, consider another, more appealing option.
A short hour-and-a-half drive northeast up Interstate 15 sits the little town of Mesquite. With a population of about 22,000 mostly retired people, the pace is slow but there is plenty of fun to be had. Add to that the history, weather, the many golf courses and the town’s proximity to the Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Gold Butte National Monument and that’s a combination that requires investigation.
A bit of history
The town came into existence, at least from a Eurocentric point of view, when Mormon leader Joseph Smith sent six families from his community out to find new places to farm. The group found a spot in the Mesquite area, they called it Mesquite Flats. It took three tries to get established as the Virgin River kept flooding.
Nearly 100 years later, the town incorporated.
Learn about the town’s history and Mormon and cowboy culture at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, two small buildings that are jam-packed with artifacts. Inside a glass case is a Victorian wedding dress (it’s not as ornate as one might imagine but this was the frontier), an old-school slot machine (completely mechanical and one of the first of its kind), an old-timey school desk, a couple of quilts and because the building used to house the town’s hospital, a bed.
The above list barely describes what’s crowded into the small spaces, which can take at least an hour to see but what really stands out is the museum building itself, which, besides the hospital and museum, has seen service as the town’s library. Check out the construction materials. It’s all local and built by hand.
Next door to the museum is the Mesquite Fine Arts Center and Gallery which features works from local artists. It would not be a lie to say that there are some outstanding pieces showing, most all for sale.
What’s for dinner?
Since Mesquite has a number of casinos, it also has a number of restaurants from which to choose.
Start any Mesquite vacation at Katherine’s Steakhouse which specializes in prime steaks, seafood and Italian dishes. That word, “prime,” means expensive but the service is as excellent as the food and that is considerable.
Dark and moody, the restaurant sets a diner up for a sophisticated, fairly quiet, delicious meal. It is a lovely respite from the noisy casino.
Of course there are the usual fish options, oysters, lobsters, wild-caught king salmon and the like, but for the appetizer start with the buttery, not-fishy tasting scallops (three bacon-wrapped scallops with spinach, $20). If seafood isn’t appealing, try the beet salad ($15) or beef carpaccio ($22).
Next course: soup or salad. French onion soup is $12 and lobster bisque is also $12.
The main course is worth the wait. There’s chicken masala ($34), veal piccata ($38) or filet and shrimp romano for a whopping $74. Since this is a la carte pricing, sides go for $9 each and are extra.
As long as you’re splurging, get some dessert such as their strawberry cheesecake, for example. It was fabulous.
A less expensive restaurant option is Rita’s and Fajitas, also in the CasaBlanca Casino.
In Arizona we are accustomed to tableside guacamole so we know good guac when we see (or taste) it. Rita’s did not disappoint ($12.99). There are the usual enchiladas and tacos but the real star here is the fajitas (VIP Plato with chicken, steak and shrimp, $23.99). It’s enough for two.
Wash it all down with a Rita’s Classic (Cazadores Blanco, Cointreau, fresh sweet and sour and lime wedge, $12). For those who cannot make up their mind, choose the Rita flight (blended Rita Classic, Blended Mango Margarita, Blended Strawberry Margarita and you pick your fourth blended flavor from strawberry, blackberry or blueberry. There are other flavors as well. ($16).
For breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner, wander into Jersey Joe’s Diner. As the name implies, this is a casual eatery that serves up classic American fare.
For breakfast order the homemade hot cakes long stack ($7.99). If the mood is for something more worldly, try one of the benedicts, such as Joe’s Best Benny (English muffin, Italian sausage, sliced tomato, marinara and two poached eggs, topped with hollandaise sauce, $15.99).
Hit the links
Something that Mesquite can truly brag about is its many golf courses.
Eight courses are available for anyone who cares to enjoy the outdoors while trying to hit a ball into a tiny hole in the ground.
Find that information at visitmesquite.com/things-to-do/golf.
Trying your luck in the casinos
While your companion plays golf, hit the casino floor. In all truthfulness, no matter how much a guest pays for the room, most casinos are alike. They are noisy, with beeps and boops and ringing. At the Mesquite casinos there are slot machines and poker tables and bingo halls. At least that’s the way it looks to the inexperienced.
This small town is home to three casinos: CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, Eureka Casino Resort and Virgin River Casino and Lodge. As expected there is plenty of parking, plenty to eat and efficient service at the tables and slots.
Gambling isn’t the only diversion found at the casinos, however. Check out the entertainment. Mesquite is not far from Las Vegas or Los Angeles so well-known music and comedy acts get booked.
Each casino has its own venue and so it pays to check all three websites.
Also, check out the Spa and Salon at CasaBlanca at casablanca.playmesquite.com/casablanca-spa.
The last hurrah
The Mesquite weekend ended with a “Night Glow Candlestick Show.”
Some of the balloon pilots showed up with their baskets and burners and while a DJ played loud, thumping music the pilots lit up the night with their burners. A crowd stood in a circle and watched the bright flames glow in the dark night.
It was charming, small-town entertainment and a lovely way to end the weekend.
A Vegas stop
Sometimes the allure of Las Vegas cannot be overcome so on the way home a stop at Area 15 beckoned.
There is lots to see in the complex, all loud and bright such as Vegas’ version of Meow Wolf, a kind of warped universe with plenty of neon.
There’s a Barbie cafe and a laser maze but one attraction stood above the rest: Interstellar Arc.
This “ride” takes visitors into space where they will soon establish a colony on a new planet. Of course, we are the passengers.
The ride lasts about 45 minutes and is as real as any adventure a person can have, except this virtual reality experience starts with a headset that fits over the eyes. A friendly dog acts as tour guide, leading the way throughout the “spaceship” you’re aboard. See how food is grown, what space looks like when traveling through it and what our new home planet looks like. It’s all very New Age-y but it’s fun, too, and ends when the rider takes off the headset and sees where they’ve actually been. It’s quite the surprise.
Partakers will talk about Interstellar Arc all the way home.
If you go to Mesquite, check out these spots…
Virgin Valley Heritage Museum
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday
WHERE: 35 West Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite, Nevada
COST: A donation
INFO: 702-346-5705 or visit facebook.com/MesquiteNVMuseum/
The Mesquite Fine Arts Center and Gallery
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday
WHERE: 15 W. Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite, Nevada
INFO: mesquitefineartscenter.com/content.aspx?sl=1334631012
Katherine’s Steakhouse
WHEN: The dining room is open from 4 to 9 p.m. daily; the lounge is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Inside the CasaBlanca Casino, 950 W. Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite
INFO: casablanca.playmesquite.com/dining/katherines-steakhouse/. Reservations are recommended.
Rita’s and Fajitas
WHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. daily
WHERE: Inside the CasaBlanca Casino, 950 W. Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite
INFO: casablanca.playmesquite.com/dining/ritas-and-fajitas/.
Reservations are recommended.
Jersey Joe’s Diner
WHEN: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Inside the CasaBlanca Casino, 950 W. Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite
INFO: casablanca.playmesquite.com/dining/jersey-joes/.
Reservations are recommended, even for breakfast.
Virgin River Casino and Lodge
Most rooms are less than $100 a night for two adults. It’s also dog-friendly.
INFO: virginriver.playmesquite.com
CasaBlanca Resort, Casino, Spa and Golf
Bungalows and an RV Park are available.
INFO: casablanca.playmesquite.com/
Eureka Casino Resort
Rooms start at $173 a night.
Plenty of entertainment on-site, including workshops in ceramic painting and sourdough bread making, for example.
INFO: eurekamesquite.com
Interstellar Arc
WHERE: Area 15, 3215 South Rancho Drive, Las Vegas
INFO: area15.com
COST: Tickets start at $49