Thinking beyond the bright lights of Vegas? These amazing places to visit in Nevada offer natural beauty, quirky towns, and unforgettable adventures across the Silver State.
Highlights:
Unique Places to Visit in Nevada:
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
Rating: ★★★★★
Featured in countless shows and movies, Las Vegas is like no other place on earth. To embrace the vibe you can take a stroll down the Strip, Las Vegas’ main street, which is home to many of the most extravagant resorts and wedding venues. Stop at the Bellagio to watch the famous 1,200 dancing fountains, go for a gondola ride at the Venetian, or eat pastries alongside the Eifel Tower at Paris, Las Vegas.
You can visit some really unique museums such as the Atomic Testing Museum, the Mob Museum, and the Neon Museum, place a bet at Caesars Palace, try mouthwatering cuisine prepared by world-famous chefs, and watch some of the best shows in the country. Thrill-seekers can try the terrifying rides at Stratosphere while shopaholics can get their fix at The Forum and Grand Canal Shoppes. Accommodation options are diverse, ranging from affordable rooms to luxury suites with a view of a pool.
2. Reno, Nevada
Reno is the largest city in Northern Nevada, offering an excellent mix of gaming, cultural, outdoor, and fun attractions for all ages and tastes. You can enjoy all the outdoor activities of Lake Tahoe or experience the largest concentration of ski facilities within just 50 miles of the city or spend your time immersed in the vibrant arts and cultural scene, which includes visiting Sierra Arts and the Nevada Museum of Art, watching a musical or Broadway show at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, or listening to the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra.
You can try your hand at kayaking or rafting at the Truckee River Whitewater Park or go hiking and biking along an extensive network of urban trails. Foodies will no doubt enjoy themselves at the West Street Market, which is open seven days a week.
3. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon is situated just 17 miles from the famous Las Vegas Strip and offers visitors the chance to swop the glitz, glamour, and gaming of Las Vegas for a wonderful back-to-nature experience in the heart of the Mojave Desert surrounded by unique geological features. At the Visitor’s Center, you can get trail maps and see interesting interpretive displays, and children can enroll in a Junior Explorer Program.
You can tour the area by car along a 13-mile scenic drive or set off to explore miles and miles of trails on foot, or by cycle or mountain bike. Equestrians can admire the scenery by horseback, and adventurous visitors can try some rock climbing. Camping enthusiasts might want to spend a night in a tent or RV at the campground to enjoy great desert stargazing.
4. Carson City
As befits the capital of Nevada State, Carson City offers visitors a good selection of historic, cultural, and outdoor attractions to suit all tastes. History buffs can start by touring the Nevada State Capitol Building and the Nevada State Museum before visiting the Nevada State Railroad Museum and taking a pleasant ride on the V & T Railway to Virginia City.
You can also explore the Historic West Side on foot or by bike along the Blue Line Trail. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the galleries and performing arts venues at the Brewery Arts Center and have some fun at the Artsy Fartsy Gallery in Downtown Carson City, which features local artists. For a break from arts and culture you can go hiking and biking along several trails or go shopping along Curry Street.
Romantic Places to Visit in Nevada:
5. Cathedral Gorge State Park
You can find the Cathedral Gorge State Park in central/eastern Nevada, where the park protects and showcases a 1,608-acre narrow valley composed of erosion-carved caves and cathedral-like rocky spires. The park is ideal for a family camping holiday, and you can bring along a tent or RV and spend a few days hiking along a good variety of trails through the intriguing landscape.
You can get an overview of the area by visiting the Visitor’s Center at the park entrance where you will see interpretive displays and pick up information on all the eastern Nevada State Parks. One of the most popular hiking trails will lead you up to Millers Point, which offers excellent views of the canyon.
6. Boulder City
Boulder City is located just 20 miles from Las Vegas and minutes from the Hoover Dam, making it the perfect destination for a day or two away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip. Boulder City is full of quaint small-town charm that you can discover on a stroll down historic Main Street, which is lined with unusual boutiques.
There is no lack of activities to try in Boulder City – you can start by renting a bike at All Mountain Cyclery and setting off to explore miles of trails. If you are more adventurous, you can try a terrifying zip-line adventure with Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon, take to the air with Las Vegas Glider Rides, or play it safe on a historic rail excursion from the Nevada Southern Railway Museum.
7. Sparks
Sparks is situated in Northern Nevada close to the city of Reno, and it is just one hour by road from wonderful Lake Tahoe. The city has a high-desert climate and boasts sunshine for more than 80% of the year, which is great news for outdoor enthusiasts.
You can join in a large variety of water sports centered on the Sparks Marina where you can go swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, or head to Rock Park on the Truckee River for some exciting white-water rafting. You can learn about the mining, ranching, and railroading history of the region by touring the Sparks Museum and Cultural Center or attending one of the many annual events the town hosts.
Family-friendly Places to Visit in Nevada:
8. Valley of Fire State Park
The amazing red sandstone rock formations of the Valley of Fire State Park have been attracting visitors to Nevada’s oldest and largest State Park since 1935. The park is situated close to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, which makes it ideal for a day-trip from Las Vegas. At the Visitor’s Center, you can learn how the amazing landscape took shape over 150 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the desert.
There are several very interesting hiking trails that will lead you to ancient Indian petroglyphs and petrified forests. If you would like to spend a night under the desert skies you can pitch a tent or park your RV at one of two serviced campgrounds, or you could just bring a picnic and come for the day.
9. Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is located 35 miles north-west of Las Vegas in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, and although you can reach the area in just 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, you will feel as though you have stepped into another world. To begin with, the altitude at the top of the mountain ensures much cooler temperatures, (often up to 20 degrees cooler), and in winter you can go skiing in the morning and then return to Las Vegas to swim in the afternoon.
You can explore on foot along some of the many excellent hiking trails in summer and go sledding and skiing in winter – lessons are available. Other activities you could try include wildlife viewing, mountain biking, camping, and picnicking.
10. Sand Harbor
Situated three miles south of Incline Village along the picturesque shores of Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor offers visitors a 55-acre playground composed of long white beaches, shaded forest areas, inlets, coves, and superb lake views. You can find all the resources you need for a great day out at the Visitor’s Center, which also has a snack bar.
Although the main emphasis at Sand Harbor is on boating, jet-skiing, swimming, and other water sports, there are also a couple of nature trails for hiking. The crystal-clear waters and interesting rock formations make the harbor a popular spot for scuba diving and swimming. If you visit in summer, you can catch a performance at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Don't miss other Lake Tahoe beaches.
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