Nevada Vacation Planner 2024

2024 Nevada Visitors Guide

Nevada has a less-than-perfect reputation but, of course, this adds to its appeal. This state is known worldwide for its legalized gambling and the world-famous city of Las Vegas, which today is so much more than just a place to try one’s luck. Nevada is among the best-known and most-visited states in America. In addition to Las Vegas, Mesquite, Boulder City, Carson City, and Laughlin are the hotspots in the state, each offering a plethora of casinos, recreational activities, and Vegas-style lodging options. Those looking for a taste of the past enjoy visiting North Nevada, where historic attractions abound. Visitors to South Nevada are thrilled with the number of ghost towns that tell the story of the silver boom of the early 1900s. Like the rest of Nevada, the southern part of the state offers outdoor fun in its many parks, including Cave Lake State Park, where fishing, camping, and hiking are popular pastimes.

North Nevada

Known as the Crossroads of the West, North Nevada was once home to a major emigrant route that brought explorers through the area. In the mid-1900s, this Nevada region exploded in growth, as some of the world’s largest gold deposits were found near Carlin. Large open-pit gold mines continue to produce large quantities of gold and some, such as the Newmont Gold Company in Elko, will arrange tours to teach people about current gold-extracting methods. The history of Northern Nevada thrives in the municipal centers of Winnemucca, Elko, and Battle Mountain. Visitors enjoy strolling through downtown Winnemucca, where historic buildings are displayed as restaurants, pubs, and boutique shops. For history buffs, the Trail of the 49ers Interpretive Center in Battle Mountain and the Northeastern Nevada Museum an opportune places to learn about the region’s rich heritage. Outdoor enthusiasts can head to the Wild Horse Recreation Area in Elko, where camping, fishing, and boating are found.

South Nevada

South Nevada is best known for its role as a major silver producer in the early 1900s. Although the area’s silver mining industry is in the past, the region continues to carefully maintain its rich heritage by offering a number of historic attractions allowing visitors to experience Nevada’s silver boom. Tonopah, located midway between Reno and Las Vegas, acts as the municipal center of the region. Once referred to as the Queen of the Silver Camp, the city is home to Tonopah Historic Mining Park, which helps visitors embark on self-guided tours of the historic silver mines. Ghost towns also prove to be popular attractions such as the ruins found in Belmont, located one hour from Tonopah. Outdoor recreation is plentiful in South Nevada, as state parks are scattered throughout, such as Cave Lake near Ely, Beaver Dam around Caliente, and Echo Canyon near Pioche, each offering a range of outdoor opportunities.

Las Vegas Visitors Guide

Neon lights, casinos, and over-the-top attractions make Las Vegas the ultimate man-made destination in the United States. Situated in southern Nevada, east of the California border, Las Vegas is formed from several Clark County communities, including Henderson and North Las Vegas, which is home to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Gambling is not the only reason that tourists visit Las Vegas, as it is found close to several natural areas, including Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the southeast near Boulder City and Valley of Fire State Park to the northeast.

Those wanting to try their luck or take in amazing entertainment should head to the Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian walkway that spans five blocks from the Las Vegas Strip to Main Street. At the Strip are an array of outrageous sights that families can even enjoy, including Azure in the Aquarium in the Silverton Hotel, the Fountains of Bellagio, and the Secret Garden at the Mirage.

Boulder City Visitors Guide

Located in Clark County, 23 mi (37 km) from Las Vegas, Nevada, and 6 mi (10 km) from the Hoover Dam, Boulder City offers a profusion of attractions and activities that appeal to visitors throughout the year. More than one million tourists are drawn to Hoover Dam each year to see the Western Hemisphere’s highest concrete dam, rising 726 ft (221 m). After touring the dam, a further look into the construction of the monstrous landmark is available in the Hoover Dam Museum. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located near Boulder City, supporting a plethora of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, including hiking, camping, water-skiing, snorkeling, and sailing, to name a few. The annual Dam Short Film Festival is a local event that occurs every February. More than 50 short films are showcased during the three-day event, concluding with the festival winners announced in seven categories.

Carson City Visitors Guide

The state capital of Nevada, Carson City is centrally located in the Reno and Lake Tahoe region. Situated close to skiing and snowboarding resorts and surrounded by world-class golf courses, Carson City is central to an array of outdoor activities. The city also features a large selection of casinos and several interesting festivals which draw people from all over. The Carson City Rendezvous festival takes people through the region’s history, boasting around a dozen encampments that each offer a glimpse into a different aspect of pioneer life, from Native American villages to the Pony Express to Old West gun battles. Visitors interested in history must walk along the Kit Carson Trail, featuring many of the city’s historic buildings with Victorian-style furnishings from the 1800s. Travelers will also want to tour the Nevada State Capitol Building and the Nevada State Railroad Museum to fully experience what Carson City has to offer.

Mesquite, NV Visitors Guide

Mesquite is found 80 mi (129 km) north of Las Vegas on the Nevada-Arizona border in Clark County, only 40 mi (65 km) from St. George, Utah. Many look at Mesquite as a gateway to adventure, as it sits centrally on Interstate 15, leading to destinations like Zion National Park to the east and the Valley of Fire State Park to the west. Accommodations in this burgeoning tourist destination range from luxurious resorts to well-equipped camping facilities. Las Vegas-style gaming and live entertainment are offered at a number of Mesquite casinos, each open 24 hours a day. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, the area offers excellent conditions for playing a round of golf on one of the many golf courses. In addition, the Mesquite Recreation Center provides a host of indoor activities, whether it is working out in the weight room, swimming at the pool, or taking an aerobics class.

Reno Visitors Guide

Known as the Biggest Little City, Reno, Nevada, is a lively destination that offers nonstop entertainment and easy access to California, Lake Tahoe, and other popular destinations. Whether gambling in one of the famed casinos on Virginia Street, visiting a museum, or enjoying the outdoors, visitors are assured a memorable vacation. History buffs enjoy the National Automobile Museum, featuring vehicles from the early 1900s to the present day, and has celebrity cars on display from stars such as Andy Griffith, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra. Reno is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven, as it is home to Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe and is central to roughly a dozen ski resorts in the surrounding area. Numerous first-rate golf courses are also found in and around the city, including the Montreaux Golf and Country Club. Family activities are abundant in Reno, ranging from a visit to the Sierra Safari Zoo to taking a carriage tour of the city with Happy Hoofers.

Lake Tahoe Visitors Guide

The Reno & Lake Tahoe region of Nevada is world-renowned for its abundance of casinos, a wealth of recreational opportunities, and unusual annual celebrations. Throughout the year, visitors flock to the large casinos that line the streets of Reno and Carson City. In addition to providing an astonishing display of gaming action, the casinos are also home to headliner shows, first-class dining, and hip nightclubs. Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted to the region for its cornucopia of recreational activities. The Reno-Lake Tahoe area is host to the highest concentration of ski and snowboard resorts in North America, including those found on the California side of Lake Tahoe. Fishing, swimming, and camping are among the activities that draw visitors to Lake Tahoe, one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the United States. Every September, the Virginia City Camel Races attract a crowd with events including camel, ostrich, and water buffalo races, as well as live entertainment and parades.