Although the capital of this western state is Carson City, Las Vegas is undoubtedly the first city that comes to mind when Nevada is brought up in conversation. If it’s bright lights and spectacular sights you’re looking for Las Vegas is the place to be. With over 180 casinos and 113 hotels to choose from, finding something to do and somewhere to stay is as easy as dropping a quarter in a slot machine. The famous Las Vegas Strip alone offers 38 hotels including well-known ones like Ceasars Palace and The Bellagio. The latter is particularly famous for its brilliant fountain shows where lights, music and water meet in a magnificently choreographed performance. Restaurants are aplenty with many daily specials if the recession has tightened your wallet. There are nightclubs and bars on every corner and if you are more inclined to a less interactive experience, you can sit back and enjoy some of the many shows Las Vegas has to offer. And during the winter months when you feel you’ve run out of luck at the roulette table, go and play in the now or maneuver your way down the icy slopes at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, 45 minutes northwest of the Strip.
But there is more to Nevada than the bustle of Sin City. Visit the Southern Nevada Zoo and Botanical Park just 15 minutes northwest of the Las Vegas Strip or the Wild Island Family Adventure Park in the city of Sparks with games, rides, mini-golf and racing. Or head off to Reno and go crazy at the Ultimate Rush Speed & Thrill Park. Make sure to stop at Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona, which was once the world’s biggest dam and biggest concrete structure.
If you like the great outdoors then test your climbing skills at the River Rock in Northern Nevada or at the Great Basin national Park. In the mood for something less strenuous? Then explore the many hiking routes at Red Rock Canyon.
If you prefer aquatic adventures there are more than enough lakes and rivers to visit all across the silver state. Lake Tahoe is certainly one of the most well known and here you can sail the pristine blue waters, scuba dive or just be a spectator to the beauty surrounding you at the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.
Visit Virginia City, a once booming mining town still reminiscent of days gone by. Imagine yourself in the Wild West as you stroll into old saloons and gambling halls. Mosey on over to the town of Rhyolite, a true ghost town with no permanent residents where you will surely find a lonely tumbleweed rolling eerily through the remains of this old mining town.
The great state of Nevada has a plethora of sites to visit, from the vast desert lands to the traffic of the city. From rugged and rocky terrains to dramatic mountain views and stunning wildlife, Nevada will leave permanent memories embedded in your brain.
