Ultimate Nevada Travel Guide: Top 10 Experiences You Can't Miss

Nevada is a western US state where some of the best things to do include exploring its desert terrains, colorful boulders, and intriguing natural history. Rich in minerals, it was once a coveted mining source in the Old West with many ghost towns and ruins.

Home to North America’s oldest petroglyph arts, estimated to be over 15,000 years old, Nevada is a bizarre beauty with strange rock formations, quirky landscapes, and perhaps a few low-key aliens. It’s a popular stop for those on a classic American road trip through the Southwest, offering fun things to see and do.

What are the best things to do in Nevada?

1. Area 51

Test sites you’re not allowed to see

Good for: Photo, Unusual

Area 51, 85 miles (137 km) northwest of Las Vegas, is famous for claims of alien encounters. Known for its S4 facility, rumored to test aliens and new viruses, the US government insists the area is nothing more than a weapons development facility by the US Air Force.

Don’t expect to see a lot of things here. The area is barricaded with a razor wire fence and high security, and the GPS is also blocked. To save time, a tour guide is recommended. Go on Route 375 to see the Extraterrestrial Highway sign and stop by the UFO shrine. Also, the Little Ale’Inn is a bar that has their exhibition on the walls with images recounting alien stories.

See nearby properties

2. Truckee River

Spending the night in Reno cabins

Good for: Couples, Budget, Adventure

The Truckee River runs 140 miles (225 km) east to west, through the Reno city area, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and summer tubing activities. Enjoy a slow day and explore the Reno River Walk where the river runs through Bicentennial Park and downtown. Stop for coffee at the Nevada Museum of Art and see the collections from Aboriginal and Navajo settlers, as well as some contemporary Audubon exhibits.

Also not to miss is the National Automobile Museum. It’s got more than 230 cars on display, with marvelous vintage cars on their permanent collection, such as the 1892 Philion carriage, the 1907 Thomas Flyer mobile, the sleek Phantom Corsair, and cars owned by James Dean and Elvis Presley.

See nearby properties

3. Lake Mead

House boating on the calm waters

Good for: Couples, Families

Lake Mead, about 35 miles (56 km) from the Vegas strip, is a humanmade oasis where the water build-up from Hoover Dam makes this 640-square-mile (1,658-km) reservoir. To enjoy the lake, houseboats are the popular choice for mobile lodging.

Drift south toward the Black Canyon hot springs, a downstream area of the Hoover Dam with seeping springs that can reach up to 136°F (58°C) between the boulder rocks. The nearby marinas are the Lake Mead National Recreation and the Boulder Dam Recreation areas that are popular for paddle boarding and wakeboarding. However, check in advance for swimming conditions, due to the occasional appearance of the blue-green algae. Read more

See nearby properties

4. Hoover Dam

Taking a dam tour on the Colorado River

Good for: History, Photo

One of America’s greatest infrastructures is the Hoover Dam, made with 87.5 million cubic feet (2.48 million cubic meters) of concrete and standing 726 ft (221 meters) tall. Built during the Great Depression, it regulates river flow, boosting agricultural output since the 1940s. The dam also aided Las Vegas’s growth as a tourist destination.

The dam is located 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Las Vegas, but for a scenic drive, start at the Michael Callahan Memorial Bridge for amazing views from a high point. Also, the state border runs right here at the dam, so you can place one foot in Nevada and the other in Arizona, which will also put you in different time zones. Read more

Location: Hoover Dam Visitor’s Center, 81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005, USA

Phone: +1 702-494-2517

See nearby properties

5. Death Valley

Outlandish salt flats and ever-changing mountain colors

Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure

Death Valley is the inhabitable territory shared between California and Nevada. Drive through the salt flats to the Badwater Basin, 252 ft (77 meters) below sea level, the lowest point in North America. It’s the world’s second hottest place, with the highest temperature recorded at 134°F (57°C).

For a safe and efficient trip, a 4x4 wheel drive is highly recommended, along with plenty of drinking water. Stop by the Devil’s Golf Course, Dante’s View, and the Mesquite Flat sand dunes to see the rugged and gnarly landscapes. The Artists’ Palette is a 9-mile scenic drive on a colorful mountain range of pink, aqua, and purple deposits from the mineral oxidation. Avoid visiting in summer (May–September) for safety and comfort.

See nearby properties

6. Tonopah

Camping under the clearest skies

Good for: Budget, Nightlife

Tonopah has the darkest night skies in North America, and is known as the best place for stargazing in the country. Aside from being a fun RV destination, Tonopah is a small and sleepy town with stores, affordable motels, and cafes near the Tonopah Mining Park.

Visit the nearby ghost towns of Manhattan and Belmont that thrived in the mining days, as well as the Tonopah Cemetery, right next to the eccentric Clown Motel. For stargazing, the most recommended spot is the Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park where you can also picnic while setting up your telescope. This area is in a school community, so no need to drive out to stranded areas to get the perfect night view.

See nearby properties

7. Lake Tahoe

Turquoise waters and cabin dwelling

Good for: Photo, Adventure

Lake Tahoe, known for its crystal blue, 99.994% pure fresh water, looks like an ocean in the middle of the land. As one of the world’s oldest lakes, this beauty is shared by Nevada and California, existing for over 2 million years. A non-stop drive around the lake would take about three hours.

From skiing to swimming, Lake Tahoe can be enjoyed year round, with summer activities from March to September. Sand Harbor, near Incline Village, is a popular spot for the sandy shores and amazingly clear water. For affordable lodging, great lake views, and fewer people, drive south towards Lakeridge, Zephyr Cove, and the Stateline area.

See nearby properties

8. Valley of Fire

Wild rock formations and petroglyphs

Good for: Adventure, History, Photo

In Nevada’s Mojave Desert lies the Valley of Fire, named for the eroded sandstone formations that look like fire when reflecting the twilight sun. A backdrop for films like Star Trek and Transformers, it offers a five-hour journey combining walking and driving to key spots. Highlights include the Pink Canyon, the Fire Wave, the Mouse’s Tank, the Rainbow Vista, and the petrified forests. Discover North America’s oldest petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock, depicting weather, counting, and river maps.

Also, the night sky here is ideal for viewing the Milky Way. Be cautious of extreme temperature changes, especially from May to October, as days can exceed 100°F (38°C). Read more

Location: Moapa Valley, NV 89040, USA

Phone: +1 702-397-2088

See nearby properties

9. Las Vegas

Sin City has loads of mind-bending shows

Good for: Couples, Luxury, Nightlife

Known for its grandiose style and stature, Las Vegas is a great way to end your Nevada trip, with its line-up of spectacular shows from all over the world. Aside from casinos, this bustling city also offers family-friendly entertainment with some long-standing runs like Penn and Teller and David Copperfield magic shows.

Another popular, long-running show is the Cirque de Soleil troupe, with rotating themes such as “O,” a surreal performance with water acrobatics and cool costumes. Another crowd favorite is the Blue Man Group with its paint splatters, interactive audience, and messy finales, while the Zombie Burlesque is a quirky, Vegas-centric burlesque show made for the older crowd.

See nearby properties

10. Burning Man Festival

A safe space for self-expression

Good for: Adventure, Nightlife, Unusual

Every August, Burning Man Festival transforms Black Rock City into a week-long pop-up art festival, attracting up to 70,000 people. Burning Man is not a concert, but a playground for self-expression and an open-air art gallery where attendees contribute to installations. The event culminates in burning a giant man statue.

Surprisingly, the crowd is not your average bunch of hippies. They’re made up of a very diverse background, from doctors, teachers, retirees, and people of all ages. There’s no Wi-Fi, encouraging participants to live in the moment. Attendees must pack out their trash and bring supplies as gifts, as nothing is sold on-site.

Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

See nearby properties

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.