Nestled between California and Utah is the state of Nevada which is also popularly known as the Sagebrush State and the Silver State. The state of Nevada offers everything from exciting human-made amusements to pristine natural wonders. After all, there’s more to the Silver State than casinos, ghost towns and pinball museums, stunning lakes, and austere deserts. Whether you are searching for fun things to do in Laughlin Nevada city or the best places to see in Nevada, you will find everything here.
Nevada’s amazing landscapes are often overseen by the glitter and glam of its biggest city, Las Vegas. As this is a city you would never want to miss, Nevada is a state of incredible natural diversity, with plenty of amazing places to visit, scenic drives, and wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities. National parks and recreation areas provide outstanding terrain for a lot of activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, and fishing. You can even find hills where you can ski in the high mountains. While both gambling and casinos are synonymous with Nevada, so are a collection of other adventures: national parks and wide, open spaces, historic towns and sites, waterfalls, arts and entertainment, highest quality restaurants, and communal events like Burning Man. Or if you’re interested in motoring, consider taking in Nevada’s spectacular scenery by attending the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which is one of the top things to do in Vegas.
There are many fun and enjoyable things you can do in this state. If you have ever wondered what you can do in this incredible state, here are the best places to visit and top 10 things to do in Nevada which will make your trip unforgettable:
- Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam which was once called the Boulder Damis more than 700ft (213m) high. This remarkable structure, which cost about $49m to complete, was a brand new achievement in engineering at that time and has since been designated as the National Historic Landmark and it is one of the top tourist attractions of Nevada and America’s-Seven-Modern-Civil Engineering-Wonders. Hoover Dam has been called the ‘Greatest Dam Ever Built’ because it is one of the largest public works projects in the USA. The dam also created Lake Mead, named for the man who looked after the project. Starting from Las Vegas Hoover Dam is a convenient day trip.
- Madame Tussuads
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is a wax museum located in the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. It is one of the top places to visit in Nevada with your kids and family. At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you’ll find over 100 wax figures of famous celebrities from George Clooney to Cameron Diaz, film and TV characters, athletes, musicians and Marvel superheroes, as well a 4D movie theatre. Each of the wax figures takes about a hundred hours to make, and the artistry behind each is very impressive and thoughtful. With fiberglass eyeballs, human hair wigs, fancy, painted details, and elaborate make-up, you’ll see Bette Midler, Elvis, Elton John (and many more) like never before.
- Fremont Street
The Fremont Street Experience recites the legendary history of Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. This Street has been known as “GlitterGulch” for a Long time because of its bright lights. Fremont Street is the soul of downtown Las Vegas. Believe it or not, the setting is fairly awe-inspiring.. The Fremont Street spans four entire city blocks while the Fremont Street Experience is a massive outdoor mall and as it features concerts, light shows, and multiple casinos, it is one of the best tourist attractions in Nevada.
- Reno
After Las Vegas, Reno is the second-largest city in Nevada. With a nickname like the Biggest Little City in the World, Reno is a destination worth getting to know. Reno is a type of place where all visitors can always find something to enjoy. It has a surprising number of impressive events and attractions for tourists. The city hosts the annual National Championship Air Races, the Hot August Nights car convention, and The Great Reno Balloon Race, along with many other popular annual celebrations. Reno is also home ground to the National Automobile Museum and a few other interesting museums which are some of the best things to do in Reno Nevada. It also boasts several casinos where gambling, nightlife and all-you-can-eat buffets are abundant.
- Lake Tahoe
The sparkly blue water of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by often snow-capped mountains, is one of the most marvelous sites in Nevada. This 22-mile-long freshwater lake is a popular year-round destination. Here, you can get to see the largest Alpine Lake in America and kick back on miles of beaches. There are boats like the Tahoe Queen that take you right out onto the lake, offering magnificent views of the imperial mountains and the scenery surrounding it. In summer, you can come here to enjoy the beautiful beaches and hit some of the spectacular hiking trails, or camp at one of the many campgrounds in the area. In winter, you can come here to hit the slopes at the ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area. Any time of year, you can always enjoy the scenery on a lake-side drive. If you travel from Reno, you can reach the north end of the lake in about 45 minutes.
- Stratosphere Tower
The Stratosphere Tower is linked to the Stratosphere Hotel and offers 360-degree views of Las Vegas, along with thrilling amusement park rides, restaurants, and nightlife which is perched at the Top of the World. This Tower is the tallest freestanding tower in America which is at a height of 1,149 feet (350 meters) above the ground. You can go up to 107 floors in 37 seconds in the lift. One can enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck or explore the amusement park by taking a ride on the Big Shot and Insanity roller coasters or the Sky Jump which is a controlled free-fall ride. After that, there’s the romantic Top of the World restaurant and the Air Bar. Both have signature cocktails so that you can enjoy them while overseeing the city lights and the strip.
- Red Canyon
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of Nevada’s most popular hiking areas which is located just outside of Las Vegas. Some of the highlights of this place are box canyons, mountains, and a look at the Keystone. You can go for a 13-mile scenic drive through the park which offers a look at some of the sites, but hiking trails in Red Rock Canyon offer the perfect access to all of the important and major sites. Rock climbing, mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and picnicking are also popular activities here.
- Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, which really does have something for everyone. Enormous casino hotels line the main road, called The Strip; it is an All-American road show, home to the most famous hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Strip houses bright lights, entertainment, other-worldly architecture, and the city’s trendiest clubs and nightlife. It’s a Disneyland for adults, a place where fun and fantasy meets. You’ll find an enormous shark tank inside the Golden Nugget, a volcano attraction that erupts hourly at the Mirage, iconic fountains outside the Bellagio and also an indoor theme park at the Circus Circus. Las Vegas is an undeniable shopping capital, and spots like Fashion Show and the Town Square Mall are perfect for upscale souvenir shopping.
- Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is one of Nevada’s most scenic destinations and best places to visit for those who love the great outdoors. The park is located in the eastern part of the state which is closer to the border with Utah. The Lehman Caves are one of the best attractions in the Great Basin National Park, and a tour will take you through sections like the Lodge Room and the Gothic Palace. The park offers a number of developed camping places and numerous backpacking opportunities. TheBaker Creek Road is a must-do as is the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive – but not in the winter season. Another popular activity is hiking along the Bristlecone Pine Trail, where you can see Bristlecone Pines and these trees are said to be the oldest organisms on this planet.
- Bellagio Casino
Bellagio is a luxury hotel, resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. One of its most notable features is a big 8-acre lake which is between the building and the Strip, and it houses the Fountains of Bellagio which is a large dancing water fountain synchronized to music. A lot of professional poker players like to play at the Bellagio poker room, calling it by “The Office” due to the high table limitations, and also including the high stakes ‘Big Game’ located in “Bobby’s Room”, which was named after Bobby Baldwin. “The Office” consists of 2,300 machines, a poker room with 40 tables and two high-limit sections, a high stakes poker lounge with two tables (Bobby’s Room), and table games like craps and baccarat, plus live entertainment. The Bellagio hosts slot tournaments that feature live entertainment and also food on top of prizes starting at $100,000.
What’s next?
Whether you are looking for top things to do in Greensboro Nevada, unique things to do in Mesquite Nevada or top 10 things to do in Jacksonville Nevada, the above travel guide covers everything. Once you know what to do in Nevada, you can plan your journey with total enthusiasm. If you are planning to visit some best places to visit near Nevada then don’t forget to check our North America travel guide.
About Author: Hashita is an expert writer who write-downs all her travel experiences through regular blogs.