The Silver State – Nevada
It is called The Silver State for a reason. This goes back to 1859 when silver was first discovered in the state. This discovery led to a migration boom which took over all of the states. It is also known for gold as well and is the fourth-largest producer of gold in the world. The Nevada Mining Association credits the silver deposits to be a very vital source of economy to their state.
Airports and Airlines
Many airlines go from India to Nevada like Air Canada, Air India, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, etc. Depending on the flight rates one can choose which airline to opt for.
The international airports in Nevada are The McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Reno.
Exploring Nevada
The state of Nevada is filled with a lot of glitz and glitter but that doesn’t undermine the amazing landscapes, natural attractions, small towns and wonderful opportunities that it has for outdoor activities.
Hoover dam, built to provide job opportunities during the time of the great depression, is the largest reservoir in the United States. The sight is beautiful to see and it is perfect for an outdoor hangout. Lake Tahoe, the freshwater lake, is another one of nature’s attractions in Nevada with sparkling blue water. It’s one of the most beautiful natural sights all over Nevada.
Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are natural recreational sights as they present the tourist with the opportunities to hike, boat, camp and so much more.
My personal favourite is Valley of Fire State Park. It, being one of the most dramatic sights of Nevada due to the twisted rock formations, never fails to attract the attention of both tourists and inhabitants. Just a simple drive in the valley is capable of providing you with an unforgettable experience.
For an Indian traveller, the cost for one person for a 7 day and 6 nights trip to Nevada would sit somewhere at around INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,25,000.
Las Vegas – Sin City
Back in time, Las Vegas was a deserted landscape. It has taken approximately 200 years for Las Vegas to transform into what it is now.
Las Vegas strip is the most famous section of the city which bears many restaurants, museums and casinos. As a traveller, you would not want to miss visiting there.
In Las Vegas, many things are legal that are outrightly prohibited in other cities. The activities include gambling, adult entertainment venues, buying alcoholic beverages at 4 am etc but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t support family-oriented activities and destinations.
Destinations like various theme parks and museums also attract great attention.
Earlier it didn’t have as many family-oriented destinations but now Vegas is working on becoming more of a holistic tourist destination. But still, it is known to be a place that adults seek for activities and vices that are considered to be ‘sins’ in other states.
Tonopah- NV
Tonopah is situated halfway between Vegas and Reno. You will need more than a day to enjoy this place as it is one of the best standalone places in Nevada for you to have fun. The two of Nevada’s most well-known ghost towns, Belmont Ghost town and Manhattan Ghost Town are situated near Tonopah only.
Mt Jefferson, Nevada’s 4th tallest peak presents a great opportunity for hiking, the Pine Creek Campground being a perfect basecamp, Crescent/ Tonopah dunes, Old Tonopah cemetery, and Tonopah Stargazing Park are some great places that you wouldn’t want to miss while travelling from Vegas to Reno.
Vegas to Reno
Reno, known as ‘The biggest little city in the world’ is not only famous for its casinos and neon lights but is way more than just gambling and nightlife. From rafting to pub crawling and catching a fly ball at a baseball game. There are museums to visit, ski resorts, and many more similar activities which make it a must-visit destination in Nevada
Elko – The largest northeastern town in Nevada
Elko is the gateway to places that present you with Nevada’s most untamed wilderness and beauty. Ruby mountains and Cowboy Corridor provide with that untamed experience that you might ot find elsewhere in Nevada. Elko county is nature’s home with alpine peaks, lakes and streams and with a piece of paradise i.e, Lamoille Canyon.
Every year, in January, a fest named National Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place which celebrates the cowboy lifestyle and rural west. If you’re travelling during January this fest is something not to be missed!
Beatty – Gateway to death valley
This small town features many popular attractions like Bailey’s hot springs, featuring antique bathhouses and Beatty Museum, featuring fascinating relics, books and vintage photos.
This town is widely known for its proximity to Rhyolite, one of the most popular ghost towns of the American West. It features the ruins of once-thriving Rhyolite with wooden ruins of the former bank, train depots and other town structures. Tom Kelly bottle house is a very interesting structure constructed with whooping 30,000 to 50,000 glass bottles, is not to be missed.
Virginia City – A historic destination
Virginia City remains to be one of the most popular historic destinations in Nevada. Roaming through the streets of this city will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. It is home to some of the most beautifully preserved churches saloons, cemeteries etc. Being filled with museums, antique shops, art, historically significant places, etc makes it a heaven for history buffs and can extremely eye pleasing and mind-calming, especially after a wild weekend.
This city features mine tours as well and within 25 to 30 minutes you can have a great experience while touring mines like Ponderosa and Chollar mines.
Washoe Club and Haunted Museum are believed to be one of the most haunted places in the west and the property has been featured in many horror shows and movies, if you’re a horror genre fanatic, it might seem like a dream come true!
Area 51 and its alien conspiracies
There is no official information about what exactly goes on in area 51 but it is widely believed that the US military uses the area to develop cutting edge aircraft. Some people say it’s a test and training facility. The secrecy around the area fuelled many conspiracy theories out of which the alien ones have become extremely popular. The most famous rumour is that Area 51 hosts an alien spacecraft and the bodies of its pilots and it happened back in around 1947. However, the US government released official statements saying there was no incident involving aliens or alien bodies. Many people living nearby the site claim that they have witnessed UFOs above and near the site and some even say that they had been abducted by the aliens.
These rumours remain rumours for now as no concrete pieces of evidence have been found but this contributes a lot in making Nevada even more of an intriguing travel destination.
Road trips in Nevada
Having a road trip via the loneliest road in America is as much thrilling as it sounds. This road is your ticket to a wide range of experiences including wonderful historically relevant towns, a couple of hot springs, classic sagebrush saloons etc. Once you are over with the road trip all the thrill and joy will kick into its maximum with an ‘I did it’ attitude, which will feel extremely fulfilling.
Roadtrip to death valley seems are natural as casinos to vegas. It has an extreme reputation with chattering temperatures and thrill beyond any levels. Passing through ghost towns, biker bars and a family coffee shop along with the sceneries and temperatures makes it a must-have road trip.
Between Las Vegas and Reno, there is a lot to explore and what’s better than having a road trip that will make you encounter the most unique and unrestrained art out there!
From Virginia City to Idyllic Carson Valley, a road trip will refresh you from head to toe. Going from over the hill from America’s most famous lake, Lake Tahoe, lie some great destinations to be explored and experienced, no one should miss out on this one!
Seasonings of the Silver State
Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace includes dishes that can satisfy one and all. From king crab legs to smoked pork belly, it serves more than 500 items daily. The dishes are unbeatable and leave you biting your tongue and licking your fingers.
The Awful Awful and AYCE sushi are some extremely well-known places that will leave you wanting more.
Bloody Mary from the Dirty Dick’s Belmont Saloon is a must-have. It has found an enthusiastic home in the silver state. The recipe has been passed down through generations and is worth a try.
The restaurant on the Vegas strip and the Spring Valley Restaurants are not to be missed though.
Summer it is!
The best time to visit Nevada is from around April to July. The weather in Nevada keeps on changing drastically but half of the year it’s cold. It has comfortable humid months and dry months too. It’s not a very windy state, the winds are usually at their highest in April at a speed which is considered to be a fresh breeze, that’s why around April to July are considered to be the best months to visit there. Though July is one of the busiest months for tourism, the accommodations can be expensive. But the view that the topmost hotels of Nevada provide you with, is worth every penny.
Some of the best hotels in Nevada which will nourish your eyes with the view you can never get tired of looking at are Four Seasons Hotel; Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, The Venetian; Las Vegas, SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and many more.
Trip Summary
There is no denying that Nevada is one of the most popular holiday destinations because of its food, ambience and notoriety. Visiting during the favourable months can make you feel heavenly and charged, both at the same time. Travelling to Vegas leaves you spellbound by its light and glitter and it’ll be one of your travel highlights.
I would just say one thing, ‘Vegas is worth it!’
