Things to see and do in Nevada

Attractions in Nevada

Adventuredome

Ride the El Loco and Canyon Blaster roller coaster at Adventuredome (www.adventuredome.com) in Circus Circus, Las Vegas. You can also see circus acts daily and experience other thrilling theme park rides.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Discover one of Nevada's own parks, the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (www.parks.nv.gov), home to the well-preserved and greatly detailed ghost town of Berlin in northwestern Nye County.

Black Canyon River Raft Tour

Take the Black Canyon Raft Tour (www.blackcanyonadventures.com) in Boulder City. The tour is a 3 hour rapid-free raft trip on the Colorado River, beginning at Hoover Dam.

Death Valley National Park

Experience the famous Death Valley National Park (website: www.nps.gov), where visitors can witness unique geological features in the extremes of the desert. Please use caution when visiting in summer as temperatures can reach up to 47°C (117°F).

Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Delight in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (website: www.fws.gov) complex, incorporating the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (website: www.fws.gov/refuge/Pahranagat), Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (website: www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows) and Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge (website: www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa_valley). It is the largest wildlife refuge in the USA. Moapa Valley was the site of Nevada's first city.

Fountains of Bellagio

Watch the stunning Fountains of Bellagio display of over 1,000 fountains, choreographed with light and sound at Las Vegas' Bellagio Resort (www.bellagio.com).

Fremont Street Experience

Enjoy the Fremont Street Experience (www.vegasexperience.com), a pedestrian mall in Las Vegas dominated by gaming with a spectacular light show every night.

Goldfield

See the almost abandoned mining town of Goldfield (www.ghosttowns.com). Founded in 1902, it contains the beautiful Goldfield Hotel and the Esmeralda County Courthouse, as well as the old mining district.

Hoover Dam

Stop first at the Hoover Dam's (www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam) visitor centre, where tourists can see right over the edge of the Black Canyon precipice. Hoover Dam itself was completed in 1936, and is the highest dam in the western hemisphere. The Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum (www.bcmha.org) houses historical artefacts relating to the workers, and construction of the dam and Boulder City.

Lake Mead

Spend time at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. They are contained in the vast (over 600,000 hectares/1,480,000 acres) Lake Mead National Recreation Area (www.nps.gov/lame).

Lake Tahoe

Enjoy the outdoors at Lake Tahoe (www.tahoe.com), a top-class skiing resort with a vibrant nightlife, and home to the Shakespeare at Sand Harbor Festival, which takes place in the summer. The spectacular scenery can be seen from the lake's excursion boats.

Las Vegas

The City of Sin is overflowing with sights to see and things to do. Gamble at one of the many casinos lined up along the Las Vegas Strip, ride one of the world's highest thrill rides at Stratosphere Tower and have a delicious meal at one of Vegas’ many restaurants. At night, head to the Strip to watch the stunning Fountains of Bellagio display.

Las Vegas Strip

Gamble at one of the many casinos lined up along the Las Vegas Strip (website: www.visitlasvegas.com). The Strip is best seen at dusk when it is lit up in neon lights.

Laughlin

Discover Laughlin (www.visitlaughlin.com), the second most popular holiday destination in Nevada, owing largely to the reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants, and the fact that it has unusually sunny summers and mild winters considering its location. Laughlin Bay Marina (www.laughlinbaymarina.com) is the hub of entertainment in the Laughlin area.

Liberace Museum

Visit the Liberace Museum (www.liberace.org), also in Las Vegas. The museum contains memorabilia from the world-famous pianist.

Little White Chapel

Get married in Vegas. More than 45 wedding chapels operate throughout the metropolitan area, including some in major hotels in the city. The Little White Chapel (www.alittlewhitechapel.com), 1301 Las Vegas Boulevard South, where Joan Collins was married, has a 24-hour drive-through window.

Nevada Historical Society Museum

Visit the Nevada Historical Society Museum (www.nevadaculture.org) in Reno, excellent for those wishing to learn about Nevada's history.

Reno

See where Reno was founded, where Myron Lake's bridge crossed the Truckee River. A white-water park on the Truckee River is a popular attraction with kayakers and thrill seekers; the park also includes an amphitheatre, picnic facilities and river access for boaters.

The Nevada Historical Society Museum (nvculture.org) is also an important sight to see if you want to learn about the state’s history.

River Mountain Loop Trail

Hike the River Mountain Loop Trail, an 55km (34-mile) round-trip route with spectacular views of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and Las Vegas Valley. There are different types of trails for users; a path for equestrian users and a concrete path for hikers and cyclists.

Scotty's Castle

Stop at Scotty's Castle (www.nps.gov/deva/scottys1.htm), a popular, if slightly odd, century-old desert guest ranch.

Sierra Nevada

Explore where the steep eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada prise open to contain Lake Tahoe (www.tahoe.com). Carson City is only 32km (19.9 miles) away from Lake Tahoe, but is over 914.4m (3,000ft) below. The lake not only hangs over the state capital, but also the towns of Minden and Gardnerville, which are almost directly below it.

Spring Mountains

Go on a backcountry adventure in the Spring Mountains and take in the fresh air of southern Nevada's outdoors. The highest mountain in spring Mountains, Mount Charleston (www.mtcharlestonresort.com) is good for winter sports and is home to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort.

Stratosphere Tower

View the Las Vegas skyline from one of the observation decks of the Stratosphere Tower (www.stratospherehotel.com). At 350m (1,149ft) high, it is said to be America's tallest freestanding tower. Be sure to try one of the world's three highest thrill rides: Big Shot!, Insanity - the Ride, or X Scream.

Valley of Fire State Park

See the fascinating landscape of naturally carved red sandstone in the Valley of Fire State Park (www.parks.nv.gov/vf.htm) at the north of Lake Mead.

Western Folklife Center

Tour the Western Folklife Center in Elko. It is dedicated to the preservation of Western ranch culture and known for the Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Tourist offices

Nevada Tourism Commission