Popular Attractions in Nevada

Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City all offer a wealth of attractions for tourists, but you can find a number of unique sites to explore beyond the main tourist areas. Whether you’re in the mood to explore the great outdoors or want to live it up in Sin City, you can discover the Nevada lifestyle in a multitude of ways. From city sites to natural attractions, you’ll find something for everyone in every region.

When you’re heading straight to Las Vegas, you won’t want to miss the Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip. These famous fountains shoot water up to 500 feet in the air with synchronized music and you’ll want to see the spectacle during the day and at night. The fountains are owned and operated by Bellagio LLC and have become an iconic destination on the Strip. Many Hollywood films have been shot around the fountains, including “Ocean’s Thirteen”, “The Hangover” and “21”. Be sure to bring a camera for your own photo op in front of the dancing fountains in Vegas.

Make a short drive southeast of Las Vegas to spend the day at Hoover Dam. It runs along the border of Arizona and Nevada in the Black Canyon and was built in honor of President Hoover. You can make your way across the Hoover Dam Bypass that sits 840 feet above the Colorado River to visit Arizona. The concrete arch-gravity dam is now a National Historic Landmark and stores enough water in Lake Mead to provide irrigation for two million acres of land.

Learn about the history of Vegas dating back to the days of the Mormon Missionaries with a day at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park. The fort was built in 1855 and was the home of the first non-native settlers. Today, you can see the remainders of the we all from the fort and a re-creation of the Las Vegas Creek. Take a walk through the park to see the full-size fort that’s been reconstructed over the years. You’ll find several interpretive displays in the fort and can see more exhibits and historic artifacts in the Visitor Center. The park is just a short drive from many downtown Las Vegas attractions, so it can be a great destination for breaking away from the hub.

As you make your way to southern Nevada, don’t miss the chance to learn about mining history at one of the state’s most well-known mines. Tonopah Historic Mining Park is open to the public and serves as the grounds of four former mining companies. One of the best ways to explore this park is with the “Underground Adventure” Burro Tunnel. You can drop 500 feet underground in a steel cage to see mining areas up close. You can take also tour of the park to learn about Tonopah’s role in the mining industry and watch video presentations about the area’s history. Walking tours of the site will take you to the Mizpah Mine, Montana Tonopah Mill Ruins and other key sites. If you’re visiting the area over Memorial Day Weekend, be sure to catch the Nevada State Mining Championships.

When you find yourself in Reno, go beyond the casinos to visit destinations like the National Automobile Museum. This museum features over 220 classic cars and several historical and educational exhibits. You could also spend the day at the Sierra Safari Zoo or see the arboretum and gardens at the Wilbur D. May Center, a year-round destination that’s perfect for families and groups.