View of Fire State Park at sunset, Nevada

Things to do in  Nevada

Neon lights and natural wonders

Nevada is best known for the lights and casinos of Las Vegas, but the Silver State offers many things to do beyond the Strip. Travel the wide-open spaces of the Loneliest Road in America and the Extraterrestrial Highway and see surreal desert landscapes, mountain ranges, ghost towns, historic sites, and plenty of Wild West culture. There's Lake Tahoe and the Hoover Dam, plus fantastic parks like Great Basin National Park and Valley of Fire State Park, too.

Top 15 attractions in Nevada

Hoover Dam

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The Hoover Dam (originally known as Boulder Dam) is an inspiring symbol of American engineering, built during America’s Great Depression as the then-largest dam construction project in the world. Travelers have flocked here for decades to see picturesque views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River, and today, the dam receives more than 1 million annual visitors.More

Grand Canyon West Rim

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The Grand Canyon’s West Rim, located just outside Grand Canyon National Park, is home to the vast Hualapai Indian Reservation and includes 108 miles (173 kilometers) of picturesque canyon views. The closest section of the canyon to Las Vegas, the West Rim is famous for the lofty Grand Canyon Skywalk, Guano Point, and Eagle Point.More

Fremont Street Experience

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Spanning four city blocks, the Fremont Street Experience is a massive outdoor mall and the site of Las Vegas’ very first freestanding casino building. Today, it hosts 10 different casinos with games and tables, plenty of restaurants, and free concerts and other live entertainment, with multiple performances staged each day. It’s also notable for its famous Viva Vision canopy, which projects thousands of different color combinations and images overhead.More

Las Vegas Strip

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Lined with Sin City’s top hotels and largest casinos, the glittering 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) Las Vegas Strip is the United States’ biggest adult playground. Look out for over-the-top architecture, revel in trendy nightclubs, take in dazzling shows and avant-garde performances, and sink forks into five-star dinners. Hotel highlights include iconic complexes such as Treasure Island, the Venetian, MGM Grand, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace.More

Colorado River

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The Colorado River is a spectacular sight to see, meandering for 1,447 miles (2,330 kilometers) with red rocks and canyons framing it on both sides, leading up to the Hoover Dam. The Colorado River is one of the major water sources for California and Nevada, and, not surprisingly, it's a major recreational destination—activities on the river include hiking, biking, rafting, and boating.More

Grand Canyon Skywalk

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The Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped, glass-bottomed bridge that juts out 70 feet (20 meters) above one of America’s most scenic sites—is not for the faint-hearted. Situated 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) above the Grand Canyon, the panoramic West Rim and Colorado River views are undeniably fantastic though.More

Zion National Park

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Carved over time by the Virgin River, Zion National Park is a remarkable 148,000-acre (59,893-hectare) stretch of white, pink, and red rock formations in southern Utah's canyon country. The state's first national park draws hikers, birders, and nature lovers with its cliffs and mesas, waterfalls and wildflowers, and varied wildlife from jackrabbits to condors.More

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

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Constructed in 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is an icon from the era of classic Vegas. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, the neon landmark welcomes visitors driving into the city from the south on Las Vegas Boulevard, aka the Strip.More

Grand Canyon South Rim

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The South Rim is the most popular area of Grand Canyon National Park, boasting easy access to the canyon, the bulk of available amenities and services, and the panoramic vistas for which the natural wonder is famous. One of the most famous attractions in the American Southwest, the area offers breathtaking views over the Colorado River and the chance to immerse yourself in Native American culture.More

Fountains of Bellagio

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The Fountains of Bellagio in front of the Bellagio Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip are like many Sin City attractions: an over-the-top spectacle, but in a good way. The waterworks are synchronized with a changing playlist and light show, so visitors will never see the same show twice.More

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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It’s hard to believe that Sin City is only a few hours away from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with dramatic and often surreal scenery of sharp craggy mountains, deep canyons, and desert basins. Coboldmprising the areas around Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, this recreation area attracts water sports enthusiasts, boaters, and nonboaters alike.More

STRAT Tower

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Standing 1,149 feet (350 meters) above the Las Vegas Strip, STRAT Tower is the tallest observation tower in the United States. From the top, visitors enjoy 360-degree views of Las Vegas from an observation deck, aboard thrill rides, or over a drink or meal at one of several bars and restaurants.More

Downtown Las Vegas

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Downtown Las Vegas thrived as the city’s gambling district until the 1980s when new resorts and casinos pulled the crowds away from the area toward the Strip, the city’s main thoroughfare today. After a period of neglect, Downtown has seen revitalization over the past few years, transforming it into a Las Vegas cultural and entertainment hub in its own right.More

Mojave Desert

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The driest desert in North America, the Mojave is home to Death Valley National Park, which is best known for its Badwater Basin, the lowest point on the continent at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. The Mojave’s 25,000 square miles (65,000 square kilometers) also encompass Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Mojave National Preserve, and more.More

Red Rock Canyon

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The 195,819-acre (79,245-hectare) Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada comprises a network of narrow canyons, seasonal waterfalls, rock art sites, and surreal rock formations with ample opportunity for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and desert wildlife watching, all a short drive from Las Vegas.More

Top activities in Nevada

Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with Optional VIP Transportation
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Grand Canyon West Rim Luxury Helicopter Tour
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Las Vegas Dunes Tour by ATV

Las Vegas Dunes Tour by ATV

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Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas
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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup
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Half-Day Emerald Cove Kayak Tour
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Half-Day Emerald Cove Kayak Tour

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Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park Day Tour with Lunch from Las Vegas
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Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour with Champagne Toast
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Grand Canyon Helicopter and Eagle Point Rim Landing Tour
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All about Nevada

When to visit

When to visit Nevada depends on what you want to do. Much of the state is desert, which can be incredibly hot in summer and cold in winter. The best time to visit Las Vegas is in late spring. Summer is a good time for Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead, and Great Basin National Park. Spring and fall offer the best overall weather, especially for outdoor activities. Visit in winter for skiing and snow sports.

Getting around

The cities and attractions in Nevada are quite spread out, and you will need a car if you plan to explore different parts of the state. The two major airports are in Las Vegas and Reno, which are also served by long-distance bus lines. Within large cities like Las Vegas and Reno, you can take advantage of public transportation as well as taxis and rideshares.

Traveler tips

There’s more to Nevada than the desert and gambling. Part of Lake Tahoe is in northern Nevada, while Lake Mead is a short distance from Las Vegas. Nevada is home to several ski resorts, including Mt. Charleston near Las Vegas and more than a dozen slopes near Lake Tahoe. Nevada is home to Great Basin National Park, one of the least crowded national parks in the US, with incredibly dark night skies perfect for stargazing.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
MDT (UTC -7)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
106
Tours
1,124
Reviews
156,209

People Also Ask

What is the number one attraction in Nevada?

The top attraction in Nevada is Las Vegas. Within Las Vegas, the top attraction is the Las Vegas Strip, which stretches 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) between Sahara Avenue in the north and Russell Road in the south. It's home to many of the top casinos in the city.

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What do people in Nevada do for fun?

Gambling is just one way people in Nevada have fun. Other options include fine dining and the many shows of Las Vegas, along with other art and culture options. Nevada offers incredible desert scenery, mountains, and lakes for outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, water play, and skiing.

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What is Nevada known for besides Las Vegas?

Besides gambling and the bright neon lights and entertainment options of Las Vegas, Nevada is known for its vast desert landscape, and wide-open spaces. Other famous attractions in Nevada include the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Lake Tahoe, Area 51, Valley of Fire State Park, Burning Man, and ghost towns.

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What is the prettiest place in Nevada?

Lake Tahoe, with its clear, turquoise waters surrounded by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and pine forests, is arguably Nevada's prettiest place. Valley of Fire State Park offers surreal red Aztec sandstone desert landscapes befitting its name. Lamoille Canyon, in the lush Ruby Mountains, is another picturesque spot in Nevada.

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What should I not miss in Nevada?

Las Vegas is Nevada's most popular area and a visitor must. In Las Vegas, you'll want to experience the Las Vegas Strip and neon-lit Fremont Street. The clear waters of Lake Tahoe are another top attraction in Nevada. Visitors should also experience the desert, which covers much of the state.

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Why is Nevada called the Silver State?

The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, one of the largest silver deposits ever found, is why Nevada is called the Silver State. The discovery led to a silver rush and helped fuel the state’s development. Other nicknames for Nevada include the Sagebrush State and the Battle Born State.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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What are the top things to do in Nevada?
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What are the top things to do near Nevada?
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