17 Exciting Adventures in Nevada That Will Surprise You
Nevada is famous for its lights, entertainment, and, of course, Las Vegas, but there is much more to this state. From the deserts and rocky mountains through the abandoned cities and maintaining historically significant attractions, Nevada packs some incredible experiences that people would not expect.
Well, if you are going to travel or just thinking about the next vacation, let’s take a closer look at Nevada’s hidden treasures. Here are some of the state’s most fascinating and surprising destinations to add to your travel list.
The Neon Museum
Learn about Las Vegas history at the Neon Museum, an open air art gallery of many of the original neon signs of Las Vegas. Walking through this ‘graveyard’ of old signs feels like a walk through a technicoloured history. Every single show has its own history, which helps to show the history of Vegas. Thus, it is suitable for photography lovers and anyone wondering about the glamorous history of the city.
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is situated only an hour from Las Vegas and has red sandstone formations which appear to shimmer on the hottest day and most of all during the sunset. There are hiking trails, rock paintings, and even rocks with fiery names, so this park is like from another planet. Take as much water as possible and a camera because this place is stunning.
Great Basin National Park
This is one of the least known national parks in Nevada even though it is situated close to the Utah border. Featuring glacier-carved mountains, Bristlecone pines and Lehman Caves, Great Basin is a natural beauty. The park is also well known for astronomy, as the sky is clear and there is very little artificial lighting. For anyone who wants to have a serene kind of holiday or just get to see beautiful sceneries, it is the right place to be.
Burning Man Festival
Every year, for one week, Black Rock Desert comes alive with art, music, and people expressing themselves. It’s not about going to Burning Man as a festival, it is about going on a creative, freaky trip. From art sculptures to live music and diverse weird-themed neighborhoods, this is something you won’t find in any other city.
Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay
While the lake is also in California, there is something special about the Nevada side of things, especially at Emerald Bay. There are stunning views here, a small island with an old tea house and lots of trails for walking. This is an actual postcard like place, with very bright and clear water and green lush vegetation for those who like to travel and dream.
The Extraterrestrial Highway
Highway 375 in Nevada is called the Extraterrestrial Highway; it runs through the desert and gets to Area 51. Although you won’t be likely to see any UFOs, the numerous roadside attractions and sites related to aliens are entertaining for a road trip. Pick up a burger at the Little A’Le’Inn in Rachel, Nevada – and look up!
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Nevada’s best preserved and most interesting ghost town, this abandoned mining town is located near Beatty. Few buildings in Rhyolite are still standing and only a few of them are in ruins by the present standard; there is a school building, a bank and what is known as a bottle house. Exploring the empty roads, one can easily picture the life of the town during the time of the Gold Rush.
Hot Springs at Spencer Hot Springs
Spencer Hot Springs provides a natural setting in central Nevada. These hot springs are still unexplored and located in the mountains and you can take a natural bath in warm water and look at the stars. Pack some food, grab a seat and watch the beautiful scenery of Nevada’s back country.
Fly Geyser
Fly Geyser is a colorful hot spring on the Black Rock Desert of Nevada and is quite extraordinary in its appearance. It is not a very big geyser but it is stunning and colorful due to the minerals in the water. This is a site that is only visible during the guided tours but should not be missed in any case.
Seven Magic Mountains
If you are driving south of Las Vegas, you will not be able to miss the Seven Magic Mountains. This large sculpture by Ugo Rondinone presents seven large piles of large, brightly painted stones against the landscapes of the desert. It is entertaining, colorful and if you are on a road trip, you will definitely want to take a picture with it.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area
Sand Mountain is just what the name implies, a gigantic sand hill in the middle of the desert that moves. This park is approximately 25 miles east of Fallon and it is ideal for off-road vehicles, sand-boarding and hiking. It rises 600 feet and if you get to the top of the mountain, you get a good view of the surrounding area.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
This is an unusual park that combines archeology and paleontology; it is located on the territory of an old mining town, and there are fossilized skeletons of ichthyosaurs – giant sea reptiles that existed 200 million years ago. The state park is slightly remote, but it is incredibly interesting and ideal for those who like paleontological attractions.
The Clown Motel
Sitting in the town of Tonopah, the Clown Motel has rightly earned the reputation of a roadside attraction due to the comical interior design. It has in its lobby clown statues and it is located close to a cemetery, so if you are not brave-hearted it’s not for you. You can spend a night in The Clown Motel and get a few spooky stories if you are interested!
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is a natural park located only a half an hour drive from Las Vegas; it features red cliffs, hiking trails, and rock climbing. This conservation area is perfect for a one day trip as the area provides numerous vantage points and places to have a picnic. Just the scenic loop drive is worth the visit.
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
These beehive shaped ovens close to Ely were originally used for making charcoal for the local silver mines. Now they are remnants and can be a fun visit if you are driving through the state of Oklahoma. The ovens are really big and you will learn a lot about the mining history of Nevada.
Mount Charleston
If you are in the mood for some snow and a mountain trip then Mount Charleston just outside Las Vegas is for you. Open year round, this mountain affords the visitor hiking trails, view points, and even ski slopes in the winter. In summer, the trails are perfect for avoiding the hot temperatures.
Tonopah Star Gazing Park
Tonopah is one of the best places in the United States for astronomy because the skies there are very clear. The town is quite distant from large cities and you can see thousands of stars at night. Take a blanket, a telescope and be ready to be amazed at the sky full of stars above you.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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