Las Vegas is not the only fun city in Nevada. Check out these ten other beautiful cities in Nevada.
Las Vegas, Nevada, is a popular travel spot among tourists. Visitors enjoy taking in a show, watching the Bellagio Fountain spring to life, and booking rooms in luxurious hotels. It is true that Sin City has a lot of fun activities and attractions; however, the state of Nevada is so much more than just one wild city.
Nevada also is home to chilling ghost towns (specifically Lake Mead), America’s oldest petroglyphs, and plenty of breathtaking hiking and biking trails. There are also some lovely lakes in the state, including Lake Mead and Lake Tahoe. Looking to visit the Silver State, but not spend any of your silver coins in Vegas? Choose one of the ten beautiful cities and towns listed below for your next Nevada vacation.
Rachel is technically not a city, but rather a census-designated place in Nevada. This spot is perfect for those who believe in extraterrestrial life. This town is the spot to see a UFO.
Townspeople, visitors, and UFO enthusiasts gather at a local bar called Little A’Le’Inn to discuss the latest sightings.
The town of Rachel is perfect for a day trip. Visitors can drive along Nevada State Highway 375, also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, stop in Little A’Le’Inn for some food, and take in the beautiful desert scenery.
Another beautiful city in Nevada worth visiting is Boulder City. Boulder City possesses a population of around 14,900 and is just 26 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Visitors rave about the lovely nature surrounding the town. Popular activities among tourists include biking the River Mountains Loop Trail, kayaking in Lake Mead, and golfing at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in Boulder City. The glistening water and rocky ledges bring an added charm to the city.
Located in southeast Nevada, Caliente has a unique history. In the late 1800s-early 1900s, this town possessed the perfect canyon passage for railroad tracks to be laid. The problem was that two railroad companies were interested in running their tracks through the town, yet there was only room for one set of tracks.
Eventually Union Pacific won the fight to lay down tracks, and now the lovely Union Pacific Railroad depot is a popular spot among visitors.
This depot, known as the Caliente Railroad Depot, was built in 1923 in the mission revival style. It is now a museum, sharing the history of the town and railroad with visitors.
Caliente is also known for its small-town feel, city parks, and delightful cottonwood trees.
Carson City is another beautiful Nevada town worth visiting. This city boasts a population of around 59,000, placing it in the top five largest cities in Nevada.
Carson City is a great spot to go antiquing, with plenty of antique stores and vintage shops located in the downtown area. Visitors also enjoy the beautiful murals and art galleries.
Natural beauty can also be found in Carson City. Ash Canyon Road and Ash to Kings Trail offer stunning views of the Carson Range, as well as Kings Canyon Waterfall.
Mesquite offers fun activities for the whole family. Golf lovers can enjoy a round of golf at one of eight Mesquite courses, located at the breathtaking Virgin Mountain foothills.
There are also plenty of lovely parks in the area, perfect for an afternoon picnic. Visitors also enjoy the outdoor excursions, including hiking to the Gold Butte National Monument and going on a camel safari.
Mesquite is also perfect for visitors still looking to get that fun nightlife experience without traveling to Las Vegas. Mesquite is home to several bars, restaurants, and casinos.
This beautiful town is perfect for the adventure seeker. Visitors love the turquoise-colored Lake Spring Mountain, which is equal parts breathtaking and exciting.
The lake is located at Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club. Some guests choose to paddle board around the lake, while others “fly” overhead with water-propelled jetpacks.
Pahrump is also a popular spot for off-road activities, such as riding dirt bikes and ATVs. Speeding around the desert landscape is a fun and unique way to take in the beautiful sites of Pahrump.
One of the ten beautiful towns in Nevada travelers need to visit is Virginia City. This unique town still maintains an old western feel, with saloon-style buildings and bed and breakfasts filled with antique furniture.
Virginia City was also home to many miners during the California Gold Rush. Visitors can tour the mines, which were once filled with silver and gold. The Chollar Mine Tours take visitors inside the Chollar Mine for 45-minute guided tours.
For visitors looking for a charming ghost town, they need not look further than Pioche, Nevada. Pioche started out as a silver ore mining town, growing rapidly in the 1870s.
Highlighting the lawlessness of the Wild West, it is rumored that the first 72 deaths in this town were by murder.
While Pioche is no longer the unruly town it used to be, visitors enjoy learning about Pioche’s Wild West past. Popular tourist spots include the Lincoln County Historical Museum, Thompson’s Opera House, and Million Dollar Courthouse.
When traveling to Nevada, some visitors compare Reno to Las Vegas to decide which is the better vacation spot. Reno’s cheaper costs and proximity to Lake Tahoe make it a great choice and alternative to Las Vegas. From nightclubs to concerts to casinos, Reno is known for its nightlife.
What really sets Reno apart, however, is its variety of outdoor activities. Reno is a great spot for winter sports, with plenty of ski resorts to choose from. One highly praised ski resort is Mt. Rose Ski Resort, with a base elevation of 8,260 feet.
Located on the north side of Lake Tahoe, Incline Village offers some truly breathtaking views. There are plenty of lovely hikes around Lake Tahoe, and one worthwhile trail is the East Shore Trail. This 2.6-mile hike is perfect for families with children, as well as runners, bikers, and bird watchers.
Incline Village is the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. Rent a cozy Airbnb and spend some time exploring Sand Harbor, a gorgeous, sandy beach in the area. One Tripadvisor commenter even states, “Sand Harbor is so beautiful who needs the Caribbean.”
Steffi Haenicke is a freelance writer. No stranger to list content, Haenicke wrote several list articles while working at Clique Magazine, a fashion and lifestyle digital magazine. Haenicke is also quite the traveler. She makes a biennial trek to Germany to visit relatives and explore the country.