Las Vegas is a testament to American ingenuity – a vast, neon-lit town placed incongruously in a huge desert. Somehow, it works. But it’s not the only story in the state – Nevada can boast breathtaking beauty with some of the most wonderful nature in the country.
You’ll find rivers and lakes, forests and mountains, plus fascinating ghost towns and places that time has seemingly forgot. Rent a car in Nevada and you can drive your way through this dreamy desert world.
Ghosts of the past
Away from Vegas, not all of Nevada is shiny and new. There’s American history to be uncovered here, much of it can be linked to the gold and silver rushes which saw people swarming from across the country in search of a fortune.
Near the Egan Mountain Range, you’ll find a cluster of strange, beehive-shaped brick stone buildings. They were never dwellings, but ovens built by a local entrepreneur to burn charcoal in order to melt silver ore.
Settlements could be fleeting then, thrown up by prospectors and just as quickly deserted when a seam or river ran dry. The eerie ghost town of Rhyolite was founded in 1904 and abandoned a mere 12 years later. At its peak, thousands lived and work here, while there was a school and a hospital – signs of permanence that were misleading. It has since found use as a film set and is well worth the drive.
City of Lights
Let’s be honest, most of the people landing in Nevada are here to experience Las Vegas. It lives up to its billing – head for the Strip and you’ll be dazzled by the neon lights, towering hotels and kitsch homages to world monuments.
It’s easy to lose yourself in the casinos. Huge floors that offer every kind of diversion, from simple slot machines to Blackjack and Poker. A-list names are performing constantly here, with some of the music industry’s greatest legends in residency, while EDM parties continue long into the night.
There are great eating options too, with flagship restaurants from some of the world’s greatest chefs. French legends Guy Savoy, Pierre Gagnaire and Joel Robuchon all have fine dining restaurants here, but there’s no shortage of diners, burger joints and steakhouses to please everyone.
Nevada’s nature
The sky seems bigger here. The state is replete with great vantage points from which to stargaze at the twinkling firmament, the heavens becoming clearer the further away you are from the cities and towns. Make for the Valley of Fire State Park for unforgettable vistas all around, with red sandstone shaped by the elements into fascinating towers and peaks.
Travel down Highway 50, dubbed ‘The Loneliest Road in America’ and you’ll come to Austin, a small historic town known for its Spencer Hot Springs. Take a geothermal bath while you focus on the smoky mountains beyond.
With car rental in Nevada you can see the different sides of this truly epic state.
