7 Of The Best Nevada Towns For A Weekend Retreat
There鈥檚 no doubt that the Silver State is an excellent way to kick off the weekend. While Nevada may be famous for its bright lights and dazzling casinos, it also has a softer side. If you鈥檙e itching for a weekend of adventure without the crowds, traffic (and the cost!), these smaller cities are a great place to recover from a long work week. Whether you want to hit the slots at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino in Mesquite or hop in a hot air balloon in Pahrump, you can unwind at your own pace in Nevada.
Mesquite
Just an hour outside of Las Vegas is the dusty town of Mesquite, a city that is sometimes called a mini Las Vegas. It has all the excitement of a trip to Vegas, with none of the crowds, traffic, and noise. Only in Mesquite can you spend the morning and afternoon hiking scenic trails at the Gold Butte National Monument, Flat Top Mesa, or Valley of Fire before getting cleaned up and spending some time at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino!
Mesquite has some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, but the small downtown area is full of unique places to explore. Their unique museums are worth the drive, like the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, which displays local artifacts to help you learn a little more about the history of the area. It even has the first slot machine ever brought to Nevada! You can stay close to the action at the CasaBlanca Resort, Casino, Golf, and Spa, or stay at something a little more remote at the Beaver Dam Lodge.
Pahrump
The only thing more fun than saying Pahrump is visiting this idyllic desert retreat! Located west of Las Vegas, Pahrump delivers exceptional desert exploration and scenic views with plenty to keep you occupied during the evenings downtown. In the daytime, you can venture into the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, which offers over 300,000 acres of high-desert terrain. Within the recreation area are popular attractions like the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Mt. Charleston Wilderness Area.
But Pahrump is so much more than amazing desert views. The crown jewel in Pahrump is the Pahrump Valley Winery! It is one of the best in the state and is Nevada鈥檚 largest wine producer. If you plan your trip in February, you can stay for the Pahrump Balloon Festival to watch the sky come alive in a rainbow of colors. Don鈥檛 worry if you miss the festival; Balloons Over Pahrump offers rides year-round! If you鈥檙e staying for a long weekend, one of the best places to stay is the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino, which puts you right in the center of all the action!
Ely
Looking for a slower change of pace? Far removed from the casinos and bright lights of the bigger cities is the underrated gem of Ely, Nevada. Nestled on the east side of the state near the Utah border, Ely is a place where time seems to move a little slower. While Ely may feel like it鈥檚 in the middle of nowhere, there are so many things to explore in the area! The Lehman Caves is the longest cave system in the state and offers guided tours through this amazing cave system. For exploration above ground, you can hike the scenic trails at the Great Basin National Park just east of downtown Ely.
But if you don鈥檛 feel like hiking after a long week, there are other ways to discover the natural beauty in Ely. At the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, you can hitch a ride on the Nevada Northern Railway that travels through the remote desert region of Ely. And after a long day of exploring the sights of Ely, there鈥檚 no better place to hang up your hat (and hiking boots) than the Prospector Hotel and Gambling Hall.
Virginia City
On the other side of the state in Western Nevada is the small community of Virginia City, just outside of Lake Tahoe. This hidden gem is one of the most well-preserved Old West towns in the United States and a must-see for history buffs! During the silver mining boom in the 1800s, Virginia City was one of the richest communities in the state. While it no longer holds the title of the richest city in the state, its value is held in its wealth of natural beauty and amazing historical sites.
One of the coolest things to do in Virginia City is the Ponderosa Saloon and Mine Tour. It鈥檚 a recreation of an old-timey Western Saloon, and in the back of the bar is a once-operating mineshaft where you can take a guided tour. In addition to the old mine shafts, there are a myriad of unique museums in Virginia City, like the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum and Archives, State Fireman鈥檚 Museum, and The Way It Was Museum. To truly top off your experience in Virginia City, be sure to check in at the oldest hotel in Nevada, the Gold Hill Hotel and Saloon.
Tonopah
Beyond the glitz and glamour of Nevada鈥檚 larger cities is Tonopah, an Old West town with a rich history as bright as the stars in its flawless night sky. The night sky in Tonopah has some of the darkest skies in the entire country, making it a perfect weekend destination for a little stargazing. The Tonopah Star Trails or Tonopah Stargazing Park are the perfect spot to get cozy under the stars. Fun fact: in most light-polluted towns you can only see under 50 stars, but in Tonopah, there are over 7,000 stars on full display!
While Tonopah lights up at night, there鈥檚 so much to do during the day while you wait for the light show in the evening. Tonopah is an old historic mining town, made famous in the early 1900s when silver was found in the area. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is a great way to explore the old ruins of the mining boom of Tonopah. It has old buildings, artifacts, and mine shafts where you can take a self-guided tour of the park. One of the top-rated hotels in the area is the Belvada Hotel, centrally located in the heart of the city.
Boulder City
Southeast of Las Vegas is where you鈥檒l find Boulder City, a town made famous for the Hoover Dam. While you certainly can (and should!) visit the Hoover Dam Visitor Center and Tours, there鈥檚 more to Boulder City than its famous dam on the Colorado River. If you want a relaxing weekend soaking up the sun, Lake Mead is an idyllic retreat. It鈥檚 a great place to swim in its brilliant blue waters, fish, jet ski, or just take in the picturesque views at Boulder Beach.
To experience the beauty of Boulder City in style, hop aboard the passenger train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. You can tour seasonal exhibits at the museum and then take a tour of the area on one of their trains. And if you visit in December, you can take one of their Santa Trains! While you鈥檙e in town, you can鈥檛 miss the hidden gem of Boulder City, the Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden, where you can walk scenic trails in the great Mojave Desert. To top off your exciting weekend in Boulder City, be sure to check in at the Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino!
Eureka
If you want to escape the noise for a peaceful weekend getaway, there鈥檚 no better place than Eureka. This small community of just under 500 residents delivers top-notch Western charm and is often called the 鈥淔riendliest Town on the Loneliest Road鈥�. As the town鈥檚 name suggests, Eureka (Ancient Greek for 鈥業 found it鈥�) was the state's second-largest mineral producer in the late 1800s, but like most mining communities of the time, many of the residents left once resources were depleted. However, what remains are eerie ghost towns surrounding the quaint downtown area.
If you want to explore the ghost towns of Eureka, like the Belmont Mill Ghost Town or Ruby Hill, be sure to stock up on supplies at Raine鈥檚 Market Deli before making the trip. For more scenic views of the Great Basin Desert, Prospect Peak is a short drive from downtown Eureka and provides stunning views of the area. When you鈥檙e ready to book a room after a long day of adventures, be sure to book a room at the Colonnade Hotel.
Weekends Were Made For Adventure In Nevada
Weekends are made for fun and adventure, and these small Nevada towns are the perfect destination to escape from the daily grind. Whether you love exploring old and forgotten ghost towns in Eureka, want to travel through cave systems in Ely, or just want to curl up with a good book on the shores of Lake Mead in Boulder City, these weekend retreats have you covered. So, pack a bag, leave your worries behind, and get ready to experience the heart of the Silver State!
