11 Gorgeous Nevada Towns To Visit In 2023
The state of Nevada is widely recognized for the popularity of one major city. Las Vegas is the 25th most populated city in the entire United States. The fact that it’s full of restaurants, nightclubs, concert halls, sporting venues, amusement, parks, and so much more attracts visitors on a yearly basis. Interestingly enough, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Nevada. There are gorgeous towns worth exploring that happen to be completely unrelated to the city of Las Vegas. Some of the less populated towns in Nevada are just as iconic and special for their own individual reasons. These are 11 of the most gorgeous towns in Nevada to travel to.
Mesquite
The town of Mesquite has so much to offer in terms of its overall beauty. It's noteworthy because there are plenty of hotels, golf courses, resorts, spas, and casinos to spend time in, despite Mesquite's distance from the Las Vegas strip. The iconic Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail is an exciting path to navigate where visitors can lay eyes on archaeology from prehistoric times. Along with that, the Virgin River Valley was settled by pioneers in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Now, modern people can spend time where the original settlers once did. Visitors are free to enjoy drives in offloading vehicles and dinners at different upscale restaurants in the area. 21,992 people currently live there.
Virginia City
Virginia City only has a population of 770 people, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth mentioning or visiting. Back in 1859, silver was first discovered in Virginia City. The discovery of silver was life-changing for people in the area at the time. The small town quickly started to evolve as Individuals worked to create better lives for themselves. They were collectively on a mission to hunt for silver and riches. Now, Virginia City is considered a lovely piece of history. The entire town was added to the National Historic Landmark registry in 1961. It boasts several informational museums for visitors to see for themselves.
Pahrump
A trip to Nevada will be far more special if a stop in Pahrump is made along the way. There are many beautiful things to uncover in Pahrump including their wineries, adventure tours, casinos, and golf courses. Lake Spring Mountain is a popular resort and country club in Pahrump that offers paddleboard rentals, cabanas to lounge under, and more. Hot air balloon excursions are offered in Pahrump for experiences that last up to four hours at a time. The Pahrump Valley Museum is full of indigenous animal species, rock samples, fossils, and other riveting artifacts from Nevada’s history. There are 42,471 residents in Pahrump now.
Elko
With a population of 20,756 people, Elko is a wonderful town in Nevada to visit. Back in 1985, the Cowboy Poetry Gathering launched for the first time. To this day, cowboys and everyone else who appreciates Western culture flock to Elko to share in the historical excitement of it all. The notions of maintaining tradition and taking pride in independence are strong in Elko. The people living in this town have access to some of the most breathtaking landscapes across all of Nevada. This includes the stunning Ruby Mountains. Great Basin College is located in Elko as well. It was built back in 1967 and currently offers four-year degrees to students who enroll there.
Summerlin
There’s so much to say about Summerlin, Nevada. Summerlin currently has 47,186 residents enjoying everything the beautiful town has to offer. At first glance, Summerlin is pretty suburban with nice homes and shopping centers. It's a nice contrast to the bustling city life of Las Vegas. Some of the more exciting things to do in Summerlin include visiting one of their golf courses, checking out the Nevada Ballet Theater, reading books at the Summerlin Library, or admiring flowers at the Warsaw Ghetto Remembrance Garden. Summerlin offers tons of community events including parades, animal festivals, vintage market days, and annual ice-skating rinks.
Ely
As of now, there are 3,962 residents living in the town of Ely, Nevada. During the days of the Pony Express, Ely was the perfect town to be used as a stagecoach station. The popularity of Ely rapidly grew after copper was first discovered in 1906. Fast forward to now, and people visiting the area can spend time at the Nevada Northern Railroad Museum in Ely. It’s possible to hitch a ride on the Ghost Train of Old Ely using the same exact tracks that ran back in the day. Some of the state parks to explore in Ely include the Great Basin National Park and the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. Cave Lake National Park is also in the area.
Austin
When you first hear the name Austin, the first place you might think of is usually Texas. There is, in fact, a small town called Austin in Nevada as well. There are only about 18 residents living there, which says a lot about its minimal size. This ghost town is full of old structures and buildings that no longer function as homes or businesses. Sadly, the town lost the majority of its luster in 1897. Stepping foot into places like the Austin Cemetery, the Austin Masonic & Odd Fellows Hall, and the Gridley Store will make you feel like you’re stepping into the pages of a history book. The ancient beauty of Austin is certainly a draw.
Genoa
Genoa, Nevada currently has 958 residents living there today. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. The historic town is located not too far from Lake Tahoe. The reason Genoa is so special is that it’s heavily connected to the art industry. Anyone who considers themself to be a true creative will enjoy time spent in a town like Genoa. In 1919, the town launched an event called the Candy Dance Art & Crafts Fair. Annually, this spectacular event has been going on since then. It’s an opportunity for the residents to sell homemade treats and crafts to each other and to visitors. The Mormon Station National Park Museum is located here.
Laughlin
There's a chance you've heard of Laughlin, Nevada at least once or twice. This is a town that has been mentioned in several TV shows and movies over the years. That’s because it's a beloved resort town that’s recognized for water recreation and casino gaming. There are tons of exciting river activities to partake in as well as top-tier entertainment. Laughlin does its best to emulate the Las Vegas vibe, but it does so in a more low-key manner. The weather in Laughlin remains pleasantly sunny all year round, the hiking trails are gorgeous, and the camping sites are wonderful. There's a population of 8174 people in Laughlin today.
Boulder City
Anyone in need of a gorgeous backdrop for a photoshoot can depend on Boulder City, Nevada to find with they're looking for. With a population of 14,890 people, this town has just enough to offer to keep visitors intrigued and entertained. Lake Mead is accessible and so is Veterans Memorial Park. Boulder City Art Guild & Gallery is located here as a wonderful museum where people can admire some of the most creative works in Nevada. There are boat harbors, hiking trails, antique markets, and family-friendly parks to spend time as well.
Lovelock
Lovelock, Nevada has a population of 1,837 residents as it stands today. One of the most exciting things about this small town is that plenty of festivals are hosted there all year long. If you look at a calendar of upcoming events, Lovelock is a bustling town that doesn’t necessarily slow down when it comes to planning ahead. This is where events such as the Lovelock Street Fever Car Show, Portuguese Festival, and Frontier Days are hosted. In the same way passionate couples in love can "lock their love in" at a special location in Paris, France, there’s a place where they can do that in Lovelock as well. The love-locking zone is located near Lovelock’s one and only courthouse.
Ultimately, there's so much to uncover in the gorgeous state of Nevada outside of Las Vegas. If nightclubs, casinos for gambling, and sparkling city lights are what attract you the most, then Las Vegas will always gladly offer those things. On the other hand, the urge to visit a gorgeous ghost town full of historical charm will lead you to a town like Rhyolite. Any interest you might have to bask in a Western-style environment will lead you to a town like Elko. The desire to "lock in your love" with your soulmate will put you on a direct path to a town like Lovelock. These small towns in Nevada with fewer residents enjoying their lives are wonderful conversation-starters with beautiful views and amusing activities.
