7 Coolest Small Towns In Nevada For A Summer Vacation
For many travelers, a trip to the glorious state of Nevada means a visit to its most iconic city: Las Vegas. Drawing in around 32 million visitors each year, the city is famous for its bright lights, celebrated attractions, and exciting casinos. But to a lesser-known degree, Nevada is also home to some of the country’s coolest small towns. These gems, often overlooked and overshadowed by the world-famous city, offer a different side of Nevada–a quieter, more sequestered side of the state. Nevertheless, even though these towns may be small in size and less busy than the enticing “Sin City,” they offer their unique attractions and sights worth traveling off the beaten path for, whether that be scuba diving in a desert reservoir or skydiving above the country’s largest manmade lake. So if you are looking to travel to Nevada this summer, whether for a day trip, weekend getaway, or even at the end of your Vegas excursion, look no further than these incredible Nevada small towns to witness and experience their natural and manmade splendor.
Eureka
With a nickname like the “Loneliest Road in America,” Highway 50 in Nevada may not sound like the place one wants to spend their summer vacation, but the friendly town of Eureka is one of many communities that have embraced and debunked the 1986 Life magazine article claiming the highway offers nothing for travelers. Now a famous road trip route, Highway 50 is anything but lonely, with a plethora of old ghost towns, saloons, and state parks luring visitors and road trip enthusiasts from all over. Eureka is a must-see stop on the route, known primarily for its hospitality, Old West charm, and views of the majestic Diamond Mountains.
Once a thriving mining town, Eureka takes pride in its history, maintaining buildings dating back as far as the 1870s. Strolling the town, you can witness and tour some of these iconic structures, including the Eureka Opera House, Jackson House Hotel, and the Eureka County Courthouse. In addition to touring these fantastically preserved structures, free brochures can be snagged from a local hotel or business to take the free Eureka Historical Walking Tour. If you enjoy the spooky side of the Old West, you may also want to ask someone at the Jackson House Hotel about their Ghost Tour for some haunting historical fun.
Minden
The town of Minden may be small in size, but its abundance of natural beauty and adrenaline-inducing recreation (thanks to the nearby Lake Tahoe) makes this community anything but dull during the summer months. Just a short drive from Minden, the gorgeous, crystal-clear Lake Tahoe can be found nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is a hub of outdoor recreation, making Minden an excellent gateway to fishing, kayaking, and a range of other outdoor adventures.
For awe-inspiring and heartbeat-inducing aerial views of the lake, the Minden Airport is also home to Skydive Lake Tahoe, a Nevada skydiving center luring thrillseekers to dive 12,000 feet above the vast waters. Accompanied by the center’s tandem instructors, divers can witness the jaw-dropping, shimmering blue lake and its surrounding mountains for the thrill of a lifetime. To recuperate, grabbing a drink may be in order, and places like Minden’s Shoe Tree Brewing Company or The Corner Bar, offer refreshing drinks, delicious pizza, and an inviting small-town atmosphere for the perfect way to unwind after a day of thrill-seeking.
West Wendover
While Las Vegas is famous for its larger-than-life casinos, West Wendover is a Nevada resort town that many consider a more easygoing alternative. With several of its own sensational casinos and resorts, West Wendover attracts large weekend crowds during the summer while maintaining its laid-back charm, thanks to its smaller size and nearby natural attractions. Some of its most popular casinos include the Rainbow Hotel Casino, Montego Bay Casino Resort, and Peppermill Wendover Hotel Casino, each with fine dining opportunities via their on-site restaurants: Steak House, Romanza, and Pancho and Willie’s.
As far as natural attractions go, one of the town’s most popular locations in the summer is the Blue Lake Wildlife Management Area, whose desert scuba diving makes for a unique vacation experience, given the fact that water recreation is seldom associated with Nevada’s desert terrain. Within these impressive 215 acres, visitors can explore the thriving wetland, swim in the warm natural springs, and scuba dive in the depths of Blue Lake.
Boulder City
Originally constructed to provide homes for the workers building the famous Hoover Dam, today, the town of Boulder City remains a quiet and quaint community, juxtaposing the nearby bustling Las Vegas. But despite its laid-back charm, Boulder City offers its own kind of excitement during the summer months, welcoming visitors to explore its beautiful outdoors, particularly attractions like the Lake Mead Recreation Area. Found on the Colorado River, Lake Mead is known for being the largest manmade lake in the United States, with an impressive 110-mile length. Surrounded by rugged canyons, vibrant rock formations, and a 759-mile-long shoreline, Lake Mead is a spectacular slice of manmade nature combined with authentic wilderness, and Boulder City is an excellent gateway to its wonders.
In addition to biking or hiking the scenic paths around the lake, the Lake Mead Recreation Area boasts a range of outdoor adventures, such as swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and a variety of water sports. Boulder Beach is an especially popular swimming spot, with easy access and pleasant rocky shores. Lake Mead is also a popular boating destination, as many parts of the vast waters reach an impressive 532-foot depth when the lake is at its fullest. All in all, if you are looking to spend your vacation outdoors surrounded by some of the most beautiful pockets of nature in Nevada (and arguably, the United States), Boulder City is an excellent home base.
Virginia City
Labeled a National Historic Landmark, the town of Virginia City proudly preserves its Old West heritage and invites its visitors to step back in time to walk the pleasant and charming streets of this iconic mining town. During the Wild West, Virginia City was famously mined for silver, and in several ways, the town remains pleasantly frozen in this era. Many of its original buildings and structures not only remain intact but also remain in use (whether in the form of a museum, residence, or business), ranging from homes to schools and churches to saloons. Red Dog Saloon is just one of the town’s many incredible businesses, with a campy saloon experience and modern bites.
With so much preserved history, it is no wonder the town is brimming with such a wide range of museums and landmarks to explore, which is why many history enthusiasts opt to spend their visit hopping between the various attractions. Of these, a couple of local history hotspots include the town’s Historic Fourth Ward School Museum & Archives and the Courthouse Slammer & County Museum. The town is also known for its spooky yet quirky walkable ghost tours, perfect for those seeking chills and thrills. But a trip to Virginia City would not be complete without touring the epic underground mines with the town’s Ponderosa Mine Tour, whose incredibly preserved tunnels can be toured alongside their impressive collection of antique mining tools.
Gardnerville
If you are looking for an authentic small-town experience to get away from the stresses of everyday life, Gardnerville is a hidden gem with friendly locals, crisp mountain air, and darling shopping experiences, making it the perfect place to slow down and relax this summer. Nestled in the heart of Carson Valley, this picturesque town is by all means the epitome of small-town charm, offering serene natural views and pleasant parks, perfect for relaxing strolls or picnics. With the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountain range in the distance, green spaces like Lampe Park feel increasingly enchanting, offering a spectacular backdrop for a scenic stroll along the park’s goose-dotted stream.
Gardnerville is also one of several communities included in the Carson Valley Arts & Antiques Trail, whose art galleries and antique shops can be explored using a downloadable online map. Accolades Trophies Engraving, Gifts, Antiques and Collectibles, Cheshire Antiques, and East Fork Gallery are just a few of Gardnerville’s eclectic shops and galleries brimming with antique treasures and one-of-a-kind artwork from local artists, waiting to be shopped and explored.
Elko
If your ideal summer vacation is spending every waking minute outdoors in nature, look no further than the town of Elko. From its canyons to its mountains, Elko is a northeastern Nevada town brimming with outdoor adventure. Just a thirty-minute drive south of the town, visitors will find the majestic Ruby Mountains, named for the ruby-red garnets found within the rugged terrain. To get the most out of Elko’s surrounding nature, travelers usually make their way to the mountains through the stunning Lamoille Canyon National Scenic Byway, located on State Route 227, just 26 miles from the town.
The mountains, of course, bring their own scenic beauty and wonder, with 92,650 acres of lush forest available to backpack or hike. Hiking trails from the top of the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway can be anything from several hours long to a multi-day long backpack excursion, but regardless of your hiking style, each trail is adorned with its own breathtaking views of the peaks. Many of the trails along the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail also lead to dazzlingly blue alpine lakes; easier day hikes leading to one of these spectacular bodies of water include trails like Lamoille Lake, a 4-mile round trip hike, while longer, overnight hikes include trails like Echo Lake, a 13-mile round trip excursion.
Between their electrifying ghost tours, fantastic mountain views, and incredible alpine lakes, Nevada’s impressive and underrated small towns may inspire you to take the road less traveled this summer. While Las Vegas is world-famous for a good reason, without a doubt, these small towns carry their own magical and unforgettable attractions, whether that be touring century-old structures to relive the days of the Old West, or witnessing the sparkle of Lake Tahoe, soaring 12,000 feet above the vibrant land. Regardless of your summer vacation desires, Nevada’s small towns have something to entice any type of traveler, whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush or a more quiet and peaceful getaway.
