7 Nevada Towns That Rival Europe's Best

Euro glitz survives in the unlikeliest places. Even Nevada, with its seemingly endless desert evoking an apocalypse, is a hub of European elegance. We are not talking about the gaudy imitation Europe of Las Vegas, but authentic Old Country relics displayed in small, far-flung towns. After wiping sand from your eyes, you can gaze at Victorian mansions, Belgian-built sculptures, Irish Catholic oases, and Basque hotels.

Carson City

Though Carson City has exploded in population over the last few decades, it was a tiny yet elegant settlement for much of its existence. Said existence began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of European Americans. They built elaborate edifices like the Gothic Revival-style Foreman-Roberts House (c. 1859), Greek Revival-style Carson City Mint (c. 1863), and Italianate-style First Presbyterian Church (c. 1861), all of which can be admired today. Carson City boasts one of Nevada's largest and oldest historic neighborhoods, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the West Side Historic District. Overlooking the district and Carson City as a whole is the Nevada State Capitol. This Italianate structure was built in the early 1870s along a four-acre public square. Though it came to be known as Capitol Square, its original name was the Spanish Plaza.

Beatty

The last place you would expect to find Ancient Greek-style sculptures is at the gateway to Death Valley National Park. Yet, thanks to a group of Belgian artists led by Albert Szukalski, you can see Lady Desert: The Venus of Nevada and Icara outside of Beatty near the Nevada-California border. They are part of the Goldwell Open Air Museum, which began in 1984 and has grown to encompass a dozen eclectic artworks against a desert backdrop. Besides Nevadan twists on Greek myths, the museum exhibits a Nevadan twist on The Last Supper with ghostly white statues portraying Christ and his disciples. Its proximity to Death Valley and the ghost town of Rhyolite make it extra relevant—and eerie.

Gardnerville

Western/Northern Nevada is a surprising enclave for the Basque people from Spain/France. Basques first came to Nevada during the Gold Rush, bringing their sheep herding expertise to clothe and feed miners. More than a century later, Basque sheep and shepherds still roam the Sierra Nevada foothills, especially near Gardnerville. The Borda Land and Sheep Company calls this town home and is called the last major Basque-Nevadan sheep operation. It began in 1921 by Basque immigrant Raymond Borda and continues to be family-run. Borda sheep are multifaceted: they prevent wildfires by grazing on flammable non-native grass, provide wool for clients as esteemed as US Olympians, and provide food for patrons of such Basque-based eateries as the JT Basque Bar and Dining Room, which has been serving Basque staples like lamb shoulder and Picon Punch since 1960. It, too, is run by a family that descends from Basque sheepherders.

Genoa

Aside from running a restaurant in Gardnerville, the JT Basque Bar and Dining Room family raises beef in Genoa, a nearby town with its own European flair. Firstly, "Genoa" comes from an Italian city of the same name. According to legend, one settler idolized Christopher Columbus so much that he named the town after his birthplace, whose vibe seemed similar to Western Nevada's. Yet that settler was not Italian. He was Mormon. Yes, Genoa was founded by American Mormons, whose early history is preserved by the Mormon Station State Historic Park. Preserved in the Genoa Courthouse Museum and The Pink House, however, are the Late Victorian histories of opulent Mormons and austere Europeans.

Elko

Elko is another hotspot in Basque Country, Nevada. Bask in myriad Basque attractions like the Basque Mural, Basque Shepherd Statue, Northeastern Nevada Museum, Basque Ogi Deli - Bar & Pintxos, Toki Ona Basque Bar & Restaurant, and Star Hotel & Bar, the last of which has served Basque delicacies and Basque customers for over a century. But Elko's biggest Basque attraction is the National Basque Festival, an annual multi-day celebration of Old Country culture ranging from traditional dancing to family-style dining to wood chopping. Its 61st edition is set to run from July 5 to 6, 2025.

Virginia City

After the discovery of the Comstock Lode, which was the first major silver deposit unearthed in America, Virginia City was born with a silver shovel in its mouth. Located next to the lode-bearing mountain, this town boomed like few places have boomed before and after. Thousands of miners jostled for a slice of pre-Nevadan prosperity. Many of the biggest winners were Irish. Proof of their success pervades present-day Virginia City via the St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church, which was founded by Irish Catholic immigrants in the 1860s and is considered Nevada's oldest active Catholic church. Further proof is The Mackay Mansion, which was owned by Irishman John Mackay in the 1870s. Mackay and three other Irish Americans were dubbed the Silver Kings for their exorbitant mineral wealth. A tour of the historic Chollar Mine shows what made Mackay and Co. among the world's richest people.

Winnemucca

While Gardnerville and Elko are certainly Basque-centric, Winnemucca is the unofficial capital of Nevadan Basque Country. In 1913, Winnemucca's Martin Hotel became a shepherd for shepherds, providing food, shelter, and guidance to Basque sheepherders. The hotel still stands, and although shepherds are now scarce, Basque customers and enthusiasts are plentiful. A significant portion of Winnemuccas have Basque ancestry—and a significant portion of non-Basque tourists come for Basque attractions. Aside from sampling lamb and solomo at The Martin, they enjoy Basque-inspired steak at Ormachea's Basque Dinner House, tour Basque exhibits at the Humboldt Museum, and join Basque festivities at the Winnemucca Annual Basque Festival, which had its 44th edition in 2024.

Even in Nevada, you cannot escape European charm. But why would you want to? Sure, you might want to skip the fake Eiffel Tower in Vegas, but you would be wise to visit the genuine Euro-built or Euro-brought attractions in rural settlements. From the Victorian haunts of Carson City to the Ancient Greek imitations near Beatty to the Basque bastions of Winnemucca, you can take a Eurocentric vacation in the Nevada desert.