Nevada is home to big-name tourist destinations like Las Vegas and Reno, but there is much more to explore in the Silver State. Many charming towns throughout the state have vibrant and bustling downtown areas worth discovering. Whether you are a history buff, an art enthusiast, a foodie, a nature lover, or a thrill-seeker, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Go on a dinner cruise or retreat to a private beach in Laughlin, visit a historic saloon in Virginia City, plan a trip to Hoover Dam in Boulder City, see iconic artwork in Ely, go on a ghost tour in Tonopah, hit the golf course in Mesquite, and indulge in the Basque cuisine in Winnemucca. Uncover the ultimate adventure in some of Nevada’s best downtowns.
Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas along the Colorado River, Laughlin is a resort town offering an array of dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and gaming options within its vibrant downtown area. Enjoy relaxation at Harrah’s Laughlin’s private beach, go on a riverboat cruise at Aquarius Casino Resort, hit up an upscale lounge at Golden Nugget Laughlin, see live acts at Tropicana Laughlin, or play arcade games and go bowling at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort. This historic casino began what would become the Laughlin that exists today.
Another way to experience Laughlin’s bustling downtown area is by visiting the Laughlin Riverwalk, a serene spot perfect for a stroll. For other things to do, stop by Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Collection to see rare automobiles on display or enjoy retail therapy at the Laughlin Outlet Center.
Virginia City is an Old West mining town located 20 miles southeast of Reno and is one of Nevada’s most well-known and historic tourist spots. Along C Street in downtown Virginia City are various businesses that make the area a popular place to visit. Many of them have been rebuilt to resemble the spirit of the city’s past. Order authentic Tex-Mex dishes at Café Del Rio, sirloin burgers at Palace Restaurant and Saloon, or Chicago-style pizza at Red Dog Saloon.
The Cider House at Canvas Cafe is another popular place to eat. Stop into Grandma’s Fudge Factory for fudge treats or Barrels O’Candy for flavorful ice cream.
Boulder City, in Clark County, is an incredible place to visit if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas, about 26 miles away. This charming town has plenty to do for outdoor enthusiasts, with landmarks and sights like the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. In the heart of the downtown area is Boulder Dam Hotel, a historic colonial-style hotel with an on-site restaurant, a speakeasy lounge, and a museum that gives an up close and personal look at how Boulder City came to be.
Ely, a small mountain town within White Pine County, is known for its rich history, art scene, and outdoor adventures. The town’s historic downtown area is home to Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, a significant part of Ely’s past. It opened in 1929 and quickly became the town’s most popular dining and lodging destination.
An iconic hotel staple is the entrance’s Walk of Fame, which displays the many celebrities who have graced its halls over the years. Downtown Ely also features a museum, a general store, and beautiful murals and sculptures that showcase its history and vibrant culture.
Tonopah, located halfway between Las Vegas and Reno, is nestled within Nye County and provides plenty of wonder and excitement in its vibrant downtown district. The Mizpah Hotel, a historic hub for the booming mining town in the early 1900s, is at the center. Today, it is still thriving. Indulge in various dining experiences, from a casual breakfast at Pittman Café to an elegant dinner at The Jack Dempsey Room. You can also enjoy bottomless mimosas at Longshot Bar on the weekends. Try your luck with many gaming options, go on a ghost tour, or sip a glass of premium wine all within the hotel.
Another lodging option in downtown Tonopah is the quirky clown-themed motel with thousands of clowns adorning its walls.
Mesquite, a small town in the heart of Virgin River Valley, about 80 miles from Las Vegas, is a place of historical significance and charm. While it is true that the town is known for its championship golf courses and world-class resorts like Eureka Casino Resort and Casablanca Resort, it offers many experiences that are waiting to be explored. The downtown district is home to the Golden West Restaurant & Casino, an excellent place to grab a drink and watch sports.
There is also the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, where you can learn about the town’s fascinating history and culture, and the Mesquite Fine Arts Center & Gallery, which has rotating exhibitions, classes, and a collection of original paintings and sculptures on display.
Winnemucca is a friendly small town about 165 miles from Reno on the Humboldt River in the southeast corner of Humboldt County. In the heart of the downtown area are many restaurants, such as The Martin Hotel, offering traditional Basque cuisine, classic cocktails, and live entertainment. The Griddle is an excellent place for a tasty homestyle breakfast. For authentic Mexican fare, visit Chihuahua’s Cantina & Grill. The Star Broiler inside Winners Inn & Casino is another place to eat. While inside the casino, try your luck at gaming options, from slots to table games, or enjoy live entertainment from local bands, musicians, and comedians.
Nevada is home to many incredible towns and communities. In these towns with vibrant downtown areas, you can plan your getaway and dive into a world of adventure. These downtown districts offer something for every kind of traveler. From Laughlin to Boulder City, these communities are brimming with historical landmarks and sights, museums, signature attractions, delicious food, lively bars, gaming options, and recreational fun.
A recent Review-Journal letter to the editor mischaracterized Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill. As the former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, I wholeheartedly support this legislation, so I wanted to set the record straight.
Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years in partnership with state and local governments, conservation groups like the NCL and local area tribes. It’s true that the Clark County lands bill would open 25,000 acres to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. It would also help create more affordable housing throughout the valley while ensuring our treasured public spaces can be preserved for generations to come.
What is not correct is that the money from these land sales would go to the federal government’s coffers. In fact, the opposite is true.
The 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act is a landmark bill that identified specific public land for future sale and created a special account ensuring all land sale revenues would come back to Nevada. In accordance with that law 5 percent of revenue from land transfers goes to the state of Nevada for general education purposes, 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for needed water infrastructure and 85 percent supports conservation and environmental mitigation projects in Southern Nevada. This legislation has provided billions to Clark County and will continue to benefit generations of Southern Nevadans. Sen. Cortez Masto’s lands bill builds upon the act’s success.
So here’s the good news: All of the money generated from land made available for sale under Sen. Cortez Masto’s bill would be sent to the special account created by the 1998 law. Rather than going to an unaccountable federal government, the proceeds would continue to help kids in Vegas get a better education, bolster outdoor recreation and modernize Southern Nevada’s infrastructure.
I know how important it is that money generated from the sale of public land in Nevada stay in the hands of Nevadans, and so does the senator. That’s why she opposed a Republican effort last year to sell off 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas of the country that would have sent those dollars directly to Washington.
Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably. I will continue working with Sen. Cortez Masto to advocate for legislation, such as the Clark County lands bill, that puts the needs of Nevadans first.
Paul Selberg writes from Las Vegas.
click to expand photos
Las Vegas High’s baseball team claimed a 3-2 home win over Coronado on Friday.
Las Vegas (9-13-1) next hosts Rancho at 10 a.m. Saturday. Coronado (13-14) hosts Chaparral at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada’s jobless rate is holding steady, but the state is still adding jobs.
A new report from DETR shows February’s unemployment rate unchanged at 5.3 percent, with the labor force growing by nearly 3,800 people.
MORE ON FOX5: Nevada unemployment rate rises to 5.3% in January
Nevada now has about 1.6 million nonfarm jobs, up 2.2 percent over the past year and 1,500 more jobs than in January.
“This month’s report shows a strengthening labor market,” said David Schmidt, Chief Economist. ”Compared to the report for January, the pace of job gains in the past year increased from 1.9% to 2.2%, building on what was already the fastest pace of job growth in the country. While the unemployment rate remained stable, the labor force participation rate rose to 63.7%, 1.7 percentage points higher than the national level.”
In Las Vegas, employment ticked up by 1,100 jobs in February, about 0.1 percent, and is up more than 25,000 jobs compared to last year.
Reno added 1,000 jobs on the month, while Carson City shed about 200 but is still slightly above where it was a year ago.
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