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Think Nevada is just casinos, neon and desert? Think again.
Join professional travel agent and adventure seeker, Paul Hardersen, of Seadog Travels, as he uncovers the hidden gems and unforgettable experiences found across the Silver State. From the serene shores of Lake Tahoe to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada offers a surprising variety of driveable, budget-friendly destinations with something for everyone.
Wander through the colorful cliffs of Valley of Fire, uncover stories in Virginia City and Stewart Indian School, soak in Mesquite’s healing warmth, or chill by the Colorado River in Laughlin. This ultimate road trip guide will inspire your next epic, affordable adventure.
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Nevada. What comes to mind when someone mentions this state? Las Vegas, of course! However, as wonderful and exciting as Vegas is, what do you know about the rest of the state? Its people, its history, its culture, its diversity? There is so much more to see across this state of about 111,000 square miles.
Well, I checked it out last week with an amazing group of travel agents from across the USA as well as tourism professionals from Nevada. This first-ever state-wide exploration of Nevada for travel professionals promised to truly reveal its wonders and beauty. Five days and six nights later, my view of Nevada has forever changed … and for the better!
Las Vegas. Our adventure began in Vegas, and was short, but brilliant. After sunset on our first night, we boarded helicopters for a fast, 20-minute flight along the Las Vegas Strip. Vegas after dark is lit, brilliant, and as flashy as one might expect. Check out our flyover video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/SqTWQEcatZo?feature=share. We rode with 5 Star Helicopter Tours. They were awesome and check them out here: https://5starhelicoptertours.com/.
Valley of Fire State Park. One thing to remember about south Nevada around Las Vegas is that there are many things to do away from Vegas that are less than two hours away by car. One of those trips is to Valley of Fire State Park https://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire). Full of scenic red rocks and great geology, this is a popular destination for short visits and overnight camping. Get a glimpse of the park here: https://youtube.com/shorts/C00HB6p62t4?feature=share.
Mesquite, Boulder City, Laughlin. Interesting and unique small Nevada towns surround Las Vegas, and they are well worth a visit. Enjoy a blast from the past? Visit Boulder City for a day trip. This city formed during Hoover Dam construction and feels like you’re stepping into a scene from the 1950s or 1960s.
Further south is Laughlin, situated along the Colorado River. It’s sister city, Bullhead, Arizona, is a great place to fly into before heading to Laughlin for some gambling, entertainment, and local events. Check out this Laughlin scene: https://youtube.com/shorts/bIVx2qT3MqA?feature=share.
Northeast of Las Vegas is where you’ll find Mesquite, a quiet town but well-located to surrounding state and national parks. We went on an uber-fun UTV ride while there and learned that the city of Mesquite is forward-looking and working to increase tourism to the area.
Lake Tahoe. We then flew to Renoe and began our adventure at Lake Tahoe. From the north shore to the south, Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s dream. From Incline Village to the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu), this pine tree covered area is scenic and focused on maintaining the natural beauty of the area.
On the north shore, we e-biked for five miles along the lake. On the south shore, we boarded the M.S. Dixie II paddle-wheeler for a lunch cruise to Emerald Bay. The lake is well-known for its clarity, boating, and surrounding resorts. Check out Emerald Bay here: https://youtube.com/shorts/IIzXrBr90xQ?feature=share.
Genoa and Virginia City. Love the historic wild west? You’ll definitely find the history of the west in Genoa and Virginia City. Genoa is a very small village, but home to the Genoa Bar and Saloon (https://travelnevada.com/bars/genoa-bar-saloon/). The walls are full of history dating back to the Civil War. The bar also boasts a large diamond dust mirror that was made in Scotland and transported all the way to Genoa for display – and it’s still intact!
Virginia City is another small town that is a must see for old time West and history buffs. From the opera house and old Comstock Lode mines to history tours and saloons galore, history really does come alive here. The impact of discovering silver in this area cannot be overstated and learning about the development of the town and its people gives a true, unvarnished look at how this area developed as people moved west across America in the 19th Century.
Stewart Indian School. A more sobering visit then occurred at the Stewart Indian School (https://stewartindianschool.com/). This site is one of many Indian boarding schools that the U.S. government operated to assimilate Native Americans into U.S. society in the 19th and 20th Centuries. The purpose of the school is to honor the students who were at the school and to share their experiences – many of whom were kidnapped and forced to go there. This is a cautionary tale about government actions, respect, and the need to be compassionate about the cultures and heritage of all people.
Nevada State Prison. Last but not least, we were given a tour of the historic Nevada State Prison (https://nevadastateprison.org/). Closed permanently in 2012, but now open for tours, we received a glimpse into prison life, breakouts, and some pretty seedy characters.
Summary. From this experience, it’s easy to see that Nevada is so much more than Las Vegas. While Las Vegas is amazing in many ways, there are many learning and experiential opportunities away from the Strip. For people and groups with an interest in history and Native American culture to natural wonders and outdoor adventures, Nevada truly is the west at its best.
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Paul Hardersen is the owner of Seadog Travels, an ocean-themed travel agency and tour company. Seadog Travels focuses on immersive group adventures through group tours, travel, and cruises. Learn more at https://seadogtravels.com.
