By Mel Candea
The first thing that springs to mind when you start planning a Nevada vacation is
Las Vegas, but Nevada offers many diverse sites and holiday opportunities. There's a little something for everyone: a stark, contrasting landscape for hiking and camping; historical places, including ghost towns; and Nevada is home to the largest desert area in the
United States.
History
Nevada's history is kept alive in its ghost towns. Plan to visit the most popular ones on vacation, which include Goldfield, Jefferson (home to the Jefferson ruins) and Rhyolite, the eastern entrance to Death Valley.
Geography
There are many different places to enjoy Nevada's landscape, and each of them have their own flavor. The Keystone Thrust Fault in Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire and Lake Tahoe are all popular hiking destinations.
Warnings
Las Vegas and Reno are well-known hotspots, but if you're on a low budget, don't plan on spending a long time in either. Even with the wealth of freebies, most people spend much more money than they'd planned. Figure out a budget for expenses before you visit, regardless of gambling. There are a lot of costs hidden in small print.
Considerations
Traveling through Nevada by car should be planned carefully, because there is so much desert. The heat in the summer can be difficult for you if you aren't used to it. Drink plenty of water and stay out of the mid-day sun. Any activities should be organized in the morning or the late afternoon.
Interesting Places
If you aren't into gambling, visit Boulder City, located next to the Hoover Dam. It's the one place in the state that has prohibited gambling. The Burning Man celebration is also held annually in Nevada, in the Black Rock Desert, if you want to organize your visit around a festival. The ice rink in Reno was moved from Atlantic City, if you'd like to cool down. And you can also visit the Museum of Atomic Testing in Las Vegas.
Resources
About the Author:
Mel Candea has been writing for 15 years, with a B.L.A. acquired in-between. She has been published in several magazines, including "Harriet" and "Everyguys." Her online work has been extensive, with experience in copywriting, creative writing and researching.
