The state of Nevada is a wonderful gem on the West Coast. Millions flock to Nevada every year when they’re ready to let loose and enjoy themselves on vacation. There are endless things to do in Nevada from nightlife to nature views. There have even been several bona fide movie stars who’ve revealed that they were born in the Silver State. Meet the 10 biggest actors and actresses from Nevada.
To gather this list of the 20 things Nevada is known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted several travel websites. These include Hotels.com, Travel Drafts, Travel Nevada, and Touropia.
The nickname: The Silver State
Nevada snagged its nickname of “The Silver State” back in 1859. Silver was discovered for the first time in Nevada that year. It led to a massive migration boom! People who were seeking out a better life made the trek over. Anyone who wanted to pan for silver in Nevada quickly relocated there in an attempt to gather riches. Since then, Nevada has always been referred to as “The Silver State.”
The sparkling city of Las Vegas, also known as Sin City
The city of Las Vegas is undoubtedly the most popular city in the entire state of Nevada. Even though it’s also worthwhile to visit cities like Reno, Carson City, Henderson, and Laughlin, Las Vegas has a massively positive reputation for being a popular vacation spot. The Las Vegas strip is at the center of it all. It’s full of enticing activities and it functions 24 hours, seven days a week.
Legal gambling inside casinos
Casinos don’t exist in every state across America. As a 2023, Louisiana and Nevada are the only places that allow statewide casino-style gambling for local residents and visitors. Other states let people to play the lottery and bet on sporting games, but having access to casino-style gambling is different. Even though casino-style gambling is something available in Louisiana too, nothing compares to Nevada casinos in terms of elegance, opulence, and immensity.
Legalized brothels
Nevada is the only state in America with laws to legally protect prostitution. As of 2023, there are 19 brothels that are open and active across 17 Nevadan counties. Licensed brothels aren’t welcome in Nevada counties that have more than 700,000 residents, though. This means you won’t actually find legal prostitution in the city of Las Vegas, contrary to popular belief. Anyone seeking these services in Nevada will have to venture out to smaller counties with fewer residents. Ely and Elko County are two places that qualify.
Nightclubs, bars, and lounges
The nightclubs, bars, and lounges in Nevada are certainly a hot topic of conversation. The idea of losing money inside casinos when visiting Nevada simply doesn’t appeal to everyone. The nightlife options are comparable to nightclubs, bars, and lounges that people enjoy in other major cities like Miami, New York, and Hollywood. It’s impossible to miss the experience of loud music, flashing lights, scantily clad cocktail waitresses, and flowing alcoholic beverages when you choose the right spots to hit in Nevada.
Lake Tahoe
A visit to Lake Tahoe is perfect for folks who enjoy the great outdoors. It’s on the border of California and Nevada, which means it’s perfectly accessible to people living on the West Coast. The fresh water in Lake Tahoe is reported to be 99% pure. This is the best place to go to catch breathtaking views of Fannette Island or Eagle Falls.
Lake Mead
Lake Mead is another wonderful destination for nature lovers visiting Nevada. The brilliantly blue waters are incredibly vibrant. The striking landscapes are beyond mesmerizing. Lake Mead is classified as the largest reservoir in America based on its water capacity. Water from Lake Mead is funneled beyond Nevada into neighboring states like California and Arizona as well.
Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas is a gorgeous man-made lake that leaves guests feeling like they’re spending time at a luxurious resort. The man-made lake offers plenty of fun activities including sightseeing and restaurants. The desert oasis offers water sports gear and equipment to rent such as paddle boards, wakeboards, kayaks, and pontoons. You can even book events on yachts at Lake Las Vegas.
No state income tax
There’s no state income tax in Nevada, which may come as a shock to residents living in most other states across America. Since this is the case for Nevada, relocating to this state will ultimately save you money during tax filing season. People who are interested in living somewhere with good weather throughout the year without breaking the bank often consider Nevada as a top spot.
Ghost towns
There’s an abundance of ghost towns to visit throughout the state of Nevada. Ghost towns are incredibly intriguing since it’s impressive to see old buildings, homes, and businesses standing tall so many decades after they were originally constructed. While some buildings collapse after years of neglect, these ghost towns live on. Some of the most popular ghost towns in Nevada include Rhyolite, Goodsprings, and Nelson.
The Fremont Street Experience
Downtown Las Vegas is also known as the Fremont Street Experience. While it might not be as glamorous as the Las Vegas Strip, it’s still recognized as something Nevada is known for. The Fremont Street Experience is full of restaurants, casinos, lounges, and other nightlife activities for visitors to enjoy. It’s a great alternative destination for guests who aren’t interested in the hustle and bustle of the strip.
Hoover Dam
There’s no denying that Hoover Dam is one of the most important bodies of water in America. It provides water to more than 16 million people! The dam also generates tons of power. As a whole, it generates enough power to light up more than 500,000 houses. The Hoover Dam is the highest dam in the world climbing up to 60 stories high. It’s still as sturdy as ever after being built in 1935.
Area 51
Area 51 has a reputation for being one of the most creepiest places to visit in the state of Nevada. It’s a classified US Air Force facility where different testing and training practices take place. Since Area 51 is known to spook just about anyone who hears of it, an immersive entertainment venue called Area 15 was launched in honor of it. Area 15 offers flight simulators, VR headset rooms, zip lining, and more. The entire venue is decked out in neon color schemes and alien-themed decor.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is one of the most gorgeous scenic destinations in the state of Nevada. This is a place where guests can set up picnics, admire wildlife, go hiking, take bus tours, and go off-roading. The mountains scattered throughout Red Rock Canyon resemble mountains you might recognize in neighboring states like Arizona or Utah.
Electric Daisy Carnival
The Electric Daisy Carnival, also known as EDC, is a rave in music festival that happens every year like clockwork. EDC always takes place in Las Vegas at the Motor Speedway. Along with listening to live bands perform hit songs, this event also offers carnival rides, photo opportunities, bottle service, and camping grounds. EDC is recognized as one of the most colorful and eccentric festivals ever – and it just so happens to take place in Nevada.
The celebrity appeal
Nevada is right next-door to California, which means it’s easy for talented people to make their way over to Hollywood if they want to. Some of the most famous people born in this state include Peyton Meyer, Sasha Pieterse, and Jena Malone. Tons of celebrities who weren’t born in Nevada have purchased Nevadan mansions and estates in their adulthood. These stars include Celine Dion, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Nicolas Cage. Many famous musicians have months-long residencies in some of Las Vegas’ biggest casinos. Here is a list of the the residency artists scheduled for 2024.
The multitude of museums and historical sites
The number of museums and historical sites people can visit in Nevada is extensive. The Mob Museum exists as a place where people can learn the history of mobster living and crime in Las Vegas. The Titanic Museum is full of artifacts from the actual ship that sank in 1912.
The marvel museum is filled to the brim with movie props and costumes that were actually used on set to film “Iron Man” and other MCU films. As far as historical sites go, the Nevada State Capitol Building, Stokes Castle, and Ward Charcoal Ovens all still exist for people to see with their own eyes.
The ski resorts
When people think of Nevada, they don’t always realize that there are mountaintops where people can enjoy freshly fallen snow in the winter. Still, ski resorts are something Nevada residents are highly familiar with. The four clear and distinct ski areas you’ll find in the state are Lee Canyon, Diamond Peak, Elko Snobowl, and Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe.
Epic movie backdrops
Tons of unforgettable movies have been filmed in Nevada using the Silver State as a backdrop. Film buffs can easily recognize when a movie was filmed in Nevada based on the detail they notice in the background. Some of the most popular movies on this list include “Casino” from 1985, “Leaving Las Vegas” from 1985, and “The Hangover” in 2009. “Showgirls, “Swingers,” and “Ocean’s Eleven” are a few other well-known movies that were filmed in Nevada.
Burning Man Festival
Burning Man Festival is a desert-zoned event that focuses on self-expression, artistry, and community. Every year, it’s held in Black Rock City. This event isn’t meant to be confused with other festivals that have scheduled performers and headliners hitting the stage. Burning Man Festival is an event that hones in on radical inclusion and bonding with the people around you. It’s all about doing whatever you can to improve your lifestyle moving forward. Click here to discover 20 lifestyle hacks that should become a trend in 2024.