- Nevada has a lot to offer vacationers, from the glitz of Las Vegas to desert hiking to relaxing at hot springs spas. Whether you're planning a honeymoon, a trip with your kids, a solo vacation or a getaway with friends, Nevada is a top destination. Here's how to plan a great Nevada vacation.
- Decide when you want to go on your trip and how long you'll stay in Nevada. According to Nevada Tourism, the summers are dry and hot, with temperatures reaching the 90s, and the winters bring average temps of around 30 with lots of sunny days. If you're interested in skiing, snowboarding or other winter sports, plan to stay at least a few days in Reno or Lake Tahoe in the winter months. If hiking and water sports are more your style, the same areas are great during the summer. Las Vegas shows and tours are always climate-controlled, making the city perfect for any time of the year.
- Pick some activities that you want to do on your Nevada vacation. History buffs will want to visit Carson City's Chinese Workers Museum of America; Las Vegas' Atomic Testing Museum; and King Tut's Tomb and Museum, an exact replica of the Egyptian tomb of the famous pharaoh, also in Las Vegas. Art lovers can take in great works at the Las Vegas Art Museum and the city's large Chinatown, with galleries and museums featuring Asian art. If you're looking for gaming, live music and over-the-top entertainment extravaganzas, Las Vegas is the place to be; remember, though, that you have to be 18 or older to enter a casino. For families, there are plenty of kid-friendly shows in Las Vegas, including the pirate show at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, the Lied Discovery Children's Museum and the Adventuredome Theme Park inside Circus Circus, but there's also the Ultimate Rush Speed andThrill Park, and the Great Basin Adventure in Reno. Hikers and golfers will find beautiful places for hiking and playing all over the state. Nevada's board of tourism especially recommends hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail, which circles Lake Tahoe; the Mount Rose Wilderness Area; Great Basin National Park, near Baker; and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, near Las Vegas. Golfers are encouraged to check out the courses at Edgewood at Lake Tahoe; Rosewood Lakes in Reno; Empire Ranch in Carson City; Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas; and Boulder City's Cascata Golf Club, dubbed by "Sports Illustrated" as "golf's hidden treasure."
- Draw up a budget. If you're going to Las Vegas and want to do some gaming at the casinos, set a limit for yourself and pick a time to stop playing. Seeing more than one city in Nevada will require a car, so factor in a rental and gas costs. There are great places to shop all over the state, so if you like souvenirs or are looking to add a unique piece of art from a Nevada gallery to your collection, establish a budget for that. Finally, take a look online for seasonal hotel deals, and budget your hotel and airfare according to the best deal.
