Nevada Holidays

Come on holiday to Nevada for Las Vegas, but take the chance to expand your horizons too. Head to Tahoe and sail on North America’s largest alpine lake, or drop in on Reno to discover another type of Nevada nightlife in the ‘Biggest Little City in the World’. Switch it up and explore ghost towns, car forests and immense mountain ranges on a drive along lonely Highway 50. And discover traditional cowboy spirit in Elko, the town where they still make spurs and believe in good old fashioned hospitality. Or make for Virginia City and stroll the wooden sidewalks – you’ll feel like you’re in Wild West movie.  

Nature-lovers should make tracks for Great Basin National Park for fresh mountain air and stupendous views. Carson City gives you an eyeful of the Sierra Nevada, traced through with enthralling pioneer history. And don’t miss Nevada’s monumental slice of the Mojave Desert in Valley of Fire State Park.    

Nevada’s big on drama, doesn’t stint on majestic mountains, and really holds its own in terms of natural phenomena – a day out at Cathedral Gorge State Park proves that. But you can also hop across to Arizona for the day to see the incredible Grand Canyon. If you’ve got a car, you can go on a scenic road trip to the South Rim, or join a guided tour. But the best way to see this vast landmark is from the air. In a helicopter, you can really appreciate the scale of the Grand Canyon – and you’ll see the Hoover Dam on your way there, too.

Death Valley is another easy day trip. Just a two-hour drive to the west of Sin City, this desolate landscape looks like it should be on another planet. During summer, it’s one of the hottest places on Earth, while spring sees beautiful wildflowers. Some years, when conditions are perfect, there’s even a ‘super bloom’ when colourful flowers appear all over the valley. Whenever you go, make sure you stop off in Rhyolite – Nevada’s most haunting ghost town.

Looking for nightlife? Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas, Entertainment Capital of the World. This city practically invented after-dark excess, so remember to pack plenty of energy for a night out – you’ll need it. There are hardly any clocks in this city, so it’s far too easy to dance the night away. And make sure you do some research, as Las Vegas nightlife is brilliant to the point of bewildering. The Strip alone is eight miles of pure razzle dazzle. You can sip pool cocktail parties at Foxtails, and enjoy sensational views from Caesar’s Palace High Rollers Ferris Wheel. Or, for something different, head to SlotZilla Ziplines above glittering Fremont East – the district that counts as an Old Town Las Vegas.

If partying isn’t your think, why not head to the theatre? Take your pick from over 100 spectacular shows every night of the year, ranging from starry one-off appearances to long-running legends like Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio and Reve at Wynn Las Vegas.  

There really isn’t a bad time for a holiday to Nevada. The sub-tropical state has a dry desert climate, which generally means long, hot summers. Spring and autumn see warm, sunny weather, while winters are short and cool.  The northeast of the state bucks that trend, with areas around Reno known for great skiing in winter. And, unsurprisingly, there’s very little rainfall, particularly in the south of the state. 

The best time to visit Las Vegas is spring or autumn. Temperatures from March to June range from 20°C to 30°C, and are about the same between September and November. The city’s very dry in summer, and the desert heat can be a challenge if you’re not acclimatised. Come winter, temperatures drop down to an average of 12°C from December to February, so it’s not quite pool party weather – although that never stops visitors heading to Las Vegas in droves to celebrate New Year.