THE BRIGHTlights of Las Vegas are an irresistable lure for UK visitors who are opting to extend their California or Arizona itinerary to include a visit to the gambling mecca. But the attractions of Nevada – the state where Las Vegas is located – are often overshadowed.
Nevada’s tourism figures are booming – but the healthy revenue it receives from this sector is due to its income from gaming and related spending, which is expected to be worth around $8bn by the end of this year.
With Virgin Atlantic launching the first non-stop service to Las Vegas from the UK this summer, the state’s other attractions are expected to receive more attention from operators.
The area of Tahoe and Reno, on the border with California and fronting the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range, is becoming established on the UK market as a destination for both skiing and outdoor pursuits in summer.
Reno itself is like a large western country town with its own gaming strip and reputation for on-the-spot weddings. For $35 visitors can get a marriage licence from the county court house between 7am and midnight, seven days a week.
But also like Las Vegas, Reno is a good base from which to explore the lesser-known areas of Nevada, with its high desert of rugged mountain ranges and deep valleys.
Some of the state’s routes typify the image of America’s winding highways through desert and canyon lands, yet many of its scenic byways are easy distances to drive.
These include the Lamoille Canyon Road in the Ruby Mountains; Mount Rose Highway which climbs through a 9,000ft pass; the Pyramid Lake Road through the Paiute tribal reservation; and the Valley of Fire State Park Roadways, a desert landscape of wind-sculptured sandstone.
If you are into stories of UFO sightings, head for the so-called Extraterrestrial Highway and the town of Rachel, which has become the headquarters for enthusiasts.
The original Pony Express and Overland stagecoach trails of the west are creating a lot of interest, and on Highway 50, known as the ‘loneliest road in the world’, runs parallel to these routes for much of the way. Nevada is also beginning to promote large tracts of both its Indian and Cowboy Territories in different suggested itineraries suitable for flydrives, with visits to reservations and silver and gold-mining towns.
main attractions
Reno:most of the attractions are downtown in North Virginia Street. The Las Vegas-style theme park casino concept is becoming established here, with places such as Circus Circus, Silver Legacy Resort and Harrah’s. Other attractions include a well-stocked National Automobile Museum, National Bowling Stadium, Nevada Museum of Art with native American artifacts, the Fleischmann Planetarium and the Nevada Historical Museum.
Lake Tahoe: the Nevada-California state line cuts lengthwise through Lake Tahoe, with the eastern shore in Nevada and the western side in California. Places of interest in the area include the Donner Memorial State Park and Lake, Emigrant Trail Museum, Mount Rose Wilderness, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Meeks Bay, Emerald Bay and Tahoe City.