Travel Nevada!

Nevada is most famous for the glittering, night life in Las Vegas but there is much more to the state. It is rich in small town flavor and cultural happenings. There are many museums, art centers and historical centers to explore. The State and National parks and recreation centers offers activities, classes and lectures to expand your horizons.

The state got its name in 1861 when the territory was established. It is Spanish meaning "snow-capped." Nevada was first settled back in 1851, the wide open spaces of Nevada are hard to resist. In 1986, The Great Basin National Park, the only national park in the state, was created. The area around Wheeler Peak and Lehman Caves in eastern Nevada is all a part of this great park. It has a wild west legacy full of cowboy tales mixed with the big city escapades of sparkling Las Vegas. A perfect recipe for any vacationer.

In the begining Nevada was a miners town. A go-between for emigrants heading to California, Nevada began attracting interest after the discovery of gold and silver deposits in 1859. Shortly thereafter, prospectors were making tracks for Nevada. Today, mining is still one of the state's largest industries, second only to tourism. Many of the states first mining towns are still largely intact and have become historical monuments. Dayton, Virginia City and Austin are all old mining towns that conduct tours and lectures for visitors.

Motorcycle enthusiests world wide come to Nevada for the annual Laughlin River Run. It happens yearly on the banks of the Colorado River in the Southern Nevada town of Laughlin. The motorcycle rally, held each April, is the West Coast's largest motorcycle event and features factory demo rides, vendor exhibits, big-name entertainment, nonstop gaming action and Harley Davidsons around every bend. The event features world renowned musical bands and entertainment each year.

The Cathedral Gorge State Park, near Panaca shows the "Home Sweet Nevada" slide program every May. Railroading history is showcased each year at The Long Steel Rails Festival in Ely Nevada in the Nevada Northern Railway Museum using music, speeches, train rides and an authentic hobo camp.

Amargosa Valley is home to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge houses many rare and exotic forms of native wild life and other fish and plants. Open year round with no admission makes it a popular tourist attraction. The Great Basin National Park is great fun with tours of Lehman Caves, miles of hiking trails, groves of ancient bristlecone pine trees, Wheeler Peak, camping and fishing.

No matter what the agenda, Nevada can make every dream vacation a reality. Coming to get married? Lovers can come to Nevada and get an instant marriage license, find a wedding venue and book a honeymoon all in the same weekend. Any kind of wedding under the sun is possible on a moments notice in Nevada. From the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas or Reno to the misty sun set wedding lakeside in Tahoe, anything is possible.

Nevada's attractions and events are as varied as the types and styles of accommodations. Nevada's Casino-resorts grow more lavish and brilliant as the years pass. Las Vegas or Reno can give a stay of a lifetime complete with Egyptian Pyramid and lava spouting volcanos. Most casino-resorts carry an array of ammenities to make the trip memorable. Things like extensive room service and in-room entertainment are par for the course.

Whether your taste is a wild casino night or a rustic old west bed and breakfast your trip to Nevada will be a life long memory.