This chapter of the American Landmarks series delves into the most famous landmarks in Nevada. From the world-famous Las Vegas landmarks to the Hoover Dam, Nevada boasts some of the most impressive human-made landmarks; however, as we will see, it is also rich in natural wonders.
As usual in these articles, we asked other bloggers to share some of their favorite Nevada landmarks.
Las Vegas and its eccentricities are some of the main reasons Nevada is famous for. Yet, the landmarks in Nevada are impressive and contribute significantly to Nevada’s status as a premier travel destination in America. The Casinos made Las Vegas, but Nevada is much more than the Casinos and the Las Vegas resorts.
So, without further ado, let’s unravel some of the most famous landmarks in Nevada.
Page Contents
Famous Landmarks in Nevada: Exploring Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
By Jessica Schmit from Uprooted Traveler
Arguably the most famous (or perhaps infamous) landmark in Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip, situated on Las Vegas Boulevard, is a dazzling spectacle of lights, music, and numerous Vegas revelers.
The Strip is famous for its high concentration of casinos and hotels (approximately 30), many of which have bold and extravagant themes (think Ancient Rome, New York City, or Southeast Asia).
The Strip’s casinos vary in age and opulence, from Harrah’s Casino, housed in a no-frills 1970s structure, to the flashy Cosmopolitan, offering stunning rooftop pools overlooking the chaos below and its very own Chandelier Bar, a cocktail spot literally swathed in several stories of sparkling crystals.
Given the Strip’s eye-popping design, even visitors who aren’t interested in gambling will enjoy exploring the Strip and its buildings- on a single street; you can gaze up at Paris’s replica of the Eiffel Tower, watch as the impressive Bellagio Fountains dance to popular songs, listen to gondoliers serenade their patrons on the canals of the Venetian, and even see a volcano erupt at The Mirage.
While the buildings themselves are impressive, people-watching can be just as fun on the Strip- you’ll see a fascinating mix of millionaire high-rollers, costumed street performers, and a fair share of Vegas bachelorette parties.
So no matter whether you want to check out New York, New York’s roller coaster with your kids, hit up some of the world’s best nightclubs with your buddies, or try your hand at the roulette table, the Strip has something to offer every kind of traveler. Additionally, as it is located in the city center, you can easily access it using the Las Vegas Public transportation system.
Eiffel Tower replica
By Niels Thomas from Dog Sledding Tromsø
When visiting Las Vegas, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I know, it is probably the fancy casinos, the movie Ocean’s Eleven, those tiger-hugging guys with funny German names, or one of the many fancy nightclubs. But let me add something to that list. Are you ready? Picture yourself in… Paris!
That is right. Even in Las Vegas, you can experience the wonders of the capital of France. Located at the Paris Las Vegas casino hotel, the 540-foot (164.6 m) Eiffel Tower replica was unveiled in 1999 for the public and is a stunning attraction that offers a complimentary 30-minute light show from sunset to midnight.
Are you interested in elevating the romantic vibes? Use the elevator to visit the viewing platform and enjoy a romantic sunset with a stunning light show and the Las Vegas skyline in the background. To access the viewing platform, a ticket must be purchased for $24.50 per person.
Bellagio hotel fountains
By Nicole Hunter from Go Far Grow Close
One of Nevada’s most iconic landmarks is the Bellagio Hotel’s Fountains. Located on the Las Vegas Strip, the Fountains are situated in front of the hotel, in full view of the sidewalk and street. The display spans over 1,000 feet, with water soaring as high as 460 feet into the air.
Depending on the day and time of the week, every 15 or 30 minutes, more than a thousand fountains, enhanced by music and light, sway in front of the hotel.
Each show lasts a few minutes and is completely free to watch (a helpful travel tip to save money in Las Vegas). Each performance is distinct in expression and interpretation, so you can visit the Fountains several times during a trip or on different journeys.
The Bellagio Hotel and Fountains was built in 1998 by WET Design, founded by former Disney Creatives Mark Fuller, Melanie Simon, and Alan Robinson. It was one of the world’s first luxury fountains and, at the time, the tallest fountain ever built.
Today, Dubai’s Palm Fountain is the largest, breaking the Guinness World Record. It spreads over 1,335 square meters of seawater and was completed in October 2020. It was also designed by WET Design, which has created over 200 fountains and water features incorporating water, fire, ice, fog, and lights.
Human-made Nevada Landmarks
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is situated on the Colorado River, near the border with Arizona, approximately 40 miles from Las Vegas. Its construction was a massive project and an incredible engineering feat. Until 1948, it was the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, and naturally, it is one of the most famous landmarks in Nevada and Arizona.
Check our list of famous landmarks in Arizona!
Constructed between 1931 and 1936, it is 726 feet high and 1,244 feet long. At the time of completion, it was the largest dam in the world. Today, the Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction that attracts over one million visitors annually. The dam’s crest was used to cross the Colorado River until 2010, when the new Hoover Dam bridge opened. This bridge is one of the best viewpoints of the Dam and Lake Mead.
Visiting the Hoover Dam is free, but to tour or enter the visitor center, a ticket must be purchased. If you buy the tour, the visitor center ticket is always included. During the 1-hour tour of the dam, you get to visit the power plants and passageways within the dam itself. At the same time, the visitor center features an exhibit gallery and a film about the dam’s construction.
The Hoover Dam is more than a famous landmark; it is pivotal to the economy of both states, providing irrigation water, controlling floods, and producing electricity. It completely transformed the two states, providing a water source to a previously deserted area. Without the dam and the reservoir, it would be impossible for a city like Las Vegas to exist.
Lake Mead
The majestic scenery of Lake Mead is home to America’s first and largest national recreation area – Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It is located very close to Las Vegas and is the junction of three significant deserts: Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran. It is begging for a visit and is one of the best places to swim, boat, hike, cycle, camp, and fish.
As mentioned above, Lake Mead is the lake created by the reservoir of the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States by volume when full. At total capacity, it is 112 miles long, 532 feet deep, and has a surface area of roughly 247 square miles, with an astounding 28 million acres of water.
However, the lake hasn’t reached total capacity since 1983 due to increased water demand and droughts. In June 2021, Lake Mead was at only 35% capacity, a record low with less than ten million acre-feet of water remaining.
With nine main access points (3 from Las Vegas), Lake Mead is divided into several different bodies of water (Boulder Basin, Virgin Basin, Temple Basin, Gregg Basin, etc.). Each is ideal for various watersports, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. With several river beaches, it’s also great for sunbathing and swimming. Additionally, lovely developed areas near the lake offer a range of services and accommodations.
Seven Magic Mountains
By Brodi Cole of Our Offbeat Life
The Seven Magic Mountains is a larger-than-life art exhibition in southern Nevada. They were designed by Ugo Rondinone and erected by the Nevada Museum of Art in May 2016. The landmark is comprised of seven separate towers of boulders.
Each tower is 35 feet tall and painted in various bright colors. Initially, the landmark was intended to be displayed for a period of two years. However, the exhibit was so popular that it became a permanent fixture on the Las Vegas art scene.
These colorful rock formations are 10 miles south of Las Vegas, adjacent to Interstate 15. However, the Seven Magic Mountains entrance isn’t off the interstate. Instead, visitors must exit the freeway and drive south on Las Vegas Boulevard to reach the parking area. Visitors from Las Vegas should exit the highway southbound at Exit 25. Visitors from Primm, NV, and California should exit the freeway at Exit 12 northbound.
The best time to visit the Seven Magic Mountains is at sunrise or sunset. The colors of the desert sky make the rainbow shades of the art exhibit seem even brighter. Sunset may not be ideal for visitors seeking low crowds, especially on weekends. That is the busiest time of day for tourists to visit.
The Republic of Molassia
By Carol Guttery from Libro Maniacs
If you are up for a more offbeat Nevada landmark, then be sure to visit The Republic of Molassia.
It’s located just east of Carson City, but not part of Nevada. It’s not even part of the US. Kevin Baugh, His Excellency and the President of Molassia, has declared his scrubby acreage as an independent Micronation.
He has planted his tongue firmly in his cheek and created a wacky roadside attraction, complete with a border crossing, customs station, post office, bank, jail, rail network, and the “Trans-Molassia Trail Network.”
Seriously.
Touring the attraction is a blast. His Excellency Baugh has created a whole backstory for his nation, which includes who he’s currently at war with and how he maintains diplomatic relations with Nevada. He and the First Lady have built cool buildings that resemble an old-timey western town. And you can even purchase Molassian currency and get your passport stamped.
The Republic of Molassia runs regular, seasonal tours, and you’ll want to sign up for them in advance.
Breathtaking Natural Landmarks in Nevada
Cathedral Gorge
By Daria Bachmann from The Discovery Nut
When most people think about the best day trips from Las Vegas, they typically think about the Grand Canyon, Zion, and other popular national parks near Las Vegas.
And yet, Sin City is located within driving distance of many spectacular natural sights that boast fantastic scenery but lack the crowds of more popular places in the region.
One of these places is Cathedral Gorge State Park. Located approximately 2.5 hours away from Las Vegas, this spectacular destination can be reached by taking Interstate 15 north and then continuing on US 93 north to the park’s entrance.
Thanks to its location in rural Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park sees few people, as it lies off the major tourist route.
This park is one of the most enigmatic locations in southeastern Nevada, featuring otherworldly rock formations that span over 1,600 acres. Thanks to millions of years of geologic activity in the area, visitors can enjoy dramatic cliffs and canyons with spires protruding from the floor.
In addition, it has some stunning slot canyons, caves, and several easy trails that are worth exploring.
Cathedral Gorge State Park is an excellent destination for hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and astrophotography! The area boasts some of the best dark skies in the country, and on a clear night, you can easily see the Milky Way.
Red Rock Canyon National Park
By Nicholas Rosen from The World Overload
Red Rock Canyon is located just a few miles outside Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a nice side trip to take on your way in or out of Sin City, where you’ll enjoy the preserved conservation of the Nevada landscape.
The best way to get there is to go straight to the visitor center at 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161. Simply take the 159 freeway, a straight shot to the entrance. Rideshares will drop you off at the entrance if you don’t have your own transportation.
This place is aptly named because of its unusually red rocks alongside the mountains and trails. You will find the colors impressive, and you definitely want to snap a few Instagram-worthy photos of your trip here.
Depending on how you want to spend your day here, plenty of options exist. This place is filled with several hiking and biking trails, and they even have good spots for rock climbing, which is another thing the park is known for if you are an active or amateur climber.
Even if you don’t feel like taking a hike or bike ride, it’s still recommended that you take the scenic loop tour. It’s a nice casual drive around the national park with periodic stops along the road for stretching and taking in the scenery. Best if you don’t want to leave the comfort of your car, but the drawback is that others may do the same, which could congest your drive.
Red Rock Canyon is a must-visit for those passing through Nevada or for fans of national parks. Arrive at a good time, and you won’t believe how amazing it is.
Valley of Fire
By Candice from CS Ginger
Valley of Fire State Park is located approximately 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas and spans nearly 40,000 acres, making it a historic area. The park is most famous for its stunning red and pink rock formations, which surround a dull desert landscape. You will find great hiking trails, petroglyphs, and lots of wildlife throughout the park.
Visiting the Valley of Fire makes for a great day trip from Las Vegas, as it is a relatively short drive. The state park is beautiful and well worth a visit. You can easily combine Valley of Fire State Park with the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
One of the best things to do is explore the Valley of Fire hiking trails. Overall, the trails in the park are pretty easy and not too long. One of the most famous hikes in the park is the Fire Wave Trail. It is a 1.5-mile-long hike that takes you to a picturesque formation resembling an ocean made of red, white, and pink sandstone.
The best places to see petroglyphs in the park are on the Mouse Tank Trail and Atlantl Rock. The ones at Atlantl Rock have a set of stairs that make viewing the petroglyphs really easy.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the several herds of bighorn sheep that live in the park. Mountain goats live there as well.
Great Basin National Park
By Jacoba from Op Reis Met Co
In Nevada, you’ll find one of the least-known National Parks in the United States: Great Basin National Park. It’s located in the northeastern part of the state, in America’s largest desert, the Great Basin Desert. This desert covers most of the state of Nevada and even a large part of Utah.
Great Basin National Park is free to visit and offers a variety of attractions and activities. The park protects a section of the Snake Range (a mountain Range), with Wheeler Peak (3982) as the highest point. You can visit several viewpoints in the park, but it’s also very suitable for hiking and camping. You can also see Bristlecone Pines, the oldest trees in the world (almost 5000 years!).
Near the visitor center, you’ll find the Lehman Caves. This is a cave system that formed over 550 million years ago. You can visit the caves with a guide, but you must make a reservation beforehand (spots fill up quickly). It’s absolutely worth it because the caves are a spectacular sight.
Last but not least, Great Basin National Park is ideal for stargazing, as it boasts one of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states.
Lake Tahoe
Located in the Sierra Nevada, between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest Alpine lake in North America, lying at an elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m). With a depth of 1,645 ft (501 m), it is also the second deepest lake in the USA, only behind Crater Lake in Oregon.
Lake Tahoe is a prominent natural landmark situated on the border between Nevada and California, and it is a popular year-round destination. It is popular both as a winter sports destination with snow and ski resorts, and as an outdoor recreation area in Summer, with crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches. The Nevada side also offers lakeside casino resorts, as one would expect.
Click here to check out the other famous landmarks in California!
There are dozens of public access beaches in Lake Tahoe, but Sand Harbor is the most popular. It was white sand, near-perfect translucent water, and lovely granite rock formations. It’s a perfect destination for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling (SUP), and even scuba diving, which is one of the main reasons why Lake Tahoe is one of the best places to visit in the USA in June.
There are several ski resorts around Lake Tahoe, but the most popular and largest is Heavenly Mountain Resort, located near the California-Nevada state line on the south shore. People from all over California, Nevada, and other states travel to Lake Tahoe during winter to enjoy the snow, the resorts, the perfect setting, and everything else.
Which of these Nevada landmarks would you visit first? Let us know in the comments below!
