Nevada is a state that speaks to what makes America so incredible - the pioneer spirit and entrepreneurialism that once made the impossible, possible. Car hire in Nevada means you can wind your way through the mountains and past the rivers, into Vegas’ neon playground and beyond.
The City of Lights
Las Vegas is like a giant playground, twinkling in the desert. It’s not a subtle place, with homages to architecture from around the world alongside the vast hotels and casinos.
They know how to do things on a grand scale here - huge floors of one-armed bandits, poker tables and more with thousands of bedrooms above, sprawling buffets of shrimp, and attractions aplenty.
It’s a great city to eat in as well, with world-class chefs opening up flagship branches here. No matter what time of day, you won’t go hungry. You can also take in a show, a Cirque de Soleil performance or join the fun at an EDM party.
A desert rose
Outside of Vegas, there’s an abundance of joy and beauty to be found in the desert. At the Valley of Fire State Park, you’ll see teetering peaks of red sandstone formed by centuries of wind and erosion into seemingly impossible shapes.
Head to Atlatl Rock to see petroglyphs made by Native Americans, while the petrified trees and amazing vistas make this a must for photographing (and instagramming). There’s more of this ethereal natural beauty at Cathedral Gorge State Park, just north of Caliente. The campground here is always busy, with people travelling miles for the mix of spire-like rocks, dramatic cliffs and a canopy of stars in the clear night sky.
Big little city
‘The biggest little city in the world’ reads the famous neon arch in the heart of Reno, something that tells you a lot about Las Vegas’ smaller sibling.
If you’re visiting here, be sure to visit the Nevada Museum of Art which keeps getting bigger and better, the Historical Society Museum to explore Native American culture and neon signs, and Discovery which is a great museum for kids, with interactive exhibits aplenty.
A quick drive from town will take you to plenty of outdoor recreation areas, such as the rapids at Truckee River Whitewater Park, a magnet for kayakers. Nevada is nothing if not surprising.