Las Vegas, known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” is a bustling city that never sleeps. However, sometimes you need a break from the bright lights and constant activity. Luckily, Las Vegas is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and exciting destinations, making it the perfect starting point for a weekend getaway. From hiking and camping to gambling and relaxation, there is something for everyone just a short drive from Sin City. So pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable weekend adventure.
There are many weekend getaway options in Nevada besides Las Vegas, depending on your interests. Here are some suggestions:
- Reno: Known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno is located in the northern part of Nevada about 6 hours and 47 minutes away from Las Vegas. Reno offers plenty of entertainment, from casinos and nightlife to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.
- There are plenty of family-friendly activities to do with kids in Reno. Here are some suggestions:
- Animal Ark: This wildlife sanctuary is located just outside of Reno and features a variety of animals, including big cats, bears, and wolves. It’s a great place to learn about conservation and see these amazing animals up close.
- Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum: This interactive museum is designed for kids of all ages and features exhibits on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. There’s also a large outdoor space with a climbing wall, play area, and more.
- Wild Island Family Adventure Park: This water park and amusement park offers a variety of rides and attractions, including a lazy river, mini-golf, go-karts, and more.
- National Automobile Museum: This museum features a large collection of classic and vintage cars, including some that date back to the early 1900s. Kids will love seeing these unique vehicles up close.
- Truckee River Whitewater Park: This park offers a great place to cool off during the summer months. There are several spots along the river where you can swim or float, and there’s even a whitewater park where you can kayak or raft.
- Rancho San Rafael Regional Park: This large park offers plenty of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, a playground, and a large pond where you can go fishing or feed the ducks.
- Sierra Safari Zoo: This zoo features a variety of animals, including big cats, primates, and birds of prey. There’s also a petting zoo where kids can interact with some of the animals.
2. Lake Tahoe: This beautiful alpine lake is located on the border between Nevada and California, is a 7 hour and 18 minute drive from Las Vegas. Lake Tahoe offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, kayaking, and swimming.
- Lake Tahoe offers a variety of family-friendly activities, both in the summer and winter. Here are some suggestions:
- Skiing and Snowboarding: In the winter months, Lake Tahoe offers a number of ski resorts that are great for families, including Northstar California Resort and Heavenly Mountain Resort.
- Beaches: During the summer months, Lake Tahoe has many beautiful beaches that offer swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water activities. Some of the popular beaches include Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Sand Harbor Beach, and Zephyr Cove Beach.
- Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park: This adventure park offers a variety of obstacles and zip lines that are great for kids and adults. There are courses available for all levels of experience.
- Emerald Bay State Park: This park features stunning views of Emerald Bay, as well as a short hike to Eagle Falls. Kids will love exploring the area and learning about the history of the Vikingsholm Castle.
- Tahoe Rim Trail: This 165-mile trail offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. There are several family-friendly sections of the trail that offer great views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
- Tahoe Adventure Company: This company offers a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and bike rentals. They also offer guided tours and lessons.
- The Gondola at Heavenly: Take a ride up the gondola at Heavenly Mountain Resort for stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. There’s also a observation deck at the top where you can take in the views.
3. Carson City: 6 hours and 47 minutes from Las Vegas, and the capital of Nevada, Carson City offers a mix of historic sites and outdoor recreation. Visit the Nevada State Museum or take a bike ride on the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.
- Here is a list of kid friendly activities in Carson City:Nevada State Museum:
- This museum offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the natural history and cultural heritage of Nevada. Kids will love seeing the life-size models of prehistoric creatures and learning about the state’s mining history.
- Carson City Aquatic Facility: This water park features a lazy river, water slides, a wave pool, and more. It’s a great place to cool off during the summer months.
- Kit Carson Trail: Take a walking tour of the historic Kit Carson Trail, which features several stops at historic sites and landmarks in Carson City. You can pick up a brochure at the visitor’s center or download a map online.
- Eagle Valley Golf Course: This golf course offers a family-friendly, 18-hole mini-golf course that’s fun for all ages. There’s also a driving range and putting green.
- Nevada State Railroad Museum: This museum features a variety of historic trains and railcars, including a steam locomotive that kids can climb aboard. There are also train rides available on select days.
- Fuji Park: Not quite the Fuji vacation you have dreamed of, but this park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, playgrounds, and a disc golf course. There’s also a rodeo arena and equestrian facilities.
- Carson City Ghost Walk: Take a spooky walking tour of Carson City’s historic downtown area and hear tales of ghosts and hauntings. This tour is available seasonally and is also suitable for older kids.
4. Valley of Fire State Park: Located about an hour outside of Las Vegas, this park features stunning rock formations and hiking trails. It’s a great place to escape the city for a day or a weekend. Valley of Fire State Park is a great destination for families who want to experience the unique natural beauty of the park. The park offers a variety of hiking trails and picnic areas that are suitable for kids of all ages. Children will enjoy exploring the park’s colorful sandstone formations, petroglyphs, and scenic vistas. It’s important to note that the park can get very hot during the summer months, so it’s important to bring plenty of water and sun protection. Additionally, some of the park’s hiking trails may be challenging for younger children, so it’s important to choose trails that are appropriate for your family’s abilities. Overall, Valley of Fire State Park is a great destination for families who want to experience the natural beauty of Nevada together.
5. Great Basin National Park: Located in eastern Nevada approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes from Las Vegas, this park features stunning scenery, including the Lehman Caves and Wheeler Peak. It’s a great destination for hiking, camping, and stargazing.
- Want to explore the great landscape of Nevada? Here are some suggestions for kid-friendly activities at the park:
- Lehman Caves: Take a guided tour of Lehman Caves, a beautiful underground cavern system filled with unique formations. The tours are suitable for children of all ages and there are several different tour options available.
- Baker Creek Trail: This easy, 2-mile trail is great for families who want to explore the park’s beautiful mountain landscape. The trail features beautiful wildflowers and views of the surrounding mountains.
- Astronomy Programs: Great Basin National Park is known for its dark skies, which make it an excellent destination for stargazing. The park offers several astronomy programs throughout the year, including ranger-led night hikes and telescope viewings.
- Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive: Take a drive up to Wheeler Peak, the highest point in Nevada, and enjoy the beautiful views along the way. There are several pull-off areas where you can stop and take in the scenery.
- Junior Ranger Program: The park offers a Junior Ranger program for kids ages 5-12. Kids can pick up a booklet at the visitor center and complete a variety of activities that teach them about the park’s natural and cultural history.
- Picnicking: The park has several picnic areas where families can enjoy a meal together while taking in the beautiful views of the park. There are also several campgrounds available if you want to spend the night.
6. Virginia City: This historic mining town is located about 30 minutes outside of Reno, 6 hours and 42 minutes from Las Vegas, and offers visitors a glimpse into the Wild West. This trip is perfect for the cowboys and Indians in your family. Take a walking tour or ride the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.
- Here are some kid-friendly suggestions the whole family will enjoy in Virginia City:
- Virginia City Historic Tours: Take a guided walking tour of the historic town and learn about the area’s rich mining history. Tours are available seasonally and are suitable for children of all ages.
- Fourth Ward School Museum: Visit the Fourth Ward School Museum, a historic schoolhouse that now serves as a museum. Kids can learn about what school was like in the 1800s and see a variety of historic artifacts.
- Piper’s Opera House: This historic opera house offers a variety of family-friendly shows and events throughout the year, including theater performances and concerts.
- Virginia & Truckee Railroad: Take a ride on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which offers scenic train rides through the Nevada countryside. The train ride is suitable for kids of all ages.
- Comstock Gold Mill: Visit the Comstock Gold Mill, a historic gold processing mill that now serves as a museum. Kids can learn about the process of extracting gold from the surrounding mines and see a variety of historic mining equipment.
- Virginia City Camel and Carriage Rides: Take a ride on a camel or a horse-drawn carriage through the historic town. This is a fun way to see the sights and learn about the area’s history.
- Ghost Tours: Take a spooky walking tour of the historic town and hear tales of ghosts and hauntings. This tour is available seasonally and is suitable for older kids.
7. Ely: Located in eastern Nevada approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes from Las Vegas, Ely is a small town with a rich history. Visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum or go on a ghost tour of the historic downtown area. This destination is perfect for ghost hunters and the adventurers in the family.
- Here are some family friendly adventures in Ely:
- Nevada Northern Railway Museum: Take a ride on a historic train and learn about the area’s mining history. The museum offers a variety of train rides, including steam and diesel trains, as well as guided tours of the historic train depot.
- Garnet Hill: Visit Garnet Hill, a popular rockhounding site where you can search for garnets and other gemstones. Kids will love searching for treasures and learning about geology.
- White Pine Public Museum: Visit the White Pine Public Museum, which features exhibits about the area’s natural and cultural history. Kids can learn about local wildlife, mining, and the history of the town.
- Ely Outdoor Adventures: This outfitter offers a variety of outdoor activities, including guided ATV tours, rock climbing, and horseback riding. These activities are suitable for kids of all ages and are a great way to explore the beautiful Nevada countryside.
- Renaissance Village: Visit Renaissance Village, a replica of a medieval European village. Kids can see a blacksmith shop, a bakery, and other historic buildings, as well as learn about the history of the Middle Ages.
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park: Take a scenic drive to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, which features six historic charcoal ovens. Kids can learn about the process of making charcoal and explore the area’s scenic trails.
8. Black Rock Desert: Located in northwestern Nevada, a 9 hours and 25 minute drive form Las Vegas, the Black Rock Desert is home to the famous Burning Man festival, but it’s also a great place to visit for stargazing and outdoor recreation. While the Black Rock Desert can be a fascinating and absolutely beautiful place to visit, it’s important to take appropriate precautions and to ensure that children are safe and well-protected. The Black Rock Desert is known for its extreme temperatures, high winds, and lack of water and shelter. Visitors should be prepared for these conditions and should bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, and other protective gear. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the potential hazards posed by the desert’s natural features, such as steep cliffs, loose rock, and dangerous wildlife. It’s important to supervise children at all times and to stay on designated trails and roads. Black Rock Desert is a magical place to visit for the whole family.
9. Cathedral Gorge State Park: Cathedral Gorge State Park is located in eastern Nevada, in Lincoln County. It is about 2.5 hours north of Las Vegas and 1.5 hours south of Ely. The park covers an area of over 1,600 acres and features unique rock formations, slot canyons, and other geological wonders. It is a popular destination for hiking, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.If you have little Geologists in the family or an eager photographer, they will love Cathedral Gorge State Park. The park offers a variety of kid-friendly activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, wildlife viewing, and exploring the unique rock formations and slot canyons.
10. Laughlin: Laughlin is a popular resort town along the Colorado River an hour and a half from Las Vegas. In the summertime, the Colorado River water appears a bluish-green and it is absolutely beautiful. Embrace yourself though for the frigid temperature. However, if you take a trip here during the summertime, you will be ready to jump right in and cool off.
- Here are some things to do in Laughlin:
- Take a riverboat cruise: Take a relaxing cruise on the Colorado River and enjoy the scenic views.
- Visit Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area: This recreation area offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking.
- Explore the Mojave Desert: The Mojave Desert is located just outside of Laughlin and offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.
- Visit the Laughlin Labyrinths: These unique rock labyrinths are located on the banks of the Colorado River and offer a fun and interactive experience.
- Take a day trip to the Hoover Dam: The Hoover Dam is located just a short drive from Laughlin and offers tours and scenic views.
- Enjoy outdoor activities: Laughlin offers a variety of outdoor activities, including golfing, hiking, and boating.
Nevada is a state with something for everyone. From the little Geologist in your family, the photographer, and and Explorer, these trips will satisfy the whole family. Whether you’re looking for excitement, relaxation, or adventure, you’ll find it in Nevada. With its stunning scenery, exciting activities, and friendly people, these destinations are the perfect place to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your weekend getaway to Nevada today!
Here are some additional tips for planning your weekend getaway to Nevada:
- Book your flights and accommodations early, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- If you are driving, pack an emergency medical bag and make sure your tires are aired up and good.
- Pack for all types of weather, as Nevada can experience a wide range of temperatures and conditions.
- Bring a camera to capture all of your memories.
- Be sure to try some of the local food, such as Basque cuisine, prime rib, and fresh fruit.
- Relax and enjoy your time in Nevada!