It is the unique goal of travel adventurers to visit all fifty states in America. To boost this objective, each week we shall explore one state. Alphabetically, the 28th to visit is none other than Nevada, abbreviated NV. Regardless of the order in which you explore them, NV, the Silver State, is ideal to see!
Visit state # 28 – NV
| State Motto | All For Our Country |
| State Flower | Big sagebrush |
| State Bird | Mountain bluebird |
| State Rock | Sandstone |
| State Capital | Carson City |
| Famous Foods | Chicken wings, chateaubriand, onion rings, paella, prime rib, sushi, hamburgers, shrimp cocktail, and more. |
Nevada got its name from the Spanish who were the first Europeans to explore the region. The word Nevada (snowy) is derived from its snow-covered mountains. The state sits in the southwestern part of the United States. It shares borders with Utah to its east, Idaho and Oregon north, California west and southwest, and Arizona to its south-east. The landlocked state is made up of desert land dominated by the Great Basin area. Though the capital city is Carson City, about two-thirds of the state’s population resides in and around the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Nevada earned the name Silver State due to the significance of silver to its economy and history. It is also called the Battle Born State as it achieved statehood during the Civil War. Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864, after telegraphing the Constitution of Nevada to Congress days just before the November 8 presidential election.
Today, Nevada is a world-renowned travel destination in America. Highly visited is the city of Las Vegas, also called Vegas. This largest metropolis within the Mojave Desert is a bustling resort city with lively nightlife. It is beloved for its entertainment venues and options for adventure. Tourists flock to the city to stay in palatial hotels, play the swanky casinos, attend glitzy shows and events, and enjoy extravagant dining and shopping venues. Vegas is also home to one-of-a-kind attractions, including the neon-soaked Strip lined with upscale casinos, famous hotels, and points of interest such as the Fountains of Bellagio and the High Roller observation wheel.
In contrast to the glitz and glam of the Strip is the concrete arch-gravity Hoover Dam, which sits in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. Perched on the Nevada and Arizona state line, the 726-foot-high dam was built during the Great Depression to control flooding and provide jobs and hydroelectric power to much of the state and its Arizona and California neighbors. The intriguing structure was built between 1931 and 1936 and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The dam formed Lake Mead. At full pool, it contains the largest reservoir in the U.S. in terms of water capacity. The dam is solid, with a base as thick (660 ft.) as two football fields measured end-to-end. The spillways are designed to let floodwaters pass and can manage the volume of water that flows over Niagara Falls. No trip to Nevada is complete without a visit to this amazing manmade structure.
Nevada is extremely diverse, with beautiful places to explore. The state features an abundance of quaint towns, scenic drives, and outdoor recreation, with fun to be had at every turn. Lake Tahoe, straddling the border of Nevada and California, is a 22-mile-long freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is loved for its beaches and ski resorts. The southwestern shore is home to Emerald Bay State Park and features the 35-room 1929 Nordic-style mansion. Vikingsholm welcomes visitors to Tahoe’s hidden castle. On the northeast side, guests of the state are bound to enjoy Sand Harbor Beach and Spooner Lake.
The Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile hike comprised of eight sections that wind through a variety of terrain, is ideal for those seeking time in wilderness areas with amazing views of Lake Tahoe. In addition to hiking, mountain bikers can also enjoy abundant adventures in the region and can gain access via special trailheads. The loop around Lake Tahoe is considered one of the best trails in the world and winds explorers past dozens of lakes and streams to observe stunning views including waterfalls and islands. The region contains rich forestland, mountain peaks, and dramatic cliffs and valleys. Wildlife is plentiful, as are spring and summer plants, and wildflowers which begin blooming in May. Beauty and excitement render Nevada a must-see state!
Up next: New Hampshire