Nevada
Las Vegas casinos and shows, red rock canyons and Lake Tahoe are the main draws in a mostly desert state.
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Nevada is a state in the western United States, bordered by California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona. Most of it is high desert with mountain ranges across it, and much of the land is open and thinly populated. Las Vegas, in the southern desert, is built around casinos, shows, restaurants and large resort hotels. Reno, in the north near the Sierra Nevada, is a smaller city and a common base for trips to Lake Tahoe.
Outside the cities, the main draw is desert scenery that is easy to reach by car. Valley of Fire State Park, about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, has red sandstone formations, and Red Rock Canyon sits just west of the city. Hoover Dam, on the Colorado River at the Arizona border, is a common day trip from Las Vegas. The Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe offers mountain lakes and forest, about an hour by car from Reno. Spring and fall suit outdoor plans best, since desert summers are very hot. Plan several days for a city and one desert outing.
Nevada in five
- Rent a car for the desertRed Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are outside Las Vegas and need a car or a tour. The Strip is about 4 miles long, too far to walk end to end comfortably.Getting around
- Carry photo ID on the casino floorGambling and drinking are for people 21 and over, and staff ask for photo ID. Bring the ID you travel with.
- Price the resort fee before you bookMany Las Vegas resorts add a daily resort fee to the room rate, so the first price you see is not the final one. Compare totals before you book.Money and costs
- Check convention dates before you bookLarge trade shows, including CES in January, fill hotels across the city and push room prices up. Check the convention calendar before you pick dates.
- Carry your own water on Red Rock trailsRed Rock trails offer little shade, and the dry air dries you out fast. Pack what you will drink on the hike.
Neighborhoods
Las Vegas
- Best for: First visits, shows
- Price band: $$$
- Most big resorts and shows line Las Vegas Boulevard
- Resorts are far apart, so walks between them take a while
- The Bellagio fountains put on shows in the evening
Skip if you want quiet streets and simple evenings.
Reno
Reno is a Nevada casino city on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, with Lake Tahoe about an hour's drive away.
Things to do in Nevada
See all attractions in Nevada
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver visitors; visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants; tip housekeeping and bartenders
- Time
- Pacific time: UTC-8, or UTC-7 in daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, CES crowds
- FebruaryMild, busy
- MarchMild, pleasant
- AprilWarm, hiking
- MayWarm, dry
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyExtreme heat
- AugustExtreme heat
- SeptemberWarm, cooling
- OctoberMild, hiking
- NovemberCool, mild
- DecemberCool, holiday lights
Right now in Nevada
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
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- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Nevada
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°-1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue16°0°14%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed11°3°8%Wednesday: Clear. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu12°5°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°5°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat15°5°0%Saturday: Clear. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 09:00 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Red Rock Canyonabout 30 minutes by carSandstone cliffs and a 13-mile scenic drive, best started early.Read the guide
- Valley of Fire State Parkabout 1 hour by carRed sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs.Read the guide
- Hoover Damabout 45 minutes by carA concrete dam on the Colorado River, with guided tours.Read the guide
- Lake Tahoeabout 1 hour by car from RenoAn alpine lake with beaches and hiking, a day trip from Reno.Read the guide
Before you go to Nevada
Rules for Nevada, checked
- Visa Waiver visitors need an ESTA before flying to the US. Check the current rules on the official US Customs and Border Protection ESTA site.Source
- You must be 21 or older to gamble in Nevada casinos. Check the Nevada Gaming Control Board site for current rules on gaming and ID.Source
- Cannabis is sold to adults 21 and over, but smoking or using it in public is banned. Check current Nevada cannabis rules before you visit.
Plan around Nevada
Strip, Downtown, shows and day trips to the desert
Read the guideReno guideDowntown casinos and the Truckee River, with Lake Tahoe nearby
Read the guideGetting around NevadaCar, bus and taxi options between and within the two cities
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in dollars, tipping and resort fees
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA and who needs a visa before flying
Read the guideWhere to stayStrip, Downtown and Reno bases compared
Read the guideNevada FAQ
Is Las Vegas or Reno better for a first trip?
Las Vegas suits a first trip for the big resorts, shows and easy day trips to the desert. Reno is a smaller casino town that works well for Lake Tahoe. Choose Las Vegas if you want one base and nightlife.
How many days do you need in Nevada?
Three or four days in Las Vegas covers the Strip, Downtown and one desert day. Add two days in Reno if you want Lake Tahoe, because the two cities are far apart.
How far is Las Vegas from Reno?
About 440 miles by road, roughly 7 hours of driving. Plan the two cities as separate stays, not a day trip.
Do I need a car in Las Vegas?
Not for the Strip, which you can walk, though the blocks are long. A car or a tour is needed for Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire.
Do I need to book Las Vegas shows in advance?
Popular shows sell out, so book ahead for a set date.
Is Lake Tahoe worth a day from Reno?
Yes, if you want lake views and hiking. It is about an hour by car from Reno, and it looks very different in summer and winter.