10 Small Towns In Nevada To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
Nevada may be known for the glitz of Las Vegas, but beyond the bright lights are cities that capture a completely different side of the state, one built around open skies, mountain trails, and communities that still move at their own pace. In 2025, these destinations are gaining attention as ideal weekend escapes for travelers who want scenic views, good food, and a sense of calm without losing access to comfort.
Whether it’s Incline Village’s alpine setting on Lake Tahoe, the historic main streets of Virginia City, or the riverside charm of Laughlin, each place brings something distinct to the table. From desert getaways to lakeside retreats, these ten Nevada towns show that the Silver State’s real beauty often begins where the highways end.
Incline Village
Incline Village is Lake Tahoe’s refined side of adventure, where clear alpine water meets fine dining, mountain trails, and some of the most breathtaking views in Nevada. Set along the lake’s northern rim, it’s home to Sand Harbor, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, often ranked among the country’s most beautiful freshwater beaches for its turquoise coves and smooth granite boulders.
In winter, locals head to Diamond Peak Ski Resort, known for its panoramic lake views from every run, while summer brings hikers and golfers to Mount Rose Trail and the Incline Village Championship Golf Course, both celebrated for their elevation and scenery. Those looking for relaxation can unwind at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino, a lakeside retreat with its own private beach and award-winning spa.
Genoa
Genoa is Nevada’s oldest settlement, first established in 1851 as a trading post for travelers crossing the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Genoa still feels anchored to that history, with landmarks like Mormon Station State Historic Park, where visitors can explore a reconstructed stockade and museum displaying pioneer-era artifacts. The Genoa Courthouse Museum adds context with exhibits on early settlers and the California Trail, while nearby trails lead to sweeping views of the Carson Valley.
After exploring, many visitors unwind at David Walley’s Resort & Hot Springs, a spa retreat known for its mineral pools and mountain views. The downtown area also features the Pink House, a restored 1850s home turned restaurant and market.
Minden
Minden was carefully planned in 1906 by rancher Heinrich Dangberg Jr., who envisioned a modern agricultural hub connected by rail to Carson City and Reno. His vision took root, and many of the original buildings still define the heart of town today. The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park offers guided tours of the family estate, displaying photographs and furnishings that trace the early development of Carson Valley.
Visitors can explore the Downtown Minden Historic District, filled with local shops, restaurants, and the restored CVIC Hall, which still hosts concerts and community events. Outdoor lovers will find easy access to Carson Valley’s hiking and cycling trails, while foodies often head to Minden Meat and Deli, a Nevada favorite known for its craft beer and gourmet sandwiches. For an overnight stay, The Carson Valley Inn offers mountain views, a casino, and multiple dining options all within walking distance of downtown.
Gardnerville
Gardnerville shares deep roots with neighboring Minden, but has its own rhythm, shaped by ranching traditions and Basque culture that have endured for over a century. The suburb began in the late 1800s when rancher Lawrence Gilman moved his hotel from Genoa to serve travelers along the Emigrant Trail. Today, that spirit of hospitality lives on in local landmarks like the JT Basque Bar & Dining Room, an old boardinghouse turned restaurant famous for its hearty Basque family-style meals.
Visitors can spend a morning at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, which highlights the area’s pioneer history and ranching heritage, or walk the Martin Slough Trail, a scenic path that winds through wetlands and farmland with Sierra views. The Historian Inn offers boutique-style lodging with easy access to both Gardnerville and Minden, making it ideal for a quiet weekend escape.
Virginia City
Virginia City tells one of the most compelling stories in the American West. It rose to fame in the 1860s after the discovery of the Comstock Lode, one of the richest silver deposits in history, which helped finance the growth of San Francisco and even influenced U.S. politics. Today, visitors can still walk the same wooden boardwalks that 19th-century miners and millionaires once did. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad offers rides through the mountains, following the original route that carried ore and supplies during the boom years.
Landmarks like the Mackay Mansion, Fourth Ward School Museum, and St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church preserve its gold-rush legacy, each offering guided tours and authentic artifacts from the mining era. For an overnight stay, the Sugarloaf Mountain Motel and the Gold Hill Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in Nevada, are the best options to choose from.
Boulder City
Boulder City was born out of the Great Depression, built in the early 1930s to house workers constructing the Hoover Dam. Visitors can learn the full story at the Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum, which features exhibits on the thousands of families who helped build one of America’s most ambitious engineering projects. Nearby, the Hoover Dam itself remains the region’s main attraction, offering guided tours that highlight its architecture, turbines, and impact on the Southwest.
Beyond its roots, Boulder City is known for its small-town feel and outdoor energy. Visitors can explore the Historic District, where boutiques, galleries, and local cafés fill the art deco buildings once home to dam workers, or hike the River Mountains Loop Trail, a 35-mile route linking the city to Lake Mead. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides kayaking, beaches, and some of Nevada’s best desert scenery. The Boulder Dam Hotel, built in 1933, combines period architecture with modern amenities right in the center of Boulder City.
Mesquite
Mesquite is a desert getaway that blends recreation, sunshine, and small-town hospitality in southern Nevada’s Virgin River Valley. Once a modest farming community, it has grown into a favorite stop for travelers looking to golf, explore red rock country, and relax without the bustle of city crowds. At Wolf Creek Golf Club, fairways wind dramatically through sandstone canyons, creating one of the most photographed courses in the state. The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum preserves the story of the ranchers and settlers who shaped the region.
For a weekend stay, Eureka Casino Resort pairs comfort with panoramic views and on-site dining. Evenings in Mesquite often end outdoors, sharing a meal on a patio, listening to live music, or watching the desert sky fade from orange to indigo. It’s an easy place to slow down, unwind, and enjoy Nevada’s quieter side.
Laughlin
Laughlin stretches along the Colorado River in Nevada’s southern tip. The city began in the 1960s as a rest stop for dam workers and boaters, but today it’s known for its riverside casinos, sandy beaches, and scenic desert backdrop. Visitors can rent jet skis or take a river cruise from the Laughlin Riverwalk, which connects several of the city’s main attractions. The Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail provides miles of paved and natural paths for cycling and walking, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Just outside town, Davis Dam and the Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area offer boating, fishing, and shaded picnic spots along the river. In the evenings, live music fills the waterfront resorts, from intimate lounges to open-air stages. For a stylish place to stay, the Aquarius Casino Resort combines riverfront rooms, a large pool deck, and easy access to both entertainment and outdoor activities.
Ely
Ely combines frontier history with mountain scenery, making it one of eastern Nevada’s most distinctive stops. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum lets visitors ride vintage locomotives through desert canyons while learning about the mining boom that shaped the region. In town, the Ely Renaissance Village showcases restored miner cabins and exhibits honoring the area’s diverse immigrant roots.
A short drive south, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park features six stone ovens built in the 1870s, now surrounded by hiking trails and mountain views. For lodging, the historic Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall offers old-school charm right in the center of Ely.
Tonopah
Tonopah sits halfway between Las Vegas and Reno. It is also where you will find one of the clearest night skies in the country. It began in 1900 when prospector Jim Butler discovered silver-rich ore, sparking a rush that turned the settlement into one of Nevada’s key mining centers. Visitors can explore that legacy at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, which covers more than 100 acres of preserved shafts, tunnels, and machinery from its boom years. Nearby, the Central Nevada Museum displays artifacts from the mining era and World War II aviation history tied to the Tonopah Air Base.
After dark, Tonopah becomes one of the best stargazing spots in the West. The Tonopah Stargazing Park offers open viewing areas and telescopes where visitors can see the Milky Way with the naked eye, thanks to minimal light pollution. For an overnight stay, the Mizpah Hotel, built in 1907, provides Victorian-inspired rooms and an atmosphere that reflects Tonopah’s mining heritage. Those who prefer something more unusual can book a themed room at the world-famous Clown Motel, one of Nevada’s quirkiest roadside attractions.
Nevada’s quieter destinations tell a different story from the one most travelers expect. Away from the neon glow of the Strip, places like Genoa, Ely, and Tonopah reveal how much life and color thrive in the state’s open spaces. Each community offers something distinct: hot springs surrounded by mountains, riverside trails, or main streets that still hum with local energy.
For travelers in 2025, these towns offer more than a change of scenery. They invite you to slow down, meet the people who keep Nevada’s heritage alive, and experience comfort in places where the landscape does most of the talking.
