9 Best Towns In Nevada For A Two-Day Recharge
A real recharge does not need a week or a plane ticket, and Nevada is proof. The distances between its towns are short enough that two days off can still feel like a genuine break, yet the towns themselves sit far enough from the noise of the Strip that the weekend actually resets you. That is the quiet advantage of a state this open: a Friday drive lands you somewhere with hot springs, dark skies, or a mine tunnel to walk, and you are back home by Sunday night without the travel hangover. Some of these Nevada towns trade on mountains, others on mining-boom history or a lakeshore, but each one is built for the same thing. Here are nine that make the most of a two-day escape.
Elko
Out at the Ruby Valley of Northeastern Nevada, some 230 miles west of Salt Lake City (Utah), lies the free-spirited cowboy town of Elko. Downtown, visitors can stop at the Western Folklife Center to see some authentic Western art on display at the Wiegand Gallery, enjoy some American folk music on select nights, and catch the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January. For another taste of local life, The Star Hotel is just a few blocks away, and they serve some of the region's best Basque-American cuisine. Moving west, the California Trail Interpretive Center is worth the trek for any history buffs wanting to learn more about the nearly 250,000 pioneers who took this westward journey across the mid-1800s, and about the Native American indigenous communities who have called this land home for many thousands of years. And for those wanting to escape into the wilderness, it's a short drive south to the verdant wonderland of the Ruby Mountains Wilderness that's often hailed as the "Swiss Alps of Nevada."
After a long day of exploring the vast open wilderness or the vibrant heart of town, guests can retreat to the cozy confines of Shutters Hotel Elko and their stylish selection of contemporary rooms and suites. Also on property, guests can take advantage of their swimming pool, fitness center, and Burger House restaurant (that's open Monday through Friday).
Ely
Originally founded as a Pony Express stagecoach station, Ely now serves as a welcoming hub for many of Eastern Nevada's most amazing attractions. For one, it's within reach of Great Basin National Park, and it's a must see-and-do for anyone wanting to walk amongst ancient bristlecone pines, reach the dazzling heights of Wheeler Peak (at 13,065 feet above sea level), and step into the great depths of the state's largest cave system (at Lehman Caves). Even closer to town is Cave Lake State Park, a magnificent space to go hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and stargazing in the high desert. To the south, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park provides a glimpse into Ely's mining heritage with six vintage charcoal kilns that rise above the desert floor, and the nearby Ward Mountain Recreation Area has about 20 miles of trail open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Back in town, Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall makes a convenient and comfortable "base camp" for exploring all around White Pine County. Not only do they have a newly remodeled casino floor open for 24-hour gaming, but also AAA Four Diamond award-winning accommodations and Mexican-American steakhouse fare at Margaritas restaurant.
Austin
The stretch of U.S. Route 50 that runs through Nevada is often called "The Loneliest Road in America" due to the abundance of wide open spaces all around, and perhaps there's no better town to experience the majesty of Nevada's vast desert wilderness than Austin. To the east, travelers will find 10,000 year-old indigenous-made petroglyphs at Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, and they can view ancient yet colorful Western Shoshone pictographs at Toquima Cave Campground. Turning south, the Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail ventures just over 62 miles into one of the state's highest, longest, and most pristine mountain ranges. And from town, explorers on two wheels can hit the Austin Mountain Bike Trail Network, which has seven interconnected loops adding up to 87 miles of mountain bike paths.
Whether one comes to Austin for the Native American history, a mountain biking trip, or simply a quiet weekend away from it all, Magnolia Gallery & Inn makes a restful place to land. Originally built as a brothel in 1864, Magnolia now offers comfortable guest quarters furnished with 20th century antiques and set in a reassuringly safe environment.
Virginia City
Up in the Virginia Range, some 16 miles northeast of Carson City, is the storied town of Virginia City and its wealth of early Nevada history. The 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode turned Virginia City into one of the American West's most lucrative silver mining towns, and the Ponderosa Saloon & Mine Tour takes visitors deep into the heyday of the area's silver mining operations in the 1860s. Meanwhile, the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum provides a comprehensive above-ground view of life in Virginia City inside one of the area's last four-story Victorian Era wooden schoolhouses. Additional historic highlights include the grand and well-preserved Mackay Mansion Museum, as well as the "haunted saloon" at The Washoe Club & Haunted Museum that's been featured on TV shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures.
Staying in town, the Tahoe House Hotel has been operating since 1859, and the guest list includes legendary figures like Samuel Clemens (who later wrote as Mark Twain). While the guest rooms maintain much of their historic character today, they also come with more up-to-date amenities like private bathrooms, wireless internet, and spa-style bath products.
Incline Village
Just 37 miles southwest of Reno, travelers can escape to Incline Village, a dazzling town on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Speaking of the lake, it's a short drive south to Sand Harbor State Park for some of the region's clearest beaches and ample opportunities to go boating, paddling, swimming, and fishing during the warmer months. Then, for folks wanting to explore the Sierra Nevada backcountry, the Incline Flume Trail is a well-marked and maintained path for hiking and mountain biking some 2,500 feet above the lakeshore. And for anyone seeking a more easygoing day on the greens, they can take their pick of Nevada's highest-elevation 18-hole golf course at Incline Village Mountain Golf Course, and the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed par-72 Incline Village Championship Golf Course.
To complete the perfect Incline Village weekend, visitors can stay at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino right by the lake. The resort's newly refreshed rooms and suites come with sweet amenities like pillowtop mattresses, 65-inch HDTVs with premium cable channels, iHome stereos, and in-room coffee makers, and resort guests can take advantage of additional on-site features like the Stillwater Spa, the Grand Lodge Casino, and the Osteria Sierra and Cutthroat's Saloon restaurants.
Hawthorne
Often hailed as "America's Patriotic Home" thanks to the region's robust military presence, Hawthorne is a town that overflows in classic American heritage and scenery. In town, the Hawthorne Ordnance Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of inert missiles, bombs, rockets, and nuclear weapons. A few steps away, the Mineral County Museum showcases more relics and artifacts from the region's past, including Victorian Era furniture, horse-drawn carriages, vintage mining and railroad equipment, and even 19th century mission bells. Then, to the north of town, Walker Lake Recreation Area is a high desert oasis for summertime swimming, boating, and camping. And a little farther north, the Walker River State Recreation Area is a 12,856-acre preserve that's ideal for trout fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife watching.
Once folks are ready to take it easy, Hawthorne's Best Inn really lives up to its name. Conveniently located near U.S. 95, the hotel keeps travelers close to many of the region's top attractions, yet it's also a perfect place to find respite with clean and comfortable guest accommodations, ADA accessible rooms available, free coffee in the lobby, and fast wifi internet on property.
Panaca
Founded as a Mormon farming community in 1864, Panaca is Eastern Nevada's oldest surviving town, and it's one that sits by a vast wonderland of natural treasures formed by prehistoric erosion. That wonderland is Cathedral Gorge State Park, the site of a Pliocene Era freshwater lake that's evolved over the past five million years into a nearly 1,800-acre preserve full of slot canyons, spires, hoodoos, and other bentonite clay rock formations. A little farther out, Echo Canyon State Park is a secluded area and surprisingly satisfying park for boating, swimming, fishing, and spotting native wildlife like cottontail rabbits, coyotes, mallards, and herons. Shifting south, Kershaw-Ryan State Park flows in natural cold springs that nourish in lush wild rose gardens and fruit orchards. And right at the edge of town, Panaca Warm Springs has crystal-clear water that's ideal for a family-friendly swimming outing.
Near the warm springs and the state park, Swallow Cove Bed & Breakfast offers two rooms fully equipped with king beds and private bathrooms with showers, along with two larger spaces that sleep up to six people (each).
Mesquite
Set in the Virgin Valley of Southern Nevada, around 39 miles southwest of St. George (Utah), Mesquite offers seemingly endless options for wonderful weekend adventures. For one, this town sits at the foot of Gold Butte National Monument, a nearly 300,000-acre expanse of spectacular Mojave Desert wilderness, colorful sandstone red rock formations, ancient indigenous-made petroglyphs, and the remains of one of the region's most lucrative gold mines in the early 20th century. Meanwhile, in town, folks can also get active and tee off at Wolf Creek Golf Club, an award-winning 18-hole and par-72 course surrounded by gorgeous red rock scenery. And downtown, there's even more to see and do, including the historic displays at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum and the captivating creations at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center.
For more fun and games, Eureka Casino Resort has a full floor of new and up-to-date slot machines, video poker, and table games, along with a showroom that regularly hosts live music and stand-up comedy performances. In addition, the resort has sleek and stylish guest rooms, multiple restaurants on property, and a beautiful outdoor pool complex.
Mount Charleston
Perched over 5,000 feet above the Las Vegas Valley, yet only 43 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, Mount Charleston makes for a very heavenly mountain retreat near Las Vegas. From town, visitors can hop on the Cathedral Rock Trail and enjoy open views of ponderosa pine and white fir forest, the cascade at Mary Jane Falls, and the towering Charleston Peak. Then, for hikers wanting a much more advanced path, they can take the Charleston Peak South Trail to reach the 11,916-foot summit at Charleston Peak. And for anyone wanting an easier time on the mountain, Kyle Canyon Picnic Area has 25 first-come/first-serve sites to spread out and relax by Kyle Canyon wash, while Lee Canyon Ski Resort opens in the summer season for mountain biking, scenic lift rides, and weekend concerts.
For anyone seeking to stay on the mountain overnight, Mount Charleston Lodge has cabins equipped with gas fireplaces, coffee machines, mini-fridges, DirectTV, private balconies, and full spa-style bathrooms with jetted tubs.
Recharge And Feel Renewed At These Wonderful Nevada Towns
Nevada packs a lot into a two-day window. Out in Elko, travelers can find the real stories behind the cowboy lore at the Western Folklife Center, along with the majestic landscapes of Lamoille Canyon and the Ruby Mountains. Heading down to Ely, folks can enjoy the dramatic scenery of Great Basin National Park and Cave Lake State Park. Meanwhile, within easy reach of Reno are the historic mining town of Virginia City and the Lake Tahoe resort town of Incline Village. And within a short drive of Las Vegas, visitors can reach the golf-and-desert town of Mesquite and Gold Butte National Monument, as well as the mountain town of Mount Charleston.
With this much to reach in a weekend, the hard part is stopping at two days.
