These 11 Towns In Nevada Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
Off the dusty highways of the Silver State are small towns that are quickly becoming America’s favorites for 2025. You may think that outside the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, there isn’t much to see in Nevada, but you would be wrong! It is where you can sit in on a cowboy poetry reading in Elko, or climb aboard a vintage railcar for a trip through the mountains in Ely. From the fresh mountain air of Winnemucca and its darling little diners to the dark skies of Tonopah, these towns capture the heart of Nevada.
Winnemucca
In the high desert region of the Great Basin of northwestern Nevada, is the small community of Winnemucca. It has an old western feel, with a colorful downtown district that lies in the shade of the Sonoma and Santa Rosa Mountains. Its small-town feel has a unique 1950s vibe, where you can visit retro diners like The Griddle for a short stack and hot coffee to start your day right.
What makes Winnemucca unique is the Winnemucca Sand Dunes just north of town. The sand dunes stretch out for 40 miles with snow-capped mountains towering in the distance. You can walk the sand waves to take stunning photos, or bring your ATV to ride them! If you prefer more greenery, the Water Canyon Recreation Area is another popular place to visit. It is found southeast of town along the banks of Whites Creek, and offers shaded forested trails and great bird watching opportunities.
Eureka
Like many Nevada towns, Eureka was once a thriving mining district. Unlike so many mining towns that were abandoned and forgotten, Eureka protected its classic mining-era architecture, making it one of the best-preserved mining towns in the country. A great example of its well-maintained buildings that harken back to its roots is the Eureka County Opera House. The opera house opened its doors in 1880 and hosts community-wide conventions and theater productions within the massive hall.
Another great example of perfectly maintained buildings in Eureka, and a place to learn more about its past, is the Eureka Sentinel Museum. Once the town newspaper’s headquarters, the building now operates as a free museum with exhibits detailing the old newspaper, as well as a replicated school room, Victorian parlor, and kitchen on the second floor. If you love walking through old ghost towns in the desert, Ruby Hill is worth a visit. There you will find abandoned water towers, ruins of old cabins, and old mine shafts. It is a great place to take in the sights of the desert in the eerie remains of a once-bustling mining community.
Boulder City
Boulder City may be about 25 miles from the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, but it’s nothing like its flashy cousin. It’s one of the few towns in Nevada that bans gambling, making it one of the calmer, more family-friendly cities in the state. Boulder City is the gateway to the Hoover Dam, one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. To earn the best views, there is a lookout of the dam and the Colorado River. At the base of the dam is the eerie Hoover Dam Boneyard, where much of the construction equipment was abandoned after the dam was completed in the 1930s.
But there is more to Boulder City than just seeing the Hoover Dam! It’s a quiet, peaceful community with quaint museums like the Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City and antique stores. For a day under the Nevada sun, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a five-minute drive east of downtown. It is a beautiful retreat where you can relax along its rocky shores or go for a swim, where the waters are crystal clear and there are carved cliffs in the distance.
Elko
Far off the beaten path in northeastern Nevada is the small community of Elko, the ‘Heart of Cowboy Country.' To take a step back into the past in Elko, the Western Folklife Center is a must-see. It has artifacts and exhibits reflecting the old cowboy ways in Elko, but its real claim to fame is the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering! Every January, cowboy poets and musicians meet at the center to celebrate the old world traditions of cowboy culture through songs, storytelling, and poetry.
The community is also about a 30-minute drive to the entrance of the Ruby Mountains Wilderness. The drive, which takes you along the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, is almost as beautiful as the mountains. The trails in the Ruby Mountains are some of the most breathtaking views in the state, with calm lakes, snow-kissed mountains, and trails that bloom with fragrant wildflowers in the summer.
Tonopah
In south-central Nevada, you will find the hidden gem of Tonopah. It is a little quirky, undeniably beautiful, and embodies the essence of the Old West through a modern perspective. There are beloved local hotels that border on the absurd, like the Clown Motel, where you stay in a clown-themed room situated next to an old, abandoned graveyard. Tonopah was once a booming mining town, and there are old relics of its mining past, centrally located downtown. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is a great place to explore the ruins of an old mining camp in its open-air museum.
While it’s silly motels and eerie mining camp ruins add to the charm of Tonopah, the biggest draw to the town happens once the sun goes down! The night sky in Tonopah is incredibly dark, offering amazing stargazing opportunities. In most US cities, you can see up to 50 stars in the night sky. In Tonopah, you can see up to 7,000! The Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park provides the best views of the stars (and even the Milky Way) in the state. Far from the lights of the city, the park has a paved viewing area with benches and picnic tables, perfect for a picnic under the stars.
Genoa
East of Lake Tahoe, not too far from the California border, is the small retreat of Genoa, one of Nevada’s oldest towns. Once a trading post for travelers on the California Trail, it is now an idyllic retreat that blends its old-world cowboy charm with the natural beauty of the area. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, there is always a breathtaking hiking trail or park right outside the city limits, like the Sierra Canyon Trailhead. As a part of the larger Genoa Trail System, the trail cuts through fragrant pine forests, creeks, and mountain peaks.
The beauty surrounding Genoa is fantastic, but its downtown district has an undeniable charm you won’t find anywhere else. The Pink House is a local legend in Genoa, a small house built in 1855, where you can enjoy a meal in a homey setting, and it often hosts live music from local musicians. Genoa is also where you will find Nevada’s oldest bar, the Genoa Bar and Saloon. The saloon is famous for its Bloody Marys, and authentic 1800s decor (down to the table and chairs!)
Incline Village
On the northern shores of Lake Tahoe in western Nevada is the hidden gem of Incline Village. Famous for its breathtaking lake views, rugged hiking trails, and cozy downtown district, it is no wonder it’s one of America’s favorite small towns. Incline Village feels like a beachy retreat in the middle of the desert, where you can relax along the sandy shores of Lake Tahoe at Burnt Cedar Beach or Hidden Beach Plaza. Or if you prefer to explore the lake on foot, there are fantastic hiking trails that trace the water, like the paved Tahoe East Shore Trail.
Incline Village’s biggest claim to fame is the Grand Lodge Casino at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. It seamlessly blends the bright lights of a casino with beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and rustic mountain lodge decor. You can enjoy a meal with a stunning view at one of their four on-site restaurants, or test your luck at their slot machines, table games, or live poker.
Mesquite
Near the Nevada-Arizona border is the community of Mesquite, nestled in the Mojave Desert. Like an oasis in the desert, there is adventure and beautiful views of the mountains around every corner. If you are an avid golfer, Mesquite has some of the best courses in the country, like the Conestoga Golf Club, where you can golf under wide open desert skies with towering mountains kissing the horizon in the distance.
Mesquite has an undeniable charm, as if it’s trapped in the 1950s in all the best ways. There are kitschy diners like Peggy Sue's 50's Style Diner, serving up American classics in a vintage setting. Mesquite is also known for its casinos! There are quite a few in town, like the CasaBlanca Resort, Casino, Golf, and Spa, or the Eureka Casino Resort. They are much smaller and cozier than casinos in the bigger cities, and bring a small-town charm to the area. The casinos are a great way to test your luck without dealing with big crowds, making Mesquite a lovely retreat that is never boring!
Ely
Visiting Ely feels like stepping back in time. Located in eastern Nevada near the Great Basin National Park, it has the heart and soul of the Old West. It is where you can go for a ride on a classic train car at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, which takes you through the mountains of the Great Basin. In the heart of Ely is the Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, which looks like something right out of a movie set. Built in 1929, it was operated as a hotel for a few years until Nevada legalized gambling in the early 1930s. Today, it's like a mini Las Vegas, adorned with neon lights outside and a vibrant casino waiting inside.
While exploring the Great Basin National Park is a great way to admire the natural scenery of Ely, the Ward Charcoal Ovens offer something just a little different than sweeping mountain views. Found within the dense forest area of the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, visitors can see six beehive-shaped ovens that date back to 1876. They were used to process silver mined in the area, and now stand alone in the vibrant forests of the park.
Minden
East of Lake Tahoe in western Nevada is Minden, hidden in the shade of the Carson Valley. In the early 1900s, Minden was a ranching town, and many of its original structures still exist today in its historic downtown district. There is no better way to experience the old racing days of Minden than visiting the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park. It once operated as a working ranch in the early 1900s, and now operates as a museum and park with manicured gardens amidst the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Minden is a place where you can stop by the Minden Meat and Deli to shop for specialty meats or try one of their famous tri-tip sandwiches. There is an outdoor theater with the distant mountains as a supporting character at TJ’s Corral Outdoor Events Center, and small-time casinos to play the slots in the evening, like the Carson Valley Inn Casino. With a wide variety of beautiful parks and friendly community charm, it is no wonder Minden is one of America’s favorites!
Laughlin
On the Nevada/Arizona border, separated by the Colorado River, is Laughlin, a hidden retreat that blends bright lights and natural beauty into one tiny package. The city is quite small, with a population under 10,000, but there are high-end resorts like the Edgewater Casino Resort settled along the banks of the Colorado River. The Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel and Casino is another hidden treasure in Laughlin, with Vegas-style gaming, live shows, and concerts. Plus, it is within walking distance to the lovely Laughlin Riverwalk.
Think of Laughlin like a mini-Las Vegas. It has all the bright lights and exciting casinos, without the traffic and crowds. Since Laughlin is located within the Mojave Desert, it is surrounded by natural beauty and fantastic parks when you need a little sunshine and fresh air. The Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park is right outside central Laughlin and provides paved pathways that trace the river, an overlook trail that leads to the Davis Dam, and scenic trails that take you into the desert.
Explore Nevada’s Most Beloved Small Towns
From casinos to snow-capped mountains, Nevada’s small towns have a unique charm. There is always something to discover in these hidden hamlets, from haunted clown hotels in Tonopah to quiet beaches along Lake Tahoe in Incline Village. If you long for the opulence of Vegas without the traffic, Laughlin is a great place to play the slots, take in a show, and still have time to hike a riverside trail. No matter what brings you to the Silver State, you will soon learn why these small towns have captured America’s heart in 2025!
