Las Vegas, in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, is a resort city famed for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other entertainment options. Its main street and focal point is the Strip, just over 4 miles long. This boulevard is home to themed hotels with elaborate displays such as fountains synchronized to music as well as replicas of an Egyptian pyramid, the Venetian Grand Canal, and the Eiffel Tower.
The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its mega casino–hotels and associated activities. It is a top three destination in the United States for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations. The city’s tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, and music videos.
The most popular hotels in Las Vegas.
You can find Las Vegas hotels from the map with price range that matches with your travel budget.
Lake Tahoe is awesome! Beginning in late autumn and continuing through the winter and spring, the Sierra Nevada mountain region becomes a winter wonderland. Snow is measured in feet, not inches, and a normal winter will see accumulations of 30 to 40 feet in the higher elevations.
Winter can last up to six months in the mountains, which is great news for winter sports enthusiasts. The temperatures stay relatively mild, usually above freezing during the day and only dropping into the 20s at night. During most days, the sun shines and adds the perfect finishing touch to the ideal winter vacation.
One of the highest, largest, deepest, cleanest and coldest lakes in the world, 1000 foot deep Lake Tahoe is situated at a mile high elevation in an alpine bowl of forested granite peaks. The drive around the entire circumference of Lake Tahoe is 72 miles in length and takes about three hours. It is recommended during the summer months only. During the winter, Highway 89, which runs along the west shore and connects South Tahoe and Tahoe City closes when there is too much snow. A delightful alternative to driving around the lake is to view it from a paddle wheeler on a summer cruise.
The early-mid years of the 20th century saw tremendous building and deforestation in the Lake Tahoe area. The building boom was brought under control in the 1960’s, and 85% of the land is now protected from development. The undeveloped land is owned either by the state or federal governments, and has been turned into National Forests and State Parks, further enhancing the appeal of this spectacular place.
The Lake Tahoe region straddles the Nevada/California border. The state line cuts through the lake lengthwise, so that the western shore is in California; the eastern shore in Nevada and some properties situated north and south of the Lake are in both States. One such hotel even has a dotted line running through its rooms to indicate in which State occupants are located.
During normal snow years, many ski resorts are open by Thanksgiving and some even operate through July 4. As a result, summer visitors can ski in the morning and enjoy a pleasant afternoon of river rafting. During any lulls in snowfall, ski resorts make snow. Most resorts have installed sophisticated snowmaking equipment on a large percentage of their terrain.
The North and South Lake Tahoe areas have the greatest concentration of ski resorts in North America, with 15 alpine resorts and 12 cross-country resorts offering a wide range of terrain and level of expertise. For the novice skier or snowboarder, lessons are offered at most of the resorts.
Also offered are packages, which include rental equipment, maps, lift tickets or trail passes, along with lessons.
Other popular activities include sleigh rides, dog sled rides, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling in the fall, winter, and spring; and in the summer: golf, hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating, ballooning, and river rafting. Superb casino gaming and entertainment are available year round. The Olympic games and World Cup skiing have both been hosted by Lake Tahoe. It is a world-class destination.
The name Reno suggests casino gaming, celebrity performances, and 24 hour entertainment. High wire artists entertain nightly as do the country’s top comics. Guests can watch live elephants perform and can dance into the early morning hours to the beat of their favorite rock group.
A variety of activities are available around the clock, but the most spectacular events require no advance bookings. They are the sunrises and sunsets which are exhibited daily against the backdrop of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. The colors of the mountains and the sky are beyond description. They leave the viewer breathless with wonder, and with a feeling of exhilaration at the same time. Even the most ardent devotee of western films shot on location, is amazed at the first sight of the “real thing.” The camera lens has not been able to capture the essence of the profound beauty of these masterpieces of nature.
Exploring the Reno area takes patience of a kind that, once practiced, can yield tremendous benefits to the traveler. Much of our 21st century family travel involves attendance at mega attractions where the only thing standing between the visitor and a total assault on the senses via Imax, theme rides, and action figures is an hour or two of waiting in line for admission. The Reno experience is entirely different!
It begins with the approach to the city rising out of the desert. Prepare ahead of time for what will be a journey through land that was once at the bottom of an inland sea. Look around for the fertile farms, the snow capped mountain peaks, the lush valleys. Watch for the herds of wild horses and for the families of tortoises making their deliberate way. Stop at a park for a picnic and discover pines, firs, and wild strawberries. Enter into the spirit of the wild west by visiting Ponderosa Ranch in Incline Village and recalling the drama of episodes of the Bonanza TV show.
The main route across Nevada, I-80, runs from Salt Lake City to Reno, skirting dozens of small towns with names like Winnemucca, Elko, and Battle Mountain.
The other main route, US 50, is older and slower than I-80, but highly rated in terms of scenic beauty. It follows much the same route as did the riders of the Pony Express in the 1860s. Many of the towns along it have faded away, and some have been entirely abandoned. Yet, these pioneers made their mark, and the imagination is stirred by memories of their accomplishments. Take a day trip to Carson City, the state capitol of Nevada. There you will find the Nevada Railroad Museum. Visit the Stewart Indian Museum or take the walking tour and see all the historic buildings. There is a wide choice of restaurants and lots of shopping. US 50 comes into Carson City as Williams Street.
From there it joins I-80 at Reno, and then veers off to the southwest to circle magnificent Lake Tahoe. The view of Lake Tahoe as approached from the mountain is incredible! If peaceful sight-seeing is your desire, you might want to venture out for the 72 mile drive around Lake Tahoe. Summer is the best time for this, as snow blocks some of the roads at other times of the year. On the drive, the diversity of the area is apparent. Snow capped mountain ranges (some peaks are 14.000 feet high) rise above magnificent beaches, and enclaves of multi-million dollar homes. Lake Tahoe offers a variety of winter sports such as alpine skiing and snowboarding, ice skating, cross-country skiing and dog sled rides. There is horseback riding, gambling, cruises on Lake Tahoe, and a chance to ride the cable car to the top of Squaw Valley.
Virginia City, not far from Tahoe, is an unusual place, and still has some musty corners that evoke its heyday, when it was far larger and a history-making mining town. Virginia City is on the side of a mountain, and elevated, providing a great view of the desert and surrounding hills.
One last main route, US-95, links Reno and Las Vegas, passing near Death Valley as well as Nevada’s best known ghost town, Goldfield.
If you fly to Reno, a car won’t be necessary in town. Everything is within a few blocks as far as casinos go. The casinos on the outskirts of town have shuttle service every half hour at no charge. For fun for the whole family, take a trip to Circus Circus Midway Stage. Young and old alike get caught up in the excitement of the carnival style arcade at the Midway where there is a chance to win stuffed toy animals and other prizes at the more than 30 games available. Wild Island Family Adventure Park, has eight water adventures, two miniature golf courses and a variety of racetracks in its Formula K Raceway.
In order to take advantage of the many outlet stores and do a little sightseeing around the area, rent a car for a day or two and explore. Reno is a beautiful city with much to see and do. It extends out toward the smaller city of Sparks. Reno and Sparks are one continuous urban area, but Sparks has its own separate character. Established in 1901 as a railroad maintenance depot, residents and businesses of Victorian Square in Sparks have created a turn-of-the century atmosphere with Victorian storefronts and a gazebo highlighting an entire area of shops, casinos and restaurants for visitors who enjoy the old time appeal.
The recent census reported an increase of over 23 percent in the population of Reno in the last ten years! The Biggest Little City in the World is, understandably, continuing to grow.
Since Reno and Sparks get much less snow than the Lake Tahoe Basin (usually not more than a total of two feet for the whole winter season), it’s not unusual to play golf in Reno or Sparks and ski in the nearby mountains in the same day.
Today Reno is considered by many to be America’s most complete vacation destination. The area’s unique combination of indoor and outdoor attractions draws visitors from around the world.
