Buzz
While Nevada is renowned for its extravagant entertainment and lenient gambling regulations, the state offers much more than just Reno and Las Vegas. Scattered across the Silver State are unique desert attractions, making it one of the most surprisingly quirky destinations in the U.S. Discover some of the most extraordinary and otherworldly experiences Nevada has to offer.
10. Dine at a Genuine Old-West Saloon
Here’s your chance to step into the shoes of a Wild West adventurer.
The Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada, holds the title of the oldest operational saloon in the state. Its original tin walls and ceilings, dating back to 1913, transport visitors to an era reminiscent of classic cowboy tales.
Legend has it that actor Clark Gable spent three consecutive days drowning his sorrows at the saloon, awaiting news about his wife, Carole Lombard, who tragically perished in a plane crash nearby. Lombard’s spirit is said to linger in the saloon, eternally searching for her beloved.
More than just a spot for dining and spirits, the Pioneer Saloon doubles as a small museum, showcasing relics from Goodsprings’ historic past.
9. Track Time at Ryanhendge
Ryan Williams, CEO of Western Elite Landfill in Alamo, Nevada, channeled his lifelong fascination with the stars into creating a personal solar calendar. Situated over an hour from Vegas, away from the city’s neon glare, Williams’ landfill now features a Stonehenge-inspired sundial, a labyrinth, and even a chessboard.
The celestial map aligns with the 21st of each month, a nod to Williams’ birthday on December 21. This unique attraction, which took over a decade to build, also incorporates yin-yang symbols, Latin inscriptions, and other motifs designed to inspire relaxation and reflection.
And, naturally, there are a few extraterrestrial elements scattered around, ensuring you can boast to your friends about having a genuinely out-of-this-world adventure.
8. Operate Heavy Construction Machinery
Who hasn’t dreamed of taking the wheel of a bulldozer and discovering what it can do?
Thanks to Ed Mumm, the founder of Dig This Las Vegas, that dream can now become a reality. Mumm discovered the joy of operating an excavator while building his home and believed it was an experience everyone should enjoy, as nothing like it existed elsewhere.
This unique construction-themed park lets visitors choose between bulldozers and hydraulic excavators, then head out into the Nevada desert to dig trenches, create dirt mounds, or participate in challenges like moving tires and basketballs.
It’s all the excitement of working in construction, minus the paycheck. But if that’s your idea of fun, go for it!
7. Mail a Letter to Extraterrestrials
When Nevada comes to mind, so do aliens. The state is famously linked to extraterrestrial activity due to reported UFO sightings and the mysterious Area 51, a classified government area rumored to house alien life (more on that later).
If you can’t spot any aliens, don’t worry—you can still reach out to them. Located between Alamo and Rachel is a mailbox labeled “Steve Medlin,” owned by a local rancher. Over time, its closeness to Area 51 has drawn UFO enthusiasts and adventurers, leading Medlin to install a smaller black mailbox nearby for people to send (or possibly receive) messages from beyond our world.
6. Add a Unique Stamp to Your Passport
Have you ever pondered what it takes to create a nation from scratch? According to Kevin Baugh, it’s all about determination.
In 1998, Baugh purchased 11 acres of land in Dayton, Nevada, and declared it the independent Republic of Molossia. Baugh serves as the president (officially titled: His Excellency President Grand Admiral Colonel Doctor Kevin Baugh, President and Raïs of Molossia, Protector of the Nation and Guardian of the People), with his wife as the First Lady and his daughter as the Chief Constable.
Baugh opens his micronation to tourists, but visitors must leave certain items behind—spinach and onions are strictly prohibited. The reason? Simply because Baugh dislikes them.
Breaking the rules could land you in the micronation’s jail, which, along with its post office, bank, and space force, is entirely managed by Baugh. Although Molossia isn’t recognized by the United Nations or any global authority, visitors can still get their passports stamped. Don’t forget to try the national drink, the Molossolini—a Shirley Temple enhanced with pineapple juice and fruit.
5. Scale the Heights of Mount Tikaboo
Roughly 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Las Vegas lies a section of the Nevada desert encircled by barbed wire, electric fences, “no trespassing” signs, and armed patrols.
The Nevada Test and Training Range, commonly referred to as Area 51, has been a focal point of extraterrestrial theories for decades. Reports of strange aerial phenomena date back to the 1950s, but public fascination skyrocketed in 1989 when a man alleging to be a former Area 51 employee claimed he worked on reverse-engineering alien technology.
While there’s substantial evidence suggesting Bob Lazar, the man in question, may not be truthful, it hardly diminishes the intrigue. Area 51, and by extension Nevada, has become inextricably linked to aliens and the supernatural.
Visiting Area 51 itself is off-limits unless you’re prepared to face lethal consequences (warning signs around the perimeter make this clear). However, Tikaboo Peak, a nearby mountain, provides a distant glimpse of the site. It has become a hotspot for those hoping to catch a legal, albeit remote, view of potential extraterrestrial activity.
4. Explore the World of The Simpsons
While constructing a full-scale replica of the house from the iconic adult cartoon The Simpsons is strange enough, the tale behind its creation is even more bizarre.
In 1997, as part of a promotional campaign for the eight-year-old sitcom, Fox and Pepsi collaborated to raffle off a life-sized version of the Simpsons’ home. Designers meticulously studied over 100 hours of the show to ensure every room was accurate, capturing even the smallest architectural quirks and wallpaper shades. The vibrant pink walls and orange couch transported visitors straight into the fictional town of Springfield, despite the house being located in Henderson, Nevada.
Unfortunately, the raffle winner, a Kentucky resident, declined to move and chose the $75,000 cash prize instead, leaving the house vacant. Its quirky layout and unconventional decor, combined with its location in an otherwise ordinary Las Vegas suburb, made it difficult to sell. Only after repainting the house in neutral beige tones did it finally find a buyer. Today, it blends in with the neighborhood but still retains the original design of the beloved cartoon family’s home.
3. Spend the Night at the Clown Motel
If clowns terrify you, steer clear of Tonopah, Nevada.
The Clown Motel was established in 1985 by Leona and Leroy David, inspired by their father’s passion for clown collectibles, which they showcased in the motel’s lobby. Although the motel has changed hands twice since then, each new owner has agreed to keep the clown museum intact.
Guests can choose between standard rooms or clown-themed accommodations. The motel requires visitors to acknowledge that they may experience “interaction with spiritual or unexplained phenomena” and clarifies that it “will not be responsible for any injuries, property damage, emotional distress, or other harm caused by such occurrences.”
Even if clowns don’t unsettle you, the adjacent Old Tonopah Cemetery is sure to give you chills.
2. Visit the McFarthest Spot
No matter where you are in the U.S. (or much of the world), you’re usually within reach of a McDonald’s meal. However, that’s not the case in Tonopah, Nevada, famously known as the McFarthest spot.
Tonopah holds the distinction of being 120 miles (193 kilometers) from the closest McDonald’s, making it the most remote spot in the contiguous U.S. from the fast-food giant. South Dakota previously held this title until 2014, when Tonopah’s sole McDonald’s shut down for undisclosed reasons—though its dismal 1.6 Yelp rating might offer some clues as to why the town is now McDonald’s-free.
1. Travel Along America’s Loneliest Road
In 1986, Life Magazine famously labeled Nevada’s portion of U.S. Route 50 as the “Loneliest Road in America.” While the article criticized the highway for being “totally empty” and lacking “points of interest,” Nevada embraced the title. Today, the nickname appears on official road signs, and travelers can purchase “survival guides” for sections of the route that Life warned should only be attempted by those with strong survival skills.
Though U.S. Route 50 spans over 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) from Maryland to California, the 408-mile (656-kilometer) Nevada stretch is notably desolate. Beyond Carson City, the largest town along the route is Ely, home to fewer than 4,000 residents. The highway also passes through near-ghost towns that once thrived as mining hubs or Pony Express stops, many of which still feature authentic Wild West saloons and other peculiar attractions.
