Scott Smith - Moon Nevada

Artists Drive in Death Valley.

Nevada is no pushover. Its geography, history, and culture will challenge you to reconsider your sensibilities, push your limits, and press your luck.

The Silver State is still a frontier setting, straddling the line between the rough-hewn and the sophisticated, always with one foot planted firmly in the past, but ever poised to take the next step forward. The independent spirit found in the Native Americans respect for the land, the pioneers sense of adventure, the prospectors optimism, and the immigrant Basques industriousness still abides here. Theres also an air of anticipation... that something exciting will happen on the next roll of the dice, with the next cast of your trusty fly rod, or around the next curve on the Loneliest Road in America.

To discover Nevada is to embrace its idiosyncrasies and incongruities: the urbanity of Las Vegas balanced by Fallons agrarian idyll; the forbidding barrenness of the desert counterpointed by fruit trees and grapevines. While cowboy conservatism is prevalent in much of the state, Nevada remains the only place in the country where not only gambling but also rural prostitution and recreational marijuana are both legal and vital to the economy.

Bellagio Conservatory in Las Vegas

Alien Research Center in Hiko

Heavenly Mountain Resort overlooking Lake Tahoe

Theres plenty of opportunity for vice and consumption in Nevada, but theres more to it than bright lights and unchecked hedonism. Dance along with the neon on the Las Vegas Strip, Renos casino row, and the main street of just about any Nevada town big enough to have a stoplight. But far from the neon jungle, you will find some of the darkest skies in the United States, perfect for gazing at the stars. Plunge deep into Nevadas backcountry to explore hundreds of river tributaries where you can cast a fly, battle your own rainbow, and celebrate victory with a hard-won meal grilled over a campfire. Experience homespun pleasures like farmers markets, local art shows, and balloon festivals.

The Vegas Strip, Reno, and Lake Tahoe shine like nuggets in a gold pan, but Nevadas real treasures lie just below the surface. And like the miners of the past, you too will be rewarded if youre willing to dig a little.

entrance to Boulder Citys historic downtown

Cathedral Gorge State Park.

Goldwell Open Air Museum near Rhyolite

Las Vegas Glitz: Think flashing neon, luxury resorts, and feathered showgirls. It doesnt get any glitzier than Vegas (

Outdoor Recreation in Tahoe: Surrounded by majestic peaks, this bluest of lakes makes the ideal setting for hiking, camping, and of course, skiing ().

Fun in Reno: Even beyond the slot machines, cocktails, and floor shows, Reno offers serious fun, including the Truckee Riverwalk and an emerging art scene (

Scenic Drives: Nevada was made for road trips, from the Loneliest Road ().

Otherworldly Landscapes: Explore lunar craters, valleys of death, and eerily quiet prairies beneath star-strewn blackness. Choose the Black Rock Desert ()or all of the above.

Wild West History: Relive the Gold Rush era with visits to ghost towns ().

Hot Springs: Relax and rejuvenate with a natural mineral bath ().

Ruby Mountains: Nevada is filled with gorgeous landscapes, but this series of 10,000-foot peaks may be its most stunning backdrop ().