Feature

So you’re in Reno and want to get acquainted with the city: where should you start? Consider this walking tour a primer for exploring the city. Beginning next to the neon and nightlife of downtown, you’ll end your walk on a bohemian street where locals shop and dine. Along the way, discover a post office-turned-indie mall, a riverside restaurant on Reno’s most historic site, and one of the town’s earliest buildings. We begin just south of the Truckee River right after crossing the bridge on Virginia Street. 

Just like superheroes, every town’s name has an origin story. Some are straightforward: Mesquite is named for a tree found in the region; Carson City is named after the pioneer Kit Carson. For others, the tale has a little more to it: Yerington, for example, was originally called Greenfield, but had to be renamed when the postal service said there were already too many towns called that. Here's a look at other towns where the story is disputed, steeped in legend, or just downright fun.  

Nevada’s parks celebrate the Great Basin's natural and human history, and for this issue, we’re zeroing in on ones that tell the story of the state from prehistory to today. Get ready for a trek through time; along the way you’ll meet ancient reptiles, tour military forts, and hang out in pioneer pit stops.

Spring break. The phrase conjures many thoughts, but for parents it’s one simple question— where should we take the kids? The weather can be mercurial, much like the kids’ moods, but staying home is just not an option. Across the Silver State, spring break can be celebrated indoors and out, with adventures both near and far. Here are just a few. 

On a cold October day in 1881, four men approached a group of cowboys gathered in an alley. These four represented the law in Tombstone, Arizona: City Marshal Virgil Earp, his brothers Wyatt and Morgan, and Doc Holliday. Reports of what happened next run the gamut from massacre to a fair fight, but 30 seconds later, three cowboys were dead and the West’s most famous shootout at the O.K. Corral entered the history books—guaranteeing posterity would know the names Virgil and Wyatt Earp.

Until 2020, I don’t think there was ever a year that I didn't go to Pyramid Lake. That means, for 54 years, no matter where I lived, I made sure to get to my favorite lake at least once a year. My parents started taking me to Pyramid when I was just a baby, and today, I take my grandchildren there. I think I have the lake’s dirt in my blood, and I know I have it in my soul. 

Sometimes, to know the heart of a town, you need to look from the outside in. Staring down into the town of Ely, located in the state’s northeastern region, I see the requisite historical buildings that dot Nevada. I see the intense landscape that flanks the area, mostly the verdant and hardy scrub brush that thrives in the clear, dry air, and the towering Egan and Schell Creek mountain ranges that soar high above the town which itself sits at more than 6,500 feet elevation.

When many people think Nevada, they often think Las Vegas. While this lively and entertaining city is one of Nevada’s most popular destinations, it’s not all about the lights, slots, and urban attractions. Las Vegas is environed by myriad landscapes, many of which are less than an hour’s drive from the metropolis. These simple and spontaneous trips are perfect for quenching the thirst for adventure, no matter if you’re a novice explorer or a veteran wayfarer.                 Whether seeking snow-covered peaks, rugged mountain terrain, or a stunning river expedition, some exhilarating experiences near Las Vegas await. Perfect for a full- or half-day adventure, these micro-adventures offer ideas for getting out and enjoying some of Nevada’s wonders without spending too much time planning or getting there.