Spotlight

Millions of years of geological activity have made Nevada the perfect place for mining gold and other precious minerals. They have also formed countless rockhounding sites loaded with unimaginable diversity. Getting down—and maybe dirty—in the hills of Nevada is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most rewarding pastimes you’ll ever find.

In a time when hand-held technology becomes outdated almost before it hits the shelf, it seems nothing is made to last. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience something so well made it has lasted for generations? Along with great quality, items such as a hand-crafted oak table or a vintage Lionel train set can stir nostalgic feelings and harken back to an earlier time. If an antique road trip speaks to you, treasures such as these can be found at antique and collectible stores in northern Nevada.

Alicia Barber, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, historian, and consultant. She is the author of “Reno’s Big Gamble: Image and Reputation in the Biggest Little City.”

Whether you’ve got the whole fam in tow or have your sights set on a romantic getaway for two, embark on a boating tour along some of the country’s most famous waterways.

North, south, and almost everywhere in between, distilleries have popped up across the Silver State's landscape. Craft cocktail connoisseurs have carved their own niche out of this trendy pastime, and each has a uniquely Nevada story to tell.