Editorial credit: Claudine Van Massenhove / Tonopah Courthouse with dome in its neighborhood seen from Historic Mining Park in Tonopah, Nevada. The "normal" extremely popular activities in Rachel include geocaching and the 28,000-acre Mount Irish Wilderness Area that offers fantastic hikes with wondrous limestone formations and bighorn sheep. The streets brim with evidence-capturing devices and themed shops with alien souvenirs for a little charm to bring back home. The town's Little A'Le'Inn hotel and restaurant with a "Welcome Earthlings" sign is a hub for chasers of paranormal activity. Rachel is set proximately to Area 51, where many claim to feel transported into another realm with an eerie vibe. It is home to only 75 residents, along with fleets of nationwide tourists who hope to find luck and spot a UFO.
The town is renowned for otherworldly attractions, with features in TV shows, movies, and even a game. There is a local cemetery and a memorial park honoring baby Rachel. The town was founded recently in 1973, and named after a child who was born in the valley and died too soon in 1980. Rachel is set off Nevada Highway 375, known as the Extraterrestrial Highway.
Rachel Little A'Le' Inn hotel in Rachel, Nevada. The acres of scenery provide for the best fresh-air picnics and seasonal events during fall for an imminent visit. At the heart of Minden, there's the atmospheric Minden Park with a bandstand and gazebo surrounded by lush greenery. The local inn from the early 1900s hosted many Hollywood starlets who fell in love with the unique in-town vibe like nowhere else. Minden is an idyllically charming town within Carson Valley that is thoroughly enjoyed by tourists from all walks of life.
The quaint town is full of old- Americana charm, wander-worthy historic downtown area, and streets full of centuries-old houses and brick buildings. It offers plenty of attractions and entertainment options for any taste, including two popular Casinos, the lively Dangberg Home Ranch Historical Park, as well as the SoaringNV with flights over plains for adrenaline junkies. Minden is a carefully-planned town today that was founded as a tiny locale near the V&T Railway station. Minden Aerial view of Minden and Gardnerville, Nevada along Highway 395 in the Carson Valley. They can also "anchor their love" to the endless chain at the Lovers Lock Plaza behind the Court House. Lovebirds can "lock-a-lock" with their names and tie it to one of the green pillars throughout the city to attract good fortune in their relationship. There's the most popular Portuguese Festival, the Frontier Days for history fans, and Lovelock Street Fever Car Show for auto enthusiasts.Ĭouples enjoy seeing Lovers Aloft balloon races and partaking in the traditional Chinese custom from many places around the world that holds a special meaning in town with a complimenting moniker. Lovelock is also the ultimate destination for non-stop festivals with socializing, eating, and drinking right on entertainment-laden streets. The in-town features one of the only two round houses in the United States from the early 1900s. Lovelock offers a lovely getaway into nature within scenic surroundings of grassy meadows and watering holes. The small railroad town close to Reno was historically a mere stop for settlers on their way to the west coast. Ely is part of the renowned region with clear night skies, and prime destination for campers, stargazers, and astro-photographers. The Lexington Arch is great for photo-shoots, while the active can conquer the Wheeler Peak summit. The avid explorers enjoy visiting the Lehman Caves, along with venturing the Island Forest Trail and the Bristlecone Pine Trail. The Cave Lake National Park, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historical Park, and the Great Basin National Park feature a unique set of activities for diversified fun in the outdoors. There are many state parks around town with ample fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities surrounded by a scenic paradise.
The year-round line-up of interesting free events includes fishing derbies, festivals, sheepherders' galas, and sculpture competitions. Art fans adore weaving through the stunning 11-block art section in-town with historically-themed paintings and sculptures that tale-tell about the region's past. The town is bountiful with attractions, including the Nevada Northern Railroad Museum with epic rides on the Ghost Train "Old Ely", and mining district tours from Ely to Robinson via a ride on a railroad. Ely was originally a stagecoach station for the Pony Express that boomed with the discovery of copper in 1906 into a popular tourist destination today.