Considering taking a travel nursing assignment in Nevada? From the sparkling Las Vegas Strip to the breathtaking desert landscapes, the Silver State is a beautiful, exciting destination for travel nurses. Learn more about this unique Southwest state, including popular cities to visit and some of the best things to do, in this Nevada travel guide!
Preparation is key for travel nurses visiting Nevada who want to make the most of their assignments. Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Nevada, including local weather, travel seasons, transportation options, and more.
Nevada’s desert biome has a major impact on the state’s climate, meaning you’ll experience hot, dry summers with mild springs and autumns. Though the Silver State is mostly arid, it does have cold winters, with snow falling in higher elevations.
As you prepare for your Nevada trip, keep the time of year in mind, as you will need to bring weather-appropriate clothing and plan your itinerary accordingly.
While on assignment as a travel nurse in Nevada, you’ll find that getting to, from, and around the state is a breeze. Whatever your preferred means of transportation, Nevada public transit is robust, and it’s just as convenient to travel by air or by car yourself.
Nevada visitors can enjoy unique things to see and do in each of the state’s five main regions:
There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore Nevada year-round, thanks to its arid climate. Though, there are some peak months to be aware of when traveling to Nevada.
Summer is the most popular travel season in Nevada, particularly in major tourist spots like Las Vegas and Reno, where visitors to the state can find a wealth of experiences and activities.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer more temperate weather and fewer travelers, making these months a great time to take advantage of outdoor recreation, such as canyon hikes, camping under desert skies, and more.
Should you visit Nevada in winter? Actually, there are plenty of things to do in Nevada during the colder months of year, including visiting ski resorts and relaxing in natural hot springs. Not to mention, tourist hot spots are often cheaper to visit this time of year.
Whether you’re researching your next travel nursing assignment or you’re curious about nearby cities to explore on your days off, here are some of the most popular cities in Nevada to visit.
Bright lights, glamorous attractions, and exciting nightlife may be what Las Vegas is known for, but this popular Nevada travel destination has much more to offer than just what you’ll find on the Strip.
The second most populous city in Nevada, Henderson is a fun, scenic suburb in the Las Vegas metro, where you’ll find unique attractions and outdoor recreation galore!
Situated in the northwest region of the state, Reno—the “Biggest Little City in the World”—is a popular city to visit in Nevada, boasting everything from casinos to outdoor recreation at nearby Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Nevada’s capital, Carson City is known for embodying the spirit of the Old West, with multiple historic sites recreating the Wild West era alongside the amenities and recreation of a modern city.
Not far from the Arizona border, Mesquite is a quaint, relaxing community about an hour north of Las Vegas, where you’ll find some of the best golfing, historic sites, and outdoor recreation in Nevada.
While Las Vegas is one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of Nevada tourism, there are more things to do and see than perusing the Strip when visiting Nevada. Here are some of the best Nevada attractions and activities to check out during your travel nursing assignment!
The Las Vegas Strip is a hot spot for live entertainment, nightlife, restaurants, and more! Although casinos are a common stop for Vegas tourists, there’s a lot more to do than just games and gambling.
Experience free attractions like the beautiful Fountains of Bellagio or the breathtaking Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Dance the night away at the rooftop Marquee Nightclub, find the Ghost Donkey speakeasy, or grab brunch at Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan. Visit the Grand Spa or catch live shows like KA by Cirque Du Soleil at the MGM Grand. Or reserve a table at celebrity-chef curated restaurants like Gordan Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen or Amalfi by Bobby Flay at Caesars Palace.
Outdoor recreation is abundant in Nevada. With beautiful desert landscapes, rock formations, and mountains, visitors have their pick of outdoor activities from hiking to fishing—and much more!
Head to Great Basin National Park near Baker for mountain climbing, camping, and stargazing. Hike through miles of geologic wonders and admire indigenous plants and wildlife at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Mountain Springs. View some of the best red sandstone formations, as well as 2,000-year-old petroglyphs, at the Valley of Fire State Park close to Moapa Valley. Explore massive swaths of open land where you’ll find breathtaking canyons and unique wagon trails at Black Rock Desert near Fernley. Soak in naturally fed hot springs at Carson Hot Springs in Carson. Or go bird watching at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge near Fallon.
No nature lover’s Nevada travel plans are complete without a trip to Lake Tahoe, one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in the country. Whether you stay at a luxury ski resort, a scenic beachside property, or connect with the great outdoors in a mountain cabin, your choice of places to stay in Lake Tahoe are as diverse as the activities available there.
Go skiing, snowboarding, or even tubing down the snowy mountainside when you visit Lake Tahoe in winter. Rent a boat from one of the many Lake Tahoe marinas so you can fish for Kokanee salmon or Rainbow trout in America’s largest alpine lake. Practice your golf swing during warm months at the Lake Tahoe Golf Club. Or explore dozens of delicious restaurants featuring cuisines from Italian to Asian and beyond at Lake Tahoe area restaurants.
Taking a trip to Nevada means you’ll have the opportunity to see one of America’s most iconic landmarks—the historic Hoover Dam, which splits the state lines of Nevada and Arizona.
Get close to the dam on the water with a Las Vegas kayak tour. Learn more about the dam’s construction with educational tours from the Bureau of Reclamation. Take to the skies for a helicopter tour over the dam. Or drive your car to one of the lookout spots so you can snap photos at the Nevada-Arizona State Line.
Whether you’re hoping to catch a Broadway show or stroll through a local art gallery, there are all kinds of museums, performing arts venues, and attractions dedicated to art and culture in Nevada.
Explore two gallery spaces housed in a historic building or attend workshops to learn about creating your own art at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center in Reno. Attend university orchestra performances at University of Nevada’s Performing Arts Center in Las Vegas. Get a taste of Western culture including the Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering, exhibits featuring leathercraft, live folk music, and more at the Western Folklife Center in Elko. Or attend participate in a writing or art retreat at the historic St. Mary’s Art Center in Virginia City.
No matter the city you’re in, there are so many Nevada events and festivals going on all year long!
Experience one of the state’s most well-known festivals, Burning Man, in Black Rock City, where you can view unique works of art, listen to live music, and build community in the desert. Catch another long-standing Nevada tradition with bull riding, barrel racing, and more at the Reno Rodeo in Reno. Watch hot air balloon launches and live entertainment at the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Mesquite. Visit America’s top stargazing destination for a night-time Nevada event: free Star Parties from May through October in Tonopah. Go ice skating, sample dishes from local vendors, and watch movies on a blowup screen during the holidays in Fallon. Or try mouth-watering dishes prepared by some of the top chefs in the world at the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival in Las Vegas.
From world-class dining experiences to family-friendly casual spots, there are so many great restaurants in Nevada. You’ll also find a wealth of Nevada wineries, breweries, and distilleries to explore!
Sample Asian-fusion dishes like the TeriQ burger or Bulgogi Pasta at Arario in Reno. Attend a trivia night while enjoying a rotating menu of 18 house-brewed beers at Alibi Ale Works Incline Public House in Incline Village. Order burritos, tacos, and other Mexican restaurant staples at Carniceria Mendoza in Fallon. Taste wines from local Nevada vineyards at Artesian Cellars in Pahrump. Try island-inspired cuisine like teriyaki plates and rice bowls at Aloha Specialties in Las Vegas. Grab classic American diner-style food at an iconic breakfast spot, The Cracker Box Diner in Carson City. Or find brunch classics like Corned Beef Hash, French Toast, or American Hotcakes at 1880 Grille in Mesquite.
Are you interested in taking a travel nursing assignment in Nevada? TRS Healthcare has travel jobs in cities like Las Vegas, Reno, Fallon, Elko, and more. You can explore the Silver State and expand your skills as a nurse at the same time!
View current travel nurse jobs in Nevada available now, or apply with TRS Healthcare now to start your next travel assignment!
