Exploring Nevada: A Road Trip from Glittering Lights to Wild Desert Skies
Aer Lingus Dublin to Las Vegas
Our small group met at Dublin airport, where we took a direct Aer Lingus flight to Las Vegas. Being an afternoon flight, the airport was quiet with minimal queueing. I dropped my bag at the Aer Lingus bag drop, went through security and U.S. immigration and was at the gate within 30 minutes! Most flights to the U.S. depart in the morning which can involve hours of queueing. This was amazing. This direct flight means not only the shortest travel time, but also no hassle of changing aircraft or anxiety about missing onward flights.
We kicked things off with a single night at the Rio Hotel Las Vegas, a classic off-Strip property with spacious rooms and a touch of vintage Vegas charm. After checking in and freshening up, we headed straight to Luckley Tavern & Grill, conveniently located within the hotel. It is renowned for its steak plus local craft beer.
Day 2: Historic mines and Canyons
With the first light of morning, we hit the road, leaving Las Vegas behind for a true Nevada road trip. Our first stop was the El Dorado Canyon, frozen in time with rusted vintage cars and sun-bleached wooden buildings. We had prebooked a tour of the historical Techatticup Mine. I found this fascinating. Our guide was a real character and told stories of Wild West outlaws and miners. There was an old photo of an 8 year old boy who worked in the mine and was smoking a pipe!
Next up was the Valley of Fire State Park, and it absolutely lived up to its name. The bright red sandstone formations looked ablaze under the morning sun. The park offers numerous hiking trails and is a true paradise for nature lovers. Afterward, it was time to kick things up a notch with ATV rentals in Mesquite. This was a definite highlight of our trip. We had 2 people per ATV plus a guide leading us. There are thousands of miles of trails to explore. You can also hire ATVs independently and are provided with a tablet showing various route maps.
Day 3: Cathedral Gorge to Ely
We fuelled up with a classic American breakfast at Peggy Sue’s Diner complete with juke box. Back on the road, our first stop of the day was Cathedral Gorge State Park, a lesser-known gem with narrow slot canyons and creamy beige rock formations. After stretching our legs, we continued on to Pioche, a once-rowdy mining town which claims to be the ‘liveliest ghost town’ in Nevada. It is full of nostalgic charm and seems locked in time from the booming gold rush era. We had lunch at the Historic Silver Café.
As we were driving along, snow was visible on the mountain tops. When we arrived to Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, there was snow on the ground! Temperatures vary greatly in Nevada; it is colder the further north you travel, so pack layers and a winter coat if travelling at this time of year. The six beehive-shaped ovens are historical ruins that date back to the 19th century, built to produce charcoal for the nearby silver mines. We rolled into Ely by evening, a charming small town with deep railroad roots.
Day 4: Railways and National Parks
No trip to Ely is complete without a visit to the Northern Nevada Railway Museum. Visitors have full access to the historic railway offices and active railyard where engineers work to preserve the locomotives. But we didn’t just tour—we had a private ride on a historic Doodlebug railcar! This offered a unique way to see the countryside, clacking along old tracks. We then paid a quick visit to the historic Nevada hotel in Ely and explored the town on foot, with its many murals showcasing the history of the region.
We had lunch at the Bristlecone General Store before arriving to Great Basin National Park, home to the Lehman Caves, ancient bristlecone pines, and the snow-capped peaks. Visitors can explore scenic trails, observe wildlife, and learn about the park's geological and cultural significance. It was still a little too early in the season when we visited and the park was not fully open.
Day 5: Aliens and nightlife
Our route took us back south to Kershaw Ryan State Park. I was so impressed with this little park. It opens mid-April to mid-October. It has a 16-unit campground for Rvs with hiking and mountain biking trails, a children’s pool, playground, volleyball court, shaded areas, picnic tables, fire ring and grill. A lovely option for a self-drive itinerary when the weather is a little warmer.
We stopped at the famous Little A’Le’Inn for lunch. UFO-themed everything, burgers, decor, even alien-green drinks—made this one of the quirkiest stops of the trip. Not far down the Extraterrestrial Highway, we visited the Alien Research Center for some tongue-in-cheek souvenir shopping.
Back in Las Vegas for our final night, we checked into Planet Hollywood, right in the heart of the Strip. The energy here is nonstop, and the location is unbeatable. It was unseasonably warm in Las Vegas - 28 degrees! For dinner, we headed to Cabo Wabo Cantina, perched with prime views of the Bellagio Fountain Show. As we sipped margaritas and devoured fajitas, we watched the fountains dance - a quintessential Vegas moment.
But we weren’t done yet! A quick taxi ride took us to Fremont Street, where neon nostalgia meets modern entertainment. Between vintage casino signs, zipliners flying overhead and street performers, Fremont was the perfect final hurrah.
Final Morning: Exploring Las Vegas
We made the most of our final morning by strolling through some of the Strip’s most iconic hotels and shops at our leisure. A highlight for me was the beautiful flower display in the conservatory at the Bellagio. We then made a quick detour at the Las Vegas sign enroute to the airport, before our direct Aer Lingus flight home.
Final Thoughts
Take my advice, rent a car on your next trip and experience the open road for yourself. This self-drive itinerary showed us that there is so much more to Nevada than the lights and nightlife of Las Vegas. There is incredible history and diversity packed into one state just waiting to be explored. There are many more National Parks now on my list to explore!
I can tailor an itinerary for you based on your interests. Please get in touch today. Lets chat and make it happen!