The largest cities in Nevada showcase the state’s broad history and rich culture, which encompass stories from a number of different settlers–from indigenous groups to pioneers moving west, miners seeking gold to members of the mob. Sprinkled with flat valleys separating its mountain ranges, Nevada is the seventh largest state in the nation at 110,572 square miles. Its landscape ranges from urban cities to harsh desert, a landscape that grows and changes while still maintaining the restless spirit of the American West.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Population: 646,790 (2021)
In 1821, Rafael Rivera was the first European explorer to arrive in the Las Vegas valley as part of an expedition to scout the trade route between New Mexico and California, which would eventually be called the Old Spanish Trail. Today, as the largest of Nevada cities, Las Vegas has a few features that it’s known for: luxe hotels, high-stakes gaming, and nighttime adult entertainment. And as the mob became an established part of local culture and as organized crime began to contribute heavily to its economy, Las Vegas earned itself a nickname: “Sin City”.
Facts and Activities:
- The Mob in Las Vegas – The first hotel on the Strip was the Flamingo, a Hollywood-inspired resort
that opened in 1946 on Christmas Day. Throughout the 50s and 60s, the Strip continued to grow, its development infamously backed by mobsters whose funds were supplied by organized crime
and illicit activities. The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas showcases artifacts and exhibits
dedicated to the city’s history with the mob. - Changing Landscape of the Strip – Older Vegas hotels and casinos were modeled after the Old
West, but newer properties were inspired by the wealth and glamor associated with cities like ancient Egypt and Rome, as well as Venice, Paris, and New York. In 1989, the Mirage became the
city’s first “mega-resort,” a development that changed the image of the Strip and Las Vegas
luxury. - Hiking & Parks – Las Vegas has more to offer than just gambling and late-night lounges. Las Vegas is a valley nestled between a collection of mountain ranges. It’s home to and surrounded by nature, including canyons, lakes, natural springs, and hiking trails.
Henderson, Nevada
Population: 322,178 (2021)
Although it is not as well-known as Las Vegas and has a shorter history, Henderson has quickly become one of the largest cities in Nevada. When it was officially incorporated in 1953, the city was only 13 square miles, and has expanded to more than 103 square miles. Henderson residents describe the city as having “small town values with big city efficiencies.” Located off the Strip, Henderson is smaller and quieter than Las Vegas, but because it is only a few miles away, Henderson residents still have open access to all the luxuries that the city has to offer.
Facts and Activities:
- Hiking & Parks – There are 71 parks in Henderson with grass areas, hiking trails, playgrounds, dog parks, splash pads, and skate parks.
- City History – Ten years before its incorporation, Henderson was used during World War II as a magnesium plant that supplied airplane parts. The city’s population then dropped dramatically after the war was over, and the Nevada Legislature purchased the industrial plants in order to save the city.
- Henderson Cultural Arts Program – Henderson offers a variety of cultural arts events, including
the August Nights series, the Water Street Jazz Series, and Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival. The city also has art galleries and public art pieces in the Water Street District and City Hall.
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Population: 274,133 (2021)
North Las Vegas was incorporated as its own independent city in 1946, but in 1919, a man named Thomas Williams settled in the area after moving his family out of Eureka, Utah. A religious and extremely pious man, Williams was turned off by the bureaucratic government in Las Vegas, so he and his family settled a few miles outside of the city instead, in what would become North Las Vegas.
Facts and Activities:
- History of North Las Vegas – Eugene Moehring–a history professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas–calls North Las Vegas “a bootleg suburb of Las Vegas” that “served as a weekend hangout spot for servicemen [during World War II] and provided off-base housing for their families.”
- Hiking Trails – Encompassing more than 70 miles, the city of North Las Vegas offers a diverse outdoor landscape for hiking and outdoor activities.
- Public Pools – There are three public pools in North Las Vegas: Silver Mesa Recreation Center Pool, Petitti Pool, and Walker Pool. All are outdoor pools and offer open swim and day passes for children, adults, seniors, and families.
Reno, Nevada
Population: 268,851 (2021)
Reno is located in Northern Nevada and saw massive population and economic growth as a result of the mining boom in 1900 that struck southwestern Nevada. As one of the cities in Nevada that attracts the most tourists, it is nicknamed “the biggest little city in the world.” Reno offers a much different vibe than Las Vegas, its Southern Nevada big-city counterpart. With milder summers and chillier winters, Reno is a popular destination for both winter and summer activities and one of its most notable attractions is Lake Tahoe, which is located on the Nevada-California border.
Facts and Activities:
- Indigenous Heritage – Indigenous peoples have an important presence in the heritage of the area. White settlers first arrived in Reno in the 1840s and the city became incorporated in 1903, but the land was already inhabited by Indigenous groups: the Washoe, Western Shoshone and Northern and Southern Paiute peoples.
- Pyramid Lake – North of Reno is Pyramid Lake, located on the Paiute tribe reservation. The lake is a remnant of Lake Lohontan, an ancient lake that, at one point, covered most of the state. Today, it is a popular fishing and boating destination.
- Basque Heritage – Basque is an ethnic group originating in France and Spain. Basque people migrated to northern Nevada during the Gold Rush to work in the growing mines and have a prevalent cultural presence in Reno today.
Sparks, Nevada
Population: 109,796 (2021)
Nicknamed “Rail City,” Sparks became incorporated in 1902 as a result of massive growth in the railway industry. The Southern Pacific Railway Company relocated its route and purchased land in the area. The town was initially called Harriman, after the Southern Pacific Railway Company’s president, E.H. Harriman. Located just east of Reno, Sparks is one of the smaller, quieter, slower growing residential Nevada cities.
Facts and Activities:
- Family Activities – Sparks offers a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the year, including the US Open of Watercross, the Northern Nevada Dragonboat Festival, and the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off.
- The Nevada Museum of Art – The museum was founded in 1931 by Dr. James Church. It is the only art museum in the state of Nevada that has received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. This accreditation is an honor only awarded to 5% of all museums in the United States, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival – Every summer, the city hosts its annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in July and August. The festival includes productions of Shakespeare’s works, as well as performances from the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and Sierra Nevada Ballet.
Carson City, Nevada
Population: 58,993 (2021)
Founded in 1858, Carson City is part of an area called Eagle Valley, first settled by ranchers who established the Eagle Station trading post in 1851. The Nevada Territory was not founded until 1861, but when President Abraham Lincoln welcomed Nevada into the Union almost ten years later, Carson City had already begun to thrive as a commercial and transportation center after gold and silver had been discovered nearby. As a result, Carson City was selected as the state’s capital in 1864.
Facts and Activities:
- Carson City’s Public Art Collection – The collection includes sculptures, murals, and paintings located at various points around the city. The works include: “Inside the Mind of DaVinci” (2016) by Mischell Riley, “Welcome to Carson City” (2021) by Abner Rivera, and paintings by Thelma Calhoun (2023).
- Pioneer Center Youth Programs – From April to August, the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts offers interactive programs to educate and entertain children with free performances in music, dance, and theater.
- Carson City Murals & Music Festival – Beginning in September 2023, residents are invited to enjoy Carson City’s first mural festival. It is a three-day festival consisting of 19 wall murals at various points around the city.
Mesquite, Nevada
Population: 21,158 (2021)
A fairly new city, Mesquite was incorporated in 1984 and since then has experienced rapid
growth in population and business development. But pioneers have attempted to settle in Mesquite–initially called Mesquite Flats–a total of three times. In 1878 and 1887, their attempts were interrupted by natural disasters, but in 1894, the settlement became permanent, allowing it to become one of the largest cities in Nevada. The town’s name was changed to Mesquite in 1898.
Facts and Activities:
- The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum – The museum pays homage to the pioneer heritage in the Virgin Valley, where Mesquite is located. The building has also been used as a library, a hospital, and a Boy Scout meeting hall before being converted permanently into a museum in 1984.
- Mesquite Fine Arts Center – With monthly themed exhibitions throughout the year, the Mesquite Fine Arts Center strives to “promote the power of the arts for all ages and all cultures.” Residents have access to various activities and workshops in art, photography, and pottery.
- Historical Walking Tour – On the Historical Walking Tour of Mesquite, participants witness and walk among the city’s pioneer heritage and growth into one of the most populated cities in Nevada.
Elko, Nevada
Population: 20,613 (2021)
Located in the Humboldt River Valley, Elko is another Nevada city that developed with the arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad. It began as a construction camp in 1868. As the first pioneers settled in the valley, the city developed into an important site for transportation and communication. Its economy began to flourish thanks to gold and silver mining, ranching, freight handling, and tourism.
Facts and Activities:
- Elko Basque Festival – Like Reno, Elk has a prevalent Basque cultural presence. Every summer, the city hosts the National Basque Festival, starting in the early 1960s. The festival includes food, music, dancing, and games to celebrate the rich history of Basque culture in the New World.
- Western Folklife Center – The Western Folklife Center is a nonprofit cultural center dedicated to celebrating the history and cultures of the American West. The program presents research, exhibits, and archives, such as the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, established in 1985 and the Contemporary Cowboy Gear Collection, established in 1992.
- Northeastern Nevada Museum – The Northeastern Nevada Museum boasts a huge collection. The archives include photos, newspapers, government records, and maps, and there are historical artifacts such as hat pins and stagecoaches. The museum contains art, history, and animal exhibits.
Fallon, Nevada
Population: 9,325 (2021)
In the early 1860s, ranchers began to settle in the Lahontan Valley, where Fallon is located. The city is named after Mike and Eliza Fallon, who built their own ranch in the area in 1896 and built a post office on it. Then, a general store opened, which marked the start of a new town. After President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Reclamation Act in 1902, Fallon sold his ranch to Warren W. Williams, who continued to develop the land, and the City of Fallon was incorporated in 1908.
Facts and Activities:
- Spring Wings Bird Festival – Every year, thousands of shorebirds migrate through the Lahontan Valley Wetlands, which are the remains of an ancient lake that once covered most of the state, Lake Lahontan. Now, the area is a breeding habitat for a variety of bird species, and it is also home to the annual Spring Wings Bird Festival, during which enthusiasts can witness this great migration.
- Fallon Historic Walking Tour -The tour begins in downtown Fallon, which began to flourish in the beginning of the 20th century as new businesses began to pop up along the district. Thanks to the town’s preservation efforts, many of these buildings are still in operation today.
- Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair – The first Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe was the result of a crossbreeding experiment by O.J. Vannoy, a Fallon local, in 1911. The cantaloupes were in high demand throughout the 1920’s and 1930s before demand fell as a result of the market crash. Now, the festival is an exciting way to celebrate this little-known aspect of history.