Best Day Trips From Las Vegas: Aliens, Ghosts, Oh My!
Hey friends! I'm going to break this itinerary into three sections, as they can each be done separately, as a loop, or as some combination of two choices. Feel free to skip around as you see fit, and be sure to check out my other Las Vegas guides linked at the bottom of this one!
• Extraterrestrial Highway (ET Highway)
• Tonopah, NV
• Art Highway
ET Highway
If you're starting from Las Vegas, you'll start this counter-clockwise loop with ET Fresh Jerky. Definitely try one of the many jerky flavors here, but if you want to buy a souvenir alien, don't do it at this stop.Â
Your next stop is the first of several unofficially official "Extraterrestrial Highway" road signs. There are several of these signs along the route, so don't worry if you miss the first one at the junction.Â
Shortly after you begin Highway 375, you'll come across the Alien Research Center on your right. They have posted open times, but they are often closed despite the listed times. There's also a replica Area 51 sign along the back of the property here.Â
While Highway 375/ET Highway extends quite a bit further, you'll reach the most notable stops in Rachel, Nevada. Be sure to have a drink or an alien burger at the Little A'Le'Inn! You can also make this an overnight trip even from here, but this is only about two and a half hours from Vegas (one way)
After Rachel, Nevada, you'll see a few more ET Highway signs and potentially some other small art installations and graffiti along the road, but this is essentially the end of the "Extraterrestrial Highway" where it returns to simply Highway 375.Â
Oh, also, DO NOT forget to fill up on gas in Rachel, NV if you're continuing to Tonopah. There are no other stops until then.Â
Tonopah, Nevada
From Rachel to Tonopah, it's roughly two more hours of driving. Tonopah is a small mining town in Nevada. Nicknamed the "Queen of the Silver Camps," I'm sure you can guess what they mined most for here. In addition to silver mining, they also mine for turquoise, and you can even experience mining turquoise yourself at the Otteson Brothers Turquoise Mine.Â
Despite being a short drive away from Las Vegas, Tonopah is plenty far enough away to have some of the clearest skies and best stargazing in the entire country. The town of Tonopah has some incredible resources on their own website, including more info on stargazing!
We all know what it means to be an old mining town...Â
Where there is a history of mining, there's often quite a history of deaths as well. Which might equal... all things paranormal! From one of the "most haunted hotels in America" to a creepy and self proclaimed famous clown motel, this little town has a little bit of everything.Â
Here are some of the best stops to make in Tonopah if you have some time to explore:
Art Highway
Upon your return to Vegas, don't forget to check out the art in the city! From murals downtown and throughout the Arts District to the Neon Museum and the Seven Magic Mountains, there's quite a bit of art to see right here in Sin City!
If you're not renting a car in Las Vegas and would rather do some day tours, you can check out my list of Artsy Viator tours here!
Other stops along this loop that may be of interest:
Also, as a potential detour, you could make your way to Death Valley National Park during the return section of the loop. Check out my Death Valley guide below as well, and enjoy one of the most underrated winter road trips in the country!
Visiting in summer instead and still want to extend your trip? If it's late enough in summer, and the road is open, you may even be able to do a longer detour to Yosemite National Park from Tonopah. Or, visit Mammoth Lakes area for some great sights, lakes, and mountains!Â
Sticking around Vegas for more than just a day? Check out my other guides for the city here:
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