Nevada is made for road trips. Beyond the major destinations and scenic highways, the Silver State is filled with unusual landmarks, historic sites, giant works of art, quirky roadside attractions, and unexpected places that can turn an ordinary drive into an adventure.
Some stops are famous. Others are easy to miss if you’re simply trying to get from one destination to another.
That’s part of what makes traveling Nevada so much fun.
From the desert outside Las Vegas to the remote highways of central and northern Nevada, roadside attractions offer a chance to stretch your legs, take a few photographs, learn something about the state’s history, or simply experience something you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re planning a Nevada road trip, consider leaving a little extra time in your itinerary. Some of the best memories may come from the stops you didn’t originally plan to make.
Seven Magic Mountains
Just south of Las Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains is one of Nevada’s most recognizable modern roadside attractions.
The colorful installation consists of towering stacks of brightly painted boulders standing against the Mojave Desert landscape. The contrast between the vivid colors and the surrounding desert makes this a popular photography stop.
It is an especially striking place early in the morning or later in the day when the desert light begins to change.
Because the attraction is located in the open desert, visitors should be prepared for sun, heat, wind, and limited shade. Check current access information before making the trip.
Travel Tip: Combine Seven Magic Mountains with other Southern Nevada destinations rather than making it your only destination for the day.
Goldwell Open Air Museum
Near the historic mining community of Beatty, the Goldwell Open Air Museum brings an unexpected collection of large-scale outdoor art to the Nevada desert.
Among the most recognizable pieces is The Last Supper, a collection of ghostly human figures standing against the dramatic landscape near the entrance to Death Valley.
The setting is part of the experience. The artwork, desert mountains, and wide-open surroundings create an atmosphere that feels distinctly Nevada.
The museum is located outdoors, so visitors should bring water, sun protection, and appropriate footwear.
For travelers exploring Beatty or heading toward Death Valley, this is a memorable stop that doesn’t require a major detour from the surrounding area.
The International Car Forest of the Last Church
If you’re looking for something truly unusual, head toward Goldfield and the International Car Forest of the Last Church.
This one-of-a-kind outdoor art installation features vehicles that have been partially buried and positioned vertically in the desert, creating a surreal forest of automobiles.
The attraction reflects Nevada’s long tradition of combining art, independence, mining history, and a healthy appreciation for the unusual.
Goldfield itself is worth exploring, making this an excellent addition to a central Nevada road trip.
Travel Tip: Remote attractions can have limited services nearby. Make sure you have fuel, water, and basic supplies before heading into Nevada’s more isolated regions.
The Extraterrestrial Highway
For travelers who enjoy the unusual, Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway offers an experience unlike almost any other road trip in the state.
Officially designated Nevada State Route 375, the highway stretches through some of Nevada’s most remote desert country near the mysterious area surrounding Area 51.
The road itself is the attraction.
The landscape is vast, quiet, and remarkably remote, with long stretches of highway surrounded by mountains and desert.
Travelers often stop in Rachel, a tiny community along the route, where the Little A’Le’Inn has become a well-known stop for visitors interested in the area’s extraterrestrial lore.
Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or simply curious, the Extraterrestrial Highway is an unforgettable Nevada road-trip experience.
Travel Tip: Don’t underestimate the remoteness. Fuel up before traveling this route and don’t rely on having reliable cell service throughout the journey.
The Clown Motel in Tonopah
Tonopah is one of Nevada’s historic mining communities, but it is also home to one of the state’s most unusual attractions: The Clown Motel.
Located beside the historic Tonopah Cemetery, the motel has become a famous stop for travelers fascinated by unusual roadside destinations and Nevada’s colorful history.
Even if you’re not staying overnight, the property has become part of the town’s roadside-tourism identity.
Tonopah itself deserves more than a quick stop. The community offers opportunities to learn about Nevada’s mining heritage, explore historic buildings, and experience a different side of the state far from the Las Vegas Strip.
The Alien Research Center
Traveling along U.S. Highway 93 near Hiko, you’ll encounter another unmistakably Nevada sight: the towering silver structure known as the Alien Research Center.
The unusual building has become a recognizable landmark for travelers exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway region and the desert communities of central Nevada.
It’s a perfect example of the kinds of discoveries that make Nevada road trips so entertaining.
You may drive for miles through open desert and suddenly encounter something completely unexpected.
That is part of the Nevada road-trip experience.
Historic Nevada Mining Towns
Some of Nevada’s best roadside attractions aren’t individual landmarks at all. They’re the historic communities scattered throughout the state.
Places such as Goldfield, Tonopah, Austin, Ely, and Virginia City offer travelers opportunities to step away from the highway and experience Nevada’s mining and frontier history.
Historic buildings, old businesses, museums, cemeteries, mining remnants, and local stories help reveal the Nevada that existed long before today’s major tourist destinations.
If you’re traveling through one of these communities, don’t simply stop for fuel and continue driving.
Take a little time to explore.
You may discover a historic building, local restaurant, museum, or unexpected landmark that wasn’t in your original itinerary.
Make the Stop Part of the Adventure
One of the best things about exploring Nevada by road is that you don’t always have to follow a perfectly planned itinerary.
A roadside attraction can give you a reason to slow down, take a different route, explore a small community, or learn something new about the state.
Before heading out, check road conditions, weather, operating hours, and access information—especially when traveling to remote destinations. Nevada’s distances can be deceiving, and services may be limited once you leave the larger communities.
Bring plenty of water, keep your vehicle fueled, and give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.
Most importantly, leave room for discovery.
The next memorable Nevada adventure may be waiting just beyond the next bend in the road.
Explore More of Nevada
Looking for more places to explore?
Visit Nevada Destinations for ideas on where to go throughout the Silver State, or explore our Nevada Travel Articles & Adventures for more travel inspiration, outdoor tips, scenic drives, and ideas for your next Nevada adventure.
You can also explore Nevada State Parks & Recreation Areas for more opportunities to experience Nevada’s landscapes, history, and outdoor recreation.