The Strip - Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas – and it is! Amazing Casinos, fabulous shows, top-names in entertainment and non-stop action keep Las Vegas at the top of travel destinations. With iconic landmarks; the pyramid shaped Luxor, the dancing fountains of the Bellagio and the shipwreck at Treasure Island, the Las Vegas strip is filled with excitement. Shopping ranges from the dazzling Forum Shops at Caesars and Fashion Show Mall to premium outlets in nearby Primm. Get a taste of vintage Vegas downtown at the Freemont Street Experience. Original Casinos like the Golden Nugget and Four Queens feature the original bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas.

Beyond the casinos and strip, Las Vegas offers year-round special events catering to a myriad of interests. For the first time ever the sport of skateboarding will see live competition. The Street League Skateboarding will be hosted in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center September 25th. This 2010 event is the inaugural competition for street skateboarding – come watch the excitement live!

The 10th Anniversary of Las Vegas BikeFest is the end of September through October 3rd, 2010. Las Vegas' Cashman Center hosts the welcome party and is home to Vendor Village. Bikers and fans, come enjoy some desert rides and fantastic parties at Las Vegas BikeFest. Bikini contests like you have never seen as well as arm wrestling for both men and women, in addition to the latest gear, bikes and custom builds – if you bike, you want to be here.

November sees the Clogging Champions of America Competition at the Cashman Center. The Las Vegas Invitational will feature competitions for teams, solo dancers, choreographed solos, duos and duets. A full day of competition for cloggers and amazing entertainment for fans and spectators – mark your calendars for November 20th, 2010. Come celebrate an original American tradition and cheer on your favorite dancers.

Lake Mead, about 30 minutes outside Las Vegas offers outdoor enthusiasts a great variety of activities. Sightseers marvel at Hoover Dam which impounds the lake with its Art Deco styling and dramatic setting. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is ideal for on land activities like biking, hiking and horseback riding. Water recreation abounds on the lake with boating, skiing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

There are six Best Western Hotels of Nevada in the Las Vegas area ready for your visit with quality and affordable accommodations. For visitors to Lake Mead check in at the Best Western The North Shore Inn at Lake Mead in Overton east of Las Vegas. For travelers interested in downtown and the strip, look for the Best Western Main Street Inn in the downtown area or the Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino just off the strip. The Best Western McCarran Inn is ideal for air travelers looking for a hotel close to McCarran International Airport.

Downtown Reno Nevada

Nevada is famous for gambling, easy marriages, divorces and great entertainment. Remember, it's the entire state, not just Las Vegas. Pahrump, Mesquite, Wendover and Reno are towns on the Nevada state line that draw visitors from surrounding states for the excitement and fun of a Nevada getaway. Nicknamed the Silver State because of large silver deposits (not the slot machines), Nevada's state capital is Carson City, near Lake Tahoe. Traversed by Interstate 80, travelers pass through towns like Elko and Winnemucca before reaching Reno and traveling south to the beautiful Lake Tahoe area.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City hosts the 39th Annual Nevada Railroad History Symposium in October 2010. On weekends through September the museum hosts rides on a rebuilt Virginia and Truckee Railroad Motor Car. Beautifully restored, this is a wonderful treat for train enthusiasts and kids. Rides on the Steam Train will be available on Halloween, Thanksgiving Weekend - the special Santa Train will run December 11th and 12th. These are great fun family rides to experience railroad history.

Reno hosts two exciting end of summer events in September; The National Championship Air Races and the Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival. Reno's air race is the longest running in the world featuring five days of exciting flying. The competition includes six classes of planes that reach speeds in excess of 500 mph. With a claim to be HOG Heaven, Street Vibrations actually includes events in Carson City, Virginia City as well as Reno. This fall rally is full of music, metal and motorcycles, with stunt shows, live bands and a motorcycle expo.

Best Western Hotels of Nevada offer four quality options for travelers to the Reno – Lake Tahoe area. If you choose to stay away from the city, check out the Best Western Fernley Inn east of Reno or to the south the Best Western Topaz Lake Inn. The Best Western Airport Plaza Hotel is ideal for air travelers with a location minutes away from Reno Tahoe International Airport. For casino action, check in the Best Western Carson Station Hotel/Casino in Carson City.

Nevada celebrates its admission into the union the last Saturday of October. Carson City, the state capital, hosts the Nevada Day Parade along with a full day of family activities and events. The 2010 parade will be the 72nd. Featuring floats, equestrian groups, marching bands from across the state, this is fun for the entire family. Come see the World Championship Rock Drilling Contest, have a pancake breakfast and then run it off at the Nevada Day Classic. There is fun for everyone at Nevada Day in Carson City.