The largest cities in Nevada are Las Vegas and Reno. You probably knew that. But, whether you are looking for places to live in Nevada or just want to explore the Silver State’s urban areas, there are also some lesser-known cities you should consider like Sparks and Carson City.
I am a Nevada local, and in this guide, I am going to help you find the absolute best Nevada cities for you.
I will rank my picks for the 9 top Nevada cities and detail the best aspects of each city. I’ve also included links to the best hotels in each city, so you can book your stay in the Silver State.
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9 Best Nevada Cities
Nevada has 126 total cities and towns. This article focuses on the best cities in Nevada, which we define as having a population of over 50,000. To read about the smaller towns in Nevada, check out our towns in Nevadaarticle.
Las Vegas
From gorgeous hiking trails to glamorous nightlife, Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada.
🏠 Population: 665,811 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Las Vegas on Booking
Las Vegas is one of the major cities in Nevada due to its wide collection of nightclubs, hotels, and entertainment options. As Nevada’s largest city, Las Vegas is a very popular spot for tourists and is known as the entertainment capital of the world.
The Arts District is one of the most popular things to do in Las Vegas, where there are lots of breweries,restaurants,bars, and thrift shops.
Believe it or not, Las Vegas also has plenty of things to do with kids like rides, animal habitats, and more. Las Vegas is also home to many hiking trails, hot springs, and other beautiful outdoor areas for people who enjoy being in nature.
Henderson
Get a wide variety of outdoor activities or nightlife to choose from in one of the largest cities in Nevada.
🏠 Population: 343,791 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Henderson on Booking
Henderson is just a short 20-minute drive from Las Vegas. Henderson has many affordable and cute neighborhoods which make for the perfect city in Nevada to raise a family.
There are a few popular hotels and casinos like The M Resort, where you can relax or party. For outdoor lovers, there are many great hiking trails nearby and Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam are also very close. Henderson is a great city near Las Vegas if you are looking for a more peaceful place to live in Nevada.
📚 Related Reading:Best Hikes Near Las Vegas
Reno
Start your day out on the water, and end it with a good meal and exciting nightlife.
🏠 Population: 281,931 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Reno on Booking
“The Biggest Little City in the World” is one of the most major cities in Nevada, while still maintaining what feels like a small-town charm. Reno is the third most populous city in Nevada and has many college students since the University of Nevada, Reno is such a large campus.
Downtown Reno is similar to Las Vegas since it has many hotels and casinos where you can go gambling or check out cool bars. The Truckee River flows through the middle of Downtown Reno and is a great place to go rafting, swimming, or tubing. Check out the Riverwalk District which has restaurants, food tours, and different yearly events.
Lake Tahoe is also a short one-hour drive from Reno and is a very popular spot to spend a day out by the clear blue water.
North Las Vegas
Gaze up at the desert night sky, catch a race, or simply stay in a hotel with fewer crowds in one of the cutest major cities in Nevada.
🏠 Population: 299,895 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in North Las Vegas on Booking
North Las Vegas is one of the more family-friendly major Nevada cities. It has many parks, neighborhoods, and things to do with children. The CSN Planetarium is a popular attraction for astronomy lovers and provides an unbeatable view of the Las Vegas sky.
There are also multiple casinos and hotels in North Las Vegas if you want to stay in a more secluded area off of the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a place where many popular events take place, including the Electric Daisy Carnival each year.
Enterprise
A city with plenty of places to indulge in shopping and nightlife.
🏠 Population: 236,331 | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Enterprise on Booking
Enterprise has plenty of neighborhoods and fun parks, which makes it a great city to raise a family. Enterprise is also one of the best Nevada cities to go shopping.
Town Square is a trendy outdoor mall with lots of shops, restaurants, and places to hang out. Las Vegas South Premium Outlets is another popular mall in Enterprise where you will find great discounts. There are also plenty of cool hotels to visit like The Silverton Lodge, South Point, and The Orleans.
Spring Valley
One of the closest Nevada cities to the Las Vegas Strip a variety of fun local things to do.
🏠 Population: 221,531 | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Spring Valley on Booking
Spring Valley is one of the more suburban cities in Nevada, where many people choose to settle down. There are many neighborhoods in this Nevada city and it is a community of people who live only 20 minutes away from the buzzing city of Las Vegas.
There are plenty of delicious restaurants in this area, and even hotels that are typically less busy than the ones near the Las Vegas Strip. Many locals in this city enjoy going to karaoke bars, grabbing local bites to eat, or going ice skating at the Las Vegas Ice Center.
Paradise
A city that never sleeps and has something fun for everyone.
🏠 Population: 189,495 | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Paradise on Booking
Paradise is home to the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, the Las Vegas Strip, and other iconic places. Exploring the Las Vegas Strip is one of the most popular things to do in Paradise, where you will find a variety of nightclubs, bars, and casinos.
The High Roller offers some of the best views of the Las Vegas Valley and is the second-biggest Ferris Wheel in the world. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is also in Paradise, so you are more than likely to see large groups of college students wandering around.
Sparks
Go brewery hopping, dine at a tasty restaurant, or go on a shopping spree.
🏠 Population: 109,576 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Sparks on Booking
Sparks is a city full of local businesses that bring people together. Like most other places in Nevada, you will find multiple hotels and casinos to get your nightlife fix.
Great Basin Brewery has won more awards than any other Nevada brewery and even serves meals to perfectly pair with their beers. You may also want to check out Seven Troughs Distilling Co. or Revision Brewing Company for a day full of local spirits and brews. Niko’s Greek Kitchen and BJ’s Nevada Barbeque Company are some of the most popular local restaurants in Sparks.
👉 Don’t Miss: The Outlets at Legends Sparks is a great place to go shopping on a budget since they offer affordable prices at almost 50 retail shops.
Carson City
Wander through historic Nevada’s capital, and explore all that the city has to offer.
🏠 Population: 58,007 | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Carson City on Booking
Carson City is the Nevada state capital and is one of the smaller cities in Nevada. Carson City is a perfect place to live in Nevada for people who like the feeling of tighter-knit communities.
The Nevada State Museum and Nevada State Railroad Museum are fun places to go and learn about the fascinating history of Nevada. There is not much nightlife in Carson City, but they still have a couple of casinos and bars if you are looking for a night out. There are also plenty of gorgeous parks and walking trails to explore.
👉 Don’t Miss: Hang Gliding Tahoe is a popular attraction in Carson City where you can hang glide over Lake Tahoe.
FAQs About the Best Cities in Nevada
What are the biggest cities in Nevada?
Las Vegas,Reno, and Henderson are the biggest major cities in Nevada.
How many cities are there in Nevada?
10 cities in Nevada meet the criteria for being a city by having a population of over 50,000.
What is the best city for living in Nevada?
Las Vegas is one of the best major cities in Nevada to live in. This is one of the best Nevada cities to live in due to its wide selection of neighborhoods and the endless amount of entertainment options.
Thanks for reading! Whether you are looking for places to live in Nevada or just somewhere new to explore, I hope you were able to learn more about the best cities in Nevada!
