There is nowhere in the world quite like Nevada. From colourful art installations, outdoor sculpture museums, aliens, ghost towns and even a small country, the desert is full of unique and quirky experiences to discover across the state.
Big Bovine
Standing proud in the desert and welcoming travellers coming into the state from California is a gigantic cow called the Big Bovine. Once belonging to Longstreet Inn, ‘Herman’ was a real life, 3,000-pound, six foot tall, cow. In honour of the animal a statue was built as a memorial in 2013 and stands at two stories tall welcoming travellers over the Nevada state line.
The Clown Motel
Not advisable if you suffer from coulrophobia, The Clown Motel is a creepy but unique roadside stop over. The motel houses one of the largest private collections of clown figurines and memorabilia in the world, with more than 2,000 clown figurines from all corners of the globe. It started in 1985 when owners Leona and Leroy David built the motel in memory of their father, Clarence David, a clown lover who left a collection of 150 clowns in his home.
The Republic of Molossia
Just a few minutes east of Carson City visitors will discover an independent micronation, The Republic of Molossia which covers 6.3 acres of the Nevada desert. Complete with an official customs station, a national instrument, and even its own postal service, visitors can bring their passport to be stamped.
Coffinwood
A husband and Wife team run this charismatic coffin business creating made to order coffins of any shape size or theme. The couple transformed their home into what they have aptly named Coffinwood, where everything is coffin shaped from the flower beds to gazebos. There is also a pet cemetery, a collection of old school hearses, and visitors can even get married at the ‘Church of the Coffin’.
Alien research centre
Gleaming in the desert sun like an actual spaceship lies a silver Quonset hut with a giant two-story silver alien ushering visitors in the door is the Alien Research Center. Here, visitors will find the latest alien apparel, hats, mugs, and magnets, the stop is not only a great place for visitors to pick up some souvenirs that won’t be found anywhere else, but also an unforgettable way to chat with locals and get the inside scoop on all things UFOs and Area 51.
