10 Unusual Attractions In Nevada That Will Blow Your Mind
Nevada isn’t just about Las Vegas casinos and long desert highways.
Scattered across this wild, wide-open state are some of the strangest and most mind-bending attractions you’ll ever encounter.
From glowing geysers bubbling up in the desert to ghost towns transformed into open-air art galleries, these places feel almost unreal.
Each stop blurs the line between nature, history, and imagination. T
ogether, they reveal a surreal side of the Silver State that feels more like a dreamscape than a destination, turning an ordinary road trip into something unforgettable.
1. International Car Forest Of The Last Church (Goldfield)
Picture this: dozens of cars buried nose-first into the Nevada desert, standing upright like metal tombstones painted in rainbow colors.
Artist Mark Rippie created this bizarre masterpiece outside the ghost town of Goldfield, and it’s totally free to visit.
You can walk among the vehicles, snap incredible photos, and even add your own artistic touch with spray paint.
The contrast between rusted metal and vibrant graffiti against endless desert creates something truly unforgettable.
Bring water and sunscreen because shade is nonexistent here.
2. The Clown Motel (Tonopah)
Sleeping next to a cemetery filled with miners while surrounded by hundreds of clown figurines sounds like a nightmare, right?
That’s exactly what makes this place legendary.
Every room features clown-themed decor, and the lobby showcases a massive collection of creepy clown memorabilia.
The historic Tonopah Cemetery sits directly behind the property, adding extra spookiness to your stay.
Brave souls from around the world book rooms here just to test their courage.
Whether you love clowns or fear them, this experience will definitely stick with you.
3. Goldwell Open Air Museum (Near Rhyolite/Beatty)
Belgian artist Albert Szukalski created ghostly plaster figures that haunt the desert near the abandoned mining town of Rhyolite.
His famous “Last Supper” sculpture features life-sized phantom figures frozen in time.
Other artists have contributed pieces too, making this outdoor gallery a strange mix of modern art and Wild West history.
The crumbling ruins of Rhyolite provide the perfect backdrop for these haunting installations.
Visiting at sunrise or sunset adds dramatic lighting that makes everything feel even more surreal and otherworldly.
4. Fly Geyser (Near Gerlach)
This alien-looking geyser wasn’t created by nature alone—it accidentally formed in 1964 when a geothermal test well wasn’t properly sealed.
Hot water continuously erupts, creating terraced pools covered in brilliant green and red algae.
The mineral deposits have built up into towers reaching five feet high, constantly growing and changing colors.
Located on private property within the Black Rock Desert, you’ll need to book a guided tour through the Burning Man Project to visit.
The vibrant colors look photoshopped but are completely real.
5. Seven Magic Mountains (Near Jean)
Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone stacked massive boulders into seven towers, then painted them in eye-popping fluorescent colors that seem impossible in the dusty desert.
Each tower reaches over thirty feet tall, creating a stunning contrast against the muted landscape.
Located just south of Las Vegas along Interstate 15, this installation has become one of Nevada’s most photographed spots.
The artwork was originally temporary but proved so popular that it’s been extended multiple times.
Visit during golden hour when the painted rocks glow against the setting sun.
6. Omega Mart (Las Vegas)
What looks like a normal supermarket quickly becomes a portal into absolute madness.
Created by the art collective Meow Wolf, Omega Mart hides secret passages behind freezer doors and shelves stocked with impossible products.
You’ll discover interconnected rooms filled with interactive art, mysterious storylines, and mind-bending installations that defy explanation.
Located inside Area15, this immersive experience takes at least two hours to fully explore.
Every visit reveals new details you missed before, making it endlessly replayable.
Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about grocery shopping.
7. The Atomic Museum (Las Vegas)
Also known as the National Atomic Testing Museum, this Smithsonian-affiliated institution tells the fascinating and frightening story of nuclear testing in Nevada.
Witness actual artifacts from atomic tests, including twisted metal and testing equipment used during the Cold War era.
The Ground Zero Theater simulates an atomic blast with sound, light, and vibration effects that feel incredibly real.
Exhibits explain how Las Vegas once hosted rooftop parties to watch mushroom clouds in the distance.
Understanding this strange chapter of American history will completely change how you see the Nevada desert.
8. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (Near Austin)
Ancient marine reptiles the size of school buses once swam where Nevada’s mountains now stand.
This remote park protects North America’s most abundant concentration of ichthyosaur fossils, displayed exactly where paleontologists discovered them.
The ghost town of Berlin sits nearby, offering a perfectly preserved glimpse into 1900s mining life.
Walking among genuine dinosaur-era fossils in the middle of the desert feels completely surreal.
The journey requires driving dirt roads, but reaching this hidden gem makes the adventure totally worthwhile.
Few people visit, giving you an almost private experience.
9. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park (Near Ely)
Six massive beehive-shaped stone ovens rise thirty feet high from the desert floor like ancient monuments.
Built in 1876, these kilns produced charcoal to fuel silver smelters, and their impressive architecture has survived nearly 150 years.
The ovens’ perfect acoustics create eerie echoes when you step inside the dark chambers.
Despite their remote location, they’re remarkably well-preserved and free to explore.
Surrounding mountains provide stunning hiking opportunities and incredible stargazing after dark.
The combination of industrial history and natural beauty makes this spot uniquely memorable.
10. Nevada Northern Railway (Ely)
Step aboard fully operational steam locomotives from the early 1900s and experience railroading exactly as it was a century ago.
This living museum lets you ride historic trains through stunning mountain scenery on tracks originally built for copper mining.
The entire complex—including locomotives, depot, and repair shops—remains virtually unchanged since its construction.
Special events like “Polar Express” rides and haunted Halloween trains add extra excitement throughout the year.
Volunteers and staff share fascinating stories about Nevada’s railroad heritage.
Feeling the rumble and hearing the whistle of genuine steam power creates pure magic.