It’s Nevada’s birthday: Here are 16 ways to celebrate

By Katie Visconti

Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 | 2 a.m.

Exactly 150 years ago ago today, the Silver State made its way into the United States.

Over the years, Nevada has grown enormously, naming new cities and expanding old ones. With nearly 3,000,000 people and over 110,000 square miles of desert, mountains, lakes and cityscape, there’s always more to explore.

Whether you’re a two- or 20-year resident, here are 16 ways to rediscover all of Nevada’s splendor on our great state’s birthday:

Visit Red Rock Canyon: With hiking paths and scenic views, Red Rock is a trip every local and non-local should take. The park also offers a scenic driving route, rock climbing, mountain biking and places to picnic. Calico Hills, Turtlehead Peak, and Keystone Thrust are some of the most popular hiking trails. Lost Creek is great for hiking with children.

Pick up candy at Grandma Daisy’s: An ice cream and candy shop located at 530 Nevada Highway in Boulder City, Grandma Daisy’s is the perfect stop for those with a sweet tooth and strong sense of nostalgia, offering candy from the 20’s and beyond. The shop also sells homemade fudge and ice cream.

Wander around Fremont Street: Fremont the street dates back to when Las Vegas was first founded, in 1905. In fact, in 1925 Fremont became the city’s first paved street. That same street now holds endless live entertainment, bustling crowds, and a variety of casinos, all lined up next to one another.

Get back to the state's roots at Pioneer Saloon: Built in 1913, this bar is more of a historical landmark than anything else. Located in Goodsprings, the bar whisks you away from the chaos of the strip into an Old West atmosphere.

Marvel at the Hoover Dam: Built in the 1930’s, the concrete arch structure was meant to prevent flooding and provide irrigation and hydroelectric power to nearby communities. Now, that same arch is prime marveling material. Bring a camera and get any number of social media-worthy shots. Or, go kayaking, rafting or canoeing. Then visit the observation deck for stunning views of the Colorado River, Lake Mead and the dam itself.

Embrace your inner child at Ruben’s Wood Craft and Toys: Purchase toys and paint them yourself at this special toy store. The brightly colored store is located in Boulder City and features unique furniture pieces and toys made by the owner.

Re-see the Strip: Las Vegas was established in 1905, gambling became legal in 1931 and the rest is history. Behave like a tourist for a day: See the Bellagio Fountains, ride the Big Apple Coaster at New York New York and bungee jump off the Stratosphere.

Explore a ghost town:Nevada’s birthday is also Halloween, after all. Visiting a perfectly spooky town could be the perfect way to knock out both celebrations at once. Metropolis, which is located just outside of Wells, was originally intended to be a large city with an affluent future. But a lawsuit over farm land and water laws left the town abandoned and dried up by 1947, just 36 years after its founding. There are remains of old buildings, a playground and a small cemetery for scare-seekers to explore. Other popular ghost town destinations include Rhyolite, Belmont and Gold Point.

Eat at El Jefe’s: Family-owned, and located in the growing town of Pahrump, this restaurant is a must. Order the chicken diablo.

Check out everyone’s favorite Nevada/California border: Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in the states and boasts 72 miles of shoreline. From fishing to biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and attending free concerts, there’s something to do during every season.

See the Reno Arch:This landmark famously declares the Northern Nevada town “The Biggest Little City in the World” and was built in 1926 to promote the Nevada Transcontinental Highway Exposition. The arch has been moved around Reno over the years. Currently it’s located on Lake Street.

Dry out at Death Valley National Park: The hottest and driest national park in the United States is located east of Sierra Nevada. With over 3,000,000 acres of land, there’s a lot of dryness just waiting to be explored.

Caffeinate with the cool kids at Sunrise Coffee: This locally-owned coffee shop opened in 2008 and is known for its good coffee and great service. The shop uses natural products, is independently owned and has extensive vegan options. It's also kind of a hipster haven.

Satisfy your inner carnivore at Golden Steer Steakhouse: One of Vegas’s oldest restaurants, Golden Steer opened in 1958 and has expanded over the years. Some famous guests include Nat King Cole, Joe Dimaggio and even Elvis Presley. The steakhouse is known for its prime-aged corn-fed beef.

Hang out with sheep at Hemenway Valley Park: Besides the greenery and view of Lake Mead, this park also has frequent bighorn sheep visitors. It’s located at 401 Ville Drive.

Get creative in the Arts District: Home of First Friday, one of a kind shops, restaurants and art galleries, this 18-block development project began in 1998 and has grown over the years.