Photo: Joe Morahan
Photo: Joe Morahan
Nevada Gift Guide: Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is about celebrating the maternal figures in your life who deserve extra special recognition. And if you ask us, we think what she really wants is an adventure with her loved ones. From crafty classes and paddle wheeler cruises to tintype portraits and even a micronation, these uniquely Nevadan memories make the perfect gift.
If your mom’s ideal gift is time spent with her favorite people, give her one of these 10 anything-but-ordinary Silver State experiences for Mother’s Day.
Horseback Ride with Bader Ranch Trail Co.
For an unmatched equine experience among stunning Sierra Nevada landscapes, book a horseback ride with Bader Ranch Trail Co. Guided groups of up to six guests can enjoy two-hour sunset outings, all-day backcountry excursions, or a year-round hayfield ride. Picnic lunches, professional photography, and more add-on options are available.
Paddle Wheeler Ride with Lake Mead Cruises or Zephyr Cove Resort
Climb aboard a classic paddle wheeler and cruise around cerulean waters while surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Tour Lake Tahoe with Zephyr Cove Resort’s M.S. Dixie II, or let the Desert Princess show you around with Lake Mead Cruises. Both offer sunset rides with three-course dinners.
Tintype Portrait with Eye of Rie
Capture a family portrait that’ll instantly become an heirloom. Eye of Rie uses techniques from the mid-1800s to take tintype photographs, producing a one-of-a-kind result on a sheet of metal. Pets can be included for an additional fee.
Ring or Necklace Workshops with Silver State Jewelry Studio
Don’t just shop for jewelry—make your own! Silver State Jewelry Studio offers workshops for crafting rings, necklaces, bracelets, and even bolo ties. If silversmithing really strikes a fancy, hone your skills with extra classes.
Foodie Tours in Las Vegas & Reno
Swap traditional restaurant reservations for a more exploratory way to eat. On a typical foodie tour, diners visit at least three stops for signature bites while a knowledgeable guide fills you in between locales. In Las Vegas, two options include Lip Smacking Foodie Tours and Taste Buzz Food Tours. Finger Licking Foodie Tours is another choice if you’d rather go fully self-guided. Up north, Reno Food Tours takes you to popular culinary districts, while City Brew Tours Reno-Tahoe is all about craft beer.
Travel to the Republic of Molossia
Pack the passports and go abroad without leaving Nevada. The Republic of Molossia is a micronation with its own national anthem, currency, and railroad. Entry into the country is only allowed on select dates, so book your tour in advance. And while your passport is not legally required for this experience, His Excellency Kevin Baugh will legitimately add a Molossia stamp if you bring it.
Hike Uncommon Landscapes
The Silver State is the ultimate playground for moms who love Mother Nature. Lace up the hiking boots for outdoor adventures in jaw-dropping locations: Great Basin National Park has trails that lead to bristlecone groves and Nevada’s last glacier, while Cathedral Gorge State Park feels like another planet. For 30-foot waterfall views, opt for the Hunter Creek Trail.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Get inspired by the Honnold family! In the first episode of “Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold,” the world-renowned climber and his wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, take their two daughters along the Colorado River before indulging in ice cream.
Attend an Only-in-Nevada Event
Nevada’s calendar is packed with plenty of surprising things to do. For Mother’s Day, some standouts include the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, where live theater is performed beachside. For unexpected art, take a guided walking tour of Goldwell Open Air Museum, home to larger-than-life sculptures in an outdoor gallery. Free to attend, the Sierra Nevada Lavender & Honey Festival celebrates local and regional honey producers and lavender farmers.
Take a Craft Class
Share the gift of creativity and learn a new skill together. In the Biggest Little City, you can try your hand at everything from fiber arts and stained glass to cookie decorating and soap making at Atelier in Reno and Copper Cat Studio. Down south, Woodcraft of Las Vegas can teach you how to turn your own bowl or pen, while Clay Paper Ink has classes for bead plants, fairy houses, and jewelry weaving.
Plan a Stargazing Sleepover
For a gift that truly dazzles, consider overnighting under some of the darkest skies in the country. Star seekers won’t have to travel far from Nevada’s two major metros to take in constellations, planets, and even the Milky Way. We have recommendations for where to stargaze outside of Las Vegas and Reno, plus nearby places to eat and stay.
