Forget ordinary hotel rooms. Nevada is home to some of the most unusual places to stay in America. From haunted hotels and historic mining towns to train cabooses, desert castles, and an alien-themed inn near Area 51, the Silver State offers accommodations that are attractions in their own right.
Whether you’re road-tripping Nevada’s loneliest highways, hunting for ghosts, exploring Old West history, or searching for quirky roadside adventures, these unique Nevada hotels and vacation rentals deserve a spot on your bucket list.
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Why Nevada Has Some of America’s Most Unusual Lodging
Most visitors think of Las Vegas resorts when they picture Nevada. But beyond the neon lights lies a state filled with abandoned mining towns, historic saloons, desert art installations, and stories of ghosts, outlaws, and UFOs.
Many of Nevada’s most memorable accommodations are found along scenic road trips like the Free-Range Art Highway, the Extraterrestrial Highway, and the Loneliest Road in America. These one-of-a-kind stays let travelers experience Nevada’s rich history while sleeping somewhere they’ll never forget.
Unusual Airbnbs and One-of-a-Kind Places to Stay in Nevada
Shady Lady Bed & Breakfast – Beatty
Located near the famous Free-Range Art Highway, this charming bed and breakfast has one of Nevada’s most colorful pasts.
The property was once the famous Shady Lady Ranch, a legal brothel that operated until 2014. Today, new owners have transformed it into a cozy and surprisingly welcoming B&B where peacocks roam the grounds.
Guests can choose from uniquely themed rooms (one even has a heart shaped tub), relax by the pool, or stay in the secluded Willow Tree Cabin, which feels more like a mountain retreat than a desert hideaway.
Nearby attractions include Death Valley National Park, the Goldwell Open Air Museum, and the quirky roadside art installations that make this stretch of Nevada so memorable.
Ruby the Red Caboose – Virginia City
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping aboard a train, Ruby the Red Caboose delivers a truly unforgettable experience.
This restored 1950s railroad caboose sits high above historic Virginia City, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Modern comforts blend seamlessly with railroad history, creating a romantic getaway unlike anything else in Nevada.
Watch the Virginia & Truckee Railroad roll through town, spot wild horses roaming nearby hills, and spend your evenings enjoying spectacular sunsets from the private patio. Visit Virginia City which has Nevada’s largest National Historic District with a picturesque historic main street.
Hard Luck Castle & Mine – Goldfield
Rising from the Nevada desert like something from a fantasy novel, Hard Luck Castle is one of the state’s most unusual vacation rentals.
Built near a historic gold mine, this massive circular castle features four stories, wraparound decks, a rooftop solarium, and even a working 1920s pipe organ. Guests can enjoy incredible stargazing, soak in the hot tub, or arrange a tour of the nearby Hard Luck Mine.
If you’re looking for a place that’s equally eccentric and unforgettable, this is it. Stop by Goldfield Visitor Center, tour Goldfield Historic Cemetery, meet the Goldfield burros and enjoy a day exploring Goldfield. Be sure to stop at International Car Forest of the Last Church and take a selfie.
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Paradise Ranch Castle Bed & Breakfast – Austin
What happens when someone promises their spouse a castle and actually delivers? You get Paradise Ranch Castle, one of Nevada’s most unique bed and breakfasts.
Filled with antique collectibles, suits of armor, vintage memorabilia, and whimsical decor, this castle-like retreat offers a stay unlike any other. There’s even a dungeon-style entertainment room complete with billiards, poker tables, and a player piano and a saloon-inspired bar. After sunset, relax on the porch and enjoy some of the darkest skies in Nevada.
Nearby you can enjoy fishing at Big Creek and Groves Lake in Kingston Canyon, relaxing soaks at Spencer Hot Springs, American Indian culture at Hickison Petroglyph Recreation area and Toquima Cave, mining and natural history at Berlin – Ichthyosaur State Park, and the charm of historic Austin, Nevada.
Pro Tip: Take your telescope with you to capture the amazing dark skies in Nevada. We like this travel telescope. It comes with a carrying case and takes great pictures.
Nevada’s Most Haunted Hotels
Silver Queen Hotel – Virginia City
If haunted hotels are your thing, the Silver Queen Hotel belongs at the top of your list.
Built during the silver boom days of the Comstock Lode, this historic hotel has become legendary for paranormal activity. The most famous is Rosie, a lady of the night who allegedly took her own life in Room 11 and haunts the premises to this day.
Even if ghosts don’t appear during your stay, the hotel’s vintage charm, historic saloon, and spectacular mountain views make it worth visiting. Down on the main level, pony up to an 1870s saloon counter and back bar so large that the entire thing was built inside the saloon itself, flanked by the 15-foot-tall Silver Queen made with 3,261 Comstock silver dollars.
Explore more haunted places in Virginia City like the old Washoe Club, Bonanza Saloon and Mackay Mansion to name a few.
Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon – Gold Hill
As Nevada’s oldest operating hotel, the Gold Hill Hotel has accumulated more than 160 years of stories, and apparently a few spirits. Room 4 is believed to host a former lady of the night who loves to trick guests by misplacing personal items or filling the space with a rose scent. Visitors who stay in Room 5 have reported smells of tobacco, attributed to a spirit named William. For true ghost enthusiasts ask for the Miner’s Cabin, It’s said to be one of the most haunted rooms in the Silver State.
History lovers will appreciate staying in original rooms dating back to 1861. Located in the original portion of the hotel, visitors can expect uneven walls and floors, original plaster with exposed brick, and double brass beds. Modern rooms are also available.
For more ghost adventures take a ghost tour or explore abandoned mines. For something a little different, explore the nearby vineyards.
The Clown Motel – Tonopah
Perhaps Nevada’s most famous roadside attraction, The Clown Motel, combines two things many people fear: clowns and cemeteries.
The lobby houses thousands of clown figurines, while the motel itself sits beside Tonopah’s historic cemetery. Numerous guests claim to have experienced paranormal activity, making this one of the state’s most talked-about overnight stays. If you’re looking for a possible otherworldly experience, consider requesting a stay in Rooms 108, 111, 210, and 214.
Love it or hate it, you’ll never forget it.
Mizpah Hotel -Tonopah
Known as the “finest stone hotel in the desert,” the historic Mizpah Hotel blends luxury with ghost stories. Its most famous spirit, the Lady in Red, is said to wander the hallways and occasionally leave pearls behind for male guests.
Featuring era-authentic chandeliers, antique cash registers, and Victorian couches, the lobby of the Mizpah sets the scene for one memorable experience. For even more elegance, opt for the Lady in Red Suite or the Jim & Belle Butler Suite, which has a bed frame made from a wagon. Beautifully restored and rich with mining history, the Mizpah remains one of Nevada’s most iconic historic hotels.
Ghosts and clowns aren’t the only things to do in Tonopah. Mine for turquoise at Otteson Brothers Turquoise Mine, visit the historic mining park or spend the evening at one of Nevada’s best star gazing spots Tonopah Stargazing Park.
Learn More: Amazing Stargazing in Nevada: Where to Find the Darkest Skies
Little A’Le’Inn – Rachel
Located along Nevada’s famous Extraterrestrial Highway, Little A’Le’Inn is the ultimate stop for UFO enthusiasts.
Just outside Area 51, this quirky roadside inn embraces its alien reputation with themed decor, UFO memorabilia, and plenty of stories from travelers hoping to spot something unusual in the desert sky. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, spending the night here is a uniquely Nevada experience.
Must stops near Rachael are Alien Research Center Gift Shop, Alien Cowpoke Gas & General Store and ET Fresh Jerky.
Learn more: Alien Road Trip: Exploring Nevada’s ET Highway
Overland Hotel & Saloon – Pioche
Historic Pioche was once one of the roughest mining towns in the West, and some say its past still lingers.
Guests at the Overland Hotel report mysterious sounds, unexplained footsteps, and paranormal encounters, particularly in Room 10.
The hotel’s themed rooms, Old West atmosphere, and proximity to some of Nevada’s darkest night skies make it a favorite among road-trippers.
Visit local landmarks like Boot Hill Cemetery, the original resting place of any extra guests you might see floating around your room. The remnants of Pioche’s aerial tramway are a must-see in town, relax at Echo Canyon State Park and visit one of Nevada’s crown jewels Cathedral Gorge State Park.
Pro Tip: For great landscape pictures of this area, take a dash cam to record your trip. Not only will you get great video, but it often captures things you didn’t notice while driving.
Jackson House Hotel – Eureka
Located along the Loneliest Road in America, the Jackson House Hotel combines Victorian elegance with tales of ghostly visitors. Each room is adorned with fixtures and furnishings you might discover if you stayed here when the hotel first opened, including a claw-foot tub and large rooms.
So… is the Jackson House Hotel really haunted? Another Lady in Red is said to float through the halls checking in on guests, and the Jackson Suite is allegedly one of the most “active” rooms. Guests have reported footsteps in empty hallways, doorknobs rattling, lights flicking on in the middle of the night, and apparitions in the forms of a little girl, a cowboy, and “the other” Lady in Red.
Get to know all the sights of Eureka’s Historic District like the Eureka Opera House, Eureka Sentinel Museum and the Owl Club.
Pro Tip: If you have physical limitations beware that staying here requires guests to climb a large flight of stairs to rooms on the second floor. Maybe consider just visiting and stay in one of Eureka’s other accommodations.
Learn More: Surviving and Thriving on Nevada’s Loneliest Road: A Complete Guide to U.S. Highway 50
Boulder Dam Hotel – Boulder City
Built in 1933 during construction of Hoover Dam, the Boulder Dam Hotel has hosted everyone from politicians to Hollywood stars. The hotel retains the charm and style of a 1930s-era hotel, with modern conveniences.
Today, visitors come for both the history and the ghost stories. Staff and guests have reported unexplained sounds, hearing voices and laughter when no one was there, phantom cigar smoke, and mysterious activity throughout the building. Legend has it that former night clerk Tommy Thompson is one of the hotel’s many ghosts.
It’s also an excellent base for exploring Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and historic Boulder City.
Final Thoughts: Nevada’s Most Memorable Places to Stay
Nevada is filled with accommodations that are every bit as fascinating as the destinations themselves. Whether you’re spending the night in a restored train caboose, a desert castle, a haunted mining-era hotel, or an alien-themed inn near Area 51, these unique stays transform an ordinary road trip into an unforgettable adventure.
The next time you’re planning a Nevada getaway, skip the standard hotel chain. Choose a place with a story, a little mystery, and plenty of character. You might leave with more than just great memories; you could leave with a ghost story of your own.
We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next trip. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.