The most populous city in Nevada, Las Vegas, is renowned for its gambling, speedy weddings and extravagant forms of entertainment. Nicknamed Sin City, it might come as a surprise, therefore, to learn that it is also the US city with the most churches per capita. Surrounded by a desert landscape, Las Vegas is far from fertile.

The Las Vegas Strip is possibly the most well-known region of Las Vegas. This is the hub for the city's gambling and entertainment, and home to the biggest casinos. You will also find a large number of Las Vegas's most famous attractions including the stunning fountains at The Bellagio, the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain based at Caesars Palace, and The Mirage's erupting volcano. You can also marvel at the biggest golden nugget in the world located at the aptly named Golden Nugget Hotel.

The Strip offers more than gambling as a way to lose big bucks, however: it is also famous for its shopping, luxury hotels and elaborate shows.

If you would like to discover a little culture, there are a number of interesting museums you can visit, from the Gallery of Fine Art in the Bellagio Hotel and the Erotic Heritage Museum that looks at the history of sexual revolution, to the Neon Museum, filled with massive neon signs. There are also two notable aquariums: the Aquarium at The Mirage, and the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Las Vegas is also known for its range of high quality entertainment, including Cirque du Soleil and magic, tribute and comedy shows. If you enjoy rides, you will also be spoilt for choice: the Coaster at the New York New York Hotel has a roller coaster that will lift you up more than 200 feet, while the rides at The Stratosphere Hotel include Big Shot, which will shoot you straight up at 45 mph.

If you prefer activities that are a little less terrifying then you can choose from kayak trips along the Colorado River, helicopter rides into the Grand Canyon, or tour the area on horseback.

Las Vegas might be located in a desert but there is still a lot to see. Hire a car and you can easily get to the majestic Red Rock Canyon. Based west of the city, many people come here to hike and climb. However, it is also possible to get a feel for the canyon when you rent a car and take the scenic drive through it.

A bit further out is the famous Grand Canyon. About four hours by car, it is located in the northern region of Arizona and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

About two hours by car, west of the city, is Death Valley. A massive national park stretching out over 3.4 million acres, the valley itself is 130 miles long and surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges.

The Great Basin National Park is another park well worth a visit. It gets its name from the Great Basin that sits between the Wasatch Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. It is best known for its ancient bristlecone pines and the Lehman Caves, which can be found at the base of Wheeler Peak.

In order to visit some of the surrounding cities you should rent a car in Las Vegas. Around four hour's drive away is Los Angeles. This massive metropolis is also renowned for its entertainment, including high-class restaurants and nightlife. If you want to head to somewhere a little smaller, then Mesquite is about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas by car, and the Virgin River Gorge makes for an amazing drive.

Sedona is also worth a visit. This town is known more for its stunning setting, which consists of the Red Rocks. It is also a cultural hub, being home to around 100 galleries and host to a variety of events such as the Sedona Arts Festival and the Sedona International Film Festival.