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Virginia City Reno Day Trip |
Located in Nevada
is Virginia City, a town offering a step back into the pioneer
days of the American west. The town was named among the nation’s
top 12 distinctive destinations by The National Trust for Historic
Preservation and was presented the Distinctive Destinations
Award in February 2009. The mining boom of the 1800’s
turned Virginia City into a prominent settlement between Denver
and San Francisco. Many of the grubby prospectors who flooded
in became millionaires and they built mansions and imported
furniture from Europe and the Orient to outfit their homes.
At its peak, Virginia City had gold in every hill and the men who came from everywhere made their homes in the shadow of Sun Mountain. Mark Twain served as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise and began his career in the town. This is a great experience for families with a passion for history, imagination, and fun! Open year-round, the town offers a free, interactive learning experience that is easily accessible from nearby Reno and Carson City -- Nevada’s capital. Visitors can walk along authentic board sidewalks, view historic churches, 19th century homes, and historic cemeteries. The Old West saloons of years past offer a bridge to another era, while the museums, shops, and restaurants expand the experience. All can ride on a stagecoach, horse-drawn carriage, trolley, or the historic steam engine on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad that crosses the scenic high desert landscape. |
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Virginia and Truckee Railroad |
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first stop on your visit should be to explore the mining districts
that are responsible for the town’s history. It’s
possible to witness 100 years of history in one short day. Established
by brothers Steve and John Beard, Tuscarora is a living ghost
town, which now operates as a ranching community and home to several
world-renowned artists who are in the area. Mountain City, Gold Creek, and Tinto are other ranching communities that were once home to a couple thousand gold, silver, and copper miners in the pioneer days. The community borders the Owyhee reservation. The Spruce Mountain Mining District is part of the Nevada Trails system that connects the old mining roads that wind through five ghost towns and through the Black Forest and Killie mines. The sites are complete with abandoned buildings and equipment. Modern Mine Tours offers free tours of one of the area’s largest mining operations currently running. The tours are by appointment only during the summer months. Please call ahead to arrange a visit. Virginia City is proud of its history, and will guide you through with several tours. Peanut Butter & Jelly Tours are aimed at families and for school trips. Tickets start at $12.25 for adults and $6.25 for children 5-12. For $5 more, they will include a peanut butter & jelly lunch. The V & T Railroad trip is a 25-minute narrated train ride from F Street Station in Virginia City to Gold Hill. The Virginia City Trolley Tour is a 20-minute narrated ride through Virginia City that highlights the major points of interest, like the Silver Terrace Cemetery, and the famous mansions, banks and saloons. Several add on experiences are offered in conjunctions with the tours, such as the TNT Stage Coach ride which is $10.00, and the Wild West Show for $4.00. The Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise is a look into the writers life, admission is $3.00. Mackay Mansion showcases a breathtaking home, Piper’s Opera House, the Western Historic Radio Museum ,Ponderosa Mine Tour, Chollar Mine Tour, Comstock Gold Mill , and The Way it Was Museum add to the experience. |
Virginia City Nevada |
Fourth Ward Museum |
"B"
Street House Bed & Breakfast - restored the 1875
Henry Piper house on B Street offerng Bed and Breakfast accommodations.
Virginia City offers a variety of hotels, motels, and bed &
breakfast inns. The area has over 150 rooms available for travelers
to stay. All are clean and comfortable with a Victorian flavor
and a historic flair. The quaint bed and breakfasts are set into
historic buildings. Be sure to check out the varied accommodations
available to make your visit a memorable experience. The Silverland
Inn is one of the largest. For RV travelers, the Virginia City RV Park offers 28 spaces with hookups When it’s time to eat, there is a variety of choices in town. From hot dogs to fine dining, Chinese, Tex-Mex or barbeque cooked onsite, everyone can be satisfied. The Mountain Oyster Festival is a special event which offers gourmet lamb dishes. The ICS Chili Cook-Off brings chefs from all over the world to compete. The Bonanza Cafe is a popular spot, Mandarin Garden provides an Asian cuisine, The Red Dog Saloon is great for lunch and drinks, and Red’s Candies & Sandwich Parlor is a family oriented place, while Sawdust Corners and Virginia City Beef Jerky add their own twist to the dining experience. Article By Matthew Martz Virginia City is located 23 Miles From Reno - 15 Miles from Carson City - 40 Miles from Lake Tahoe |
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