Craving a step back into the Wild West? Head to Virginia City, Nevada! Once a booming 19th-century mining town, Virginia City is packed with Old West charm, historic saloons, mines, museums, and lively events. Whether you’re into ghost tours, scenic rides, or frontier history, Virginia City is a must-see Nevada treasure.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Virginia City is from late spring through fall (May through October). Warm, dry weather is perfect for walking tours, outdoor festivals, and historic train rides through the high desert.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Virginia City is located off State Route 341, about 40 minutes southeast of Reno and 20 minutes from Carson City.
- By Air: The nearest major airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport, about 45 minutes away by car.
- By Train: Seasonal tourist trains run between Carson City and Virginia City via the V&T Railroad, offering a scenic historic journey.
Where to Stay
- Silverland Inn & Suites – If you want modern comfort with historic charm and beautiful mountain views.
- Gold Hill Hotel – Nevada’s oldest operating hotel, offering vintage character and cozy rooms just outside town.
- Virginia City Inn – Affordable, family-run motel close to downtown attractions and historic sites.
Best Things to Do
⮕ Step Into the Paranormal at The Washoe Club Haunted Museum
Ghost tours, creaking floorboards, and spine-tingling tales in a famously haunted saloon
The Washoe Club Haunted Museum, as the name suggests, is a historic saloon boasting a truly haunting past, as well as supposedly a haunted present. The building is thought to be one of the West’s most haunted locations and “takes the gold” when it comes to paranormal activity in Virginia City, Nevada.
The Washoe Club has been featured on several ghost hunting shows, including Ghost Hunters on SyFy and Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. Visitors can explore the haunted museum year-round, Sunday to Saturday, with guided tours available from 11:00am until 5:00pm on the hour.
Map, 112 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-4467
⮕ Tour Victorian Opulence at the Mackay Mansion
Original furnishings and mining lore fill this Gold Rush-era home with grand charm
The Mackay Mansion offers a more detailed and intimate way for tourists and locals alike to gain more understanding of the wealth and history that flowed out of Virginia City, Nevada during the 1860’s. Tours of the historic mansion guide guests through the grand home, including through the Grand Parlor, up an original wood staircase, past John Mackay’s bedroom and his children’s rooms, past the dining room, and outside onto the carefully maintained grounds. Designated in 1961 as a National Historic Landmark, the Mackay Mansion is open daily throughout the year from 10:00am until 6:00pm.
Mackay Mansion , 291 S D St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-0156
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
⮕ Learn Local Legends at the Fourth Ward School Museum
An authentic 19th-century schoolhouse turned immersive museum of Comstock history
As the largest historic district in the state of Nevada, Virginia City is home to several attractions that extend beyond local importance and play a significant role in telling national history.
The Fourth Ward School Museum, located at the southern end of C Street, does just this and has overlooked the Comstock for over a century. Visitors can stop by the museum, housed in the last building of its kind. The museum schedule is seasonal. You can view it here.
Fourth Ward School Museum, 537 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-0975
⮕ Take a Seat Where History Performs at Piper’s Opera House
One of the oldest theaters west of the Mississippi, where Mark Twain once took the stage
Piper's Opera House is considered to be one of the most important theaters in the American West, located in the heart of Virginia City, Nevada. The opera house has been impressively rebuilt three times over the past 150 years and speaks to the cultural center’s importance to the city and the people who call it home.
Visitors can learn about the interesting history of Piper’s Opera House through guided tours that are available seven days a week from April to October, with each tour lasting around thirty minutes. Tickets can be bought on-site or at the Virginia City Visitors Center.
Piper's Opera House, 12 N B St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-0433
⮕ Strike Gold in Spirit at the Comstock Lode
Explore the story behind America’s richest silver strike and the boomtown that followed
The Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nevada is a silver ore lode located beneath the eastern side of Mount Davidson, part of the Virginia Range. Part of the then western Utah Territory, the Comstock Lode was the country’s first significant discovery of silver ore and was named after Henry Comstock, an American miner. This discovery was revealed to the public back in 1859, which sparked a “silver rush” of people looking to stake their claims to the silver. In fact, it caused the greatest amount of excitement throughout the United States and California since the 1849 California Gold Rush.
Comstock Lode, Virginia City, NV
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
⮕ Create and Reflect at St. Mary’s Art Center
An inspiring blend of historic convent and creative studio nestled in the hills
St Mary's Art Center is the premier creative space and art gallery of the historic city of Virginia City, Nevada, and has been a part of the community since 1875. Visitors can browse seven different rotating galleries that each feature works of art by both emerging and established international, national, regional, and local artists. The permanent art collection at St. Mary’s Art Center is housed in several guest rooms available throughout the property by reservation. Guests can visit the art center usually on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from eleven in the morning until four in the afternoon.
St Mary's Art Center, 55 R St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-7774
⮕ Feast with a View at Cafe Del Rio
Southwestern flavors, cozy vibes, and panoramic vistas in a historic building
Situated in the middle of the historic downtown district, Cafe Del Rio is known in the Virginia City area for serving quality Mexican cuisine. Opened to the public in 2005, the restaurant is housed within one of the city’s historic buildings dating back to the 1800’s and now features a main floor dining room and private dining room upstairs. The cafe features a menu consisting of many different dishes boasting authentic Southwest flavors and all prepared from scratch using quality, fresh ingredients. Cafe Del Rio is open from 3:00pm until 8:00pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Cafe Del Rio, 394 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-5151
⮕ Find Peace and Grandeur at St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church
Stained glass, historic relics, and one of Nevada’s most striking spiritual spaces
The St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church is a historic church and an unmistakable feature of the skyline of Virginia City. Built back in the year 1870, it’s one of the most impressive historic churches in the state of Nevada. The church as the state’s first Catholic Church and is still in operation as a working church today, but its museum is free to visitors to explore and learn about the history of the St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church and what it was like to live during the formative boom years of Virginia City on the Comstock.
St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church, 111 E St, Virginia City, NV 89440, Phone: 775-847-9099
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Walk the Historic C Street – If you love Wild West vibes, stroll saloons, shops, museums, and wooden boardwalks.
- Ride the Virginia & Truckee Railroad – Scenic steam or diesel train rides through historic mining country.
- Explore the Chollar Mine – Take a guided underground tour into an authentic 1850s silver mine.
- Visit The Way It Was Museum – Learn about Virginia City’s mining boom through fascinating artifacts and exhibits.
- Experience a ghost tour – Join a spooky nighttime tour and uncover haunted history in one of America's most famous ghost towns.
Where to Eat
- Red Dog Saloon – If you want pizza, burgers, and live music in a historic saloon setting.
- Crown Point Restaurant at Gold Hill Hotel – Upscale dining with a cozy, historic atmosphere and hearty American classics.
- Firehouse Saloon & Grill – Casual bar and grill serving up sandwiches, BBQ, and local brews with a lively Old West vibe.
If you are interested in local events:
- Virginia City International Camel & Ostrich Races (September) – Hilarious, family-friendly races featuring camels, ostriches, and zebras!
- Virginia City Grand Prix (April) – Off-road motorcycle race weaving through historic streets and rugged terrain.
- Hot August Nights in Virginia City (August) – Classic car show with vintage rides, music, and food on the town’s historic streets.
- Christmas on the Comstock (December) – Holiday parades, decorations, and festive events in a nostalgic Old West setting.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Virginia City, Nevada:
- Carson City (20–25 min) – Explore Nevada’s capital with museums, historic sites, and scenic parks.
- Washoe Lake State Park (20–25 min) – Hike, birdwatch, or picnic by the lakeshore surrounded by mountain views.
- Dayton (20–25 min) – Visit Nevada’s oldest settlement and explore local history and small-town charm.
- Geiger Grade Scenic Byway (0–5 min) – Drive a historic, winding road with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada and Truckee Meadows.
- Reno (35–40 min) – A little beyond 30 minutes, but worth the trip for casino action, dining, and the Riverwalk District.
- Lake Tahoe (Incline Village) (45 min) – Also slightly beyond 30 minutes, but perfect for beach days, hiking, and world-class scenery.
- Fort Churchill State Historic Park (about 1 hour) – For history buffs, see preserved ruins of an 1860s U.S. Army fort on the Pony Express route.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Question: What historical significance does Virginia City, Nevada have?
- Answer: Virginia City, Nevada, is a place where people sought riches—or sometimes faced death—in search of silver and gold in the seemingly endless mines.
- Question: Why were Virginia City miners known as "Comstockers"?
- Answer: This mining community became known as the Comstockers due to their search for Comstock silver in the area.
- Question: What makes Virginia City a popular tourist destination today?
- Answer: The once dynamic city is now a popular spot for tourists looking to step back into the past, offering activities that go beyond its mining heritage, such as breweries, museums, art centers, and more.
Map:
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