Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Virginia City, NV
Year Listed: 2009
Visitors can experience the Old West by walking down C Street which features board sidewalks in front of restored 1876 buildings. These buildings house restaurants, specialty shops, museums, and saloons.
Credit: Christof Eichin
Located only 23 miles southeast of Reno, Nevada, the historic mining boomtown of Virginia City provides unique insights into the spirit of the Old West . The town—steeped in silver and gold rush lore—is packed with the history that turned pioneers into millionaires. Today, the town's mines, mansions, saloons and museums provide a glimpse into the storied past of American frontier life, capturing the allure that once fueled western expansion.
Gold Rush
Founded with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, Virginia City had so many millionaires that the town was called the "richest place on earth." At the peak of its glory, Virginia City was a boisterous town and men came from everywhere to claim their fortune. The spirit of these characters still inhabits the mansions they built, the saloons they frequented and the main street they roamed.
Back in Time
Part of the Comstock National Historic District, Virginia City has successfully maintained its historic fabric, providing tourists with a true Victorian-era experience. Today, many mansions, such as the Castle, the Mackay and the Savage, stand as monuments to the opulence of life on the Comstock. Board sidewalks line the streets and wooden false-front buildings house quaint specialty shops of all kinds. Sounds of country and Dixieland jazz waft through the swinging doors of the C Street saloons, including The Delta, which first opened in 1863, and the lively Bucket of Blood across the street. The town is also home to the restored Virginia and Truckee Railroad, which now runs a tourist steam train through mining districts showcasing ore extraction and processing equipment. Historic street lighting, horse drawn carriages, trolleys, mine tours and costumed docents all bring back the ambience of a bygone era.
Many of Virginia City’s attractions are within walking distance of the town center. Historic churches, scores of 19th-century homes and a variety of museums unlock Nevada’s rich mining heritage. In addition, visitors can also see the desk where Mark Twain once worked as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise or take a walking tour of the Liveliest Ghost Town in the West. Like many mining towns, Virginia City was impossibly sited on the steep slopes of Mt. Davidson. The twisting roads to nearby Reno and Carson City offer spectacular trips through time and some of the state’s most breathtaking scenery.
Interested in visiting Virginia City? Check out their Convention & Tourism Authority.
