Emily Lauren & Cory John
Things To Do
Virginia City
The history and stories of Virginia City are as unique, rich and colorful as the streets and buildings themselves. One must see Virginia City to even remotely understand it. It’s a living, breathing example of America’s fortitude and desire to achieve. Today, visitors to Virginia City can walk with these past residents. Stroll Main Street where you will find a variety of saloons, shops, and restaurants to visit. There are a lot of hole-in-the-wall places where you will find niche activities and surprises. Take the Ponderosa Mine Tour, enjoy your time at the shoot-out gallery, or visit all the historical sites and soak up all the history Virginia City has to offer. You will find the town has a lot of the "Silent Riders", or character re-enactors who work to preserve the history of the wild west. There are a lot of ghost tours throughout the various buildings. Please note, most restaurants are not open late night.
Washoe Club Museum & Saloon
The Washoe Club has been called one of the most haunted locations in the west. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” as well as SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters”, the building has earned its place among the elite haunted locations. Come see for yourself, memberships start as low as $20 per year and will get you access to the Crypt as well as the infamous Spiral Staircase. Season: Open year-round
Saint Mary In the Mountains
Virginia City is home to a number of beautiful churches reflective of the late 19th century culture. One such church is St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church, arguably the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. It is Nevada’s oldest Catholic Church and is open to welcome visitors every day. Having been preserved during and since the Great Fire of 1875, this is the “Mother of all Catholic churches in Nevada.” It was built by the 6’4” “Paddy” Manogue, who ministered to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento, California. Enjoy a free tour of the museum and wine cellar. Mass is held Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. in this beautiful House of God. Numerous church artifacts and photographs are on display and St. Mary’s also has an extensive gift shop that supports the small parish and restoration project. Season: Open year-round
Mackay Mansion Museum
This building was built in 1860 by George Hearst as the headquarters of the Gould & Curry Mining Company Office and later purchased by John Mackay, one of the “Silver Kings.” Between 1860 and 1950, bars of gold bullion were sold directly from the vault. Tour highlights include mining artifacts, original furnishings, Tiffany silver and great historical anecdotes. Season: Open year-round; hours vary, call ahead
Silver Terrace Cemetery
The Silver Terrace Cemeteries are a series of terraces dramatically located on a steep, windswept hillside of Virginia City. As this boomtown became a more permanent settlement, there was a need for a cemetery. Beginning in the 1860s, fraternal, civic and religious groups established burial yards on the hillside. These groups included the Masons, Pacific Coast Pioneers, Knights of Pythias, Virginia City Firemen, Wilson and Brown, Improved Order of Redmen, Roman Catholic and the city and county. Great hopes and dreams pulled immigrants from all over the world to Virginia City. Now they all rest together in these authentic Old West mining cemeteries. Because of the historic significance of the cemetery, it qualified for a “Save America’s Treasures” grant through the National Park Service and an ongoing restoration is under way.
Grandma's Fudge Factory
Grandma's Fudge first opened their doors in 1971. They continue the tradition of making delicious candy with only the freshest ingredients. Their master candy makers are still making fudge the old fashioned way, by hand.
Silver Sadie's Old Time Photos
Silver Sadie's Old Time Photos is a unique photography studio in Virginia City, NV that specializes in capturing vintage-style portraits of customers. With a variety of costumes and props available, visitors can step back in time and create memorable keepsakes in a fun and nostalgic setting.
Bucket of Blood Saloon
The Bucket of Blood has been serving ’em up since 1876. The building was constructed after the Great Fire of 1875 and sits on the remnants of Boston Saloon and is marked as a National Landmark for this. Most weekends you can enjoy live music from David John and the Comstock Cowboys, the official house band of the saloon.
Union Brewery Saloon
The Union Brewery was established in 1863 and is now residing in the same spot it was in 1875. This historic Virginia City watering hole is ready for you to come up and visit.
Red Dog Saloon
Enjoy our locals-favorite full bar and Chicago-style pizza surrounded by the ambience of the old Red Dog Saloon. The Red Dog dates back to the heyday of the Comstock mines and as the birthplace of San Francisco-style rock and roll. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and the sauce is homemade. Combine these with fresh ingredients baked in a brick oven and you’ve got a combination that will have your taste buds wanting more.
Crazy Calamities
Crazy Calamities is located at Edith Palmer’s Country Inn, surrounded by an ambient and historic environment. Breakfast and lunch are served Thursday through Monday in a stone room with a large fireplace. During warmer months, outside dining is available.
The Cider House at Canvas Cafe
Well-known Virginia City staple, The Cider House, is now located at Canvas Cafe. Known for meals crafted to perfection and an amazing dining experience, The Cider House bring locals and visitors alike fantastic meals in historic Virginia City.
Ponderosa Mine Tour
The Best and Belcher Mine tour is a 25-minute guided tour featuring over 300 pieces of antique mining equipment on display. See complete underground mine workings – tunnels, crosscuts, drifts, stopes, raises, winzes and shafts. The Ponderosa Mine is located in the Ponderosa Saloon, formerly the Bank of California. Season: Open year-round
Chollar Mine Tour
With its riches first located in 1859, the Chollar Mine (later the Chollar-Potosi) was one of the leading producers on the Comstock. From its found to the next 80 years, miners blasted and carted out some $17 million in gold and silver. The Nevada Mill was erected on the site in 1887 to process the vast amounts of ore taken out of the Chollar Mine. Today the mine is open for visitors. A guided tour lasts 45-minutes and is a 400-foot level walk. Visitors will see the original square-set timbering, silver ore, rock drills, as well as displays of old equipment. Season: Open year-round