Virginia City, NV Attractions
It is worth making a trip from Truckee (or Lake Tahoe) to Virginia City, 68mi / 110km away in Western Nevada. The city was founded in 1859. The best route is the U.S. 80 east, the NV 395 south and then the NV 341. Virginia City lies immediately above Comstock Lode, rich in gold and silver. Comstock Lode covers an area only 2mi / 3km long and 500ft/150m wide, yet within a period of 20 years gold and silver ore worth more than 400 million dollars (in terms of purchasing power at that time) was mined. A point of interest is that the American Civil War (1861-65) was in part financed by the gold and silver found in this town.
Virginia City is now purely a tourist town which has retained its historical character surprisingly well. Even the "Territorial Enterprise", the newspaper on which Mark Twain began his career as a writer, has now appeared once more in this town of only 800 inhabitants. Ten times as many people lived here between 1860 and 1880; at that time Virginia City was in fact the most important town between San Francisco and Denver.
Virginia City is now purely a tourist town which has retained its historical character surprisingly well. Even the "Territorial Enterprise", the newspaper on which Mark Twain began his career as a writer, has now appeared once more in this town of only 800 inhabitants. Ten times as many people lived here between 1860 and 1880; at that time Virginia City was in fact the most important town between San Francisco and Denver.
Bullette Red Light Museum
The Bullette Red Light Museum in Virginia City is an unusual museum. Here the vintage erotica of Julia Bullette, the most popular fallen angel in Virginia City, will titillate visitors. Also on display is vintage medical equipment that you are glad the medical community no longer uses. The Bullette Red Light Museum is one of the town's main "oddball" attractions.
Castle
Visitors to Virginia City will be surprised to find a castle in town. This building, designed after a castle in Normandy, France, was built for the mine superintendent Robert N Graves. The building was completed in 1868. Talking a walking tour or riding on the trolley tour that runs through town is are good ways to view the Castle.
Hours
May 25 to October 20
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Chollar Mine
A long time tourist attraction in Virginia City, the Chollar Mine, is well worth a visit. Visitors are treated to an interesting tour of the site including a trip 125m / 400ft underground. The tour takes approximately half an hour and is lead by a guide who explains the workings of the mine and what life was like for the men who toiled there.
Comstock Firemen's Museum
The Comstock Firemen's Museum, located in Virginia City, is a must-see. Housed in a building constructed in the early 1860's the museum houses a plethora of vintage fire fighting equipment. Displays include uniforms, ladders, leather helmets, and a hand engine among many other interesting items.
Mackay Mansion Museum
The Mackay Mansion Museum in Virginia City is a testament to a bygone era. The Mackay Mansion was built in 1859 by George Hearst and sits upon a small rise surrounded by pleasant gardens. The home is furnished with period pieces and is decorated in the styles of the 19th Century. Of particular note is the vintage bathroom, said to be the first of its kind in Virginia City.
Piper's Opera House
Piper's Opera House is located in Virginia City. This famous building was constructed in 1885 after two previous versions burned to the ground. The opera house was known far and wide as the center for all cultural activities in the waning years of the 19th Century. Piper's Opera House is open to the public and performances take place in the renovated structure.
Pipers Opera House
1 North B Street, Box J
Virginia City, NV 89440-0168
United States
1 North B Street, Box J
Virginia City, NV 89440-0168
United States
Phone 1 (775) 847-0433
Fax 1 (775) 847-7788
Hours
May 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
June 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
November 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Virginia and Truckee Railroad
The Virginia and Truckee Railroad is based in Virginia City. At this attraction visitors can take a 35-minute narrated train ride on authentic rolling stock featuring a steam and smoke bellowing steam engine. Keep an eye out for the train robbers that frequently stop the train and hold up passengers - all in good fun of course. The trip runs from Virginia City to Gold City and is 4.5km / 2.8mi long.
Way It Was Museum
The Way It Was Museum is located in Virginia City. This unique museum preserves the past and features interesting displays of mining items along with rare maps and pictures. Friendly staff will be happy to explain the many special items on display.
Western Historic Radio Museum (formerly Virginia City Radio Museum)
The Western Historic Radio Museum is located in Virginia City. Here visitors will be treated to informative and interesting displays of radios from 1915 to 1950. The Western Historic Radio Museum is housed in the historic Parish House that was constructed in 1876. The museum also conducts research on old radios on a fee basis.
Wild West Museum
For a taste of the old west, be sure to stop in at the Wild West Museum when in Virginia City. Here you will find interesting and informative dioramas along with all manner of cowboy memorabilia. Of particular note are both the display of antique guns and the displays of animal mounts.
