virginia city trolley tours

Virginia City Trolley

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Virginia City Trolley - All You MUST Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Step Back In Time And Hop Aboard An Old-Fashioned Trolley Ride For A Narrated Tour Of Virginia City, Nevada

More by this Author

Located just 20 miles southeast of Reno, the town of Virginia City is a true historic gem. Still loaded with Victorian-era structures that were originally constructed during the mining boom, you can almost feel the history as you walk down its streets! If you’re looking to learn more about the town’s fascinating history, this trolley ride will definitely be up your alley! During this experience, you can ride around in an open-air trolley while learning all about Virginia City’s greatest icons.

Related Stories

Ride Around The Desert In Style With A Guided Slingshot Tour From SinCity Moto In Nevada

Explore Relics From A Bygone Era At The Beatty Museum In Nevada Where Admission Never Costs A Thing

Some People Don't Know That Nevada Was The First State To Do These 10 Things

Have you taken on the narrated trolley ride at Virginia City? What’s your favorite thing about this historic town? Feel free to share with us below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Nevada in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Nevada!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• Ride The Rails Into The Sunset On This Fireside Twilight Tour From Rail Explorers In Nevada
• Rancho San Rafael Park In Nevada Has It All With A Garden, Museum, And Endless Activities
• Explore Artifacts From An Ancient Era At The Lost City Musem In Nevada
• The Oldest Freestanding Bar In Vegas, Atomic Liquors In Nevada Is A Throwback To The Atomic Age
• The 2-Hour Scenic Snowmobile Tour At Zephyr Cove In Nevada Is Perfect For First-Time Riders
• Walk A 1/4-Mile Through The Oldest And Richest Gold Mine In Southern Nevada At Eldorado Canyon
• The Washoe Club In Nevada Offers Daily Ghost Tours And Overnight Investigations For Paranormal Enthusiasts
• Go Exploring At Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park In Nevada Where History And Natural Beauty Combine

Explore Nevada

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Meet the Locals
• Need to Know
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Palm Trees & Pelllegrino

Hidden Gems, Travel Tips & Everyday Outfits

• Press Mentions
• Partnerships

On the Blog

Day trip to virginia city, nevada.

July 25, 2019 · In: Nevada , USA , WANDERLUST

Virginia City is a quick 15-mile drive from Carson City. This unique small town is forever stuck in the 1800’s and exudes an old western vibe throughout the town. Most of the buildings are in its original state, the walkways are made with old wooden boards, and people are casually walking around in cowboy hats and boots. Virginia City is also chock full of history as it was the first discovery site of silver ore in the United States. Here are a few places you won’t want to miss during your day trip to Virginia City, Nevada.

1. Go on a trolley tour

The trolley tour of Virginia City is arguably one of the first things you have to do once you get into town. This 20-30 minute tour takes you all around Virginia City where you’ll pass by historical buildings, churches, the Chollar mine, and so much more. It’s a great introduction to the city, especially if you’ve never been here before.

[Pro tip: the trolley boarding stop is a bit hidden, but it is located in the parking lot next to The Bucket of Blood Saloon. You pay the driver once you board the trolley. This tour is cash-only]

2. Witness a live gun fight

While walking through Virginia City, you’ll quickly notice that there are a ton of people wearing old-fashioned western clothing. At first I thought that this was the actual threads that people wore here, but I found out that they are actually cast members of the Virginia City Outlaws , a comedy show with gun fights and crazy stunts.

The show takes place at The Ole Virginny Theater and they only have 2-3 showtimes per day! The production is only 30 minutes long and is worth every minute. After the show, you may take photos with the sets which makes for great photo backgrounds.

3. Indulge in some good BBQ for lunch

Barbecue joints are all over the streets in Virginia City, however, my favorite place for some good ol’ fashioned barbecue was the Virginia City Jerky Co. & Smokehouse BBQ . I ordered the Tri tip sandwich with potato salad and a sweet tea, and it was perfection. All their food is made in-house and all of the spices and meats were fresh and made to order.

Once you finish your meal, I highly recommend grabbing a bag or two of their homemade beef jerky to snack on throughout the day.

4. Go souvenir shopping

There are a ton of great places to go shopping in Virginia City. I loved that a lot of the shops are local business and have a beautiful mess of knick knacks, clothing, antiques, and art work. A few of my favorite shops are Things and Things and Things , Virginia City Antique Mall , and the Comstock Rock Shop.

During my trip, I picked up a few enamel pins, a tree of life macrame piece, and a few native crystals for my collection.

5. Enjoy a cold drink at the Bucket of Blood

One thing that I really love about Virginia City is that there are a ton of saloons and bars. Out of all of them, the Bucket of Blood Saloon really stood out to me. The building has been around since the 1800’s and the decor still emulates the simple, old western times where people would come to the saloon to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. It was definitely my favorite pit stop to get away from the crowds and enjoy a nice, cold beer in a cozy bar with AC.

6. Grab some ice cream at Grandma’s Fudge Factory

If your sweet tooth is kicking in during your trip, Ice cream is the only way to go. Located in the heart of Virginia City, Grandma’s Fudge Factory sells not only the best fudge in town, but also some darn good ice cream.

I ordered the Maui Sherbet which tasted like frozen POG juice, and the generous servings really blew me away! You’ll definitely want to stick to a small size or even share with a friend.

This guide only covers a small fraction of the activities you could do in Virginia City. There is so much to explore and learn about the rich silver mining history of Virginia City. You may want to consider extending your day trip to a weekend.

Have you ever been to Virginia City, Nevada? How was your experience? What activities did you do? What are your recommendations for first-timers? Comment them down below!

Find more travel content here .

You’ll Also Love

Reader Interactions

July 27, 2019 at 10:52 am

Have you heard David John and the Comstock Cowboys at the Bucket of Blood? They are a must!! They play every Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 pm. They have a few special dates when they’re out of town so check their schedule but, 99% of the time they are there!!

Best Dinner Date Night Ideas in San Diego, California

Join our mailing list for exclusive content and updates!

On the Socials

The latest on Instagram

Work with Me

Copyright © 2024 Palm Trees & Pelllegrino · Theme by 17th Avenue

Boots & beanies required

Virginia City isn’t an amusement park. It’s the real deal.

By: Lake Tahoe Staff

Exploring the mines that helped to fund the Civil War and establish Nevada as a state, Virginia City is only about a 45-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe. With its wooden boardwalk, historic landmarks, including the last school of its kind in the U.S. and most expensive courthouse built in the state for 50 years, Virginia City, Nevada , offers a real glimpse to what life on the Comstock was all about.

Virginia City itself includes a mile-long strip filled with shopping centers, restaurants, saloons, souvenir shops and historical venues that could easily give you a perfect day trip. Some say it has the largest concentration of bars for the town’s mile street – at one point in its history, it boasted more than 110 saloons. Several have sordid pasts including many ghost stories. Some say Janis Joplin, who played at the Red Dog Saloon , haunts the stage there today. Virginia City is a mecca for ghost hunters with noted ghost sightings at the Washoe Club and, in fact, offers ghost tours especially for adventuresome visitors. This tour includes not only an interesting take on the paranormal activity but a great look on what the buildings looked like back in their time, for anyone who is curious of the building structures. You can also stay the night with a group of 6, if interested, in the Washoe Club for some spooky scares.

Another great highlight located within the main strip of Virginia City is their visitor center. The staff provides information, direction and ticket purchases for any of the fun activities you may be interested in doing, while the building has historical artifacts, portraits, and memorabilia to catch the eyes of the visitor.

One of the most popular activities to get involved in are the tours. A tour is a perfect way for visitors to become engaged in the city’s glowing history. Located in the Virginia City Trolley Tours Bus Parking, is the trolley tour . The trolley tour is a 20-minute narrated ride that takes you along the historical landmarks.

Another great tour to take is the V&T Railroad ride and tour located at the “Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot.” This tour makes you feel as though you’ve gone back in time with a narrated trip while enjoying the scenery around you. The V&T railroad train transported gold and silver ore from Virginia City to Carson City and beyond. Virginia City’s minings amounted to millions of dollars during their time era. In today’s world, their millions would now equal our billions. For a real rush, hop on the TNT Stagelines. It’s the only operating stagecoach in the U.S. that tops out at speeds of 25 miles per hour or more. It’s the original thrill ride.

Other tours that you may be interested in include mine tours and historic walking tours. For sure, Virginia City has its share of museums with all 17 operating from May to October with a slight decrease during the winter months. In fact, each May to October (excluding July) the museums host a free museum day the first Friday of each month – Flashback Friday’s Free Museum Days . It’s your chance to learn all about the history of the Comstock. Donations are recommended.

Other activities to round out your day trip include taking an old-time family portrait at Priscilla Pennyworth’s Old Time Photos or let the kids pan for gems at the Virginia City Mining Company. Venture off the main road to find even more unique Virginia City history like the only operating gold stamp mill in the state or the Chollar Mine tour, an authentic mine journey.

A visit here really allows you to step back in time. At its peak, Virginia City was a thriving metropolis of 25,000 people. The bountiful discovery of the Comstock Lode in the late 1850s drew men and women from around the world to live and work in this high-desert community. At its peak, Virginia City became one of the most important industrial cities this side of Denver with the silver from the mines helping to build San Francisco and, most importantly, help finance the Civil War and thus propelling Nevada into statehood.

Today, not a whole lot has changed on the Comstock, and that’s okay. Virginia City isn’t an amusement park. It’s the real deal. Visitors can get a taste of history and see what it was like living and working here in the 19th century. For instance, you may have heard of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Virginia City is where he first penned the name Mark Twain while working at the local paper, The Territorial Enterprise. The Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise offers a look into what it was like working for the paper when he was there. Tour the Ponderosa Mine in the back of the old Bank of California building to see the underground workings of a real mine.

To conclude, Virginia City’s history is vibrant as ever all year long. It’s quite the gem within the area to visit. To start your adventure, begin at the Visitors Center, located at 86 South C Street. For more information on Virginia City, visit online,  check out their Mobile App or call 775-847-7500. Be sure to ask about the Comstock Adventure Pass offering packages and discounts on local attractions.

Start Planning

Plan Your Trip Today!

Make planning easy with this guide to all the must-see vistas, must-eat dishes and must-experience attractions.

Virginia City Trolley and Carriage Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Virginia City Trolley and Carriage Tours - Things You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Virginia City Trolley

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

VIRGINIA CITY TROLLEY - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Virginia City Trolley and Carriage Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Virginia City Trolley and Carriage Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Testimonials

Discover Richmond Your Way

Tours, rentals, and sales.

We offer fun and exciting public and private tours of Historic Richmond, Virginia on a Segway, Trolley, Electric bike or Gemcar. We also offer wedding charters, private group tours and events, and team building tours and charters. Learn where to go, what to see and what to do while in our beautiful city!

Did you know we offer service and repairs on all bikes?! Fill out the form below or give us a call to discuss before dropping yours off! Service & Repair Form Check out our RVA on Wheels YouTube page for some little videos with our tour guides telling some amazing stories from Richmond's history! You can also stay updated with us through Facebook and Instagram

Our Most Popular

Landmark Segway Tour

Discover the story of Virginia’s Capital City in dynamic close-up! The riveting stories of Richmond history include enduring icons like Washington, Lincoln and Edgar Allan Poe.

Historic Trolley Tour

Travel through 400 years of history in two hours on board one of our classic trolleys! We have incredible tour guides to tell you about everything in our gorgeous river city!

Downtown E-Bike Tour

Explore RVA and all its incredible history on an electric bike! Your ride with us includes a leisurely tour of Downtown, with references to unsung heroes of the city’s historic sites, the origins of the region, amusing trivia, street art, and an appreciation of nature.

Discover Richmond on a Segway

Fun and original way to explore Richmond! Tour guides are knowledgeable and share lots of unknown facts about the city. A great way to learn more about our river city and of course, a great way to have fun! Segways are very easy to operate, and the guides will do a safety training course before each tour. Our Segway PT guides are among the most knowledgeable in and about the city and are very good at combining stories around the rich history of Richmond with humor and wit.

See Segway Tours →

Richmond Landmark Segway Tour

Discover Richmond on an Electric Bike

Electric Bike

Pedego electric bikes are a wonderful way to see and experience Richmond regardless of age or fitness level. Our river city has so much to explore, and with five levels of pedal assist and a throttle, these e-bikes make it so easy to get around! Take them through the city or along the Virginia Capital Trail to Ronnie's BBQ or Upper Shirley Vineyards!

See e-Bike Tours →

Pedego Electric Bike

Discover Richmond on a Trolley

Take in Richmond’s amazing landmarks and sites on comprehensive history tours with the RVA Trolley's great guides and expert drivers. Whether you were raised in Richmond, are visiting or just passing through, you will travel through a rich narrative of 400 years of history in one of the most fascinating and oldest cities in America.

See Trolley Tours →

Discover Richmond in a Gem Car

Private and semi-private Gem Car Tours! Join us for a 90 minute comprehensive tour of Hollywood Cemetery! As the second most-visited cemetery in the country, this is a must-see while in Richmond! Three times daily at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm - other times by appointment.

Gem Car Tours →

Hollywood Cemetery

Weddings and Private Events

Whether you need a Trolley for your special wedding day, a private team building event for your company or a customized private tour made just for you, we can help. Our helpful team is focused totally on you and your happiness is our number one priority.

Private Events →

Dream of your Wedding

Virginia Tech vs. #15 North Carolina

2024 NFL Draft Presented by Courtyard by Marriott (Rounds 4-7)

UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox

#3 Tennessee vs. #17 Alabama

Georgia Swarm vs. Buffalo Bandits (Quarterfinal #2)

CUSA Beach Volleyball Championship

Siena vs. marist (opening round), binghamton vs. ualbany, sec men's golf championship (semifinals), miami fc vs. san antonio fc, indy eleven vs. north carolina fc, pittsburgh riverhounds sc vs. detroit city fc, #10 florida state vs. #6 duke, #13 arkansas vs. #7 lsu, #4 kentucky vs. #24 south carolina, #25 indiana state vs. southern illinois, new mexico state vs. jacksonville state, uc san diego vs. uc riverside, cal poly vs. cal state fullerton, cal state northridge vs. cal state bakersfield, illinois state vs. murray state, incarnate word vs. lamar, cincinnati vs. ucf, liberty vs. samford, uc davis vs. cal poly, hawai'i vs. long beach state, kansas state vs. tcu, longwood vs. charleston southern, saint mary's vs. santa clara, dallas baptist vs. florida international, central arkansas vs. kennesaw state, hawai'i vs. uc san diego, south alabama vs. troy, utah valley vs. southern utah, jacksonville vs. lipscomb, tennessee state vs. southern indiana, mercer vs. high point, florida atlantic vs. south florida, cal state bakersfield vs. cal state northridge, the citadel vs. east tennessee state, south carolina upstate vs. presbyterian, ul monroe vs. old dominion, auburn vs. lsu, #8 wake forest vs. notre dame, #20 georgia vs. #1 texas a&m, florida vs. arkansas, 2024 nfl draft (ronda 4-7), greenville triumph sc vs. richmond kickers, tormenta fc vs. charlotte independence, spokane velocity vs. central valley fuego, ncata national championship, us equestrian: kentucky 4-star invitational grand prix, women's basketball hall of fame induction, en español-yacaré xv vs. dogos xv, iowa state vs. #1 texas, latest clips, okc cruises past pels to open 3-0 series lead, shohei ohtani tattoos a 119.2 mph rbi single, mo wagner's dunk has magic fans hyped, islanders survive 2ot thriller to extend series, garland, suggs have to be separated heading into a timeout, influencer sketch has crowd hyped while announcing texans' pick, jarrett allen finishes the dunk on a defender, jaiden fields homers while brother justin looks on, michigan governor announces detroit's nfl draft attendance record, collin morikawa sinks putt from the fairway... with his driver, lucas herbert's caddie is hit in head with water bottle, leverkusen equalizes in final seconds to keep unbeaten bundesliga season alive, russell westbrook and p.j. washington ejected after scuffle, legler: timberwolves are an 'absolute mismatch' for suns, tyrese haliburton knocks down winning and-1 for pacers in ot, haliburton on game-winning shot: 'give me the ball, lets win the game', kat admires made 3-pointer after drilling shot, timberwolves take 3-0 series lead after blowout win vs. suns, kyrie hits a shammgod on way to tough bucket to seal mavs' game 3 win, anthony edwards ready to clinch first playoff series after game 3 win, daniel gafford erases paul george's poster attempt with massive block, khris middleton hits another tying 3-pointer for bucks in ot, pascal siakam narrowly misses winning 3 for pacers at the buzzer, khris middleton drills tying 3 in final seconds, 'jim harbaugh got one of his boys' with chargers drafting michigan lb junior colson, eagles' brandon graham chirps cowboys fans at nfl draft, caitlin clark revs the engine in indy and receives a standing ovation, luka doncic arrives in old-school camaro, avs pour it on in 3rd period with another goal, shohei ohtani launches a home run in the 1st inning, connor mcdavid's power play goal pads oilers' lead, igor shesterkin makes a sprawling save, part of a lights out performance.

Happening This Week

sat 27 apr 9:00 am 3:00 pm Early Day Gas Engine Tractor Show at the Historic Donovan Mill 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Historic Donovan Mill , 900 S Main Street Events: Local Events, This Week

thu 02 may 4:30 pm 8:30 pm Gold Hill Lecture: Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps – The Sequel 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm Gold Hill Hotel , 1540 South Main St Events: Local Events, This Week

thu 09 may 5:30 pm 9:30 pm Haunted Ghost Tour at the Gold Hill Hotel 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Gold Hill Hotel , 1540 South Main St Events: Local Events, This Week

sat 11 may 10:00 am 2:00 pm Voices from the Past Presented by Comstock Cemetery Foundation 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Silver Terrace Cemetery , 381 Cemetery Rd Events: Hauntober, Local Events, This Week

sun 12 may 10:00 am 2:00 pm Voices from the Past Presented by Comstock Cemetery Foundation 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Silver Terrace Cemetery , 381 Cemetery Rd Events: Hauntober, Local Events, This Week

thu 16 may 4:30 pm 8:30 pm Gold Hill Lecture: Calamity Jane 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm Gold Hill Hotel , 1540 South Main St Events: Local Events, This Week

sat 18 may 10:00 am 2:00 pm Voices from the Past Presented by Comstock Cemetery Foundation 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Silver Terrace Cemetery , 381 Cemetery Rd Events: Hauntober, Local Events, This Week

sun 19 may 10:00 am 2:00 pm Voices from the Past Presented by Comstock Cemetery Foundation 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Silver Terrace Cemetery , 381 Cemetery Rd Events: Hauntober, Local Events, This Week

thu 23 may 5:30 pm 9:30 pm Haunted Ghost Tour at the Gold Hill Hotel 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Gold Hill Hotel , 1540 South Main St Events: Local Events, This Week

thu 30 may 5:30 pm 8:00 pm Haunted Ghost Tours at the Gold Hill Hotel - Bonus Tour Nights 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Gold Hill Hotel , 1540 South Main St Events: Local Events, This Week

Below The Surface

As adventure-seekers, we have an innate desire to discover, create once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connect with others. Now, we invite you to go below the surface and experience Virginia City, Nevada, through our characters, flavors and our craftsmen. See what makes us real and hear real life stories from the people that call this modern day Bonanza home. Begin your experience now.

Plan a Stay

Take the first step. plan your virginia city trip..

Sign up for updates and special offers!

About   |  Resources   |  Media   |  Connect With Us

Virginia City Tourism Commission 86 South “C” Street • P.O. Box 920 Virginia City, NV 89440

775-847-7500 [email protected]

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.