Virginia City, Nevada
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, small-town charm
Once the heart of the legendary 1859 Comstock Lode silver strike, Virginia City is a living historic town. Preserved mines, saloons, railroads, and cemeteries bring the Wild West vividly to life. Experience haunted tales, lavish mansions, and frontier history in this Nevada destination.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Explore Historic Mine Tours – Step into the Comstock Lode through guided tours at Chollar Mine and Ponderosa Saloon. Shafts and stories reveal Virginia City’s rich silver mining past.
- Ride the Virginia & Truckee Railroad – Board a vintage locomotive for a 35-minute narrated journey. Panoramic desert views end with striking vistas of the Comstock mining region.
- Take a Ghost or Paranormal Tour – Join chilling tours of haunted saloons and streets. Hear eerie tales, visit the Washoe Club, and explore Virginia City’s paranormal side.
- Visit Historic Buildings – Step back into Comstock-era prosperity on a self-guided walking tour featuring architectural landmarks like the Fourth Ward School and Mackay Mansion.
- Tour Silver Terrace Cemetery – Walk among ornate Victorian headstones, fenced plots, and surprisingly lush greenery. Miners’ and millionaires’ final resting places tell remarkable stories.
Recommended Reading: Haunted Virginia City explores the boomtown’s silver mining past, memorable characters, and enduring ghost stories. Learn about Samuel Clemens, Henry Comstock, and the town’s most famous hauntings.
Photo Credit: prayitnophotography/Flickr