Virginia City

With an exciting past stretching back more than 150 years, it’s no wonder that Virginia City is one of the country’s largest historical districts with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also ranked among the nation’s top twelve most distinctive destinations and enjoys millions of visitors every year, who come to walk, dine, and enjoy a drink in Nevada’s living history.

Virginia City sprang into existence virtually overnight, following the discovery of silver in the area. Known as the Comstock Lode, the 1859 discovery led to a flourishing new town that enjoyed great wealth and prosperity. By the end of the silver strike in 1898, it would yield roughly $400 million. Another interesting tidbit about Virginia City? It was where Samuel Clemens first used his famous pen name, Mark Twain, during his time with the Territorial Enterprise newspaper.

Today, Virginia City still looks straight out of the Old West, with wide board sidewalks and historic structures like 19th century homes, churches, museums, saloons, relics and cemeteries. The Bucket of Blood Saloon is just the place for a refreshing drink after hopping a ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and touring the Fourth Ward School Museum and the Comstock History Center. You can ride a stagecoach or catch a lift on a horse-drawn carriage or trolley, dine in an array of restaurants, take a walking tour through the Virginia City Convention and Visitors Authority, pan for gold, tour an old mine, even get a little culture at Piper’s Opera House. Built in 1885, it has been called the most significant vintage theatre in the West and visitors today can enjoy guided tours and the occasional production.

It’s not just the history that draws visitors. Virginia City hosts more than a few special events, from local sporting events to holiday celebrations like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Easter egg hunt, Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks, Christmas on the Comstock and more. Then there are the wild game festivals, the World Championship Outhouse Races, the International Camel Races, the Street Vibrations Fall Rally, the Mountain Oyster Fry and the Battle Born Car Show, just to name a few.