One Wild Weekend Adventure in Ely
A remote mountain town packing a big adventure punch, Ely’s an unbeatable escape for whenever you need to hit the road and live it up in the great outdoors. Take two days off (three if you got ‘em) and hightail it to this four-season community where art, history, and recreation – everything from mountain biking and mural walking to ghost town exploring and hot springs hunting – combine to really put the treat in retreat.
Highlights
- Have a blast with the past at real-deal railroad museums, retro restaurants & ghost towns
- Explore miles of tracks and trails on foot, by bike, or behind the wheel
- Discover Great Basin National Park — one of the country’s least crowded (and most stunning)
Get a Guide
If you’re heading to Ely from the west along Highway 50, be sure to snag an official Survival Guide.
- Look for signs along the road
- Get it stamped at participating businesses
- Send it in and get a Survival Guide souvenir and certificate!
Brake for Breakfast
Just writing about these Ely eateries makes us hungry–and they’re all so good, you may have to eat breakfast three times.
- Old-fashioned soda fountain: Economy Drug
- Tasty bagel sammies: Hunters
- Fresh-baked pastries: The Cup
Art, Facts & Artifacts
- Dozens of self-guided stops (with audio insights!): Ely Mural Walk
- Replica houses full of eye-popping artifacts: Renaissance Village
- Historic bank turned curated gallery: Ely Art Bank
Lori Drew
Lori Drew
Go Loco For ‘Motives
Travel Nevada Pro Tip:
Tough call on what’s more exciting – themed train excursions like the Star Train and the Haunted Ghost Train, or an overnight stay in a working caboose!
“Bars” & Grills
Dinner for two (to five, depending on good behavior):
- Steakhouse favorites inside a jail cell: Cellblock Steakhouse
- Basque chorizo and hearty fare: Racks Bar & Grill
- Mouthwatering Mexican dishes: Margarita’s
PJ Time
- Legendary history (and free margaritas): Hotel Nevada
- Pawesome for pets: Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall
- Mountain views: Bristlecone Motel
Travel Nevada Pro Tip:
Ely’s neon scene is totally brilliant, in more ways than one. See super cool signs at the Grand Central Motel, El Rancho Motel, and Central Theater.
Mountains Made for Biking
Talk about an awesome problem to have – Ely’s got so much good stuff, you’ll have your choice of adventures to fill your day with. (That just means you’ll have to come back…)
Grind Some Gears
- Ely’s essential experience: Cave Lake State Park
- Varied terrain: Egan Crest Trail System
- Wintry rides: Ward Mountain BLM Trails
- Travel Nevada Pro Tip:
In safe, dry conditions, hop on the Success Loop Scenic Drive for incredible views, aspens exploding with color, and direct access to trailheads and singletrack. - Plus, it’ll take you right to the time-capsulized McGill Drugstore Museum.
Gallivanting for Ghost Towns
If you’re gaga for ghost towns, all you’ve gotta do is essentially pick a direction from town and enjoy massively satisfying photo opps.
Search for Spirited Ruins
- Tin can roofs and champagne bottle shards: Hamilton & Treasure City
- One-room schoolhouse, impressive ruins: Cherry Creek
- Cemetery stonemasonry work that’ll wow: Osceola
Get in Hot Water with a Whopper
Get stoked to soak at the Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area, home to absolutely pristine natural hot springs and mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, sage grouse, endemic fish, and more. Pull over in Lund at the Whipple Family Country Store for their Whipple Whopper, one of our favorite burgers you’ll find in the Silver State.
Extra Day
An hour east of Ely, Great Basin National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the country.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip:
“Half the Park is After Dark” due to the stargazing you can enjoy beneath Great Basin’s DarkSky-recognized skies.
Need some trip tips? We’ve got plans for you.
Grab-and-Go Getaways
Check out our quick getaway guides, each its own game plan to get you out the door and into an adventure for a day, weekend, or more.
