Virginia City – A Must See Nevada Ghost Town

Virginia City is one of the coolest towns I’ve visited in the US.

Founded in 1859, the town became famous during the Gold Rush and many of the signs of that period are still visible today.

The town really feels like the set of an old western movie with rusty buildings and patios along the main street.

Virginia City is full of understated boutique stores, bars, cafes and has a haunting past. Locals believe the town is haunted and you can even grab a map to go ghost hunting.

Driving from Reno to Virginia City

Virginia city is just over 20 mile drive from Reno making it a perfect pitstop on your way to Lake Tahoe or Carson city. The drive up to the mountains is beautiful and its worth the stopping along the way to see the snow capped mountains.

Driving from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City takes about 45 minutes so if you need a day off skiing or just want to experience something different, you should travel back in time to Virginia City for a day.

Things to Do in Virginia City

The town offers great spots for those looking to get pictures of the town’s historic buildings and remains of the mining industry. Stroll down the main street’s wooden boardwalk for the best views of the old building facades.

Virginia City Museums

There are 17 museums in this small town so there is definitely something for everyone. We visited The Way It Was Museum on the main street where you can learn more about the town’s colorful history. Filled with old mining gear and artifacts from the gold rush era, the museum has a quirky feel. The entrance fee is just 4 dollars so it won’t break the bank.

Enjoy The Local Deli

If you love fudge, you got to visit the world famous Grandma’s Fudge! They offer a huge selection of different flavors catering for every taste. We got some to take home and it was delicious!

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Virginia City Breweries

Beer lovers will enjoy some of the funkiest breweries around. Make sure to check out at least the Virginia City Brewery and Bucket Blood Saloon which was constructed back in 1876 after a great fire destroyed the town.

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Best Time to Visit Virginia City

We were lucky to have the town to ourselves since it was very quiet, just like a ghost town! According to the locals, it can get pretty crowded during the weekends and public holidays so I would definitely recommend visiting during off season or during the week.

Have you visited Virginia City? I would love to hear about your experience! 🙂

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