Overview
Virginia City is a small Old West town south of Reno on highway 341, in Storey County, Western Nevada.
10 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Virginia City
Fourth Ward School Museum
A historic school of the Comstock. This museum focus on the school and the Comstock history including Mark Twain, as well as modern mining techniques.
Washoe Club Museum & Saloon
St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church
Piper's Opera House
Dayton State Park
Silver Terrace Cemetery
Old cemetery with interesting headstones. Worth a visit.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Carson City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RNO Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- TKF Truckee Tahoe Airport, Truckee — 26 mi away. Directions
From Reno: Take highway 395 south out of Reno and continue on to 341 south over the Geiger Grade.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Comstock Firemen's Museum, Washoe Club Museum & Saloon, Mark Twain Saloon
- Lunch Cafe Del Rio
- Afternoon Territorial Enterprise Mark Twain Museum, St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church
- Dinner Virginia City Jerky Company
- Evening Ponderosa Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Dayton State Park, Gold Ranch Casino
- Afternoon Historical Society of Dayton Valley
- Evening Firehouse Saloon
Day 3
- Morning Silver Terrace Cemetery
- Afternoon Camel and Ostrich races
- Evening Red Dog Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
At the Saloons
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Virginia City was a boomtown that sprung up around the 1859 discovery of massive silver deposits. At its peak, the city had a population of around 25,000 and was one of the most important cities in the American west. This was followed by a quick decline however, as silver deposits became exhausted starting in the 1880s. Today, Virginia city is a small town of about 1,000 residents that has managed to maintain much of its 19th-century "Old West" feel. It is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitor information
Get in
By road
From Reno: Take highway 395 south out of Reno and continue on to 341 south over the Geiger Grade.
By train
The V&T Railway offers same day round trip rides from Carson City to Virginia City over the summer and near Christmas.
Get around
Most everything is on C Street, which is the main street through town. It is easy to walk from one end to the other in less than an hour. Parking is available along C street and some side streets, but it may fill up if you don't arrive early enough. The pay parking lots charge $10 for the day.
See
- People dressed in vintage 70s clothes (that would be the 1870s). They hang out at some of the saloons.
Museums
Virginia City has many different museums (a full list can be found here).
Further afield
Do
- Wander C Street
- Take a mine tour: there are several operators offering guided excursions into the mines beneath the city.
Events
Gambling
There are some gambling opportunities at the saloons.
Further afield
Buy
There are lots of gift shops on C Street. The quality ranges from good to garbage.
Eat
At the Saloons
Eat Cafe Del Rio
A southwest spin on Mexican fare in the Werrin Grocery Building, circa 1873. Reservations recommended.
Eat Virginia City Jerky Company
BBQ ribs, hot dogs, and sandwiches. And of course beef jerky, smoked on site.
Drink
Drink Delta Saloon
See the "Suicide Table"
Outdoor consumption of alcohol is tolerated.
Sleep
Go next
- Carson City
- Reno - is just up the highway
- Republic of Molossia - micronation
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My experience
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