If you ask someone to name a city in the state of Nevada, most people will think of Las Vegas. The
sparkling lights of the Strip and the non-stop jangling of casino slot machines are synonymous
with Nevada, but that's only part of the state's allure. If you're more interested in scenery,
historic buildings, museums, and other activities that don't require you to gamble hard-earned money
away in order to have a good time, Carson City is the ideal destination. In this video, we're going
to look at some of the best things to do in Carson City, Nevada. Be sure to watch until the end of
the video to hear how you can travel back in time to the Old West days of Carson City. And remember
to click like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any of our upcoming videos.
A Brief History of Carson City, Nevada Carson City was founded over 160 years ago,
in 1858. It was named for the famous frontiersman and scout Christopher "Kit"
Carson. Its location at the base of the famous Sierra Nevada mountain range offers a ton of
places to see and activities to keep you busy. The surrounding Carson Valley is one of the
most scenic parts of the entire country. It’s also close to fun places like Virginia City
or Reno. The best time of year to visit Carson City is between May and October.
There is a range of special events and outdoor activities during these months. You can still
have fun in the winter, mind you, when fishing, golfing, and hiking are replaced by winter sports.
Carson City started out as a stopover point for people heading to California to find fortune
in the Gold Rush. But in 1859, prospectors ended up uncovering the largest silver find
in history in the hills outside of Carson City. It wasn’t long before Carson City
became an important economic hub and it was named Nevada’s capital when it became a state in 1864.
Its rich history means there are lots of fun and interesting things to do in Carson City, Nevada.
Nevada State Museum The Nevada State Museum
is an entertaining and educational place to visit. It’s a great place for families with
children but kids of all ages will enjoy it. The museum’s focus is on the natural
and cultural heritage of Nevada. You'll learn about local wildlife and pre-historic creatures,
and you'll even see how silver coins were minted. The museum has an extensive collection of rocks,
dinosaurs, and ancient mammals that have been uncovered in the area over the years.
You'll also find a section devoted to settlers' houses and handicrafts and the
evolution to modern-day Nevada we know and love. In the museum’s basement, you’ll find a recreation
of an underground silver mine. Mannequins with actual mining equipment line the path
and demonstrate each step of the mining process. The museum is also home to the Carson City Mint.
The amount of silver generated by the local mine let Carson City build its own mint,
which produced silver dollars with a “CC” imprint in the late 1800s.
Nevada State Capitol Complex Since Carson City has been the Nevada state
capital since 1864, there are plenty of historic buildings in town. The most important ones being
the Capitol Building, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Courthouse. You can see them from the outside
by strolling along the promenade between the Supreme Court Building and the Capitol Building.
You’ll also see plenty of beautiful statues in the green spaces alongside the promenade.
If you prefer, you can visit each of the buildings separately as well.
Walking tours are offered on Saturdays, but you can also request a guided tour at any time.
Capitol Building The Capitol Building has
an interesting history. When Carson City was originally laid out, the founders set aside
10 acres known as the Plaza. At that time, they believed that Carson City would be chosen as the
capital of western Utah Territory. Instead, it ended up becoming the capital of Nevada.
After becoming a state, it took another 10 years for the Capitol Building to be erected.
For one thing, the constitutional convention had a provision that three legislative sessions
had to pass before a state capitol was built. And many people expected the state capital to
move to a more central location rather than Carson City, which is on the border between
Nevada and California. Governor’s Mansion
The Governor’s Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Nevada. It was built in 1909
in a residential neighborhood, surrounded by typical middle-class houses. Being home to
the Governor and his family, the mansion is only open for public tours on select days and holidays.
Fuji Park If you’re looking for some outdoor
things to do in Carson City, Nevada, be sure to check out Fuji Park. The 14-acre park is next to
the Carson City Fairgrounds and Baily Fishing Pond. A creek also passes through the park,
with willows and cottonwood trees on either side. The park is a perfect spot for anyone traveling
with a dog, giving them plenty of space to burn off some energy. There are two enclosed
play areas for dogs and a large grassy area in between where they must be on a leash.
In the center of the park, you'll find a building that's home to events like auctions,
indoor archery, dog training, and more. There's also a spot for fishing
near highway 395 but be warned that you'll need a license to fish here.
Waterfall Chasing Another great activity for outdoor enthusiasts
is visiting some of the many waterfalls near Carson City. Our favorite of the bunch is
King Canyon Waterfall. You’ll take a short walk uphill to the beautiful falls. In the summer,
you can cool down with some water play and in the winter, you’ll be treated to a winter wonderland
with amazing icicles and snowy scenery. If you want a bit more of a workout,
take the Upper Canyon Trail on your way back down from the falls. The trail takes you up
the mountain and around the back of the waterfall. During cooler times of the year, the trail could
be a bit snowy on the side of the mountain that doesn't get much sun, but it's still
a reasonable hike with the right footwear. Take a Soak in the Hot Springs
The Carson City Hot Springs pipes super hot spring water into one large pool and several smaller
ones in private rooms. The main pool can get pretty busy so if you can visit during the week,
aim for the middle of the day when the crowds are smallest.
The pool’s depth ranges from 3 to 6 feet, with the shallower end being closest to where the hot
water is piped in. That spot is typically the most crowded so be sure to bring pool
noodles or other floaties if you’ve got younger children who are too short for the deeper spots.
The Kit Carson Trail This is a partially marked
trail that goes straight through the heart of the historic downtown district of Carson City.
You'll see beautiful Victorian-style homes, the Nevada State Museum, and various landmarks that
tell the story of the city. Be sure to check out the Ferris House, which was the home of
the person who invented the Ferris wheel. You’ll also see the Governor’s Mansion along the trail.
Carson City Dining Carson City has a variety
of local and international restaurants. You’ll find everything from American cuisine to Mexican,
Chinese, Indian, and more. You can grab a quick bite at a fast-food joint or dine in
style at one of Carson City’s fine restaurants. We’ve got a couple of favorite spots to eat in
Carson City. If you’re into barbecue, Red’s Old 395 Grill is a must. They’ve got the best beef
brisket in town and offer several other barbecue specialties, all at reasonable
prices. It’s also got a great ambiance, with a rustic vibe and many funky decorations.
If you’re more into English-style restaurants, check out The Fox Brewpub. It’s located inside
the historic St. Charles Hotel, which was built in 1862. The Fox serves an
American and Mexican fusion menu with nachos, tacos, burgers, chicken wings, and beef stew,
to name a few of the highlights. Nevada Railroad Museum
One of the best things to do in Carson City, Nevada, is the Nevada Railroad Museum. If
you've only got time to visit one museum, make it this one. You can tour the depot/museum grounds,
which is an operating train yard, and check out the engine house to see other steam engines.
This is one of the few railroad museums you can visit that allow you to walk around the shop.
It’s up-close-and-personal enough that you might have to stay out of the way of moving engines.
You can take a ride on a historic steam train that takes you into the mountains where the
original silver mines were built back in the early days of Carson City. You can
choose from different types of train cars for the ride, whether a passenger car with indoor
seating or a platform car where you can hear the train whistle and see the smoke pass overhead.
Ride the Rails If you want to try a bit more
historic method of rail travel, try riding the rails at V&T - the Virginia Truckee Railway. You
can hop onto a cool 4-person sit-down quad "bike" that you pedal along the railroad tracks. It's not
quite the same as the old-fashioned handcars you see in pictures of the early days of rail travel,
but it's about as close as you can get. You’ll pedal along an unused section of
track so there’s no danger of meeting a real train. In its early years, this stretch of
track went through the main part of the gold and silver mining operations. You’ll see remnants
of those mines along the 6-mile route. Which of these things to do in Carson
City, Nevada, is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!