Things to do in Virginia City

Visit some of Lake Tahoe's most famous locations, showcasing the best of its South and West Shores. Your journey begins at a beautiful secluded beach. Shadowed by Mt. Tallac, you will learn how the famous Snowcross forecasts the forthcoming winter conditions. The area is especially famous as a wonderful wildlife sanctuary, home to numerous species of birds. Look out for bears, especially in October, as you listen to the peaceful birdsong. In late spring and summer, wildflowers carpet the meadows of Taylor Creek. In October you will see the Kokanee Salmon run - when around 80,000 salmon start their journey to spawn. Pause at some local stores for snacks and beverages before moving on to Emerald Bay. One of the most photographed locations in North America, beautiful waterfalls await as you explore the glacier. The carved masterpiece can be seen from various perspectives. The tour offers myriad photo opportunities throughout. As the tour guides show you how to take optimal photographs, they will also capture magical shots to process and later deliver to you.

Take an enjoyable Lake Tahoe excursion that circles the lake and makes a detour to Squaw Valley, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. On this narrated bus tour, you’ll marvel at the natural beauty of the region while you learn more about the area and leave the driving to your guides. Start with pickup from selected South Lake Tahoe hotels. You travel clock-wise around the lake and make your first stop at Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay is one of the area’s most photographed sites. Its vista point offers spectacular views of the bay and Fanette Island. You’ll then continue traveling along the lake’s western shore, and make your next stop at the Truckee River Dam, which presents another great opportunity for photos. You then make a detour to visit Squaw Valley, which is located 8 miles north of Lake Tahoe. This lovely and historic valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. In Tahoe City, which marks the half-way point of our tour, you'll stop for lunch. You'll have a have plenty of eateries to choose from here, including sandwich shops, coffee shops, and lakeside restaurants. After lunch, your excursion continues along the lake’s northern and eastern shores, with a stop to enjoy the views and take photos at scenic Logan Shoals.

Enjoy a full-day bus tour to Virginia City from South Lake Tahoe and discover a historic town along the Pony Express Trail. A tour guide will share the history of the city, once a boomtown of the mining industry. Discover how pioneers explored and settled the area after the discovery of silver and gold. Upon arrival, you will go to the F Street Train Depot to ride on the historic Virginia and Truckee Railroad, a 7-mile round trip through Wild West country to Gold Hill and back. After the train ride, proceed to the main C Street and Delta Saloon, established in 1859, where you can enjoy the Old West atmosphere before exploring the tiny but historic town, dominated by the piercing spire of the St. Mary in the Mountains church. Other highlights include the Mark Twain Museum, western wear stores, gold and silver stores, and a chance to go into a real mine.

Embark on a chilling journey through history as you step into the legendary Washoe Club, a historic saloon steeped in a haunting past... and present. Standing tall amidst Virginia City's vibrant C Street, this imposing brick structure holds the title of one of the West's most infamous haunted destinations. Amidst the myriad of purportedly haunted spots in Virginia City, none rival the Washoe Club's eerie reputation. As you venture through the three floors of this historic building, prepare to encounter the lingering spirits that call it home. Featured on spine-tingling television shows such as the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures and A&E's Ghost Hunters, the Washoe Club's spectral inhabitants have captured the attention of paranormal enthusiasts worldwide. Delve into the mysteries of the Washoe Club as you explore its shadowy corners and hear tales of the unexplained. From its legitimately creepy crypt to the museum dedicated to unraveling its ghostly enigmas, every corner holds a story waiting to be unearthed. Join us on a 40-minute tour through the labyrinthine halls of the Washoe Club, where history and the supernatural collide in a spine-chilling fusion of past and present. Are you ready to brave the ghostly whispers that echo through its hallowed halls?

Step back in time on a full-day adventure from Reno to Virginia City, one of the most iconic and best-preserved mining towns of the Old West. Enjoy a perfect blend of history, scenic beauty, and cultural immersion on this guided day trip. Begin with a comfortable morning pickup from Reno. Enjoy a scenic drive through the high desert and foothills of the Sierra Nevada, with commentary about the history of the region, the Comstock Lode, and the silver boom that shaped Nevada’s legacy. Upon arrival in Virginia City, stroll along authentic wooden boardwalks, visit historic saloons, and explore charming shops, museums, and old mines. Highlights include a visit to the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the Way It Was Museum, and the Silver Terrace Cemeteries. Have free time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or saloon, with optional visits to antique stores or historic homes. Learn about Mark Twain’s early career as a reporter here, and feel the echoes of the Wild West as you explore this living museum. After an enriching afternoon, relax on your return drive to Reno, taking in the sweeping Nevada landscape.