Recently Viewed
Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City
4.5
2 Ratings
South Lake Tahoe
Discover Nevada's Silver Rush history on a self-guided tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City. Explore historic towns and scenic landscapes at your own pace.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- South Lake Tahoe - As you start this driving tour, you’ll begin in the picturesque surroundings of South Lake Tahoe, nestled amidst the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Carson Valley Monument - Pass by the Carson Valley Monument, a landmark that commemorates the natural beauty and historical significance of the Carson Valley region.
- Genoa - Cruise through the charming Town of Genoa, one of Nevada’s earliest settlements, and soak in its historic ambiance as you journey through.
- Mormon Station State Historic Park - See the Mormon Station State Historic Park from the road, a site that preserves the rich history of early Mormon settlers in the region.
- Nevada State Railroad Museum - Drive by the Nevada State Railroad Museum, where vintage locomotives and railroad artifacts tell the story of Nevada’s railway history.
- Carson City - Pass through Carson City, the vibrant state capital of Nevada, and catch glimpses of its historic landmarks and cultural attractions from the road.
- Nevada State Capitol Building - Drive past the Nevada State Capitol Building, symbolising Nevada’s governance and political heritage.
- Sears-Ferris House - Admire the Sears-Ferris House, an architectural gem that reflects Carson City’s Victorian-era elegance.
- Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church - Pass by Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, a historic place of worship that adds to the cultural tapestry of Carson City.
- Orion Clemens House - Catch a glimpse of the Orion Clemens House, associated with the famous Clemens family, including Mark Twain.
- Krebs-Peterson Mansion - Drive by the Krebs-Peterson Mansion, a stately home that embodies Carson City’s affluent past.
- Nevada Governor Mansion - Drive past the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, a grand residence that has housed the state’s governors throughout history.
- Bliss Mansion Historic Marker - See the Bliss Mansion Historic Marker, which commemorates the historical significance of the Bliss Mansion in Carson City.
- Nevada State Museum - Drive past the Nevada State Museum, where exhibits showcase the diverse cultural and natural history of Nevada.
- Donovan Mill Museum - Catch a glimpse of Donovan Mill, a historic industrial site that played a vital role in Nevada’s mining heritage.
- Silver City - Drive through Silver City, a historic mining town that bears testimony to Nevada’s silver mining legacy.
- Devils Gate - Pass by Devil’s Gate, a geological formation that adds intrigue to the landscape along your driving route.
- Gold Hill - Drive through Gold Hill, another historic mining town that contributes to the rich tapestry of Nevada’s mining history.
- Virginia City - Drive through Virginia City, a charming silver rush town that transports you back in time to the heyday of the Comstock Lode.
- Chollar Mansion - Pass by Chollar Mansion, a historic residence that reflects the opulence of Virginia City’s prosperous era.
- Chollar Mine - Catch a glimpse of Chollar Mine, an iconic mining operation that played a significant role in Virginia City’s mining industry.
- Fourth Ward School Museum - Drive past the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, a well-preserved schoolhouse that offers insights into Nevada’s educational history.
- Mackay Mansion Museum - Drive by the Mackay Mansion Museum, a historic landmark associated with one of Nevada’s prominent mining magnates.
- Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company - Pass by the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company, a historic railroad that once connected Virginia City to the rest of Nevada.
- St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church - See Saint Mary In the Mountains, a historic church that stands as a testament to Virginia City’s religious heritage.
- Virginia City Visitor Center - End your tour at the Virginia City Visitor Center, a hub of information and resources for visitors exploring the historic town.
What's Included
- Unlimited, lifetime use of the virtual tour option
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point
What's Not Included
- As this is a self-guided driving tour, transport isn’t included
- Food and drink
- Smartphone and headphones
- Parking fees
Additional Information
Explore the mineral-rich towns that were at the heart of Nevada’s Silver Rush at your own pace. This self-guided driving tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City takes you back to the late 1800s, revealing how silver transformed these towns’ destinies forever.
Starting in California, just a short drive from the state line, the tour ascends over Kingsbury Grade and descends into Douglas County, Nevada. Framed dramatically by the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada, this county hosts the quaint town of Genoa, one of Nevada’s earliest permanent settlements. From Genoa, you’ll drive through Carson City, the state capital, and pass by one of Nevada’s oldest towns, Silver City, before concluding the tour in the charming silver rush town of Virginia City.
By the end of this tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the historical events that shaped this industry and Nevada’s Silver Rush, all while driving through the glittering landscape of the Silver State.
- This 50-mile driving tour can be completed in about 2 hours without any stops.
- You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want.
- You can take this tour at any time, but daytime hours are best for this tour.
Location
Starbucks
Heavenly Village Way
This tour starts at the Starbucks parking lot (4000 South Lake Tahoe Blvd).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(2 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Daria
May 22, 2024
Adventure in Carson Valley - We really enjoyed the self-guided tour from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City and Virginia City. The information given by the narrator was very helpful and interesting, and the sites that the tour took us to were very cool to us, as we are history buffs; it was nice to go at our own pace. We were surprised to learn about some of Carson City's past residents, and particularly liked the neighborhood of well-preserved Victorian homes. Virginia City will take you straight back to the Silver Rush of the 1850s/60s. Many, if not most of the buildings date back to that era. The steam train tour is available on weekends, and we enjoyed the tour of the Ponderosa Mine. There are plenty of places to eat and to shop for unique jewelry and gifts. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
