census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, United States

C Street

Virginia City is a small town south of Reno on highway 341, in Storey County, Western Nevada.

Understand

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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

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Get in

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By road

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From Reno: Take highway 395 south out of Reno and continue on to 341 south over the Geiger Grade.

By train

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The V&T Railway offers same day round trip rides from Carson City to Virgnia City over the summer and near Christmas.

Get around

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Map
Map of Virginia City (Nevada)

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.

  • People dressed in vintage 70's clothes (that would be the 1870s). They hang out at some of the saloons.
  • 1 Silver Terrace Cemetery, North E Street (at Carson Street). Old cemetery with interesting headstones. Worth a visit.

Museums

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Virginia City has many different museums (a full list can be found here).

Further afield

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  • Wander C Street
  • Take a mine tour: there are several operators offering guided excursions into the mines beneath the city.
  • Watch the Camel races.

Gambling

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If you win...

Chances are that, if you win it big in Virginia City or Dayton and you are not a U.S. citizen your winnings will be subject to a 30% withholding tax from the Internal Revenue Service. That $10,000 slot winning can dwindle quite quickly if that is taken off the top. Not to worry though you can reclaim your gambling winnings tax through a 1042-S form. You should get this from the casino so don't lose it: it is your starting ticket to getting your gambling winnings back.

There are some gambling opportunities at the saloons.

Further afield

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There are lots of gift shops on C Street. The quality ranges from good to garbage.

At the Saloons

  • 1 Cafe Del Rio, 394 C St (Southern end of C St.), +1 775 847-5151. A southwest spin on Mexican fare. Sunday brunch available.

Drink

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Outdoor consumption of alcohol is tolerated.

Sleep

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Go next

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This city travel guide to Virginia City is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.