Guidebook for Virginia City
Food Scene
Housed in the historic Werrin Building, originally a grocery store and rooming house, Café del Rio has been serving up authentic Tex-Mex flavors since 2005. Using only fresh quality ingredients, the menu is prepared from scratch with traditional techniques and a sincere desire to please and impress.
Cafe Del Rio
394 S C St Housed in the historic Werrin Building, originally a grocery store and rooming house, Café del Rio has been serving up authentic Tex-Mex flavors since 2005. Using only fresh quality ingredients, the menu is prepared from scratch with traditional techniques and a sincere desire to please and impress.
The Canvas Cafe in Virginia City is a place where we offer local artists a place to showcase their work while offering an individualized dining experience as unique as the patron. Voted as the best Virginia City restaurant by the editors of the Reno News & Review 2018 Best of Northern Nevada, awarded by a travel guide in Le Petit Futé Petit Futé and mentioned as a place to eat in the LA Times food section three times.
The Canvas Cafe
110 N C StreetThe Canvas Cafe in Virginia City is a place where we offer local artists a place to showcase their work while offering an individualized dining experience as unique as the patron. Voted as the best Virginia City restaurant by the editors of the Reno News & Review 2018 Best of Northern Nevada, awarded by a travel guide in Le Petit Futé Petit Futé and mentioned as a place to eat in the LA Times food section three times.
A well-known and sought-after Virginia City venue, The Cider House is located at Edith Palmer’s Country Inn, surrounded by an ambient and historic environment. Meals are prepared to perfection and offer a dining experience in a stone room with a large fireplace. During warmer months, outside dining is available.
The Cider Factory
420 South B StA well-known and sought-after Virginia City venue, The Cider House is located at Edith Palmer’s Country Inn, surrounded by an ambient and historic environment. Meals are prepared to perfection and offer a dining experience in a stone room with a large fireplace. During warmer months, outside dining is available.
The Delta Saloon, originally opened in 1865, is one of the oldest, most historic properties in Virginia City. It’s also home to the infamous Suicide Table. Serving hot food, cold drinks and good times, it’s one of Virginia City’s original watering holes.
The Delta Saloon
18 S C StThe Delta Saloon, originally opened in 1865, is one of the oldest, most historic properties in Virginia City. It’s also home to the infamous Suicide Table. Serving hot food, cold drinks and good times, it’s one of Virginia City’s original watering holes.
An indoor/outdoor grill and saloon serving cooked-to-order hamburgers, grilled hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, smoked turkey and country-style pork ribs. Owner and in-house griller, Rich Connell, received his training while working for the Redding Fire Department, hence the restaurant’s namesake. Once in Virginia City, look for the outdoor seating place with shade, music and pine trees. Or just follow your nose towards the south end of town.
Firehouse Saloon & Grill
171 S C StAn indoor/outdoor grill and saloon serving cooked-to-order hamburgers, grilled hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, smoked turkey and country-style pork ribs. Owner and in-house griller, Rich Connell, received his training while working for the Redding Fire Department, hence the restaurant’s namesake. Once in Virginia City, look for the outdoor seating place with shade, music and pine trees. Or just follow your nose towards the south end of town.
The Palace Restaurant is a local’s favorite. Serving patrons for more than 15 years, the building was once the Territorial Enterprise office. The Palace offers a full lunch menu consisting of salads, sandwiches, sirloin burgers and they are famous for mouth-watering Reuben sandwiches. Full premium bar includes premium drafts and all the well options imaginable.
Ponderosa Saloon
106 S C StThe Palace Restaurant is a local’s favorite. Serving patrons for more than 15 years, the building was once the Territorial Enterprise office. The Palace offers a full lunch menu consisting of salads, sandwiches, sirloin burgers and they are famous for mouth-watering Reuben sandwiches. Full premium bar includes premium drafts and all the well options imaginable.
Enjoy our locals-favorite full bar and Chicago-style pizza surrounded by the ambience of the old Red Dog Saloon. The Red Dog dates back to the heyday of the Comstock mines and as the birthplace of San Francisco-style rock and roll. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and the sauce is homemade. Combine these with fresh ingredients baked in a brick oven and you’ve got a combination that will have your taste buds wanting more.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Red Dog Saloon
76 N C StreetEnjoy our locals-favorite full bar and Chicago-style pizza surrounded by the ambience of the old Red Dog Saloon. The Red Dog dates back to the heyday of the Comstock mines and as the birthplace of San Francisco-style rock and roll. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and the sauce is homemade. Combine these with fresh ingredients baked in a brick oven and you’ve got a combination that will have your taste buds wanting more.
Sightseeing
With its riches first located in 1859, the Chollar Mine (later the Chollar-Potosi) was one of the leading producers on the Comstock. From its found to the next 80 years, miners blasted and carted out some $17 million in gold and silver. The Nevada Mill was erected on the site in 1887 to process the vast amounts of ore taken out of the Chollar Mine. Today the mine is open for visitors. A guided tour lasts a half hour and is a 400 foot level walk. Visitors will see the original square-set timbering, silver ore, rock drills, as well as displays of old equipment.
Chollar Mine Tour
615 F StWith its riches first located in 1859, the Chollar Mine (later the Chollar-Potosi) was one of the leading producers on the Comstock. From its found to the next 80 years, miners blasted and carted out some $17 million in gold and silver. The Nevada Mill was erected on the site in 1887 to process the vast amounts of ore taken out of the Chollar Mine. Today the mine is open for visitors. A guided tour lasts a half hour and is a 400 foot level walk. Visitors will see the original square-set timbering, silver ore, rock drills, as well as displays of old equipment.
COMSTOCK GOLD MILL
Virginia City’s mining history comes alive with the last fully operational stamp mill dating back to the 1860s and built by Joshua Hendy in San Francisco as a two stamp Gold Mill. See how gold was processed from ore to recovery. A narrated tour is educational and fun put there are lots of historical mining equipment in one place to see.
Comstock Gold Mill
435 F StCOMSTOCK GOLD MILL
Virginia City’s mining history comes alive with the last fully operational stamp mill dating back to the 1860s and built by Joshua Hendy in San Francisco as a two stamp Gold Mill. See how gold was processed from ore to recovery. A narrated tour is educational and fun put there are lots of historical mining equipment in one place to see.
The Best and Belcher Mine tour is a 25-minute guided tour featuring over 300 pieces of antique mining equipment on display. See complete underground mine workings – tunnels, crosscuts, drifts, stopes, raises, winzes and shafts. The Ponderosa Mine is located in the Ponderosa Saloon, formerly the Bank of California.
Ponderosa Mine Tour
106 S C StThe Best and Belcher Mine tour is a 25-minute guided tour featuring over 300 pieces of antique mining equipment on display. See complete underground mine workings – tunnels, crosscuts, drifts, stopes, raises, winzes and shafts. The Ponderosa Mine is located in the Ponderosa Saloon, formerly the Bank of California.
Bring the family and pan for gold and gems on the Comstock.
Season:
May to September
Virginia City Mercantile
85 S C StBring the family and pan for gold and gems on the Comstock.
Season:
May to September
The Julia Bulette Red Light Museum is located with the Virginia City Bar & Grill. The museum chronicles the life of the infamous Julia Bulette, the most prosperous madam on the Comstock.
Julia Bulette Red Light Museum
5 N C StreetThe Julia Bulette Red Light Museum is located with the Virginia City Bar & Grill. The museum chronicles the life of the infamous Julia Bulette, the most prosperous madam on the Comstock.
Virginia City is home to a number of beautiful churches reflective of the late 19th century culture. One such church is St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church, arguably the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. It is Nevada’s oldest Catholic Church and is open to welcome visitors every day.
Having been preserved during and since the Great Fire of 1875, this is the “Mother of all Catholic churches in Nevada.” It was built by the 6’4” “Paddy” Manogue, who ministered to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento, California. Enjoy a free tour of the museum and wine cellar. Mass is held Saturday
St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church
111 E StVirginia City is home to a number of beautiful churches reflective of the late 19th century culture. One such church is St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church, arguably the most prominent historical structure and institution in Virginia City. It is Nevada’s oldest Catholic Church and is open to welcome visitors every day.
Having been preserved during and since the Great Fire of 1875, this is the “Mother of all Catholic churches in Nevada.” It was built by the 6’4” “Paddy” Manogue, who ministered to the hard-working Irish-Catholic miners for almost 20 years and then became the first Bishop of Sacramento, California. Enjoy a free tour of the museum and wine cellar. Mass is held Saturday
Built in 1876, the St. Mary’s Art Center was originally established as the St. Mary Louise Hospital by the Daughters of Charity and Bishop Patrick Manogue. The 36-room hospital included five wards and 12 private rooms that could accommodate more than 70 patients. Since 1964, the 14,000-square-foot hospital has been operating continuously as an art center for artist and writers offering workshops, artist gallery exhibitions, retreats and more.
Located on six acres, the center is open year-round for workshops, exhibitions and special programming. The building is home to a large, sunny art studio, print room, photography dark room, seven galleries, sixteen guest rooms, two communal kitchens, 5
St Mary's Art Center
55 R StBuilt in 1876, the St. Mary’s Art Center was originally established as the St. Mary Louise Hospital by the Daughters of Charity and Bishop Patrick Manogue. The 36-room hospital included five wards and 12 private rooms that could accommodate more than 70 patients. Since 1964, the 14,000-square-foot hospital has been operating continuously as an art center for artist and writers offering workshops, artist gallery exhibitions, retreats and more.
Located on six acres, the center is open year-round for workshops, exhibitions and special programming. The building is home to a large, sunny art studio, print room, photography dark room, seven galleries, sixteen guest rooms, two communal kitchens, 5
The Storey County Courthouse, built in 1876 after being destroyed in the great fire of 1875, is the state’s oldest continuously operating courthouse. Built in the Italianate style, the two-story seat of government houses a two-tier jail, courtroom and large iron-lined record vaults. The exterior facade is brick with details of ornate iron. The Victorian-era courthouse boasts a Lady of Justice statue without her blindfold. The story is that the county chose to not blindfold her to express that here justice was, and continues to be, not blind. Donation
Season:
Open year-round, except holidays
Storey County Courthouse
26 S B StThe Storey County Courthouse, built in 1876 after being destroyed in the great fire of 1875, is the state’s oldest continuously operating courthouse. Built in the Italianate style, the two-story seat of government houses a two-tier jail, courtroom and large iron-lined record vaults. The exterior facade is brick with details of ornate iron. The Victorian-era courthouse boasts a Lady of Justice statue without her blindfold. The story is that the county chose to not blindfold her to express that here justice was, and continues to be, not blind. Donation
Season:
Open year-round, except holidays
Cemetery Road
Cemetery RoadThe Comstock Cemetery
Arts & Culture
Make this your first stop when you visit Virginia City! The Fourth Ward School is the last one of its kind still standing in the United States. The 1876 Second Empire, four-storied state-of-the-art wooden school preserves the real story of life in a booming Old West mining town. Built to accommodate more than 1,000 students, the sixteen classrooms retain original patina, desks, maps and books. The museum and community cultural center feature events and exhibits on alumni, local history, letter press printing and mining and has a comprehensive archive for research.
Season:
May to October
Fourth Ward School Museum
537 S C StMake this your first stop when you visit Virginia City! The Fourth Ward School is the last one of its kind still standing in the United States. The 1876 Second Empire, four-storied state-of-the-art wooden school preserves the real story of life in a booming Old West mining town. Built to accommodate more than 1,000 students, the sixteen classrooms retain original patina, desks, maps and books. The museum and community cultural center feature events and exhibits on alumni, local history, letter press printing and mining and has a comprehensive archive for research.
Season:
May to October
This museum displays the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world as well as rare photos, lithographs and maps of the “Bonanza” period.
The Way It Was Museum
113 C StThis museum displays the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world as well as rare photos, lithographs and maps of the “Bonanza” period.
The Washoe Club has been called one of the most haunted locations in the west. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” as well as SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters”, the building has earned its place among the elite haunted locations. Come see for yourself, memberships start as low as $20 per year and will get you access to the Crypt as well as the infamous Spiral Staircase.
The Washoe Club Haunted Museum
112 S C StThe Washoe Club has been called one of the most haunted locations in the west. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” as well as SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters”, the building has earned its place among the elite haunted locations. Come see for yourself, memberships start as low as $20 per year and will get you access to the Crypt as well as the infamous Spiral Staircase.
Built in the 1880s, Piper’s Opera House attracted famous stars from Europe and the United States and is listed by the League of Historic Theaters. One of the most significant vintage theaters on the West Coast, this stage once welcomed President Grant, Buffalo Bill, Al Jolson and Mark Twain. Today’s guests at Piper’s Opera House can keep their eye out for the ghosts who are said to attend many of the performances. Piper’s Opera House has recently undergone extensive restoration, so please check the website for upcoming events.
Piper's Opera House
12 B StBuilt in the 1880s, Piper’s Opera House attracted famous stars from Europe and the United States and is listed by the League of Historic Theaters. One of the most significant vintage theaters on the West Coast, this stage once welcomed President Grant, Buffalo Bill, Al Jolson and Mark Twain. Today’s guests at Piper’s Opera House can keep their eye out for the ghosts who are said to attend many of the performances. Piper’s Opera House has recently undergone extensive restoration, so please check the website for upcoming events.
This building was built in 1860 by George Hearst as the headquarters of the Gould & Curry Mining Company Office and later purchased by John Mackay, one of the “Silver Kings.” Between 1860 and 1950, bars of gold bullion were sold directly from the vault. Tour highlights include mining artifacts, original furnishings, Tiffany silver and great historical anecdotes.
Season:
May to October. November to April, varies; call ahead
Mackay Mansion Museum
291 S D StThis building was built in 1860 by George Hearst as the headquarters of the Gould & Curry Mining Company Office and later purchased by John Mackay, one of the “Silver Kings.” Between 1860 and 1950, bars of gold bullion were sold directly from the vault. Tour highlights include mining artifacts, original furnishings, Tiffany silver and great historical anecdotes.
Season:
May to October. November to April, varies; call ahead
Founded in 1979 by Virginia City’s volunteer Fire Department, this museum displays 19th-century firefighting equipment. There are many artifacts relating to the history of firefighting on both the Comstock and throughout Nevada. Liberty Engine Company No. 1 is still an operating volunteer firefighting unit.
Comstock Firemen's Museum
125 C StFounded in 1979 by Virginia City’s volunteer Fire Department, this museum displays 19th-century firefighting equipment. There are many artifacts relating to the history of firefighting on both the Comstock and throughout Nevada. Liberty Engine Company No. 1 is still an operating volunteer firefighting unit.
Mark Twain’s desk, chair, books and most of the original furnishings and equipment of his pressroom are on display. This is the place where Mark Twain spent most of his Virginia City days writing for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper.
Season:
Open year-round
Territorial Enterprise Museum
53 S C StMark Twain’s desk, chair, books and most of the original furnishings and equipment of his pressroom are on display. This is the place where Mark Twain spent most of his Virginia City days writing for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper.
Season:
Open year-round