Virginia City

A memorable outing from Tahoe is a day trip to Nevada’s silver towns, Virginia City and Carson City. Leaving Tahoe City, follow the northernmost shore of the lake across the Nevada state line and take Hwy 431 from Incline Village over Mount Rose to the stoplight at Hwy 395. Cross the highway and go straight ahead up the winding Geiger Grade, Hwy 341, to Virginia City. Built over a honeycomb of silver mines, in its heyday Virginia City had a population of over 30,000. Its wooden sidewalks, colorful saloons (you must visit the Bucket of Blood Saloon), and false-front buildings with their broad balconies make it a town straight out of a John Wayne movie. The stores sell everything from homemade candy to western boots and several have been reconstructed as museums. You can walk up to the old cemetery, take a steam-train ride, or tour a mine.