Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City

our tour starts at Town Center in South Lake Tahoe. As you drive through Stateline, hear how casinos rose along the California-Nevada border, and how a lakeside resort grew from the trails that carried fortune seekers east to the silver mines.(pass by)

Climb the Kingsbury Grade, an 1860s toll road built for wagons and freight heading to the Comstock mines. Near the summit, the road opens onto sweeping views over the Carson Valley before winding down past the old Van Sickle Station.(pass by)

Genoa is Nevada’s oldest settlement, founded as a trading post in 1851. Take a slow drive or short walk through this tiny, tree-lined town, with its historic buildings, old courthouse and the Pink House, and hear how it served pioneers heading west.(10 min)

See the reconstructed stockade and trading post where Genoa began in 1851. The small museum shows how emigrants on the California Trail stocked up here before crossing the Sierra. The grounds are a pleasant spot to stretch your legs. PLEASE NOTE: Admission is not included.(30 min)

See restored locomotives and carriages from the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which once hauled silver ore and timber between the Comstock and Carson City. A great optional stop for families and train fans. PLEASE NOTE: Admission is not included.(45 min)

Nevada’s capital was named for the explorer Kit Carson and grew rich on Comstock silver. The audio guides you past the Capitol, museums and historic mansions packed into a few walkable blocks, with stories of the lawyers, judges and politicians who shaped the state.(pass by)

Built in 1871 and crowned with a silver-colored dome, the Capitol is the heart of Carson City. Step inside to see the historic chambers and portraits of Nevada’s governors, and hear why Nevada calls itself the Battle Born State.(20 min)

Drive past the Nevada Governor's Mansion, a grand residence that has housed the state's governors throughout history.(pass by)

Drive past the home of Orion Clemens, Secretary of Nevada Territory and older brother of Samuel Clemens. Sam followed Orion west in 1861, tried his luck at mining, and soon began writing for a Virginia City newspaper under the name Mark Twain.(pass by)

This museum is housed in the former Carson City Mint, where Comstock silver was struck into coins bearing the famous CC mark. Inside you’ll find the original coin press, a replica mine and exhibits on Nevada’s natural history. PLEASE NOTE: Admission is not included.(45 min)

Leave the valley and climb toward the Comstock through Silver City, once a busy mining camp with mills, saloons and boarding houses. Today it’s a quiet village, but the audio brings back the noise and bustle of the boom years.(pass by)

Pass by Devil's Gate, a geological formation that adds intrigue to the landscape along your driving route.(pass by)

Drive through Gold Hill, another historic mining town that contributes to the rich tapestry of Nevada's mining history.(pass by)

Ride a historic train on the Virginia & Truckee line between Virginia City and Gold Hill, a short scenic trip along tracks that once carried the riches of the Comstock. PLEASE NOTE: Seasonal schedule. Tickets are not included.(45 min)

Park and stroll C Street’s wooden boardwalks, lined with saloons, shops and museums. Hear about the newspaper where Mark Twain got his start, the gunfights and the fortunes made and lost, and how the Comstock Lode got its name.(pass by)

Head underground on a guided walk into the Chollar Mine, one of the Comstock’s major silver mines. See the square-set timbering that let miners dig deeper than ever before, a Comstock invention covered in the audio. PLEASE NOTE: Tour tickets are not included.(30 min)

Drive past the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, a well-preserved schoolhouse that offers insights into Nevada's educational history.(pass by)

Drive by the Mackay Mansion Museum, a historic landmark associated with one of Nevada's prominent mining magnates.(pass by)

See Saint Mary In the Mountains, a historic church that stands as a testament to Virginia City's religious heritage.(pass by)

End your tour at the Virginia City Visitor Center, a hub of information and resources for visitors exploring the historic town.(pass by)