Carson City

United_States

Nevada's capital, Carson City is located along the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada, in the Eagle Valley, just east of Lake Tahoe, south of Reno, and north of Douglas County and the Carson Valley communities of Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa. The Carson River flows through the southeast corner of the city. With a population approaching 65,000, Carson City is a picturesque, evolving destination with central access to the outdoors as well as larger and smaller communities nearby.

From the beginning, Carson City was intended to be Nevada's capital. Its cause was advanced by local fraternal orders and businessmen, chief among them Abraham Curry, who bankrolled and oversaw many of Carson City's early developments. Carson City was once home to an outlet of the US Mint. The collectible "CC" Carson City coins were produced here from 1870-1893.

With several hidden surprises for the history buff, Carson City is a pleasant daytrip from nearby Reno and Lake Tahoe.

  • Carson City Culture & Tourism Authority, 716 N Carson St, +1 775 687-7410.

Carson City Culture & Tourism Authority, 716 N Carson St, +1 775 687-7410.

Nevada State Capitol, 101 N Carson St.

Nevada State Museum, 600 N Carson St (Corner of Lincoln Hwy and Robinson Street., +1 775-687-4810. Housed in the old Carson City mint. Adults $8, children 17 and under free.

Brewery Arts Center, 449 W King St, +1 775-883-1976.

Nevada Governor Mansion, 606 N Mountain St, +1 775 882-2333.

Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S Carson St (U.S. Highway 395, +1 775-687-6953. At Fairview Drive, near the south end of Carson City

Stewart Indian School, 5500 Snyder Ave, +1 775 687-8333 (main), +1 775 546-1460 (on-site audio tour).

Carson City is the only Nevada city purchasing open space with a dedicated tax source. Those open spaces are in the process of coming online, however outdoor activity is still available in abundance in the area.

  • Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St., +1 755-885-7000.
  • Carson Nugget Casino Hotel, +1 775 882-1626 (Casino).
  • Gold Dust West Carson City. Slots and sports book, no tables. Also has a 32-lane bowling center.

Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St., +1 755-885-7000.

Carson Nugget Casino Hotel, +1 775 882-1626 (Casino).

Gold Dust West Carson City. Slots and sports book, no tables. Also has a 32-lane bowling center.

Eagle Valley Golf Course, 3999 Centennial Park Dr, +1 651-714-3750. 6:30am-8:30pm.

Empire Ranch Golf Course, 1875 Fair Way, +1 775 885-2100.

Silver Oak Golf Club, 1251 Country Club Dr, +1 775-841-7000. Exciting golf course in the hills surrounding Lake Tahoe.

  • Mills Park. Summer kiddie train, events pavilion.
  • Fuji Park, 601 Old Clear Creek Rd (South Carson Street and Clear Creek Road, near the Douglas County Line. Playground, stream.
  • Washoe Lake State Park, +1 775 687-4319.

Mills Park. Summer kiddie train, events pavilion.

Fuji Park, 601 Old Clear Creek Rd (South Carson Street and Clear Creek Road, near the Douglas County Line. Playground, stream.

Washoe Lake State Park, +1 775 687-4319.

Carson City is not known for its shopping. You should be able to find any general merchandise you require along Carson Street or Highway 50. Downtown Carson City just near the capitol complex features a variety of small shops.

  • El Charro Avitia, 4389 S. Carson St. Very good Mexican food.
  • Q's Barbecue, 230 Fairview Dr (at South Carson Street. Western-style barbecue cuisine.
  • Bollywood, 2329 N Carson St. Indian cuisine.
  • Cracker Box, 402 E William St. American breakfast open til 2PM.
  • City Cafe Bakery, 701 S Carson St. Sandwiches & espresso cafe.
  • Adele's, 1112 North Carson St. A local institution of fine dining and a place to be seen.
  • San Rafael Coffee Company, 711 South Carson Street #3 (Main Street and 8th, +1 775 461-3113. 6AM-6PM. Serves hand roasted coffee, espresso drinks and pastries.
  • The Firkin and Fox, 310 South Carson St (Southern end of town, +1 775-883-1369. 9AM-midnight. Old English-style pub specializing in High Sierra Brewing Company beer. Mid level pricing.
  • Comma Coffee, 312 S Carson St, +1 775 883-2662. Coffee shop that has a unique atmosphere with knickknacks, books, and artwork everywhere in a historic building with courtyard. Live music, jam sessions, and a monthly open mic. They serve breakfast, soups, sandwiches, organic coffee, Italian and French sodas.

El Charro Avitia, 4389 S. Carson St. Very good Mexican food.

Q's Barbecue, 230 Fairview Dr (at South Carson Street. Western-style barbecue cuisine.

Bollywood, 2329 N Carson St. Indian cuisine.

Cracker Box, 402 E William St. American breakfast open til 2PM.

City Cafe Bakery, 701 S Carson St. Sandwiches & espresso cafe.

Adele's, 1112 North Carson St. A local institution of fine dining and a place to be seen.

San Rafael Coffee Company, 711 South Carson Street #3 (Main Street and 8th, +1 775 461-3113. 6AM-6PM. Serves hand roasted coffee, espresso drinks and pastries.

The Firkin and Fox, 310 South Carson St (Southern end of town, +1 775-883-1369. 9AM-midnight. Old English-style pub specializing in High Sierra Brewing Company beer. Mid level pricing.

Comma Coffee, 312 S Carson St, +1 775 883-2662. Coffee shop that has a unique atmosphere with knickknacks, books, and artwork everywhere in a historic building with courtyard. Live music, jam sessions, and a monthly open mic. They serve breakfast, soups, sandwiches, organic coffee, Italian and French sodas.

  • Lake Tahoe. Just over Spooner Summit at the south end of town, via Highway 50 West (completely different road than the popular "Highway 50" Williams Street), is Lake Tahoe. Carson City is a direct route to South Lake Tahoe and the Stateline casino area, as well as Heavenly ski area and the rest of what Lake Tahoe has to offer.
  • Nevada Outback. The other way on Highway 50 East, Williams Street, you find the Nevada outback. This region of basins and ranges is perhaps best explored via Highway 50. Overnight trips work best for anything beyond Sand Mountain, which lies outside Fallon. Other things to see along the Highway 50 corridor include Fort Churchill State Park, Lahontan Reservoir, and the historic diametric opposite central Nevada mining towns of Austin and Eureka.
  • Carson Valley. South along 395, the Carson Valley is home to Genoa, Nevada's oldest settlement (established as Mormon Station in 1851), as well as the towns of Minden and Gardnerville. Gardnerville is home to some Basque food and downtown Minden is quaint and picturesque. Kingsbury Grade climbs the Sierra west of Carson Valley to Lake Tahoe, and is the Nevada side entrance to Heavenly Ski Resort.

[[Lake Tahoe]]. Just over Spooner Summit at the south end of town, via Highway 50 West (completely different road than the popular "Highway 50" Williams Street), is Lake Tahoe. Carson City is a direct route to South Lake Tahoe and the Stateline casino area, as well as Heavenly ski area and the rest of what Lake Tahoe has to offer.

Nevada Outback. The other way on Highway 50 East, Williams Street, you find the Nevada outback. This region of basins and ranges is perhaps best explored via Highway 50. Overnight trips work best for anything beyond Sand Mountain, which lies outside Fallon. Other things to see along the Highway 50 corridor include Fort Churchill State Park, Lahontan Reservoir, and the historic diametric opposite central Nevada mining towns of Austin and Eureka.

Carson Valley. South along 395, the Carson Valley is home to Genoa, Nevada's oldest settlement (established as Mormon Station in 1851), as well as the towns of Minden and Gardnerville. Gardnerville is home to some Basque food and downtown Minden is quaint and picturesque. Kingsbury Grade climbs the Sierra west of Carson Valley to Lake Tahoe, and is the Nevada side entrance to Heavenly Ski Resort.