This city is one of the Silver State’s hidden gems

Quick question: Can you name the capital of Nevada?

Here’s a couple hints. It’s not Las Vegas, although there is a lot to do here. It’s not Reno, although you’re getting closer. If you’re good at state capitals, you might have said Carson City—but how much do you really know about this city situated near Nevada’s border with California in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada? Just a 30-minute drive from Lake Tahoe and Reno, Carson City is an affordable base to access those area attractions that also beats the crowds. But upon arrival, you’ll find there’s much more to this hidden gem, with something for all ages. 

You'll encounter small-town charm and friendly folks, important historical landmarks and museums, eclectic dining options, outdoor activities that will take you to new heights and jaw-dropping scenery at the doorstep of one of the United States’ most popular outdoor destinations.  

Visit this fall, and you’ll be met with a bonanza of autumn activities as the city is adorned with vibrant fall foliage hues. Read on for more inspiration for planning a trip to Carson City.

Home base for some of the Silver State’s history

Carson City is full of history, and the Kit Carson Trail packs nearly 50 of these landmarks into an easy-to-follow, self-guided path. Some of the highlights of this 2.5-mile route include Victorian-style homes over a century old, including the Abraham Curry House, considered by some as the father of Carson City; and the Orion Clemens House, where his brother Samuel Clemens was a frequent visitor—though you may recognize his brother better by his pen name, Mark Twain.

The trail also includes churches; museums; government buildings, including the Governor's Mansion and Nevada State Capitol Building; and more. Use the interactive audio guide and map to locate the stops and learn more about each location.

An important piece of Nevada history is that of its Native community, including the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California with traditional homelands in the Carson City area. This complicated history can be explored at the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum (open Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Once a boarding school where the federal government’s policy of forced assimilation was implemented, it re-opened in 2020 as a museum that features powerful first-person accounts from alumni; art, photographs and artifacts on display; a self-guided walking trail through the campus; and includes information on resources for the families of those affected. 

Carson City's rail history goes back to 1868, when the Virginia and Truckee (V&T) Railroad Company was created to accommodate the newly established silver and gold mining industry in nearby Virginia City. The trains carried ore from the mines along the Carson River to the mills for refining. Today, you can board a restored 1914 Pullman coach and embark on a 24-mile round-trip scenic train ride with V&T Railway that travels by the mountains, through tunnels and is fully narrated. The Nevada State Railroad Museum has curated a collection of 65 locomotives and cars, including pieces from the V&T Railroad. The museum also offers train rides on select dates throughout the year (including a Santa train in December).

Foliage and festivities abound  

When the air turns crisp and is full of the sounds of crunching leaves, Carson City pulls out all the stops to celebrate fall with special events throughout the season. The Nevada State Railroad Museum will host their annual Harvest Train ride (Oct. 19–20). Tickets for the 30-minute steam train ride start at $15 per adult and feature historic V&T Railroad equipment. The family-friendly event features a pumpkin patch and activities for kids, and costumes are encouraged.

Nevada is home to one of the largest statehood celebrations in the country—and where better to commemorate Nevada Day than the state's capital city? The state holiday observes the anniversary of when Nevada officially became a state on October 31, 1864. The holiday is celebrated on the final Friday of October and is marked with a full weekend of celebrations (Oct. 27–29 this year). Some of the festivities include the Nevada Day Powwow, hot air balloons, a beard contest, tours at the Governor's Mansion and the much-anticipated Nevada Day Parade. 

If spooky is what you're after this fall, check out the Carson City Ghost Walk, which has been offering their hair-raising tours for over 30 years. Evening flashlight walks will be offered every Saturday in September and a special daytime tour will take place October 19. The tours are led by "Madame Curry," a historically fictional character named after the widow of Abraham Curry, and features stops along the Kit Carson Trail and by Victorian-era architecture.

If you're headed to town this fall with the family, keep the Carson City BOOnanza in mind on Oct. 24. The event sets up in Mills Park from 4–7 p.m. and will feature over 100 trick-or-treat booths, activities and food trucks—just don't forget to pack your costumes. 

Prepare for some ‘oohing and aahing’ 

Set in the Sierra Nevada foothills, you'll find plenty of hiking trails for any skill level. For a shorter trail, the Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail is just a five-minute drive from downtown and includes less than a half-mile hike out to a 25-foot cascading waterfall. For experienced hikers, the Capital to Tahoe Trail—completed in 2023—is made up of nearly 10 miles of single-track trails connecting Carson City to Lake Tahoe (16 miles if you start from downtown). The trail is also open to mountain bikers and equestrians.

Stay tuned and follow along on the Carson City to Canada Quest taking place in summer 2025, where two individuals will set out on a 1,600-mile adventure from the Capitol up to Canada via the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

Canoers and kayakers will want to make their way toward the Carson River, where there’s rapids that go up to Class III. The path includes wildlife scenery like wild horses, owls, bald eagles and more. The Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department offers guided kayak trips, with transportation and equipment included in the price.

When the weather turns cold and snowy, the slopes start calling. There are over a dozen ski resorts within an hour and 15 minutes' drive from town, including seven resorts less than an hour away. Blue Zone Sports in south Carson City offers rentals for everything you'll need for a day on the mountain. 

For a day of relaxation, head to the Carson Hot Springs Resort. Open year-round (in sun or snow), the resort uses water from 35,000 feet below Earth's surface to fill its pools. Soak in the outdoor pool or hot tub, or reserve one of the nine private indoor pools to relax in. 

Unwind around town

Located just steps away from the springs is Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint. This local favorite is as quirky as its name suggests, with options like "Evilled Eggs" ("not deviled, just evilly stuffed with shrimp, smoked paprika & roasted peppers") and a whole host of tacos, grinders, pizzas, salads and burgers to choose from. Right next door, Shoe Tree Brewing Co. is pouring up a regularly rotating menu of beers. Consider getting the free Carson City Triathlon Pass if you're planning to "drink, dine and dip." Show your pass at each of the participating businesses and you'll be able to redeem available discounts, like $1 off a pint at Shoe Tree.

The Basil restaurant opened on N. Carson Street 20 years ago and has been serving up traditional Thai food ever since. Menu favorites include a yellow curry, drunken noodle and mango rolls. Across the street from The Basil is Great Basin Brewing Company. This Nevada original has been around since 1993 when it first opened in Sparks, Nevada. Its Carson City location includes a taproom, eatery and coffee bar. Their year-round brews include the Icky IPA and the Leave No Trace alpine lager. Throughout the food menu you'll see "Icky bread," which they make using the spent grain used to brew their IPA of the same name. 

While Reno is conveniently located about 30 miles north of town, you don't need to leave Carson City if gaming is what you're after. Casino Fandango and Carson City Nugget are just two of the many casinos found along the main stretch of Carson Street. Here in the historic downtown, you'll also find a variety of unique shops to stop into, like Due Sorella, featuring a collection of repurposed antiques; and The Purple Avocado, a gift shop set in a historical home. 

Ready to go? Start planning your vacation to Carson City.