My daughter's elementary school went for a field trip so I went as a chaperone. I had never been…read morebefore and was pleasantly surprised. There are different areas to see with different exhibits. They have one of the original minted coin presses and the man that was giving the information was dressed the part, entertaining, and knowledgeable. All the staff was engaging in each area and you could tell that they genuinely were interested in the history and teaching others about it. The kids favorite area was the "ghost town" since there is a mine that you go through. I definitely learned things I didn't know about Nevada (not originally from the area though).

Quality/Quantity - My ski buddies came to visit from CA, but the snow was so bad, we decided to…read moreskip skiing today and visit Carson City instead. They are museum buffs, so it was natural to come here today. We have visited most of the Reno Museums together already. We spent 3 hours here. Also very kid and teacher friendly. 3 school tours today. Lastly, a small gift shop. Ambiance - So many exhibits, and ever changing exhibits. Featured exhibits and of course permanent exhibits. See pictures and their website. Online exhibits are available also. Also, it was cool that this used to be the US mint. And on Saturday, you can still see the mint press in action. Programs and events; see their website. 3 floors, the bottom floor being a mine. So a decent size location. Small parking lot, but always plenty of street parking. Open 6 days a week 8:30am to 4:30pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Service - Good. Self service mostly. Price - $10, affordable. Member discounts available; see their website. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1939. So much history.

Chollar Mine Tour - A Glimpse into the Golden Age of Virginia City…read more Recommended by locals, I made my way to the Chollar Mine, once the 5th largest mine during the 19th-century Gold Rush era. In its prime, it yielded an overwhelming amount of gold--worth millions of dollars then and easily billions in today's value. Scattered across the grounds are authentic mining tools, giving visitors a sense of the equipment used back in the day. One highlight was the rock smasher, which the staff explained in detail. From the start, John and Gary gave me a warm welcome and patiently answered all my questions. Before we entered the mine, Gary provided a fascinating introduction to its history and operations--explaining how miners worked in 8-hour shifts, the intense conditions they faced underground, and how they coped with the heat from the geothermal groundwater. Equipped with a helmet, I followed the narrow tunnels where the ceiling is low enough to give you a bump if you're not careful. Along the old rail tracks used for transporting minerals, Gary demonstrated the rope-and-pulley system, drilling tools, and even how miners once relied on rats and candles to test air quality inside the mine. He also pointed out the split line in the rock that marked different mining outputs, giving a vivid sense of how geologists identified the veins. To make the experience more tactile, he even handed me some clay samples from the mine, so I could literally feel the earth that once hid so much gold. Unfortunately, visitors cannot go as deep into the mine as I had hoped--I wanted to experience the underground heat myself--but for safety reasons, the tour is limited. The cave can be slippery, and you'll often need to bend down to avoid injury. After the tour, Gary enthusiastically offered to take photos for guests, adding a personal touch to the visit. Beyond the tour itself, I learned that John now owns the mine, while Gary has written a novel that brings Virginia City's Golden Age to life. --- Final Thoughts The Chollar Mine Tour is more than just a history lesson--it's an immersive journey into the life of 19th-century miners. Thanks to the passion and effort of John and Gary, visitors can better appreciate the challenges, ingenuity, and culture of Virginia City's mining heritage. ---

Had a great time!' Gary was the best tour ever and had so much helpful information. Best part of…read moreour visit to Virginia city!! Thank you from Tommy!!!

I'm glad that we had the opportunity to stop in here and view so much history in such a small spot…read more We probably arrived an hour prior to closing. I read a sign that stated kids under 12 are free and the regular entrance fee is $6 per person which is really reasonable. There is so much artifacts in this one place that it would take more than the hour that we spent viewing it all. There are about 3 front access parking spaces in front of the entrance but more than likely you will have to find street parking and walk. You can also view a small movie that is in 3 segments of about 16 mins to learn more about the area and how it came about. Overall this is a great place to visit and support.

My family and I stopped by this cute little museum while we were in Virginia city! It was…read moredefinitely worth the price and we all found it super entertaining! Lots of neat stuff to see in this little museum I highly recommend stopping in and exploring it!

Visited this historical school house turned museum. The docents were so kind and informative. I…read moreenjoyed seeing all the different items and some stories about the area and people who used to live there. They have a wall where you can pin your location you are from and a sign a book showing you visited.

Just a fun cute little local museum. Lots of fun stuff to look at in a small space. Check it out if…read moreur in the area.

I am a teacher and I visited the FW School with some fellow teachers so it was a great experience…read more Luckily, for us there were only a few other visitors so we didn't feel rushed and we were able to explore each room and the exhibits with minimal disruptions. I really enjoyed just walking from room to room hearing the floorboards creak and imagining what it must have sounded like when it was full of students and teachers. The staff member on site was very friendly and she gave us a bit of information about the school. There is a small store with trinkets and merchandise.

The building is fabulously rich in history! The museum manager, Barbara, is knowledgeable, helpful…read moreand very enthusiastic about helping you learn the different rooms of the school/museum. Tour guide, Alan, is very knowing of the history, conducting a very interesting lecture before beginning a room-to-room tour. It is a breath of fresh to meet, and listen to, Barbara and Alan's passion and intelligence about this wonderful historic building! A Must-Stop on everyone's vacation plans to Nevada.

I love small local history museums, and this one is definitely the top notch. It's larger than I…read morehad imagined, and how the exhibits are organized and curated is excellent. I can tell right away that so much effort has gone into everything. In my short visit this time, I've learned so much about the county. The gift shop is also very well stocked and organized. The staff is wonderful. I can tell that this is a gem of the community. What not to love? If you are in the area, make sure to stop by!

This place is great way to spend some time! Lots of things to look at, only spent about 2 hours…read morebut could have done a lot more! My two girls had a great time!

While on a road trip hubby & I wanted to include Carson City as part of our itinerary…read more It's Nevada's state capital. Where to go? My sis & BIL, locals in Reno, suggested the railroad museum. We arrived promptly at 9am, and parked in the free lot. It's $10 admission fee into the museum No senior discount. Train ride is additional cost. We passed as the train goes around in a circle on property a few times. Most of the restored locomotives are local - the V&T aka Virginia & Truckee. Used primarily to haul silver & timber. Staffed mostly by volunteers. Hubby & BIL spent a great deal of time with a volunteer who took them behind the scenes. At least an hour. Sis & I waited in the front lobby where there was AC. Outdoor temperature in the high 90's. There's a small museum gift shop.

I really enjoyed my tour with my in-laws. Bill was a great and knowledgeable guide with a great…read moresense of humor and love for locomotives. Great experience! Great history of the area and then some that blew me away. In today's day in age we should all take the time out and take a step into history here.

Cool exhibits and tours. Knowledgeable staff and interactive exhibits. Lots to learn about Lake…read moreTahoe here both for kids and adults alike.

We were vacationing in Incline Village and made reservations for a weekday afternoon. Marin was our…read moredocent, and she was fantastic; knowledgeable, patient with the younger kiddos, and thorough. The exhibits and various features were thoughtfully designed and executed, and we couldn't recommend the experience more enthusiastically.

We loved our visit to the Discovery Museum in Reno! We only had about an hour before closing, so it…read morewas a bit rushed--but even in that short time, we had so much fun exploring all the different areas. Heads up: the gift shop closed before we could grab anything, and the closing announcements were pretty firm--if you weren't already in line, it was a no-go. Totally fair, just something to keep in mind when planning your visit! There are so many exhibits that we definitely had to move quickly, but it was still 100% worth it. Pro tip: save the downstairs water feature for last--it's an absolute blast for the whole family! As a special needs family, we felt really comfortable here. Our 5-year-old loved the freedom to walk and explore, and our 1-year-old had a great time in the littles area and with the water play. The huge cloud play structure looked amazing, but we skipped it since there's only one way in and out--just didn't feel like the right call for us this time. Bonus: let your kids take the stairs to burn off energy! But if you've got a stroller, wheelchair, or just want an easier route, elevators are available too. Overall, such a fun spot--we'll definitely be back (with more time next time)!

I will say the kiddos love this place…read more We have been twice. Before I wanted to get a membership, but now seeing how it is. I am happy thay we just go once in a while. The museum is not very large and most of our kiddos love the Truckee river exhibit as they play there more. It could be the age. Just bring some spare clothes or a towel as they may be drenched. As they get older they may like to do the other exhibits more. They have lego, space, anatomy, physics, and engineering zones. They also have a lab with daily activities. The amazing part is there are plenty of things to do. The downside is the parking lot gets packed fast, but thats a good thing. So give yourself time if looking for a spot. Its super cool for the kiddos and there is even a cute little toddler playground. So please enjoy the space and time.

This was my second museum in one day so I didn't look super close at everything. The staff was…read morefriendly and helpful and there are 2 floors of exhibits. The first floor had displays about the wild mustangs, early ranches and the Washoe Tribe. The Chamber of Commerce is also located inside and has an assortment of brochures and a friendly, helpful staff member. There is also a small bookstore on the first floor with all sorts of fun and interesting books about Nevada and western history. The downstairs is divided into exhibits about various businesses. For example: The telephone company, a dress shop, mens fashion, and a saloon. Outside there are agriculture exhibits featuring machinery, a carriage and other ranching implements. There are bathrooms located on the lower floor. It is not open on the weekends.

This is a fantastic museum that my husband and I found while staying at the Carson Valley Inn. The…read moremurals and displays are beautiful. I especially loved the room dedicated to the local Washoe and Paiute people. There are gorgeous baskets, arrowheads, and beadwork on display along with historical pictures, bows and arrows, and other unique pieces. This room was put together by the Native American people themselves. The people who work there are friendly and informative. It costs just five dollars to check this place out and it is well worth it. Besides the Washoe room, there are displays related to the wild mustangs of Nevada including local legend, "Wild Horse Annie," wagon trails, mining, pioneer life with recreations of a mercantile, a barber shop, a beauty parlor, and typical early domestic items. You will learn about the first female doctor in Nevada, an early veterinarian, and another local legend, Snowshoe Thompson. He delivered mail from Placerville, Ca to Carson City, Nv. On wooden skis!! I recommend this awesome place to anyone passing through the area.