What a wonderful way to spend an evening! Our hostess was so knowledgeable, funny, and shared some…read moregreat ghost stories, as well as a lot of Carson City history with us! The night was perfect, and we did the flashlight tour, which made things a little spooky! If you've never done the Carson City goes to her I highly suggest you give it a try! It was a fun evening out & a fun date nigh!

What a gas! Our "scary tour" was given by the spirited spirit of madam Curry, the founders funny…read moreand most entertaining ghost! It was 90 minutes, an easy walk past many of our most haunted homes and businesses. Take the kids, grandkids or make it a group outing ! Description SUMMER SEASON 2021 SATURDAY EVENING TOURS: 28th season JUNE - OCTOBER 2021 DATES: 6/19, 7/3, 7/10, 8/14, 8/21 TIME: 7 PM DATES: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 TIME: 6 PM Ninety Minute Evening Tours Tickets: $15 Advance. $20 @ the Tour All Day October Ghost Walk - Saturday, October 23, 2021 The Carson City Ghost Walk reopens to the public for evening walking tours! Carson City's rich and intriguing history is explored and theatrically re-lived in our seasonal tours, led by Madame Curry, a ghostly and witty community spirit based on the widow of Carson City's founder, Abe Curry. The Carson City Ghost Walks evening walking tours are a delightfully spooky and enjoyable way to experience Carson City's Victorian era and diverse history. Hear about lingering spirits of the long ago centuries, haunted and paranormal stories and gossip from the past. This is a spirit lead, guided walking tour of the downtown district's west side historic homes and businesses. This is an outside tour leaving rain or shine. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk begins. Please dress for weather & walking. Tickets: All tickets $15 in advance with an additional online fee. $20 at the door. Under 3 Free. Tickets in advance available online at: purplepass or by mail. Location: Tours depart from 3rd & Carson Street next to the St. Charles Hotel (Firkin & Fox Pub). Early summer tours leave @ 7:00 PM. September and October Tours leave @ 6:00 PM The Carson City Ghost Walk follows all CDC Guidelines for Covid - 19 and community safety. Items Not Allowed

The Historic Reno Preservation Society sponsored a walking tour of the 4th Street area and beer…read moresampling of craft breweries along the way. The tour covered the area on 4th Street between Evans and Morrill Streets. We met at the corner of Morrill and 4th Streets, immediately east of the wells overpass. This area has a very distinct and colorful history that I was not aware of. 4th Street went from being a dirt road to becoming a key industrial and commercial road, to a highway. As the road connected east and west cities, it attracted many big businesses that thrived on 4th Street in years gone by. There were even railroad tracks that came right into the area. In that small four block area of 4th Street there were slaughter houses, a commercial brewery and other industries that had attracted the railroad to that area. In fact, the Depot brewery and restaurant, was indeed a train depot and there are remnants of the vault that once was part of the train depot. The door to the vault for some strange reason is in the men's room. My feeling is that it should be on display so all who come in can see it. It is a very impressive piece of history. . We had four staff members from the Reno Historical Society that took us on the walk and explained the businesses that thrived along the 4th Street Corridor and lectured on the architecture of some of the buildings that are still there that are over a hundred fifty years old, the significance of businesses having access to the train, and the evolution and development of 4th Street from a simple dirt road to a major road linking cities east and west until Interstate 80 was built. Along the way we made three stops at 3 craft breweries the first Brewery was the pigeon Head Brewery. the second was the lead Dog Brewery, and the third and final stop was the Depot Restaurant and Brewery. I am a huge fan of the craft beers and each one of the breweries definitely had something to my taste and liking even. it was interesting to go tour the breweries and sample their beers and have an appreciation of the brewmasters' special ingredients and talents as they practice their craft and make us all happy, happy. A very special way to spend part of your Sunday, thanks to the Historic Reno Preservation Society. Check out their website for future tours. Probst!

I'm the one who when traveling always has to insist we stop and read every Historic Marker…read more They're just tiny little signs, however, what they open up to me is infinitely valuable. Thankfully my large and extended family either shares my love of history, or easily tolerates it. Also thankfully, many others also love history and have left us memories, research and pictures. For if you don't know history, then you are like a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. Moana Springs Historical Marker #234 is my latest find. In Hawaiian, moana means ocean or sea. Quite a bit of irony there as Moana Springs was located in the high desert. I stood there, read the inscription and then imagined what Moana Springs and the people were like back then. Opened as a resort on October 29, 1905, Moana Springs took its name from a famous Hawaiian spa. In addition to a large bath house with a pool fed by hot springs, Moana had a stately hotel, a clubhouse, baseball diamond and picnic grounds. Constructed and initially operated by Charles T. Short, (who gave the resort its name), Al North and John N. Evans, Moana was acquired by Louis W . Berrum in 1913 and remained in his family for the next four decades. Served by Berrum's Nevada Interurban Trolley Line from 1907 to 1920, Moana hosted dances, rodeos, boxing matches, trapshoots, circuses and aviation exhibitions. The city of Reno purchased Moana in 1956 and the remaining buildings were demolished the next year to make way for a new recreational complex. Location 39° 29.471′ N, 119° 47.999′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County on West Moana Lane, on the right when traveling east. At the entrance to Jack Tighe Park. Marker is at or near 240 West Moana Lane, Reno NV 89509. For us to understand how and why our present world is the way it is, look to history for answers. Having knowledge of our history allows us to: Understand where we came from Understand our present Gain knowledge so we can create a better future An understanding of the successes and failures of the past is important if we are to grow and make progress from now on. History is the only laboratory we have in which to test the consequences of human thought and behavior. If we do not learn from our past mistakes, we are bound to repeat them. I can only change the present. I'm always working on that. Knowledge of history helps us to understand why today is the way it is. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are. Knowing history gives us a sense of perspective. If you think you have it tough, read history books. At these links is some Cool History of Moana Springs: https://renohistorical.org/items/show/168 https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2021/may/05/nevada-traveler-story-renos-gone-not-forgotten-moa/ Nearby Markers 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans of Foreign Wars Historical Building (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Junction House (approx. 0.3 miles away) Emigrant Trail--Truckee River Route (approx. 0.6 miles away) Site of Reno Air Mail Field (approx. 0.8 miles away) Major General Jesse Lee Reno (approx. 2.3 miles away) Spanish-American War Memorial 1898-1899 (approx. 2.3 miles away) Lake Mansion (approx. 2.3 miles away) Washoe County World War II Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away). This link, https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Place&Town=Reno&State=Nevada, is to Historical Markers and War Memorials in Reno, Nevada. I rate it 3 stars. According to the Yelp ratings' definitions, 3 Stars is "Ok". That to me is an acceptable rating of something that does day in and day out what it is there to do. It is NOT a negative review.

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!!!

What a fantastic way to spend Valentine's Day in my favorite city in the sky!…read more This is our third time on the Murder Mystery Train Trip! Every year it's a different who duh it theme! It's fun to ask the characters questions before the murder happens. Then you have time to fill out your paperwork with the correct answers to win a prize! While on the train you can enjoy a well arrange Valentine's Day snack pack for two with sandwich's, fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries and cookies along with wine, water and beer! At the end, as you're exiting the train, they give out beautiful red roses to the ladies to enjoy. This is a favorite thing for us to do! Sometimes I wish it was much longer! They have about three trips a day Noon, 2, 4pm. All the characters are Knowledge, the train staff are awesome when checking in! The grounds are perfect for parking and bathroom facilities. There are many other train trips to take throughout the year, so definitely hop aboard and experience the beauty of the region and explore the gold rush time of Virginia City NV.

What an amazing experience the Candy Cane Express was! We have two under 4 and this was our second…read moreyear riding the train. This version is in the daytime and perfect for littles. The staff makes it extra special with hot chocolate and a little goodie bag, songs, stories, and they come around and ask all the kids names so Santa can actually name them all off. My daughter's response was absolutely priceless, "HE KNOWS MY NAME! He said I'm on the nice list!" I will remember that forever and am so looking forward to more experiences on the V & T. The cars were clean and beautiful, comfortable seats, easy parking, clean restrooms, and other fun things to do before and after the ride.

This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip. Inclusive for all ages (and even doggos), this…read moreexperience was something our whole family enjoyed. Rhett did an amazing job of infusing Truckee history with spooky tales of this Western town's haunted past. I would definitely recommend it.

Very fun trip into truckee's past some ghost stories and fun facts and a very knowledgeable tour…read moreguide was very fun

My boyfriend and I came here for a drink and stayed for the underground mine tour! This is a…read morecash-only establishment (or at least the mine tour tickets are) so make sure you have your money on you. Otherwise, there is an ATM machine inside. The tour itself was so neat and unique! Our guide was entertaining and well informed. I definitely recommend if you're in the area!

I think the last time I was in this saloon was about 40 years ago. I remember taking a field trip…read morein elementary school in the mid 80's to tour VC. I remember taking the mine tour and being amazed that it is a part of our local history. I met some friends on a chilly Friday evening for drinks and karaoke. There was quite the crowd already at 8pm and I could tell it was a popular local watering hole. All the patrons were singing along with each karaoke guest and having a great time. The bartender was a very nice guy that was doing a great job keeping up with everyone despite being the only one behind the bar that night. We made sure to tip him well. He was slinging fresh cocktails, fresh draft pours, and some ready to drink cocktails. A couple of us put our names and song choices in for karaoke, the DJ had pretty much everything available to him. The songs ranged from classic rock, classic country, modern rock, modern country, 80's chart toppers, and some obscure songs that a number of locals got pumped up to hear! I got up to belt out my raspy rendition of The Promise, it was fun to get to 'perform' in front of a crowd again. A couple others in my group sang their hearts out as well. We will be back soon!

Me being of Japanese decent, I felt the need to visit Wakamatsu Tea and Silkworm Colony Farm in…read morePlacerville, and to pay my respect to all the courageous men and women whom traveled thousands of miles to a foreign land (America) for a dream of a better life. There are no words that can express my heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices and hardship the " Isei " (First Generation ) must have gone through ! They paved the way for people like both of my grandfathers whom came to the United States in 1906. On May 20th, 1869 a group of 22 samurais and one women arrived in San Francisco on board the SS China with 50,000 (Mulberry Trees) (Silk worm cocoons) (tea plants and seeds) ( cooking utensils) and (swords). Thus the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm was established on 160 acres in Gold Hill Placerville on June 8th, 1869. The life of the colony was short lived (1869 -1871) due to inadequate funding and a severe drought in 1871. Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony was considered to be the first Japanese Settlement in North America. In 1969 Ronald Reagan (governor at the time) proclaimed the colony to be a California Historic Landmark No. 815. The land is currently owned and operated by the American River Conservancy. The farm is on private property, so visitations can only be made by arranging a private tours, attending certain festivals on the property or schdueled events. Next year (2019) marks its 150th anniversary celebration !!! See web site for more details. Thanks for reading !

Have been to a couple of American River Conservancy events at Wakamatsu Farm. Such an historic &…read moreinteresting place. The volunteers & teachers are impressive. It is always an interesting & enjoyable experience in a beautiful setting.

A great way to learn some quirky tidbits about downtown, complete with energetic guides on this…read moreroughly 90 minute tour that keeps you engaged, even participating! Full of fun factoids, comedy and magic I won't go into the details that have been articulated previously. I'll just say it was well orchestrated, our guide was spot on, handled the passersby comically but respectful and made the event super enjoyable. We had a decent size group, but everyone seemed to feel engaged. A great event even for locals, but more fun with visitors. We look forward to doing this again when guests are in town. Now off to dinner at the Shore Room!

Gayle, Jim, Marti, and I took this most enjoyable walking tour yesterday on a nice warm Sunday…read moreafternoon. The tour started with the lower level of the Renaissance Hotel (who provided water and a snack) for a introduction, a historical set-up (in costume) and fun "throw the cards" warm-up. Once outside (fully masked) and "on the road", our tour stops included the old Post Office/West Elm, the Reno Courthouse, the Virginia Street Bridge, Space Whale/Site of old Mapes Hotel, Old Riverside Hotel, one of Reno's historic old Alleys, and Belle Island. In between were stories of hangings, rings thrown from the bridge, missing person/mob hits, possible prohibition liquor runs through alleged tunnels, and of course the church where the finale of Sister Act was filmed. There were also magic tricks, bad jokes, a look up in the sky gag for tour add-ons, a fake birthday song tribute to a surprised restaurant patron, and a very enjoyable and interactive outdoor experience. The expedition ended back at the hotel with a ring magic trick, a bit historical letter reveal, and appreciation for a job well done. This expedition actually left me with wanting more in terms of local historical tidbits and stories. Maybe sometime post-COVID, a longer and smaller attended walking tour would be "in the cards". In the meantime, please buy a ticket to the Weird Reno walking tour and thank you Kalin, Jinger, Jacques, and family for a bringing a little welcome joy to such a challenging time. Sincerely - Shorty