Free Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation
January 28100% refund
January 29No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City
2 Adults x $11.99
$23.98
Approx Total
$23.98
Inclusions / Exclusions
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Get unlimited, lifetime use of the the virtual tour option
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
As this is a self-guided driving tour, transport isn't included
Food and drink
Smartphone and headphones
Parking Fees
Overview
Explore the mineral-rich towns that were at the center of Nevada‘s Silver Rush at your own pace. On this self-guided driving tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, you’ll travel back in time to the second half of the 1800s to find out how silver changed these towns’ fortunes forever.
Starting in California, a short drive from the state line, this tour crosses high over Kingsbury Grade, and drops down into Douglas County, Nevada. Dramatically framed by the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada, this county is home to the quaint town of Genoa, one of Nevada‘s first permanent settlements. From Genoa, you‘ll drive through Carson City, the state‘s capital, and pass one of Nevada‘s oldest towns, Silver City, before finishing our tour in the charming silver rush town of Virginia City.
By the end of this tour, you‘ll have gained an understanding of the historical moments that shaped this industry and Nevada’s Silver Rush while driving through the sparkling landscape of the Silver State.
Meeting points
This tour starts at the Starbucks parking lot (4000 South Lake Tahoe Blvd).
End point
Itinerary
South Lake Tahoe (Pass By)
As you start this driving tour, you'll begin in the picturesque surroundings of South Lake Tahoe, nestled amidst the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains.
N/A (Pass By)
Pass by the Carson Valley Monument, a landmark that commemorates the natural beauty and historical significance of the Carson Valley region.
Genoa (Pass By)
Cruise through the charming Town of Genoa, one of Nevada's earliest settlements, and soak in its historic ambiance as you journey through.
Mormon Station State Historic Park (Pass By)
See the Mormon Station State Historic Park from the road, a site that preserves the rich history of early Mormon settlers in the region.
Nevada State Railroad Museum (Pass By)
Drive by the Nevada State Railroad Museum, where vintage locomotives and railroad artifacts tell the story of Nevada's railway history.
Carson City (Pass By)
Pass through Carson City, the vibrant state capital of Nevada, and catch glimpses of its historic landmarks and cultural attractions from the road.
Nevada State Capitol Building (Pass By)
Drive past the Nevada State Capitol Building, symbolising Nevada's governance and political heritage.
N/A (Pass By)
Admire the Sears-Ferris House, an architectural gem that reflects Carson City's Victorian-era elegance.
N/A (Pass By)
Pass by Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, a historic place of worship that adds to the cultural tapestry of Carson City.
N/A (Pass By)
Catch a glimpse of the Orion Clemens House, associated with the famous Clemens family, including Mark Twain.
N/A (Pass By)
Drive by the Krebs-Peterson Mansion, a stately home that embodies Carson City's affluent past.
N/A (Pass By)
Drive past the Nevada Governor's Mansion, a grand residence that has housed the state's governors throughout history.
N/A (Pass By)
See the Bliss Mansion Historic Marker, which commemorates the historical significance of the Bliss Mansion in Carson City.
Nevada State Museum (Pass By)
Drive past the Nevada State Museum, where exhibits showcase the diverse cultural and natural history of Nevada.
N/A (Pass By)
Catch a glimpse of Donovan Mill, a historic industrial site that played a vital role in Nevada's mining heritage.
Silver City (Pass By)
Drive through Silver City, a historic mining town that bears testimony to Nevada's silver mining legacy.
N/A (Pass By)
Pass by Devil's Gate, a geological formation that adds intrigue to the landscape along your driving route.
N/A (Pass By)
Drive through Gold Hill, another historic mining town that contributes to the rich tapestry of Nevada's mining history.
Virginia City (Pass By)
Drive through Virginia City, a charming silver rush town that transports you back in time to the heyday of the Comstock Lode.
Chollar Mansion (Pass By)
Pass by Chollar Mansion, a historic residence that reflects the opulence of Virginia City's prosperous era.
N/A (Pass By)
Catch a glimpse of Chollar Mine, an iconic mining operation that played a significant role in Virginia City's mining industry.
Historic Fourth Ward School Museum (Pass By)
Drive past the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, a well-preserved schoolhouse that offers insights into Nevada's educational history.
N/A (Pass By)
Drive by the Mackay Mansion Museum, a historic landmark associated with one of Nevada's prominent mining magnates.
N/A (Pass By)
Pass by the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company, a historic railroad that once connected Virginia City to the rest of Nevada.
St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church (Pass By)
See Saint Mary In the Mountains, a historic church that stands as a testament to Virginia City's religious heritage.
Virginia City Visitor Center (Pass By)
End your tour at the Virginia City Visitor Center, a hub of information and resources for visitors exploring the historic town.
Sample Menu
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This 50-mile driving tour can be completed in about 2 hours without any stops.
You may stop where you want, when you want, and for as long as you want.
You can take this tour at any time, but daytime hours are best for this tour.
Free Cancellation
January 28100% refund
January 29No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
5 stars
5
4 stars
1
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 star
1
We perform checks on reviews
We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her
Reviews by TravelOne travelers
Showing 1-5 of 5 reviews with 5 stars
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History comes alive
Published on Oct, 2024
Informative, colorful, and well paced stories about the early mining days, synched to the actual locations where the stories took place. Well done app knows where you are and keeps the content coming, especially in Carson City, where the sites are very close together.
Great value for the money!!
Published on Sep, 2024
Very nice value and informative. Liked the railroad museum in. Carson City.
Would like to see the app display on CarPlay screen but it worked well enough
A great addition to a special drive
Published on Sep, 2024
Really good and interesting information that made our drive all the more fun. The directions were easy to follow and took us to spots we would have been unaware of.
Awesome experience
Published on Jul, 2024
We enjoyed the drive, views and historical background of the places we saw and stopped to see. Guided us perfectly and allowed stops for interesting sites.
Adventure in Carson Valley
Published on May, 2024
We really enjoyed the self-guided tour from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City and Virginia City. The information given by the narrator was very helpful and interesting, and the sites that the tour took us to were very cool to us, as we are history buffs; it was nice to go at our own pace. We were surprised to learn about some of Carson City's past residents, and particularly liked the neighborhood of well-preserved Victorian homes. Virginia City will take you straight back to the Silver Rush of the 1850s/60s. Many, if not most of the buildings date back to that era. The steam train tour is available on weekends, and we enjoyed the tour of the Ponderosa Mine. There are plenty of places to eat and to shop for unique jewelry and gifts. I highly recommend this tour!
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