Late 1800s Nevada Mining Town and its Small Businesses Eager to Welcome Visitors Back

Virginia City, Nevada, once a boomtown responsible for producing more than $700 million in mined gold and silver ore from the Comstock Lode, is today primarily driven by tourism. Its main street is lined with mom and pop shops, restaurants, and businesses with owners who’ve called this small mountain mining town their home for years.

The town has seen its share of ups and downs – from its boom as one of the most important industrial cities between Denver and San Francisco, to the days of being a near-ghost town and from being a thriving and bustling tourist destination to the ghost-like effects of the COVID-19 shutdown and subsequent halt of tourism. The community has been hit hard. 

It takes a lot for a Comstocker to back down. The community will rise again and is taking steps to ensure a healthy and vibrant recovery. Watch Virginia City’s new video, “Rise,” showing the community as it is today – with hearts filled for future plans.  

Watch the video here: RISE – Virginia City, Nevada

“There are no chain stores, franchises, or corporations in Virginia City,” Deny Dotson, tourism director for Virginia City Tourism Commission, said. “Every one of our businesses is owned by people in our community. These businesses are their livelihoods and, in many cases, their homes. The mandated shutdowns, while necessary, have had a serious impact on our local merchants and our town’s vibrant economy. As we begin these early phases to open businesses again, our hope is the visitors who love us and those who live in surrounding communities, will help by visiting, eating and drinking, shopping, staying the night, and enjoying everything we have to offer.”

Virginia City is ranked among the nation’s top twelve most distinctive destinations and with that typically welcomes more than a million visitors a year. Virginia City makes a perfect day trip from Reno and Lake Tahoe, or an overnight stay for a more robust experience.

Virginia City is located a short 30-minute scenic drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and about an hour drive from Incline Village, Nevada, and just under an hour from South Lake Tahoe. For more information on getting to Virginia City, visit online.

A short 30-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport takes visitors to one of the largest historic districts in the Unites States – Virginia City, Nevada. Come experience this mining “boomtown” as it was in the 1800’s. Step back in time while visiting the numerous historic buildings, saloons, churches and museums or take a mine tour or even ride a real steam train. The Comstock Adventure Passes offer the best value with discounted attraction packages.  For lodging, event calendar or Comstock Adventure Passes, visit online or call 775-847-7500. The Visitor Information Center is located at 86 South C Street, Virginia City.