Nevada’s state capital, Carson City, is nestled in the northwestern part of the state only a short drive from Lake Tahoe and Reno. The city, which was built on mining, logging and the railroad, is named after frontiersman Christopher “Kit” Carson, who scouted the area for John C. Fremont in the mid-1840s.

Today, Carson City boasts shopping, dining, museums, and nightlife while maintaining its old-time charm. Its location on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada also provides unlimited year-round outdoor recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, hiking, biking, golf, and a plethora of snow sports.

Golf novices and experts alike will appreciate the Divine Nine, a group of nine golf courses in the Carson City and Carson Valley area such as the Genoa Lake Resort, Eagle Valley, and Silver Oak. Each course offers a little something different, but they all take advantage of the thin high-altitude air, which offers little resistance to the ball as it soars from the tee to the pin.

In the winter, Carson City is the perfect place to stay while exploring the nearby ski terrain. There are 18 ski resorts within 35 miles of Carson City, including the world-renowned Heavenly Mountain Resort.



While in downtown Carson City, visit the beautiful grounds of the state Capitol, shop at unique stores, go antiquing and dine at an array of restaurants that boast outdoor patios in the warmer months. Be sure to take a ride on a train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or learn about Nevada’s more ancient history at the Nevada State Museum, formerly a U.S. mint. If you prefer to explore downtown by foot, the monthly Wine Walk is a refreshing way to visit the downtown shops and restaurants, and the annual Kit Carson Ghost Walk is a perfect way to learn about the historic homes and their ghostly inhabitants. The Blue Line Trail is a self-guided year-round walk visitor can take to see some of the most historic spots in the city (download a map of the trail).

Nevada is one of the few states to celebrate its admission to the Union, and Carson City does it right. The annual festivities, held on or around Oct. 31, Nevada’s birthday, include a parade, an 1864 Grand Ball, a longest-beard contest, and the World Championship Rock Drilling Contest.