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Virginia City

 
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Mar Tue 28, 2006 4:44 pm    Post subject: Virginia City Reply with quote

We're headed back up the hill Friday for a 3 day stay with the in-laws from Spokane. I wanted to take them to Virginia City on Sunday and wanted some advice on any museum, or looky-loos we shouldn't miss. I haven't been up there in 5 years and then we only walked around. Are any of the admission places worth going in? Am I wrong in thinking they have admission places?

I'll do a trip report next week when I get back. Staying at the Fitz again.
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mustangmike



Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Mar Tue 28, 2006 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Last time we did this walking tour. It was free and interesting.

Mike

http://www.virginiacity-nv.org/site2003/walk_tour.shtml
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VP4Fun



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 22

PostPosted: Mar Tue 28, 2006 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can try the Comstock History Center, it open 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Thursday through Sunday. The major attraction currently is the Virginia & Trukee Engine No. 18 (choo choo train) built in 1873. There is also a place to take a train ride tour of the old silver mines of yesteryear but I believe this doesn't open until Memorial Weekend. Might even try to visit the Belcher and the Chollar mines.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Mar Tue 28, 2006 7:56 pm    Post subject: Did someone say VC??? Reply with quote

I thought you'd never ask.

1. Go to visitreno main site (link on top of page) . Read "A locals view" by Grace Dean.

2. It's likely the Chollar (the BEST mine tour) will not be open yet since the mine tends to be too muddy for tourists until later.

3. In my opinion, best museum before walking C Street is " The Way it Was" on left side of street just as you enter town. I think it's $ 5 but you get a bunch of coupons worth almost that much for the "Delta". Have Delta make up a goofy newspaper headline for you. I like: " JD Booted from VC bar...."

4. Be sure to visit "Mark Twain Bookstore" on the other end of town. They have the BEST book collection of the real old West. (Tell them the $ 2 bill guy sent you !)

5. Walk up one side of the street, return on the other, repeat....

6. My favorite casino: Mark Twain Casino (tell them the $ 2 bill guy....)

7. Cool Old Bar: Washoe Club (tell them .....)

8. Cool Bar with a view from deck: Sgt. Major's Shaft (Next door to Mandrin Garden) Next to an American Legion Post, best place for a vet to tell or hear a war story.

I love that town.

JD
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Marian



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Mar Tue 28, 2006 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My favorite thing to do in Virginia City is wander through the old cemetry.
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grace



Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Virginia City, NV

PostPosted: Mar Wed 29, 2006 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aaaahhhhhhh! What a fabulous decision to come and bring your in-laws to VC. Never a boring moment here.

Points of Interest -- well, in addition to all the 1 through 11 or so ponts mentioned by JD, you can also mention that "Amazing Grace" sent you. See how many smiles you get.

A few JD has not mentioned (and yes, he "almost lives here" but I do live here and go "up town" quite a bit, there is the Bucket of Blood Saloon on the other corner of Mandarin Garden (museum in basement - charge $1.00, but have lunch first - Linda and Richard are terrific proprietors/hosts) (Union & C Street). There, you will hear the Best of the Best in Country Music. The Comstock Cowboys play from 1 pm til 5 pm. Admission is free and if you want to grab Slowdance, he might just take you round the floor with his famous Two-Step.

Then there is the Mackay Mansion. Probably there is an admission charge, but I can't remember. The Chollar Mine is $4; The Way it Was $5; Ponderosa Mine - $6 (Bax will be your tour guide). There is also the Railroad Museum on Union & D Street but I don't know when it will open. They say "June", but that's Comstock Time.

Now, for the free-bees - - - The Silver Queen Saloon, what can I say -- bring your digital camera and snap away while you're sipping on something stiff (have to, cause the stiffs might get you while you're not lookin - the ghosts that is). This saloon should be considered a museum, but, if you're interested in renewing your wedding vows, the Wedding Chappel is still in operation and many weddings are performed there.

Shopping, looky-loos, wayward wandering? Oh well, you can start at South C Street on west side of street, kitty corner to The Way it Was Museum and enter into The Marshall Mint. It's been revamped over the past two years and it has the best selection of Black Hills Gold jewelry, Russian Amber and lots and lots more, plus it's the least expensive in town. Tell Faith Gracie sent you and she just might give you a 10% discount. Onward and upward toward North end of street, there is something for everyone - from the Silver Stope where you can get all your biking leathers (best prices I've ever seen) and quality jewelry to refrigerator magnets. Please don't forget to go into the Virginia City Mall (it's definitely NOT Meadowood (sic) Mall, but it is interesting (coin shoppe there); Grandma's Fudge Co. (come in hungry, especially if you have a sweet tooth).

Oh, and by the way, you have to go to the Firehouse Museum on East C Street on North end of Town. It is FREE admission and there is so much history in it and the nice woman in there will follow you around and explain every bit of memorabilia there.

I could keep on going store by store and saloon by saloon, but it would take a me forever to write about all the great attributes of this little town. I don't think just one Sunday will do it. Have to spend at least TWO days here to sort of glaze through all what we have to offer.

If you want more details on other sights, you can contact me if you let John have your email address and I will respond PROMPTLY.

Enjoy your visit
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Mar Wed 29, 2006 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks so much guys! this is exactly what I was hoping for. I'm printing this out and taking it with me so we don't miss anything.

I'll "name-drop" for sure Gracie and "$2 bill guy", it'll make us feel like we're in the "know".

My father-in-law has panned for gold in many places, including Alaska. So I think he'll be interested in all of the mine stuff and museums, that -coupled with some Crown Royal or Jack and folks with stories, well, we may never get back to Reno!
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Mar Wed 29, 2006 6:04 pm    Post subject: VC Reply with quote

Don't drop MY name if you you want a discount....might cost you 10 % MORE !

In the Summer, there is a panning booth operating opposite of Mark Twain Casino (down the stairs). It may be operating now on weekends.

The mine tour in the rear of the Ponderosa is very civilzed and those that don't want the mine tour can buy a drink, play slots and/or wander around and look at the old photos on the wall. This building was once "The Bank of California" building. You can read it's history in "Ralston's Ring, the plundering of the Comstock.." by G. Lyman at the Mark Twain Bookstore.

I wish I was going.

JD
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grace



Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Virginia City, NV

PostPosted: Mar Wed 29, 2006 7:23 pm    Post subject: 10% Upward discount? Reply with quote

Awww JD, what did ya do last time you were here? Must have been somethin' really naughty!! Did you offend all the ghosts at the Millionaires Club? Or was it the Mark Twain????? Razz

Don't worry, RenoLady! Just order a "JD in a Bucket" or an "Absolutely Diet" and they'll know you're in the "know" and you most likely WILL get a 10% discount (and not an UPWARD one either). Wink

By the way, if you take pix (digital only) at the Washoe Club (Old Millionaires Club), all the ghosts will want to take a picture with you. They show up as ORBS in your photos. Ask Sherrie or Trouble (the bartenders) to show you the picture of the last Beach Party and you will see that the ghosts were more alive and having more fun than the living.

Looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of you this weekend (even though they're predicting a bit of snow here and there) which, by the way, doesn't stop us any from having F U N !


Gracie
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spinner



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 62

PostPosted: Mar Fri 31, 2006 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My favorite little museum is the Gambling Museum. It is only $2.00 to go, but there is quite a selection of slot machines. With the Fey Family selling out their restaurant in Reno (with that great selection of slots from grandpa Fey), this museum in Virginia City must be the best place for historic slots in Northern Nevada. Also, it is fun to spin the roulette wheel and see some of the history of Nevada gambling. The old bar is also fun. Kids seem to love to pull the machines (some are OK to handle, no coins needed so we are all winners), and the pictures are good to take there. All the museums in Virginia City are run by the owners or employees who truly care about the city and the history. I consider any payment to be a good token to the people who protect and preserve this town for us all. This is not some large corporation project, no Disney Logo's, just good Americans trying to share their stories with you for a small amount. Please don't feel like it is a rip off, it is not a carnival atmosphere, the residents are really great people, and truly appreciate your patronage. If you go to Virginia City in late December, and snow is all over, you can appreciate that these folks live there all year round.
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grace



Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Virginia City, NV

PostPosted: Apr Sun 02, 2006 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Spinner, either you are a transplanted VCite, or you're just in love with VC. Thank you so much for the positive input. Very Happy

I've been to the Gambling Museum and yes, it is laid-back and quaint as is everything and everyone in Virginia City. Thank you for the "truth" about the citizens and shopkeepers of VC. We are just plain Americans trying to make a living (during tourist season) and we're trying to stay alive during the winter months too. There are no big corporations up here running the saloons and shops, just every day people and we go out of our way to please the visitor.

Now, for the few who have ventured into the Gambling Museum and have tried and seen, but want more, you can go to The Liberty Belle in Reno. It's a blast from the past, stuck right there in front of the Reno Convention Center on So. Virginia Street (4250 So. Virginia - 775-825-1776). It is the original - real deal (still a family-owned business). You can see the very FIRST slot machines invented (originally, no money payouts, but drinks & cigars). You can take a tour of the museum upstairs; view the extensive firearms collection and have the most sensational lunch or dinner after you're done. The prices are reasonable (considering you ARE in Reno) and, if you go with people you just MUST share this experience with, price doesn't matter. Actually, dinner for 4 adults with drinks came to about $85.00, tip included. Childrens' menu is $6.95.

Someone please let me know what they think of The Liberty Belle after they've experienced it. I want to know if they too had as fantastic a time as I did when I was there.

Grace
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Apr Sun 02, 2006 4:25 pm    Post subject: Liberty Belle Reply with quote

So sorry to be the one that has to break this to you, Grace. Liberty Belle closed two weeks ago.

http://renotahoe.about.com/b/a/254059.htm

After years of fighting the Convention Center and winning, the Fire Marshal drove a stake into the heart when it insisted on another $ 50,000 fire supression system. I think the Fey's just gave up fighting.

"Marshall says preserving the collection was made doubtful in part because "the second generation doesn't really have much enthusiasm for it. Oh, they're proud that their ancestor invented it." But that's not the same as taking on the massive job of holding the collection together. The saloon is closing because fire officials require a different kitchen fire prevention system be installed. The Feys sold the water rights and raised $69,000 to pay the $50,000 tab for the new system. But the building also needed a new roof, and the family wanted to call it quits"

http://www.newsreview.com/reno/Content?oid=oid%3A47126

Memorabilia and the old slots will be auctioned off in July. Like the Harold's Club gun collection, will never be seen together again.

"July 8th - The Liberty Belle Saloon auction, held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Centre, Reno, NV."

http://www.onlinecasino-news.com/20060222/victorian_casino_antiques_to_be_auctioned_on_fdc.aspx

JD
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Ryder



Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 222

PostPosted: Apr Tue 11, 2006 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are there any hotels in Virginia City. Really looking for more of a romantic bed & breakfast type place in some older victorian style place. Would think Virginia City might have one or two of these (although I have not been there in 10 years)
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