When Virginia City, Nevada, miners struck silver in 1859, the town’s population exploded over two decades—nearly 400,000 people crammed into a one-mile stretch, which partly explains the 115 saloons. Today’s population clocks in at fewer than 1,000 residents, but visitors can imagine the once bustling activity whose profits helped finance everything from Wells Fargo to the Civil War. Here’s some of what the former wealthiest place on earth has to offer. / visitvirginiacitynv.com
– Industrialist John Mackay’s fortune went toward building the New York subway and postal telegraph systems as well as the San Francisco cable cars and transatlantic and transpacific cables. He also purchased a mansion from William Randolph Hearst’s father, George, which is open daily for tours during the summer. Step into the dining room where Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas Edison and Samuel Clemens—who used his Mark Twain pen name for the first time while working at the local newspaper here—once shared a meal together. It’s also the site of a carved white oak fireplace made by carpenter-to-Queen Elizabeth Robert Adams. Only two other versions exist, one at Monticello, and the other in Lincoln’s bedroom in the White House. /uniquitiesmackaymansion.com
– There’s still active mining in the town’s nearly 800 miles of tunnels; but for a taste of what it was like in the 19th-century, climb a few hundred feet into the Best and Belcher shaft, found at the back of Ponderosa Saloon.
– Thirsty? Sip on Crystal Bar’s mint juleps; the recipe’s a closely guarded family secret. Or drink in the atmosphere at Red Dog Saloon, where Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and other folk and psychedelic rock musicians got their start.
-Tucked in the back of souvenir shop Pioneer Emporium, Pascal Baboulin combines traditional European and American hat making techniques while designing fur felt headwear. For his custom chapeaux, the Frenchman studies face shapes and complexions, and adds personalized trimmings like linings, bands, feathers and pins. / leschapeauxbaboulin.com
Elon Musk headed to Nevada’s high desert climate for Burning Man, but he stayed for Reno’s tax forgiveness. The Tesla exec may be on to something—Apple’s also moving in—but there’s some other reasons for excitement in the city built on liberal divorce laws.
– At the Nevada Museum of Art, Boston native Mark Estee helms chez louie, a French-inspired eatery that serves up a bevy of classic cocktails, and an absinthe flight for those looking for something a little stronger. / chez-louie.com
– The bartenders at cocktail lounge Death and Taxes—which is outfitted in black floors, walls and ceilings—can serve a mean drink, plus they host a number of mixology classes. /deathandtaxesreno.com
– Named for Reno’s Mt. Rose, Under the Rose Brewing Company stocks inventive brews, from sour ales infused with coffee or pomegranate to a number of blondes featuring everything from hibiscus to jalapeno and lime. / undertherosebrewing.com
– The Depot’s Biggest Little Bourbon took home a gold medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Swing by their renovated firehouse digs to sample even more spirits and beers. / thedepotreno.com
Lake Arrival
Trade ski boots for sandals on Lake Tahoe’s north shore.
By Sarah Hagman May 20, 2016
When Virginia City, Nevada, miners struck silver in 1859, the town’s population exploded over two decades—nearly 400,000 people crammed into a one-mile stretch, which partly explains the 115 saloons. Today’s population clocks in at fewer than 1,000 residents, but visitors can imagine the once bustling activity whose profits helped finance everything from Wells Fargo to the Civil War. Here’s some of what the former wealthiest place on earth has to offer. / visitvirginiacitynv.com
– Industrialist John Mackay’s fortune went toward building the New York subway and postal telegraph systems as well as the San Francisco cable cars and transatlantic and transpacific cables. He also purchased a mansion from William Randolph Hearst’s father, George, which is open daily for tours during the summer. Step into the dining room where Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas Edison and Samuel Clemens—who used his Mark Twain pen name for the first time while working at the local newspaper here—once shared a meal together. It’s also the site of a carved white oak fireplace made by carpenter-to-Queen Elizabeth Robert Adams. Only two other versions exist, one at Monticello, and the other in Lincoln’s bedroom in the White House. /uniquitiesmackaymansion.com
– There’s still active mining in the town’s nearly 800 miles of tunnels; but for a taste of what it was like in the 19th-century, climb a few hundred feet into the Best and Belcher shaft, found at the back of Ponderosa Saloon.
– Thirsty? Sip on Crystal Bar’s mint juleps; the recipe’s a closely guarded family secret. Or drink in the atmosphere at Red Dog Saloon, where Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and other folk and psychedelic rock musicians got their start.
-Tucked in the back of souvenir shop Pioneer Emporium, Pascal Baboulin combines traditional European and American hat making techniques while designing fur felt headwear. For his custom chapeaux, the Frenchman studies face shapes and complexions, and adds personalized trimmings like linings, bands, feathers and pins. / leschapeauxbaboulin.com
Elon Musk headed to Nevada’s high desert climate for Burning Man, but he stayed for Reno’s tax forgiveness. The Tesla exec may be on to something—Apple’s also moving in—but there’s some other reasons for excitement in the city built on liberal divorce laws.
– At the Nevada Museum of Art, Boston native Mark Estee helms chez louie, a French-inspired eatery that serves up a bevy of classic cocktails, and an absinthe flight for those looking for something a little stronger. / chez-louie.com
– The bartenders at cocktail lounge Death and Taxes—which is outfitted in black floors, walls and ceilings—can serve a mean drink, plus they host a number of mixology classes. /deathandtaxesreno.com
– Named for Reno’s Mt. Rose, Under the Rose Brewing Company stocks inventive brews, from sour ales infused with coffee or pomegranate to a number of blondes featuring everything from hibiscus to jalapeno and lime. / undertherosebrewing.com
– The Depot’s Biggest Little Bourbon took home a gold medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Swing by their renovated firehouse digs to sample even more spirits and beers. / thedepotreno.com
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