Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City
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.
What's Included
- 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
- Food and drink
- Smartphone and headphones
- Parking Fees
- As this is a self-guided driving tour, transport isn't included
Meeting Location
1001 Heavenly Village Way
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
86 South C Street
Virginia City, NV 89440, USA
This tour ends at the public parking lot of the Virginia City Visitor Center.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free
South Lake Tahoe (pass by)
Carson Valley Monument (pass by)
Genoa (pass by)
Mormon Station State Historic Park (pass by)
Nevada State Railroad Museum (pass by)
Carson City (pass by)
Nevada State Capitol Building (pass by)
Sears-Ferris House (pass by)
Saint Peter's Episcopal Church (pass by)
Orion Clemens House (pass by)
Krebs-Peterson Mansion (pass by)
Nevada Governor Mansion (pass by)
Bliss Mansion Historic Marker (pass by)
Nevada State Museum (pass by)
Donovan Mill Museum (pass by)
Silver City (pass by)
Devils Gate (pass by)
Gold Hill (pass by)
Virginia City (pass by)
Chollar Mansion (pass by)
Chollar Mine (pass by)
Historic Fourth Ward School Museum (pass by)
Mackay Mansion Museum (pass by)
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company (pass by)
St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church (pass by)
Virginia City Visitor Center (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-110804P679
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.04 out of 5 stars based on 25 traveler reviews collected by Cool Lake Tahoe and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Lake Tahoe customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT).
- 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.
- Food and drink.
- Smartphone and headphones.
- Parking Fees.
- As this is a self-guided driving tour, transport isn't included.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Self-Guided Driving Tour from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Lake Tahoe. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- 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
- Food and drink
- Smartphone and headphones
- Parking Fees
- As this is a self-guided driving tour, transport isn't included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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.
