This past weekend, I took a quick trip to Carson City, Nevada. It’s my first time ever visiting, and I was a bit nervous seeing that Pinterest has zero ideas of things to do in Carson City. I figured this would be a great opportunity to craft a day trip to Carson City, Nevada guide to take the guessing game out of what to do and help you plan out your trip.
I’ll be going over some bomb places to eat, cool museums and attractions, and the best casino in town.
Day Trip to Carson City, Nevada
Carson City has a small walking strip located in the downtown area that’s full of local shops, eateries, and attractions. For a small town, there’s actually plenty of things to do.
Learn Something New at the Nevada State Railroad Museum
The Nevada State Railroad Museum is a small museum that houses massive train cars that were in operation during the early 1900’s. There, I was able to climb aboard one of the historic train cars and learn more about the railroad heritage of Nevada. Going through the museum didn’t take up too much time, so I recommend taking your sweet time, grab some lunch, and explore the area.
If you’re hungry for even more knowledge, check out the Nevada State Museum just down the street.
Grab lunch at The Fox Brewpub
One of the buildings that you’ll first notice as you make your way through downtown is The Fox Brewpub. This is a great place to stop for a cold beer and some good food. You can’t go wrong with ordering any item, but if you’re feeling indecisive, here’s what was on mine and my boyfriend’s menu:
- Appetizer: Spinach and artichoke dip
- Entrees:
- His: Fish n chips with sweet potato fries and chipotle mayo
- Hers: Mac n cheese with bacon crumbles and a parmesan crust
- Drinks:
- His: 4’10” Jen Apricot blonde
- Hers: Aperol Spritzer
Explore the grounds at the State Capitol Building
From far away, the state capitol property looks like a giant park with a ton of walkways, but once you walk past the gates, you’ll see the gorgeous state capitol building that’s hidden away behind trees and statues. They offer free self-guided tours and guided tours with a reservation. If tours aren’t your thing, the grounds itself are a perfect place to take a relaxing stroll, explore the grounds, or have a picnic with plenty of shade.
Go for dinner and drinks at the Union
If you’re going out for dinner, I highly recommend going to The Union. Their food is made using local and fresh ingredients. They’re famous for their in-house beers and fried chicken sandwiches. My boyfriend and I split their Margherita pizza and paired it with a glass of white wine. It was perfection.
Try your luck at Casino Fandango
If you didn’t step foot into a casino, did you really go to Nevada? It may not be Las Vegas, but Carson City does have its fair share of casinos. However, Casino Fandango takes the cake for the best casino in Carson City. Here’s why:
- It’s clean and doesn’t smell overwhelmingly of smoke
- The casino floor is bright, colorful, and lively
- There’s a live band every night
- There’s an affordable and decent buffet in the middle of the casino
Not 21? No problem. There is a Galaxy movie theater attached to the casino so you can enjoy a good movie night if gambling isn’t your scene.
Have you been to Carson City, Nevada? If so, where are your favorite spots to visit? If not, book your travel ASAP and take this day trip guide to Carson City, Nevada with you!
