Hi Merry,
The drive to Virginia City from Reno is easy and takes only about 30 minutes from the airport. Take 395 from the airport going south of Reno, exit on hwy. 341 (marked by signs Virginia City National Historic District) and follow that highway into Virginia City.
I went to the visitors center on the main street (C street) in Virginia City and got some info on what I wanted to do. We stayed at Gold Hill Hotel our first night there. I made an advanced reservation to stay one night since it was a Saturday night. Gold Hill is a smaller town about a mile south from VC. As to whether I recommend that as a place to stay? I would not stay there again, but there are others who posted on tripadvisor reviews that they liked staying there. You can read my review and others and make your own decision. The Gold Hill Hotel has the original older section that was built in 1859 I think and has four rooms and then a newer section of rooms were added in the mid 1980's. It is an interesting place from a historical viewpoint. I have pictures posted on my review so check them out. The second night we stayed at the Ramada Inn in VC. It is only been open about 1 1/2 yrs so everything is very new there. You can walk to town from there. If you don't like historic hotels or old motels which are your other lodging choices then I recommend this hotel. I also have a review posted of it with pictures if you want to check it out. On our last night of vacation instead of staying in Reno we went back to VC and stayed a third night. We did not have a reservation but drove around and found a nice bed and breakfast called Edith Palmer's Country Inn. They have a website to look at rooms and prices if you want to reserve in advance. This place is a group of historical homes a few blocks uphill above the main street (C St.). I liked this place and would recommend staying here. The street the houses are on is higher up the hill that VC is built into so you have a view of the town and front porches to sit on and enjoy the view. I also have a review posted with pictures if you want to check that out. We had a late morning flight out of Reno. We had plenty of time to eat breakfast and make the 30 minute drive back to the airport.
VC is a very interesting town from a historical viewpoint. Unfortunately VC does not offer any guided history or ghost walks (some locals will tell you there are plenty of them) but they do have a piece of paper with a town map and some of the major historical sites on it to guide yourself but the map does not have alot of info about what you are seeing. VC has a fascinating history of silver mines and Americans and European Immigrants came here to try to make their fortune in the silver mines. It was once the richest and largest town between St. Louis and San Francisco in the late 19th C, although seeing it today you would not know that. I bought a book on the history of VC and did my own walking tour of the town. The town is small enough to cover walking in a short time, an hour or more depending on how much you are into your surroundings. The best time to do this walking is when the town is more quiet...early in the morning until about 10am or after 6pm. During the day VC is full of daytrippers (especially weekends) who come in to mainly shop, eat and gamble in the casinos. The museums I saw were the old Fourth Ward School museum full of interesting exhibits on the history and culture of VC in a rennovated 3 story shcool house built in the 1876. I also have a review and pictures of this museum if you want to check it out. The other one I visited is The Way it Was museum that I also found interesting. We are not really gamblers although we did walk into some casinos and saloons. Also took a tour of the Silver Queen Hotel, the owner let us go up and walk the floors and look into some of the rooms that were open. Next time we come to VC I want to try staying here for a night or two. We ate at Mandarin Gardin Chinese restaurant there which was okay, nothing great. The restaurant I would recommend you visit is called Cafe Del Rio which is on C Street. It is southwest cuisine, the food was fresh, tasted good and the owners are very warm and friendly. I also have a review posted with pictures if you want to check that out. If you are interested in old churches there are two right next to each other, St. Paul Episcopal and St. Mary's of the Mountains Catholic. These churches were built in 1876...worth a visit. Overall our trip to VC was to explore the history and take in the scenery as the town is built into a hillside so it is "terraced" and to walk each block you walk uphill and downhill, you will have sweeping views of the distant hills and mountains. Also walk or drive to the old cemetery just outside of town. Go through the gate and stroll around the grave plots which alot of them are very ornate and alot of VC citizens from the past are buried there. Its an interesting walk into history but sad as alot of the cemetery is in disrepair from neglect and vandalism over the years. There is an organization there that is trying to raise money and make repairs, I hope they succeed.
Overall I really enjoyed my time in VC and want to come back again someday. I hope this helps you plan your trip. If you have any other questions on anything not covered here, feel free to email me again. I hope you enjoy your time in VC.
GeeZee
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