Reno, Nevada, is ideally situated for various day trip options. To the west, you can explore the pine forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and flowing streams of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. To the east, the Great Basin features wide-open spaces, dry landscapes, and sagebrush plains. In and around … [Read more...]
Berlin-Ichthyosaur Park Day Trip Ghost Town and Dinosaurs
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is about 170 miles from Reno-Sparks, in a relatively remote stretch of desert overlooking Nevada's Ione Valley. This Nevada Park is a great place to learn about the history of the Silver State. With two ghost towns and the remains of millions of years-old creatures, … [Read more...]
Goldfield Ghost Town Day Trip: Apache Junction, Arizona
Goldfield Ghost Town, situated in Apache Junction, Arizona, is an excellent destination for a day trip, combining Old West charm with family-friendly activities. This historic town, founded in 1893 after gold was discovered in the area, is situated in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains. This … [Read more...]
Belmont Ghost Town Nevada Day Trip Historic Silver Mining Town
Like many things in Nevada, Belmont Ghost Town is in the middle of nowhere. Although the silver mining town of Belmont only prospered for about 20 years, a few notable points of interest exist, including the best-preserved building, the courthouse. During its peak, the high desert town had two … [Read more...]
Oatman Arizona Day Trip: Visit A Wild West Ghost Town
Oatman, Arizona, is a popular tourist destination that feels surprisingly lively despite its "ghost town" label. You can be sure to enjoy Wild West fun, replete with wild donkeys, wooden sidewalks, staged gunfights, unique souvenir shops, and quirky annual events when you visit Oatman. An easy drive … [Read more...]
Day Trip to Mentryville Ghost Town, Pico Canyon, Santa Clarita CA
Mentryville, named after California oil tycoon Charles Alexander Mentry, is nestled at the base of the chaparral-covered hills of Pico Canyon. It was one of the first oil boomtowns in the state and, in the early 1930s, housed over 100 families. The settlement was built around its oil well located at … [Read more...]
Cold Springs Tavern Santa Barbara Day Trip Historic Stage Stop
Cold Springs Tavern, a historic restaurant and bar in the San Marcos Pass of Santa Barbara County, offers a dining experience that is a living piece of California's history. It's a must-visit for anyone intrigued by the region's cultural legacy or seeking a unique dining adventure. The Tavern is a … [Read more...]
Exploring the History of Genoa Bar: Nevada’s Oldest Saloon
Located in Genoa, Nevada, the Genoa Bar and Saloon is the state's oldest continuously operating bar, established in 1853. Originally called Livingston's Exchange, it was renamed Fettic's Exchange in 1884 under the ownership of Frank Fettic, who aimed to attract a more refined clientele. Since then, … [Read more...]
Discover Relaxing Tecopa Hot Springs Near Death Valley
Tecopa is a sleepy little desert town located in southeastern California. Tecopa is situated along The Old Spanish Trail, a trade route that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Los Angeles. Tecopa was a rest stop for wagon trains traveling along the to California. In the early 20th century, the … [Read more...]
Day Trip: Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, Death Valley National Park
The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are a remote historical site in Death Valley National Park. These ten beehive-shaped masonry structures are a testament to the region's mining history and were constructed in 1877 by the Modock Consolidated Mining Company. They were used to produce charcoal for the mining … [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Remember: Jerome Ghost Town Attractions
Jerome Ghost Town, once notorious as one of the wildest towns in America, has now transformed into a vibrant hub for the arts, music, and culture, all while preserving its incredible history. Perched atop Cleopatra Hill, Jerome beckons as a perfect destination for a day trip or weekend getaway, … [Read more...]
Exploring the History of Calico Ghost Town: A Fun Day Trip
Calico Ghost Town is a historic town that survived the silver rush. It is one of the few remaining towns of the Old West and is now a California Historical Landmark and a San Bernardino County Park. Although it was once filled with miners, nowadays, the streets are packed with tourists eager to … [Read more...]
Explore the History of Goffs Schoolhouse in the Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert Heritage Association is a captivating museum that displays the rich history of the Mojave Desert. It boasts an extensive collection of mining and railroad artifacts, vintage automobiles, Route 66 memorabilia, and military exhibits. The museum comprises two main buildings: Goffs … [Read more...]
Day Trip to Columbia State Historic Park California Gold Country
Columbia State Historic Park is a precious reminder of the California Gold Rush era and one of the well-preserved towns of the mid-19th Century. It was founded in 1850 by a small group of prospectors and quickly became California's second-largest city. Columbia thrived as a commercial and mining … [Read more...]
Death Valley Junction: A Ghost Town With an Opera House
Death Valley Junction started as a water stop along the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, which operated from 1907 until 1940. In 1914, a 20-mile side spur was constructed from Death Valley Junction to the mines at Ryan, near Death Valley; the line operated until 1928 and carried Borax to the mill at … [Read more...]