Thursday, November 21, 2019

Take a Ride into History at the Virginia & Truckee Railroad



166 F Street
Virginia City, NV 89440
(775) 847-0380


Throughout the year, Virginia & Truckee Railroad has so many awesome event trains, including the very popular and well-known:

A Day Out With Thomas (Held late October)
The Polar Express (December)
Pumpkin Patch Trains (October)
Father Day Trains (June)
Polar Express (December)
V & T Candy Cane Express (December)

Along with A Day Out With Thomas, my family has also been on the Candy Cane Express train twice and the everyday 35 min round-trip ride up to Gold Hill.

The people that work the events are so kind and work so hard to make everyone feel the magic.

Virginia City (where you'll find V&T) is a charming little city that really makes you feel like you're in the "Wild Wild West," with its wooden pathways, saloons, history and ranchers.  I fell in love with this small city the first time I visited and the railroad became the cherry on top.  

Visit Virginia City's Website to get more tourist information. 
They also have a visitor's center where you can find out everything you need to know to make the most out of your trip, including lodging, attractions, restaurants, tours, shopping, event information, and more. 

Virginia City's Visitor Center
86 South C Street
Virginia City, NV 89440
(775) 847-7500

*A Day Out With Thomas
-Be on the lookout for tickets long before the event.  They sell out fast due to popular demand.
-35-min round trip to Gold Hill (views are amazing and sometimes you can see wild mustangs and other wild life)
-you get a certificate at the end of the trip
-Photo opportunities with Thomas (who talks and moves his eyes) and Sir Topham Hatt (you can take photos with your phone or  purchase the ones taken by them)
-free gift (wheel with names of trains) after completing stamps on passport
-eating station inside a train (pizza, hot dogs, snacks). The pizza was nice, hot, and good.
-face paint, balloons for sale
-gift shop
-lots of fun carnival games including ring and bean bag toss
-kids get to ride miniature trains
-mini golf set up
-mini train tables for play
-coloring/stamp/temp tatts sections
-cartoon viewing inside one of the trains
-free bounce house
-ride a hand car

Notes
-Before your trip, check Accuweather for hour to hour weather so that you can plan accordingly. 40 degrees F temperature with wind makes for biting weather.
-Arriving 15 minutes early is generally enough time for check-in at the gift shop
-Trains operate according to season. Call in for schedule.

*Candy Cane Express Train
-50 min. round trip to Gold Hill where you will take a brief stop halfway and witness Santa and his elves at work in the "North Pole"
-during the trip they read T'was the Night Before Christmas
-hot cocoa or apple cider
-cookies, candy canes
-pictures with candy cane sisters
-at the end of the ride Santa comes out for pictures
-sing-a-long Christmas carols
-greet people with Dec. birthdays
-nicely decorated train cars and depot
-heated indoor train cars
-Throughout the years, they changed things up to keep the ride interesting

We LOVE the Candy Cane Express train because it's pure magic.  The candy cane sisters that hand everything out are always full of cheer along with Santa, and the whimsical train and depot is hard to skip out on during the Holidays.  Growing up in San Diego, I've never experienced anything remotely close to this event, which makes it even more special.

On the everyday ride, the (nice) conductor narrates throughout the ride. You will learn about the history of V&T and pass by some mines to Gold Hill. The views are always amazing.

There's also a 1.5-hr ride to Carson City. Click HERE for their website.
Click HERE for reviews on Yelp
Lots of parking next to church when their lot fills up




Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Take A Beautiful, Short and Educational hike at Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop




Just after having my newborn baby a few years ago, I longed to go out for a walk, preferably somewhere beautiful in nature where the whole family could have a good time. It was a mission of mine to search for the perfect place — a place with great views, a short trail, a stroller-friendly path, with some shade and easy to get to. I was lucky to have found Tahoe Meadows, as it has come to be one of my family's favorite hikes.

There are some interpretive signs around and the path is very enjoyable for the kids with lots of nature to explore. Best of all, in spring, it is loaded with wildflowers and soothing sounds of nature from babbling brooks to chirping insects.


-The trailhead is about a 30 min. (beautiful) drive up a the mountain toward Lake Tahoe from South Reno

-Stroller/kid/wheelchair/dog friendly
-Fairly flat
-1.3 mile loop, 49 Feet Elevation Gain
-Restrooms available seasonally
-Partial Shade
-good for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter (may need chains when driving up to get up the mountain depending on weather. check weather and road cameras before making a trip out)
-AllTrails App is great for information, directions, and reviews
-when weather is wet, paths get muddy

Getting There:

The parking lot is in the beginning part of a long stretch(to the left) past the Mt. Rose Summit Trail parking lot. If gates are open, drive downhill until you see restrooms.

Tahoe Meadows trail is best enjoyed from May until October (snow accumulation in the winter makes getting around difficult). For those looking for more intense hikes, Mt. Rose Summit Trail (10.7miles) is a little ways back toward Reno(a few min. to the parking lot) and has been described as beautiful and worth the effort and time.

Reccomended Gear
-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)
-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate)
-Portable potty Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)
-hiking backpack (great view for kids, storage, nap friendly, shade)
-carrier (more afordable, light weight, shade, storage for keys)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



Categorized under "Family Friendly Hikes"