Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Powered by Nevada Division of Museums and History
With Labor Day weekend upon us, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a Nevada-centric trip that includes Nevada State Museums. Wander through space and time to explore the rich history of Nevada—from the prehistoric era to the Wild West, mining booms to the Atomic Age, Native American life to the state’s natural splendor. Here’s a preview of the museums.
Nevada State Museum, Carson City
Housed in the historic U.S. Branch Mint, the museum features 17 galleries and displays, including a reconstructed ghost town and the world’s largest exhibited Columbian Mammoth. Visitors can explore Nevada’s eons-old geology, prehistoric and modern creatures, American Indian culture, silver and gold mining history, and much more. The former Mint’s original Coin Press No. 1 is still working and presses commemorative coins during weekly demos. The museum also hosts rotating history exhibits, lectures, and special cultural programs throughout the year.
Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City
The Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City tells the railroading story of Northern Nevada and eastern California. With year-round train rides and a museum containing an extensive collection of significant locomotives, rolling stock, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia, it’s an ideal stop for train enthusiasts of all ages! Don’t miss the museum’s signature piece—the magnificent Inyo, one of the oldest operating steam locomotives in the U.S.
Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas
The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is a treasure trove of the state’s natural and cultural history. The museum’s permanent galleries tell the uniquely Nevada stories of mining and geology, atomic testing and the military, gambling and entertainment, and so much more. Don’t miss the famous Showgirl Wall, which features dazzling costumes from Las Vegas stages or the massive Ichthyosaur fossil on the wall. The museum also has special art and history exhibits on display throughout the year. Located on the beautiful Springs Preserve campus, the museum is a must visit.
East Ely Railroad Depot Museum
Built in 1905, this fully restored train depot for the Nevada Northern Railway is one of the oldest and best-preserved buildings in White Pine County. Guests can explore the original railroad offices, including those of the train dispatchers, crew chiefs, medical, management and more. The museum is a fascinating look into what kept the railroad rolling and made eastern Nevada boom.
Nevada Historical Society
The Nevada Historical Society in Reno was founded in 1904, making it the state’s oldest cultural institution. This museum is a repository of information about Nevada, the Great Basin and the West. Galleries tell the stories of Indigenous people, emigrants and explorers, mining booms and busts, and Reno’s rise in the 20th century. The museum is home to the American Gaming Archives, a massive collection of artifacts from gaming establishments (legal and illegal) across the U.S.
Lost City Museum
Just 10 miles from Valley of Fire, the Lost City Museum tells the story of Nevada’s first permanent residents who lived between AD 200 to AD 1200. The museum preserves artifacts recovered from prehistoric archaeological sites, including the Colorado River dam site for Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the adobe villages of the Pueblo Grande de Nevada, also known as the Lost City. Visitors can see pottery, baskets and other prehistoric items. The museum also displays the work of contemporary regional artists with regular rotating exhibits.
Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City
Just a stone’s throw from Las Vegas, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City is more than just a train ride. The Boulder Branch Line, built by Union Pacific Railroad in 1931, helped facilitate the construction of the Hoover Dam as it shuttled equipment and materials to the building site. Today, guests can ride the excursion train for a 45-minute, seven-mile round trip and enjoy the exhibits highlighting the indelible influence these railroads had in Southern Nevada.
Nevada State Museums Membership
Uncover the incredible tales and the colorful history of our state with the Nevada State Museums pass, a membership that allows guests access to all seven museums.
