Carson City

Introduction

Carson City is the capital of Nevada, USA. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,274. The majority of the town's population lives in Eagle Valley, on the eastern edge of the Carson Range, a branch of the Sierra Nevada, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Reno.

The town began as a stopover for California-bound emigrants, but developed into a city with the Comstock Lode, a silver strike in the mountains to the northeast. The city has served as Nevada's capital since statehood in 1864; for much of its history it was a hub for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, although the tracks were removed in 1950. Before 1969, Carson City was the county seat of Ormsby County. The county was abolished that year, and its territory merged with Carson City to form the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City. With the consolidation, the city limits extend west across the Sierra Nevada to the California state line in the middle of Lake Tahoe. Like other independent cities in the United States, it is treated as a county-equivalent for census purposes.

Sights and Activities

• Nevada State Capitol, 101 N Carson St. Nevada State Capitol on Wikipedia Nevada State Capitol (Q2781160) on Wikidata (updated Oct 2016 | edit)
• Nevada State Museum, 600 N Carson St (Corner of Lincoln Hwy and Robinson Street.), ☎ +1 775-687-4810. Housed in the old Carson City mint. Adults $8, children 17 and under free.
• Brewery Arts Center, 449 W King St, ☎ +1 775-883-1976.
• Nevada Governor Mansion, 606 N Mountain St, ☎ +1 775 882-2333.
• Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S Carson St (U.S. Highway 395), ☎ +1 775-687-6953. At Fairview Drive, near the south end of Carson City.
• Stewart Indian School, ☎ +1 775 687-8333 (main), +1 775 546-1460 (on-site audio tour).

Events and Festivals

Holidays

• New Year’s Eve - The US celebrates the outgoing of the old year and incoming of the New Year quite dramatically. Every state boasts its own parties to ring in the New Year, but none is more extravagant than New York’s Time Square, which sees people overflowing into the neighboring restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
• St Patrick’s Day - March 17 celebrates the US’s large Irish population. Many cities around the country boast boisterous parades and Irish-themed parties, especially New York and Chicago, where the river is dyed green. Be wary of the drunkenness that dominates as this is definitely a party-day.
• Memorial Day - Memorial Day is an important holiday throughout the United States, but not for crazy festivities. Parades commemorating wartime heroes are often held and the day is also the ‘unofficial’ start of summer. Most visitors follow the crowds to parks and beaches, which are capped off with informal BBQs.
• Independence Day - Also known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrates the US’s break from the British during the 18th century. Barbecues, street parties, beach trips, and weekend getaways are commonplace to appreciate freedom.
• Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is recognized as a federal holiday. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.
• Halloween - Halloween is a fun holiday on October 31 for all generations to dress up in costumes and relive their youth. Children walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating for candy, while adults attend parties. Other seasonal events include haunted houses, pumpkin farms and carving, and corn mazes.
• Thanksgiving - On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is held in almost every home in the US. Tourists will have a hard time finding anything to do as the country essentially shuts down in observation. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie commemorating the original Pilgrim’s feast at Plymouth Rock.
• Christmas - On December 25, Christians celebrate Christmas as the pinnacle of their calendar by attending church and opening gifts from Santa Claus. Almost everything shuts down to promote family togetherness. The northern regions hope to experience a “white Christmas,” with trees and festive lights blanketed by snow.

Sport

• Super Bowl Sunday - the world’s most watched sporting event and one of the highest grossing TV days of the year, Superbowl Sunday is a spectacular extravaganza. Held the first Sunday in February, the Superbowl is the final playoff game between the NFL’s top two teams. The venue rotates every year around America, yet the local parties seem to remain. Pubs, bars and restaurants are great places to enjoy the Superbowl or locals throw their own parties with different variations of betting.
• The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff, and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. As the series is played during the fall season in North America, it is sometimes referred to as the Fall Classic.

Weather

Carson City features a semi-arid climate[14] with cool but not inordinately cold winters and hot summers. The city is in a high desert river valley approximately 1,464 metres above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons, all of which are relatively mild compared to many parts of the country and to what one may expect given its elevation. Winters see typically light to moderate snowfall, with a median of 23 cm. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being fairly dry, drier than neighboring California. There are 37 days of 32 °C+ highs annually, with 38 °C+ temperatures occurring in some years.

The average temperature in Carson City increased by 2.3 °C between 1984 and 2014, a greater change than in any other city in the United States.

Getting There

By Plane

The nearest airport for commercial flights to Carson City is 1 Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO IATA), 30 miles north via Highway 395. Carson City has 2 Carson Airport (CSN IATA), a small regional airport for general aviation with no scheduled commercial services via major airlines.

By Car

Carson City can be accessed via US Highway 50 from the east and west, and US Highway 395 from the north and south. Highway 395 from Reno comes into Carson City just south of Washoe Lake. The divided freeway ends at the junction with Highway 50. Highway 395 from Bishop comes into Carson City approximately 30 miles north of the Nevada/California border. Highway 50 from Sacramento and Lake Tahoe comes into Carson City via Spooner Summit. Highway 50 from Fallon, Austin, Eureka, and Ely comes into Carson City just west of Mound House.

By Bus

Carson City is served weekday mornings and afternoons via Washoe County RTC's commuter express bus service RTC Intercity.

Getting Around

By Car

Interstate 580 Nevada, known until 2012 as US 395, connects Carson City with Reno and terminates at the junction with US-50.

Carson Street, which is also US 395 business, runs north-south through the city. It is supplemented by Stewart Street, Roop Street, and Saliman Rd providing north-south connectivity through Carson City.

Williams Street is also US-50 as it heads east through Carson City. Highway 50 (as it is mostly referred to locally) is joined by 5th Street to the south and College Parkway on the north carrying traffic eastward and westward to and from Carson Street. The west side of Carson Street is known as Carson City's "West Side" and is served mainly by small neighborhood streets.

Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. Also note that it usually costs more to include lots of other extra things. For example extra drivers, GPS, the first full tank, SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), PAI (Personal Accident Insurance, usually covered already at home), road assistance/service plan, and drop-off costs for one-way rentals.
If you want to book a car, it is recommended that you book your car before arriving in the USA. This is almost always (much) cheaper compared to just showing up. Also, try and book with a so-called 'broker', which usually works together with a few or many car rental companies and can offer the best deal. Some examples include Holidayautos, Holidaycars and Sunny Cars. Some of the cheapest deals to book from Europe, includes Drive-USA, which also has a German version.

For more information and tips about renting cars and campers, additional costs, insurance, traffic rules, scenic routes and getting maps and fuel it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.

By Public Transport

Carson City's transit service is called JAC (for Jump Around Carson). Regular scheduled service operates 6 days a week hourly on 3 routes. RTC Intercity shares a few stops with JAC. JAC connects to Douglas County's transit service, DART. The route setup and schedule frequency of the various bus transit services operating in and around Carson City contribute to a strong recommendation against using public transit as your primary means of getting around in the Carson City area.

By Foot

Downtown Carson City and the West Side are all easily explored on foot. The Kit Carson Trail, a route of blue lines and bronze medallions on the sidewalk, guides the visitor past a variety of historic and cultural attractions.

Eat

• El Charro Avitia, 4389 S. Carson St. Very good Mexican food.
• Q's Barbecue, 230 Fairview Dr (at South Carson Street). Western-style barbecue cuisine.
• Bollywood, 2329 N Carson St. Indian cuisine.
• Cracker Box, 402 E William St. American breakfast open til 2PM.
• City Cafe Bakery, 701 S Carson St. Sandwiches & espresso cafe.
• Adele's, 1112 North Carson St. A local institution of fine dining and a place to be seen.
• San Rafael Coffee Company (Coffee, Espresso Drinks, Pastries), 711 South Carson Street #3 (Main Street and 8th), ☎ +1 775 461-3113. 6AM-6PM. Serves hand roasted coffee, espresso drinks and pastries.
• The Firkin and Fox, 310 South Carson St (Southern end of town), ☎ +1 775-883-1369. 9AM-midnight. Old English-style pub specializing in High Sierra Brewing Company beer. Mid level pricing.
• Comma Coffee, 312 S Carson St, ☎ +1 775 883-2662. Coffee shop that has a unique atmosphere with knickknacks, books, and artwork everywhere in a historic building with courtyard. Live music, jam sessions, and a monthly open mic. They serve breakfast, soups, sandwiches, organic coffee, Italian and French sodas.

Sleep

• Best Western Carson Station Hotel/Casino, 900 S Carson St, ☎ +1 775 883-0900, toll-free: +1-800-501-2929, fax: +1 775 882-7569.
• Best Western Pinon Plaza Resort, 2171 US Highway 50 E, ☎ +1 775 885-9000, toll-free: +1-877-519-5567, fax: +1 775 888-8003.
• Best Western Trailside Inn, 1300 N Carson St, ☎ +1 775 883-7300, fax: +1 775 885-7506.
• Courtyard Carson City, 3870 S Carson St, ☎ +1 755-877-9900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Courtyard by Marriott Carson City is next door to Casino Fandango and Galaxy Cineplex.
• Days Inn, 3103 North Carson St., ☎ +1 775-883-3343. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
• Hardman House Inn & Suites, 917 North Carson St (downtown, north of the State House), ☎ +1 775 882-7744, fax: +1 775-887-0321. Check-out: 11AM. Clean, friendly, and reasonably priced, this hotel in the downtown is a bit more expensive than its immediate neighbors, but is in excellent condition and offers amenities such as free wireless internet, continental breakfast, cookies and wine (!) at reception, and covered parking.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 4055 N. Carson St, ☎ +1 775 283-4055.
• Motel 6, 2749 S Carson St, ☎ +1 775 885-7710, fax: +1 775 885-7671.

Keep Connected

Internet

There is a very small internet bar/cafe culture in the USA. Even then most of the internet bars/cafes tend be located in major urban centers. Accessible WiFi networks, however, are common. The most generally useful WiFi spots are in coffee shops, fast-food chains, and bookshops, but also restaurants and hotels more and more have a network to connect on. Some of them might require you to buy something and you might need a password too, especially in hotels.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The general emergency phone number is 911. The USA has a great landline phone system that is easy to use. The country code for the U.S. is +1. The rest of the telephone number consists of 10 digits: a 3-digit area code, and a 7-digit number. Any small grocery store or pharmacy has pre paid domestic or international phone cards. These phone cards are very cheap and offer good rates. The once ubiquitous pay phone is now much harder to find. Likely locations include in or near stores and restaurants, and near bus stops. The cellphone network in the states is slowly getting better but is still not as good when compared to other western countries. Cell phones tend to operate using different frequencies (850 MHz and 1900 MHz) from those used elsewhere in the world (2100 MHz). This used to prevent most foreign phones from working in America. Phones must be tri- or quad-band to work in the U.S. Fortunately, technology has meant that most phones should now be able to pick up one of the U.S. networks. Prepaid phones and top-up cards can be purchased at mobile phone boutiques and at many discount, electronics, office supply and convenience stores. A very basic handset with some credit can be had for under $40.

Post

The US Postal Service is a very good and well priced mail system. There are post offices in every small and large town for sending packages internationally or domestically. Although some might keep longer hours, most are open at least between 9:00am and 5:00pm. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up 28.5 grams) cost $1.10. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS, TNT and DHL, which might be better value sometimes and are generally very quick and reliable too.

External Links