A Family Weekend in Ely
We’re more than proud to boast about how awesome an Ely adventure is. We never miss an opportunity to mention how our mountain biking trails can be a welcome challenge, how epic an OHV ride in the WPC can be, or how exhilarating several events are for even the most hardened pro.
HOWEVER… Ely and White Pine County can provide a perfect getaway for families too! Looking for unique attractions that captivate every age? Or educational locations for family-friendly learning? Or do you just want easy-roing activities while you vacay? Well, we guarantee, Ely Has It.
Not only are we a year-round mountain town with multiple goings-on, but we also know we have something for everyone.
Day 1
1. One of the very first things you can do in the morning of your family vacation is take an excursion on a restored Nevada Northern Railway locomotive. It’s the best way to step back into time and it’s an experience no one in your party will forget.
2. By the time the train returns to the station, and perhaps after a tour of the NNRY grounds, it will be time for lunch. Even if it’s not, traveling is not the time to be stingy on food! Check out our Dining page HERE to see all that Ely has to offer.
3. What we often tell visitors that want the full picture of history in White Pine County, visiting the Railroad is not enough. To go full circle, and to fully appreciate the area, head over to the White Pine Public Museum, home of the Prehistoric Cave Bear.
4. Don’t let the size of our Public Museum fool you. While it may seem quaint, the exhibits and outside yard of artifacts keep visitors captivated for hours. The Museum is open every day until 4:00 p.m., which is right around the time you may be thinking about dinner. Again, our Dining Page will guide through our fast food or sit down options.
5. There is nothing like a White Pine sunset. While Nevada sunsets are stunning in general, White Pine County is where we provide the foreground and the ambiance. Enjoy a sunset stroll through our downtown and explore our guided Public Art and Mural Tour.
6. Finish off the day with a night of excitement! A family entourage is always welcome at Sunset Lanes where you can bowl under neon lights. A little competition and fun can always precede a great night’s rest, which also comes before another awesome day!
Day 2
1. Yes, you may tempted to run the kids down to the chlorine-filled pool located conveniently inside the hotel. But let’s be honest: you can do better. We can do better. In fact, the go-to summer spot for locals and vistitors alike is the McGill Pool. This safe, clean, and enjoyable spring is competely natural and only about 15 minutes north of Ely.
2. The town of McGill is its own community with its own, proud identity. After having fun at the McGill Pool, feel free to check out McGill itself. Another quirky pocket of history found in the center of town is the McGill Drugstore. The site is now a museum, but for most of McGill’s history it was open as a drugstore, general store, and soda fountain. You can still find vintage medicine on the shelves with the prescription logs to back them up.
3. As you head back into Ely, you might still be buzzing from the old-time vibes and looking for a place to eat. Economy Drug in the downtown may be the perfect choice. They have a vintage soda fountain and also serve sandwiches for lunch. Not to mention, there’s a downstairs toy store that can even make the adults jealous.
4. There’s still plenty of daylight left once you leave Economy and you can spend it at Garnet Hill. This is our very own rockhounding site where you can break open rocks in search for volcanic treasures. Garnets are dark, reddish gems that can be exciting to find! (Fair Tip: One of your best chances at finding garnets is after rainfall, when the water has washed the rocks down the mountain and into the open!)
5. Head back into Ely for another dinner. There are still so many options left and different foods that we’re willing to bet you just haven’t gotten to in your two days. See what we have for dining HERE!
6. Finally, finish out the day with something to remember. We’re very lucky to have the Historic Ely Central Theater. This is an original, 1941 art deco movie theater that plays new features every week. After a packed two days that have been nothing but go-go-go, it never fails when you take the family to the movies!