Ely's Top 5 Adventures for Kids of All Ages
We’ve spent alot of time focusing on the future of Ely – with things like the expansion of our single track mountain biking trails underway. But Ely is also a place where we embrace the past. Ely’s rich history is always on display and it’s a great place for kids to learn about themselves and the world around them. This spring and summer, we invite you to bring the whole family and enjoy some of these uniquely Ely activities.
1. Take A Ride on the Nevada Northern Railway: A designated National Historic Landmark, the Nevada Northern Railway is a living, breathing museum with full-service steam trains that still run today! For a real hands-on experience, try the “Be the Engineer” program that lest you take the throttle of a locomotive and drive it up the hill thorugh Robinson Canyon. There’s also a “4th of July Fireworks” ride, a ‘Sunset, Stars & Champagne” Ride, as well as the “Train to Trails” ticket lets you hop aboard your bike and ride back to town. This year, dads also ride for free on Father’s Day!
2. Treasure Hunt at Garnet Hill: Ely has always been a hot spot for treasure hunters, and even if the gold and silver that brought prospectors here in the 1800s i slong gone, there are still hidden gmes waiting to be discovered at Garnet Fields Rockhounds Area. The 1,280-acres of public land is operated by the Bureau of land Managment. Visitors are allowed to take any garnets they find on the site as long as they do not sell them. Many small pieces can be found just lying on the ground, but larger pieces up to an inch in diameter can still be found inside volcanic rocks known as Rhyolite. Just make sure to bring a heavy rock hammeror pick, protective eyewear, gloves, adn some water to stay hydrated.
3. Step Into History at the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park: When we say step inside history, we mean it. Visitors can literally walk inside these beehive shaped ovens that were used in the late 1800s to process copper and ore (and perahps even shelterd stagecoach bandits in teh Wild West). Remnants of that era can also be explored through the dozens of Ghosts Towns in the area.
4. Take a Dip in the McGill Warm Springs Swimming Pool: Just about 15 minutes outside of Ely is the McGill Warm Springs Pool, a popular destination with kids adn parents alike since the 1930s. Natually warmed by a nearby srping, the pool also has a diving board, slide, picnic area and a beautiful white sand beach. The pool usually opens on Memorial Day weekend and is open form 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Monday.
5. Lunch, Lime Rickey’s and Ice Cream Sundaes at Economy Drug: Grab a spot at the lunch counter and get a taste of history at this old-fashioned soda fountain. It’s been serving up hand-pressed lime rickeys since 1946 – and they just don’t make ’em like thhis anywhere anymore! The sandwicheds are great and the ice cream selection is sure to please the entire family. It’s a must see for anyone traveling through Ely.
Discover More Things to Do in Ely HERE!
Lodging Options in Ely and White Pine County HERE!