Remote Surveillance Trailer in Virginia City, NV

Two Virginia City business managers are suing the Montana Department of Commerce after the state abruptly canceled and reissued their leases with new terms they called “unconscionable.”

The Montana Heritage Commission, which is under the Commerce Department, owns and preserves many of the properties at the state’s historic sites, which include Virginia City, as well as nearby Nevada City and Reeder’s Alley in Helena. Around early December, the tenants who manage businesses across these historic sites suddenly saw their leases canceled and reissued, sparking outrage from some and forcing others to vacate their businesses.

A spokesperson for the commerce department declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying that they “cannot provide comment on pending litigation and will resolve this matter via the legal system not the media.”

Victoria Eavis is a reporter for the Montana State News Bureau. She previously worked for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming, covering state politics and Liz Cheney’s fall from power. Say hello or send her tips at victoria.eavis@lee.net.

The path to affordable rentals and homeownership just got a lot clearer for locals in Big Sky, Montana’s wealthiest enclave that’s been plagued by a lack of housing.

Big Sky made history earlier this month when the local housing trust purchased 99 acres walking distance from the town center for $39.75 million in what is called the Cold Smoke Project. The land is set to house nearly 400 affordable housing units for roughly 1,000 year-round workers in what is one of the largest community land trust projects in the nation, one expert said.

While many of the funding hurdles have been cleared so far and the project is on track, there is still a need for further cash to ultimately make these homes affordable for locals.

Victoria Eavis is a reporter for the Montana State News Bureau. She previously worked for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming, covering state politics and Liz Cheney’s fall from power. Say hello or send her tips at victoria.eavis@lee.net.

Nevada, home to gems like Great Basin National Park and Lake Tahoe, sparkles with some of the most beautiful small towns you should visit. These sublime and stellar communities welcome travelers with calm atmospheres and breathtaking landscapes that offer a wealth of history and amusement. Many still preserve echoes of Nevada’s mining and pioneer past, with landmarks in towns like Virginia City or Austin that take you back to the days of early prospectors. Others, such as Incline Village or Genoa, cater to travelers craving tranquil natural beauty or the warmth of small-town community celebrations. As the year winds down, the most beautiful small towns in Nevada you should visit encapsulate all that glitters and shines in the state.

Incline Village

Incline Village, perched on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe, unfolds as a haven of alpine ambiance and natural beauty just 30 miles away from Carson City or New Washoe City. Visitors often begin at Sand Harbor State Park, a seasonal lakeside retreat where turquoise waters and rugged pine-clad slopes make for a soothing, photogenic setting for all. For those who prefer wooded walks, the Incline Flume Trail snakes through lush forest and along historic flume routes.

Over at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, educational exhibits explore Lake Tahoe’s fragile ecosystem and current conservation efforts, giving curious travelers a deeper appreciation for the region. Finally, for golfers, the Incline Village Championship Golf Course remains a verdant challenge.

Caliente

The warm and beautiful desert town of Caliente lives up to its Spanish-derived name, “hot,” through its surrounding thermal springs and baked terrain. One can certainly escape the heat at the peaceful and shady Kershaw-Ryan State Park, a gentle introduction to the region with facilities for camping, relaxing strolls, or quiet picnics beneath cottonwoods in the Kershaw Canyon. Outdoor enthusiasts may explore the Barnes Canyon Trails, which lead one towards sweeping vistas over canyon lands and mineral-tinged desert ridges.

For those seeking a more elevated challenge, the nearby peaks such as Mosey Mountain or Ella Mountain reward adventurous climbers with broad panoramas of the arid landscape.

Austin

Traveling along the famous Route 50, often dubbed the “Loneliest Road in America,” travelers will come across the lonesome yet beautiful town of Austin, a remote Nevada outpost boasting history and natural charm in abundance. Rising prominently above the town is Stokes Castle, a granite tower built in the 1890s, whose stone walls and narrow stairwells evoke the ambitious dreams of Nevada’s mining magnates.

Near the town, a modest memorial known as the Pony Express - Metal Statue commemorates the legendary mail route that once thundered through these valleys, reminding visitors of the wild, frantic pace of frontier communication. Venturing further out of town, the rugged terrain near Toquima Cave beckons wildlife watchers and adventurers, hinting at the ancient presence of indigenous peoples.

Eureka

Nestled among high plains and mountain ridges, the gorgeous town of Eureka stands as a living monument to Nevada’s Victorian-era mining boom. Where one can still walk the same wind-dusted streets where miners once trod, visitors will come across elegant architectural mementos such as the Eureka Opera House. Meanwhile, at the Sentinel Museum, visitors can peer into the original 1860s pressroom of the Eureka Sentinel newspaper, complete with historic printing presses and period-accurate artifacts.

For those drawn by the call of the wild, the nearby Richmond Mountain offers hiking and views over the open high-desert valleys, with crisp mountain air and dramatic views brimming with rewarding sights.

Genoa

Genoa, roughly 30 miles south of Incline Village and tucked along the gentle curves of the Carson River, is a welcoming community that has been Nevada’s oldest permanent settlement since 1851. As a place that houses the Mormon Station State Historic Park, you can step inside preserved buildings and learn how Genoa served as an essential provisioning station for 19th-century emigrants crossing the Sierra Nevadas.

Beyond history, the valley floor along the Carson River offers chances to spot mule deer and other wildlife sheltering beneath cottonwoods, especially as evening approaches. Come fall, the town bursts into warmth and whimsy with the Genoa Candy Dance Arts and Crafts Fair, a much-loved tradition where locals roll out handmade candies and traditional crafts.

Ely

Once a humble waystation on the old Pony Express and Central Overland Route, Ely has transformed into a beautiful small town offering a surprising depth of experiences for modern travelers. Central to its historic charm is the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, where original steam and diesel locomotives operate on scheduled heritage rides, allowing you to travel back in time aboard restored railcars. The White Pine Public Museum adds further context, preserving regional Native American artifacts alongside exhibits on mining, railroading, and the Pony Express era.

On the wild side of life, the breathtaking Great Basin National Park invites intrepid travelers to explore ancient bristlecone pine groves, high-elevation trails, and the striking subterranean formations of the Lehman Caves. For a more unusual landmark, the remote Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park preserves six beehive-shaped ovens once used in the 1870s to process ore.

Goldfield

In the stark beauty of Nevada’s desert-high plains, Goldfield emerges as a place where uncanny adventures and discoveries abound. Its most arresting attraction is the quirky International Car Forest of the Last Church, a surreal installation of rusting cars, trucks, and old vehicles artfully affixed into the desert floor. For geological fans and treasure-seekers, the surrounding hills and washes offer opportunities for rockhounding. Remnants of the area’s rich mineral past still lie scattered in gravels and creeks for those willing to search.

More mines, such as those once operated by the Florence Mining Company, are long-abandoned tourist spots that one can wander through, giving a haunting sense of Nevada’s boom-and-bust mining cycles.

Jarbidge

Far in northern Nevada near the border of Idaho, you will come across the gorgeous small town of Jarbidge, a remote and resilient community nestled among sweeping mountain ridges and the winding Jarbidge River. The trip into the hills is well worth the effort: the Jarbidge River Canyon is a gateway to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Nevada, boasting deep riparian corridors, steep canyon walls, and forest-cloaked slopes.

For the truly adventurous, the vast Jarbidge Wilderness spans over 100,000 acres of largely untouched terrain, home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife, as well as remote ridgelines and alpine meadows where solitude reigns.

Lamoille

Though small in size, Lamoille offers access to some of northern Nevada’s most amazing natural wonders and sights. As a gateway to both serenity and exploration, one can find scenic views and locations at the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, which arcs through forested slopes, alpine meadows, and granite escarpments carved long ago by glaciers amidst the majestic silhouette of the Ruby Mountains.

A little farther afield lies the secluded Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, where marshes and wetlands attract more than 220 bird species. Westward, the California Trail Interpretive Center (in Elko) offers interactive exhibits that retrace the arduous journeys of emigrants on the 2,000-mile trek toward California.

Virginia City

Where well-preserved buildings, dusty wooden sidewalks, and stories at every turn can be learned, Virginia City is a prosperous and beautiful dwelling place that shelters some of Nevada’s best-kept secrets and histories. The stately Piper’s Opera House continues to provide the occasional live performances and events for a dramatic dose of frontier-era entertainment. Not far away, the Washoe Club Museum and Saloon retains its old-town mystique.

Also in town, the Way It Was Museum provides exhibits on the Comstock Lode and the lives of miners, merchants, and pioneers who shaped Nevada’s wealth and identity. Meanwhile, adventurous spirits can explore the subterranean world on the Chollar Mine Tour or visit the historic machinery of the Comstock Gold Mill, both offering hands-on perspectives on mining processes and the physical realities of 19th-century extraction.

Tonopah

Tonopah is one of the most historically fascinating and beautiful towns to visit. Its legends and lore are well-maintained and promoted in sites such as the Tonopah Historic Mining Park. Here, visitors can admire the original equipment and mine tunnels that led to the discovery of silver in the area. Moreover, you can head over to the Central Nevada Museum, which further deepens one’s understanding of the town’s beautiful and dutiful history.

Those of you who long to see the Milky Way Galaxy without light or air pollution can do so from Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park, one of the few spots in the US that has the cleanest atmosphere to see the night sky so clearly. Last but not least, you can attend the annual Jim Butler Days each Memorial Day weekend, brimming with mining competitions and other commemorations of Tonopah’s founding.

The landscape and terrain of Nevada are also surprisingly diverse, despite being mostly made up of desert, and there are numerous mountain ranges and even places where you can see snow.

Beauty Abounds in These Small Towns in Nevada

Although Nevada is often known for its arid landscapes and desert heat, some of the most beautiful small towns in the state prove that it is more than just sand and sagebrush. Whether you are soaking and settling Caliente’s hot springs, driving through the forests around Lamoille, or joining the joyous community spirit at Genoa’s Candy Dance, there are countless ways to connect with Nevada’s beautiful scenery. These destinations may lack the glitz of Las Vegas, but they compensate with heartfelt hospitality, stirring history, and scenic tranquility in the lush and undaunted beauty of the Silver State.

Nevada is home to a remarkable collection of Gothic-style churches, each telling a story of faith, craftsmanship, and local history. From the soaring spire of St. Mary’s in the Mountains in Virginia City to the Carpenter Gothic design of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City, these buildings feature pointed arches, intricate woodwork, and architectural details that have endured for more than a century. Many were constructed during the mining boom or early settlement periods, and some even continue to serve their communities today. Beyond their architectural beauty, they provide spaces for worship, learning, and gathering, preserving both spiritual and cultural traditions across the state.

St. Mary’s In The Mountains Catholic Church, Virginia City

St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City is one of northern Nevada’s most striking examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in the late 19th century on the site of earlier churches destroyed by fire, this brick structure features a tall spire and pointed-arch windows that dominate the skyline of the historic mining town. The interior is crafted from wood and plaster, with intricate carvings painted in white and gold. A highlight of the sanctuary is the 21-foot-tall altar, imported from France, which adds a dramatic focal point to the space. Another remarkable feature is the church’s bell, once the largest in the region, with a clapper weighing 100 pounds.

Today, St. Mary’s In The Mountains Catholic Church continues to serve its community, hosting Mass on Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as special services at Christmas. Visitors can explore guided tours, learn about the church’s history in the museum, and browse a gift shop that carries a variety of religious items.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Reno

In Reno, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral stands as a notable example of historic church architecture and reflects more than a century of parish history. The congregation was formed in 1870, initially meeting in a schoolhouse before building its first church soon afterward. By the early 1920s, plans were underway for a new structure, and although construction was delayed, the lower level opened in 1929 and served the parish for two decades. The completed cathedral, located along the south bank of the Truckee River, was finished in 1949.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is Reno’s only poured-concrete church in the Late Gothic Revival tradition. Its exterior features a tall gabled façade, buttressed side aisles, and a square bell tower. Pointed-arch doors and windows, stained-glass panels, and carved wooden entrances further define the Gothic style. Inside, smooth plaster walls, arcaded aisles, and large arched trusses frame the nave, creating an expansive and reverent interior space. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, the cathedral continues to hold regular worship services, weekday morning prayer, and a variety of programs that engage the local community.

St. George's Episcopal Church, Austin

St. George’s Episcopal Church, located in central Nevada in Austin, is a notable example of Gothic Revival architecture, built between 1877 and 1878. The one-story brick building sits on a granite foundation at the base of Pony Canyon and features a prominent corner bell tower, lancet-arched windows, and a front-gable metal roof. Its design reflects a simplified Lombard Gothic style, blending elegance with practical use of local materials.

Inside, the nave is framed by a hammerbeam-scissor truss roof with polished redwood boards and intricately carved pine braces. The original 296-pipe Mills organ, along with custom black walnut altar and chancel furnishings, enhances the historic character of the church. Rehabilitated in 1982, the building retains its 19th-century charm. When it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, St. George’s Episcopal Church was the only historic church in Austin still serving its original denomination.

Wadsworth Union Church, Wadsworth

Wadsworth Union Church, built in 1888 in the town of Wadsworth in northern Nevada, is a small but significant Gothic Revival church. Covering 1,120 square feet, the front-gabled building is clad in clapboard siding, topped with a composition-shingled roof, and features three pointed-arch windows along each side. A modest vestibule at the west entrance supports the belfry and steeple, where the church’s bell still rings clearly. Above the double doors, a Gothic-style window divided into three sections by tracery adds subtle detail.

Inside, two rows of pews flank a central aisle, and a wooden chancel screen separates the congregation from the pulpit and organ. Though repainted, re-roofed, and updated with new amber glass in the 1970s, Wadsworth Union Church maintains its 19th-century character. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 for both its architectural style and its role in the social life of the railroad town during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Carson City

In Carson City, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a notable example of Carpenter Gothic architecture, incorporating design elements inspired by both Medieval and Classical styles. The parish was organized in 1863, and the church building, completed around 1868, is the oldest Episcopal church in Nevada still in use. Inside, the ceiling resembles the inverted hull of a ship, and the pews are arranged in three sections rather than a central aisle. Following an expansion in 1874, the church added an auditorium with spaces for a lecture room and Sunday school.

The chancel is supported by fluted Roman Corinthian columns, and the wood-framed building rests on a low sandstone ashlar foundation. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, it serves the community with Bible study, healing services, midweek coffee gatherings, Sunday worship, and special holiday services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

From the seemingly endless mountains and valleys of the Great Basin to the vast deserts around Las Vegas, here are six destinations that you simply have to visit yourself to get a real grasp of Nevada's rugged beauty.

Nevada’s Most Stunning Gothic Churches

The Gothic churches of Nevada, including St. Mary’s in the Mountains in Virginia City, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Reno, and St. George’s, Wadsworth Union, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Churches, showcase the state’s rich architectural diversity and history. From soaring spires and pointed-arch windows to intimate wood-framed interiors, each structure combines design, craftsmanship, and community purpose. Beyond their beauty, many of these churches continue to serve as active centers for worship, education, and social gatherings. They allow visitors and congregants to experience their historic charm firsthand and continue to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of communities throughout Nevada.

Virginia City was the Home and Gardening Television (HGTV's) pick for Nevada's best small town to visit during Christmastime. This ranking was part of HGTV's "50 Favorite Small Towns to Visit for Christmas," which named the network's favorite Christmassy small town in each state.

From its main street decorated in twinkling lights to its plethora of holiday events, anyone who has spent time in Virginia City in December is likely unsurprised by HGTV's ranking.

Here's a look at what HGTV said about Virginia City's Christmas appeal, a list of the Christmas activities happening in Virginia City this year, and what other towns made HGTV's "50 Favorite Small Towns to Visit for Christmas" list.

What is the best Christmas town in Nevada?

In Nevada, the best Christmas town according to HGTV is Virginia City.

HGTV highlighted Virginia City’s mining history and Christmas events as key reasons it was named the best town to visit during the winter holiday season.

"Virginia City is a 19th-century mining town that still maintains its historic Old West facade along the main street," HGTV said.

"This history is acknowledged in the annual Christmas on the Comstock in December, filled with two weeks of events such as fireworks, train rides on the Candy Cane Express (aka the Virginia and Truckee Railroad), craft fairs, tree lighting, town carolers, parade of lights and, of course, visits with Santa. You can also catch Christmas-themed performances at the 19th-century Piper’s Opera House."

Virginia City Christmas activities 2025

There are multiple Christmas events happening in Virginia City throughout December.

Local shops are participating in a townwide decorating contest that the public can vote on through the Storey County Chamber of Commerce.

The shops are also running a giveaway for shoppers who spend more than $25. Entrants have a chance to win one of three one-night stays in Virginia City with activities included.

The Mackay Mansion is offering Christmas Candlelight Tours featuring festive decorations in the historic mansion on Dec. 19 and 20. People can RSVP for the $35 tour at therealmackaymansion.com.

People looking for more entertainment can visit Piper's Opera House, which is performing “Miracle on C Street” multiple times before Christmas. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com for a little less than $13 per person.

People interested in more of Virginia City's Christmas events, including sold-out activities such as the Candy Cane Express, can visit visitvirginiacitynv.com for more information.

Are there any Christmas towns in the US?

Yes, there are many Christmassy towns across the nation. HGTV said these were the best towns to visit in each state during Christmastime:

If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.