how to spend a weekend in Carson City with kids

Carson City is the capital of Nevada but as my friend said when I told them our family went for the weekend–“I feel like you never hear about it”. Which is a shame because our family had a blast during our recent weekend in Carson City! Today I’ve summed up all the things we did and I can’t wait to share all the fun with you! This post is a paid partnership with Visit Carson City (www.visitcarsoncity.com) who also offered sample itinerary ideas and dining suggestions. All opinions are my own.

Carson City, Nevada

Carson City, Nevada is located just 30 minutes from Reno, 2.5 hours from Sacramento, and 40 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. Its convenient location makes it the perfect weekend getaway for my Sacramento friends, or a more economical home base for all your Tahoe adventures.

spending a family weekend in Carson City

where to stay

There are lots of great options for accommodations in Carson City but we highly recommend the brand new Staybridge Suites that opened earlier this year! Our family had plenty of space to spread out in a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen. The hotel staff was incredibly kind and helpful, even during the busy morning rush at breakfast. The beds and pillows were incredibly comfy and the rooms and hallways seemed very quiet. We enjoyed the outdoor communal area which features a pool, hot tub, grills, and firepit. There’s also a nice fireplace and television in the lobby area where you can sit with your morning tea and late-night snacks.

Insider tip: Head across the street to the shopping center and pick up some marshmallows and roasting sticks (or bring your own!) and toast marshmallows at the Staybridge Suites outdoor firepit!

Staybridge Suites in Carson City/Tahoe Area.

where to eat

When we travel we love stopping at the places that we can’t find anywhere else. Carson City did not disappoint when it came to delicious and unique eateries! We ate so much good food on our trip and have a list of places we want to try next time.

If you’ve got kids you have to stop at Mom & Pop’s Diner for breakfast and order one of their famous cinnamon rolls. If you’re in the mood for something lighter So Juicy offers fresh juices and smoothies that they whole family will love.

Insider tip: Get to breakfast early (before 8:30 if you can) and make reservations for dinner ahead of time to beat lines and crowds!

We enjoyed Sassafras for lunch the first day and loved the delicious food and eclectic décor. I’m still thinking about the Asian chicken tacos on jicama tortillas days later. It’s also located right next to the historic Carson Hot Springs! More on those later. We also tried Scoups for lunch and dessert. They’re famous for their soup bar and ice cream but we also tried a sandwich, salad, and hot dog. Honestly, I think even your pickiest eater will find something they’ll like! And the friendly service makes you feel right at home.

For dinner we tried out Red’s Old 395 Grill. The décor is enough to leave a memorable impression, but make sure you come hungry because the portions are huge! We loved the barbecue fare and anyplace that serves bread pudding automatically moves to the top of my “must heat here again” list. The Union is another great spot for dinner

Eat at Mom & Pop's Diner in Carson City, NV.

what to do

downtown area:

Kit Carson Trail—The Kit Carson Trail is a 2.5 mile walk through Carson City’s historic district. It features over 40 stops highlighting some of the notable residences and buildings in the area. We saw the Governor’s Mansion, Orion Clemens House (I’m related to Samuel Clemens–aka. Mark Twain!), and many other interesting houses and churches.

Capitol Building Complex–The Capitol Complex is technically part of the Kit Carson trail but you can also definitely see it on its own. It’s a beautiful spot for pictures during your weekend in Carson City (especially right now with all the fall colors!) and when we were there they were setting up holiday decorations!

Nevada State Museum-–The Nevada State Museum first opened in 1941. Part of the museum is in the former U.S. Mint building and its history is everywhere you look–including an old vault in the men’s room (I told Mike he had to go check it out when I saw a sign about it, haha). Lots of displays and exhibits about the early history and people of the state of Nevada. I could have spent all day here! $10 for adults, seniors and kids 17 and under are free.

Insider tip: Exploring the downtown area? Good news, there’s tons of free parking! Be sure to make a stop at the Old World Coffee Lab if you need to warm up with a hot chocolate or sit around their outdoor fire pit.

The Nevada State Museum is located in the former U.S. Mint Building!

Take the historic Kit Carson trail self-guided tour.

Visit Carson City, Nevada tourism board.

out and about:

Historic Carson Hot Springs—Carson Hot Springs are open year round from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm. The water temperature ranges slightly and when we were there the various outdoor pools were between 97° and 103°. $15 for adults, seniors and kids 11 and under are $13 for the outdoor pools.

Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail–If you’ve got little hikers stick to the easy trail that’s only .25 mile in and .25 mile back and takes you right to the base of the falls. If you’ve got more time and experience you can take the longer North King Loop (1.8 miles) or the Upper Waterfall Loop (4.4 miles). Trail is currently only open Saturday and Sunday as the trailhead is under construction.

Nevada State Railroad Museum–We loved our visit to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and we practically had the place to ourselves! You can even climb on board historic trains and take rides, seasonally. $8 for adults, kids age 17 and under are free.