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Nevada’s capital too often gets overlooked. Nestled 30 minutes from Reno and Lake Tahoe, Carson City is typically glimpsed through the car window en route to somewhere else. But this city is buzzing with fun, family-friendly places to eat, hike and play.
Here are our top picks for pit stops, whether you’re here for just a few hours or overnight.
PLAY: Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
This interactive museum is filled with everything the youngest kids need to have fun. There’s a collection of playhouses that looks like a neighborhood, complete with grocery store and police station. Plus, a rock-climbing wall, climbing structure, science displays and more. A big bonus for parents: The entire museum is set in one large playroom, making it easy to keep eyes on your tykes while also visiting with friends or browsing through the exhibits yourself.
Details: Admission for children, ages 1 and up, is $10; adults are free. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 813 N. Carson St., Carson City; www.cmnn.org.
PLAY: Nevada State Railroad Museum
For the train-obsessed this museum is a must-see. The remains of the famous short-line railroad stand inside this museum with more than 50 attractions, including steam locomotives and freight cars. Some of the old trains were featured in Hollywood movies, too. Visitors can take steam train or antique motor car rides every weekend from May through September, and occasional dates from October through December. Don’t miss the McKeen motorcar, a designated historic landmark that dates back to 1910
Details: Admission for adults is $6; children are free. Train and motor car rides ranges from $2 to $8. Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday at 2180 S.Carson St.;http://nvculture.org/museums
SPLASH: Carson Aquatic Facility
Cool down in an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, play it safe in a parent and tot pool, or embrace the 25-yard outdoor pool complete with huge, twisty slide at the Carson Aquatic Facility. Weather never puts a damper on fun here, since most of the attractions happen inside. The pool is open six days per week (closed on Sundays) with open swim hours everyday. Come on Saturday to get the most bang for your buck! Lap swims, the therapy pool and the weight room all open from 9:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and open swim and the parent/tot pool open at 12:30 p.m. Check the website for weekday hours.
Details: Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for kids. Open daily, except Sundays, at 841 N. Roop St., Carson.org.
EAT: The Fox Brewpub
This fun eatery serves up pizza, burgers and elevated pub food, plus beer on tap. Stop in for an order of Irish nachos — a house specialty — that tops waffle fries with melted cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream ($9). Hungrier than that? Try the cottage pie ($12) or spinach and artichoke pizza ($14).
Details: Open daily for lunch and dinner at 310 S. Carson St.; www.foxbrewpub.com.
HIKE: King’s Canyon Waterfall
When the weather is nice, Carson City is an ideal place for a family hike. King’s Canyon Waterfall draws crowds because the hike is easy and the payoff is big. To get there, drive west from the city on King Canyon Road — the former Old Lincoln Highway — for about five minutes until you hit a parking lot. From here, the hike is less than a mile to the waterfall, which is visible almost immediately. A 1.8-mile loop is available for those who want to extend the hike.
Details: 4450 Kings Canyon Road.
SHOP: Carson City Historic District
Like many small towns, Carson City is home to kitschy boutiques and plenty of antiques shops, especially along Curry Street in the city’s historic district. You’ll find the cozy Morley’s Books and its collection of used and rare books just off Curry Street, and Due Sorella, which sells chic, unique, vintage home decor and gift items, on Curry Street proper.
Details: Morley’s Books is open Wednesday through Saturday at 201 W. King St.; www.morleysbooks.com. Due Sorella is open Tuesday through Saturday at 202 N. Curry St.; www.facebook.com/duesorelladesign.