For most people, when you say Nevada, their mind might spring to visions of the bright lights of Las Vegas and Reno. But there’s more to the Silver State of Nevada than just these big cities, which is why we’ve created a guide to Tonopah, Nevada. Impressively, this former thriving silver-rush township was once unbelievably rich in valuable minerals and home to the legendary Wyatt Earp.
We encourage you to ditch the Nevada metropolises for a more low-key yet historically entertaining vacation. Because here, you, your family, and friends can all discover Tonopah, Nevada and its fascinating backstory and once-wealthy past.
A guide to Tonopah, Nevada, just couldn’t begin without highlighting how Tonopah became a thriving settlement in the first place. Nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Silver Camps,’ Tonopah’s origins stem back to when prospector Jim Butler accidentally stumbled upon the second richest silver strike in the state’s history.
From that point on in the early 1900s, Tonopah’s prosperous mining industry simply exploded, and its legacy now forms the foundation of its modern-day boom in tourism. A visit to the engaging Tonopah Historic Mining Park is high on the list of things to do in Tonopah, Nevada, where a self-guided walking tour helps bring history back to life. Here, you can travel into an underground tunnel leading to the old silver mine to inspect the well-preserved mining equipment from back in the day.
Great for adults, even more impressive for the kids, is the nearby Central Nevada Museum, which includes interactive exhibits that explore the history of the region’s Native American heritage, the early settlers, and the miners themselves. Visitors are also encouraged to see the site’s ‘Old West Town,’ complete with an abandoned railroad yard, saloon, and blacksmith shop.
Our next place of interest on our guide to Tonopah, Nevada, sees us heading to the Tonopah Brewing Company for their thirst-quenching refreshments and slow-smoked BBQ dining. Here, you can meet the resident brewmaster and their custom-built Bavarian brewhouse with its 310-gallon fermentation tanks. Afterward, settle down in the delightful taproom to try the amazing selection of craft beers available while also enjoying the onsite Tonopah BBQ cooking.
You might not know this about Tonopah, but the city also has its own stargazing park, known for being a location with one of the darkest night skies in North America. The Tonopah Stargazing Park holds monthly ‘Star Parties’ where stargazers can bask in the wonders of the Milky Way that illuminates the desert night sky without the need for a telescope.
Visitors to Tonopah who enjoy a good ghost story should visit the city’s most haunted landmarks next. Tales of the mysterious sightings of the ghost of Bina Verrault, who patrons are said to have seen and heard haunting the Tonopah’s Historic Mining Park’s Visitor’s Center. Or the Tonopah Liquor Company, supposedly home to two ghosts who are believed to frequent the famous venue on North Main Street.
However, the final highlight of our guide to Tonopah, Nevada, acts as a touching memorial to Tonopah’s previous residents buried there – from heavy-hitting political leaders to a collection of Nevada’s notorious outlaws of that era. A trip to the Old Tonopah Cemetery is a must for all sightseers – and if you’re feeling particularly brave – try a self-guided midnight haunted cemetery ghost walking tour.
If you’re looking for an inspirational Nevadan adventure to uncover the incredible stories and historical buildings of this old mining town, then let this be your guide to Tonopah, Nevada, ‘Queen of the Silver Camps.’
Whether you bring your whole family for a Tonopah vacation or you’re looking for a trip away with good friends. With so many things to do in Tonopah, Nevada, spend your days exploring the sights and sounds of the city and enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep every night at the charming Best Western Hi-Desert Inn.