Visit Carson City – Visitors Center

I went here today, Monday, May 6, 2019. It is on the first floor of an office building, with the entrance facing North Carson Street. Parking is right on the south side of the building. You must enter from North Carson street, as the parking lot is one way, and exits on North Curry Street. (Google Maps GPS directs you to West Washington Street, where there is no parking; don’t listen to it). There were two parking spaces open when I came about 3 PM, plus two handicapped spaces. When I left though, there was only the one handicapped spot. It probably will get worse on a day the Nevada State Museum across the parking lot is open. You can probably find parking around North Curry Street though.This location is run by the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City, and this department runs Nevada Day each year. Their other job is to be a resource for visitors to the city. They differ from the Carson City Chamber of Commerce (which is a private business) in that the latter focuses on businesses and new residents of the city, though they also have a lot of things for visitors too. Being a branch of Carson City, this office has free wifi.The office is basically a store, with some free information for visitors, such as brochures. They also give away free Nevada Route 50 (The Loneliest Road in America) passports here (and stamp them), as well as free Carson City stickers. Among the items for sell are various commemorative coins, books, t-shirts, sweatshirts, baby clothes, hats, key chains, pins, magazines, flags, kitchen ware, jewelry, postcards, cards, and wooden magnets. Some of the items were expensive, like the 2018 limited edition Nevada Day coin (only 200 made) for $15, while others were more reasonable, like three postcards for $1 I believe.There is a nice sitting area in the middle, a swell as free coffee and hot chocolate for visitors. Beware: there were ants all around the coffee area and near the cash register. They were attracted by the sugar. I had to be careful not to set my hot chocolate down near them. The employee told me they have called an exterminator. She also wiped up the ants which I showed her (that is a never-ending task, as there are thousands of them in the colony, and they leave pheromones marking the trail to the food source).I saw at least four different employees in offices, and a conference room in the back.I picked up by Nevada Highway 50  passport, and the employee stamped it in four places. I was giddy about that. She knew her job well, and knew exactly how and where to stamp so it didn’t blur and was upright.I also asked where the stop was for the tourist train which goes to Virginia City. The employee gladly got me a map and brochure showing me where it was (hint: it is not qt the Nevada State Railroad Museum on South Carson Street).The employee who attended to me was very professional and helpful. In my 30 minutes here, I saw a father and son come in who were tourists. It should begin to pick up after Memorial Day.I was very happy with my trip here and will come again to get other Nevada tourism information.

Friendly help, and lots of free info and maps.  Worth stopping in for a chat.

Great curator and she was very helpful. She gave me lots of free maps and free brochures on towns I will be stopping along the way as I cross the “Loneliest Road in America”. She even started me off with my first stamp in my passport. Not many visitors realize this but Carson City is the first stop along the US-50 so stop on by to get your passport, maps and brochures on the towns you will be visiting along the way. Free coffee and tea. And very good personal information provided by the curator who recommended me to stop by Virginia City next and gave me a map of the place. Great service. Free maps. First stamp in my passport. I am all set and on my way. Have a safe journey.