Carson and Mills Park Railroad Train Rides

Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play promoted by the National Parks Trust. This year, the event will be hosted at Mills Park from 10:00am – 2:00pm on Saturday, May 21, 2022 and will include educational booths, music, food, outdoor activities, and the inaugural Carson City Junior Park Ranger Olympics! The whole community is invited to join in on this fun day of outdoor play.

All aboard the Halloween Fairytale Express. The Carson City Railroad Association, in partnership with Wild Horse Productions, are bringing back the Halloween train ride at Mills Park in Carson City for Nevada Day weekend.

The Carson City Railroad Association is happy to announce the opening of its 2021 summer operating season. The Carson and Mills Park Railroad train will be running in Carson City’s Mills Park beginning this Saturday, May 29, 2021.

Come ride Nevada's only operating 2-foot gauge railroad in Carson City's Mills Park. Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $2 per person, children 3 and under are free, and can be purchased at the Depot in Mills Park.

Labor Day commemorates the men and women whose sweat made this such a great country and has been a national holiday since 1894. Celebrate this unofficial end-of-summer with a trip to the lake, a backyard bar-be-que, the parade in Virginia City, or one of the many fun events going on around town. Head over to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for their annual Inter-faith Potluck Picnic and don’t forget to bring some silverware and something yummy to share.

MONDAY: Labor Day

The great thing about Labor Day weekend is that it just keeps going. The Best in the West Rib Cook-off offers up family fun, live music, and plenty of bar-be-qued delights all the way through Monday. For those with younger kids, consider a day at Mills Park. This is the last weekend for summertime train rides through the cottonwoods. Join Muscle Powered at Silver Saddle Ranch by the Carson River for a bike or hike this morning. Bring water and a camera, you never know what wildlife will make an appearance.

SUNDAY:

Summer is holding on for dear life, and sending a miniature heat wave our way for this long weekend. For those of you not in Black Rock City, the Carson City region offers plenty of recreation and entertainment. Downtown will be hopping with the Farmers Market, monthly Wine Walk, and this season’s last outdoor concert at the Brewery Arts Center – and that’s just Saturday! Keep reading for three days of good times.

SATURDAY:

Weekends fly by way too quickly. Enjoy the last few days of August with a ride to Virginia City aboard the Virginia and Truckee Steam Train. Take a peek inside the historic Wungnema House on the east side of Mills Park, courtesy of the Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation. If you are over 21, try your hand at BINGO in the Carson City Senior Center. Even if you aren’t a big winner, the Meals on Wheels program benefits from your afternoon of fun.

SUNDAY:

You’ll see some pretty interesting vehicles on the road these next few days, as travelers from all over head to Burning Man. If you aren’t off to the Playa yourself, there will be plenty of fun around town to keep you and your family occupied. The second annual Family Fun Day in Mills Park is your best bet for kids of all ages. This week’s free concert at Brewery Arts Center features the Dusty Green Bones. Don’t forget your dancing shoes; they’re sure to keep you on your feet.

SATURDAY:

The concerts in the Capital Amphitheater have always been a local favorite: blanket and a picnic are all you need to make the most of this Sunday afternoon. Flashback to yesteryear at the Virginia City ‘Way it Was Rodeo.’ The Trippin King Snakes take the stage at the Genoa Bar Porch Party. Food and drink will be available, and it’s a great way to wind down the weekend.

SUNDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

Make this weekend something special. School starts up on Monday and it will be Halloween before we blink an eye. The Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival at Battle Born Harley boasts a full day of live music, vendors, activities and family fun. Bowers Mansion plays host to the annual Bluegrass Festival – bring a picnic and enjoy. Downtown Carson City will see the first of three monthly Beer Crawls; if you get there early, head over to Remedy’s to witness their yearly Bloody Mary Competition. There is something for everyone this weekend, so keep reading and find your fun.

The Silver Saddle Ranch is always beautiful, but an afternoon filled with live bluegrass and western music, food, and family fun, makes today’s ‘A Day at the Ranch’ your best bet. Beat the heat up at Lake Tahoe as the Annual Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival wraps up its competition at Kings Beach. Learn some Dutch Oven cooking tips at Mormon Station State Park, just get their before all of their breakfast casserole and bacon bomb samples are gone. Read on for even more things to do.

SUNDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

The valley is alive with the sound of music: the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival, to be specific. Just about everywhere you go, you’ll be treated to something to soothe the soul or get the toes tapping. Get the kids up early for the Young Eagle Flights at the Carson City Airport – they’re free, but you need to be on time for registration. Keep reading and you’ll find a number of ways to enjoy this sunny summer weekend.

SATURDAY: Jazz and Beyond Music Festival

• -- Hot August Nights

Once upon a time the talented kids of Youth Theater Carson City took to the Community Center stage. You have one last chance to catch their fairytale, ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ before it heads off to Neverland. The Brewery Arts Center plays host to a plethora of Jazz and Beyond today. Don't miss the final day of hot rods and chrome at the Silver Dollar Car Classic in Mills Park. Exercise your artistic talent and play with some mud at Ogres-Holm Pottery where they will be creating bowls for the upcoming Empty Bowls event.

SUNDAY:

Summer weekends make me wish I had a clone. With all the hustle and bustle in town, there is just no way to do and see it all. Start the day at the Silver Dollar Car Classic and you can get your fill of shiny chrome and breakfast, too; the Kiwanis will be serving up pancakes until 10:30 a.m. The Downtown Carson City Wine Walk has been infiltrated by the Jazz and Beyond Music Festival. Several of the stops will be hosting musicians, in addition to vino.

Wind down the weekend with a bike ride with Muscle Powered, or maybe enjoy a trail on your own. You’ll find morning yoga at Comma Coffee, with another Community Yogi offering at the Carson City Library at noon. If you haven’t had your fill of cotton candy, carnival rides, ponies, and tractor pulls you’ve still got today to enjoy the Carson City Fair at Fuji Park. Kick off those Sunday shoes with a trip to the movie theater. You’ve got two chances to catch the 80’s classic ‘Footloose’ on the big screen today and Wednesday.

SUNDAY:

A sunny summer weekend has arrived and it brings numerous fun ways to seize the day. You can always head out hiking or spend the day at the pool, but the Carson City Fair is just here until Sunday. Farm animals, great exhibits, live entertainment, a carnival, and a bull-riding rodeo can be found at Fuji Park. Park your car at the Super Walmart on Topsy and you’ll be treated to a free shuttle. Go a little bit country at the Brewery Arts Center tonight; they are bringing back the Southern Drawl Band to the Minnesota Street Stage for this week’s free concert.

SATURDAY:

It’s almost like Christmas Day for some of us locals: the long awaited Taste of Downtown has finally arrived. Food, drink, live music, rubbing elbows with friends and neighbors, and a new wine-tasting add-on make this one of the best parties of the year. The morning brings an unparalleled opportunity: you’ve got one chance to walk, run, or bike right down the middle of the freeway before the new bypass is open to vehicle traffic alone. Grab your favorite four-legged friend and head to Adele’s: Dining for Dog Town is a delicious way to help out this amazing rescue organization.

Take it easy today, that’s what Sundays are for. An afternoon porch party at the historic Genoa Bar combines live music by Deception and slushy rum runners. Dutch oven cooking is a camp-time favorite, and the rangers at Mormon Station State Park will be giving a demonstration on how easy and delicious it can be. They’ll give out samples until the pot runs dry, so get their early for something yummy. Keep reading for more lazy Sunday happenings.

SUNDAY:

What to do, what to do? That’s the question that starts most every weekend. If you’ve got kids, test their mettle at the annual Capitol City Triathlon. Open to kids of all ages, they will bike, run, and swim their way to the finish line. The third annual Sassabration event kicks off with a multi-colored, costume bike parade from the Brewery Arts Center to the celebration at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint. Multiple bands, vendors, non-profit booths, free swimming at the Carson Hot Springs, not to mention the yummy food and drink available make this a not-to-be-missed festival.

The summer sun offers so many wonderful options: an early morning bike ride, a trip to Virginia City on the historic V and T railroad, or maybe a picnic and some live music in a park. All these and more are available today. Beat the heat with a trip to the movie theater – The Sandlot will take you back in time. The Chili Cook-off and Craft Fair continues at Glen Eagles. The Corvettes have taken over at Michael Hohl. Over 50 members of the Reno Corvette Club are competing for bragging rights and a trophy. Keep reading for even more summer fun.

What are you in the mood for? The Third and Curry Farmers Market is always a great place to start off your weekend. Kids won’t mind getting up early for the Young Eagle airplane flights at the Carson City Airport – they are free of charge for kids 8 – 17, you just need to be on time for registration. The Annual Chili Cook-off returns to Glen Eagles this weekend; with live music, a craft fair, and lots of yummy stuff to eat, raising money for Honor Flight has never tasted so good. Keep reading, there is plenty more in store.

SATURDAY:

Let the good times roll. Head over to Mills Park in Carson City for the annual RSVP Carnival and catch some high-flying skate-boarding action. You’ll find the historic Wungnema House open for tours at the very east end of the park. One price gets you unlimited rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and plenty of photo opportunities with their historic steamer. The classic thriller, Jaws, plays on the big screen at the Galaxy Theater, just in case you forgot what might be hiding in the water. Here's what's happening today:

It’s wine walk weekend, and depending on what kinds of days off you get, potentially the beginning of a four-day weekend. We will be celebrating the birthday of the United States of America on Tuesday, but there are some fun events to enjoy now. Catch the Parade of Trains at the Nevada State Railroad Museum or the RSVP Carnival at Mills Park. Keep reading for all the exciting options in Carson City and beyond.

SATURDAY:

How much fun can you pack into a weekend? That isn’t purely a rhetorical question – it’s more of a challenge. Grab the kids for a day at the Dangberg Home Historical Ranch where storytellers are the featured guests. Locals are in the spotlight at the Rockabilly Riot, the Iron Rebels Car Show is for resident cars only. The bells are ringing at the First United Methodist Church. Handbell Ensemble group, Tintabulations, presents a free concert at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY:

Let the good times roll, Carson City. Cars, chrome, choppers, and kruzers are in abundance. Run Whatcha Brung at Fuji Park is open to any and all cars that can get themselves there. The Rockabilly Riot and T Bucket Alliance at Mills Park is an American Graffiti flashback. Cheer on our local motorcycle cops at the Extreme Motor Challenge, or hop on your own bike and go on a poker run with the Lords of Iron Motorcycle Club.

SATURDAY:

A happy Fathers’ Day to all of you with kids, and all of you making a difference in a kid’s life. Enjoy some family time at the Carson Hot Springs where fathers are swimming free today. Downtown is still hopping with live music, bicycles, and great food. Everyone races for free at the Carson City BMX Olympic Day, just make sure you’ve got long sleeves and leave the flip-flops at home. Keep reading and you’re sure to find some way to spend some time with that special man in your life.

The weekend hasn’t even started, and I’m already exhausted just trying to decide what to do first! Live music, races, activities, and much more await you downtown as part of the Carson City Off-Road. Stewart Indian School is awash in bright colors, beadwork, and dancers from all across the country during their annual Fathers’ Day Pow Wow. Congratulations to the Show Tree Brewing Company by the Carson Hot Springs; their big grand opening bash includes multiple bands. Keep reading – this weekend has a whole lot to offer.

SATURDAY:

Planes, trains, and automobiles take over Carson City this weekend. Steampunk ‘N’ Trains at the Nevada Railroad Museum features train rides, fun costumes, food trucks and more. You’ll find two car shows in town – the Party at the Pavilion as part of the Nevada State Fair and the Carson City Downtown Revival Car Show at the Carson Nugget. The Carson Airport Fly-In and Open House has plenty of aeronautic fun in store. You’ll have to keep reading for all of the fun options in Carson City and the surrounding valleys.

SATURDAY:

Holy moly, what a way to start the weekend. The Nevada State Fair kicks off today in Carson City’s Mills Park and so does the Annual Carson Valley Days celebration in Douglas County. No matter where you are, there is a carnival nearby. You’ll find some fun in downtown Carson tonight with karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at the Westside Pour House. Kick start your bike and head to Battle Born Harley; their Bike Night features live music by the Smoken Rabbits. Keep a sweater handy, the temperature is dipping a little, and will drop even further as soon as the sun goes down.