Welcome to Ely! Ride vintage trains through high desert canyons, sip coffee in century-old saloons, and wander through neon-lit remnants of Nevada’s Wild West mining past — Ely draws visitors from around the world to ride the legendary steam-powered trains of the Nevada Northern Railway.
☑️ Ely Checklist
- Book your Flight: Fly into Elko Regional or Salt Lake City, then rent a car for a scenic desert drive into town
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in a restored historic hotel or downtown motel for easy access to Main Street
- Join your Tour: Reserve a Nevada Northern Railway ride or a haunted history walking tour in advance
🚂 Day 1: Rails & Relics
- Nevada Northern Railway Ride: Hop aboard a rumbling steam locomotive and chug past mountains, mine shafts, and open desert skies — it’s pure frontier nostalgia on rails
- Railway Engine House Tour: Wander through soot-covered workshops and get close enough to the trains to smell the grease and coal
- Train Yard Selfie Stop: Pose with rusted locomotives and weathered cabooses — the perfect gritty Wild West backdrop
- Ely Art Bank: Step into a repurposed historic bank now filled with local art, handmade jewelry, and quirky sculptures
- Lunch at a Historic Café: Slide into a red vinyl booth where miners once grabbed coffee and pie before heading underground
- Renaissance Village: Explore tiny cottages showcasing the cultures of immigrant mining families who once called Ely home
- Evening Ghost Train Experience: Ride the spookiest train west of the Mississippi as lanterns flicker and “spirits” roam the caboose
🎨 Day 2: Mining Town Murals
- Downtown Mural Walk: Stroll Ely’s streets and take in massive wall paintings that tell stories of miners, Native culture, and Wild West life
- White Pine Public Museum: Peek at old switchboards, school desks, and even a full-size woolly mammoth skeleton — yes, really
- Ely’s Jailhouse Cellblock Tour: Walk through eerie old jail cells tucked behind a real-deal casino — it’s as Nevada as it gets
- Lunchtime on Main Street: Order a burger or Basque sandwich and people-watch from a sidewalk table
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park: Step inside 19th-century beehive-shaped ovens that once helped fuel the silver rush
- Sunset at Garnet Hill: Sift through red dirt and maybe spot a sparkling garnet or two as the sky lights up in desert colors
- Neon Stroll at Night: Wander Ely after dark as old-school neon signs buzz and glow across the quiet streets
⛏️ Day 3: Mines & Memories
- McGill Drugstore Museum: Step into a time capsule with shelves stocked exactly as they were in the 1970s — prescriptions, perfume, and all
- Eureka Mine Overlook: Drive out to a panoramic viewpoint where you can see the scars and stories of Nevada’s mining heyday carved into the hills
- East Ely Depot Museum: Tour the 1907 train depot filled with antique telegraphs, uniforms, and dusty railroad history
- Bristlecone Trails Drive: Take a slow roll through ancient pine forests and high desert scenery near the edge of Great Basin National Park
- Souvenir Shopping Downtown: Pick up a Nevada Northern Railway patch, a garnet stone from Garnet Hill, or a vintage Ely postcard
- White Pine County Museum: One last chance to soak in Ely’s pioneer grit — don’t miss the antique horse-drawn hearse
- Dinner at a Classic Casino Café: Wrap up the trip with a hearty steak or chicken-fried steak under neon signs and slot machine sounds
📅 Ely Calendar
- Fire & Ice Festival (January): Watch chainsaw carvers sculpt ice and fire pits blaze on snowy hills during this wild winter bash
- Nevada Open Road Challenge (May): Speed junkies take over Highway 318 for a legal, closed-road race through the desert
- Ely Art & Wine Walk (June): Sip wine and explore pop-up galleries in historic buildings all across town
- 4th of July Celebration (July 4): Small-town Americana with parades, fireworks, and a lot of red, white, and blue spirit
- White Pine County Fair & Horse Races (August): Old-school fun with rodeos, horse racing, and fried everything
- Haunted Ghost Train (October): Ride a decked-out Halloween train full of ghouls, jump-scares, and howls echoing through the canyon
- Nevada Northern Polar Express (December): Dress in pajamas and hop aboard this magical train ride straight to the North Pole
💡 Ely Tips
- Book Train Rides in Advance: Popular themed rides like the Ghost Train and Polar Express sell out quickly
- Bring Layers: Desert weather shifts fast — you’ll want a jacket, even in summer evenings
- Fuel Up Before Scenic Drives: Gas stations are few and far between once you leave town
- Watch for Wildlife: Mule deer, wild horses, and even eagles are often spotted around the edges of town
- Walkable Downtown: Main Street is compact and full of hidden gems — park once and explore on foot
- Cell Signal Is Spotty: Especially on scenic routes — download maps ahead of time
- Ask Locals for Tips: People here love to share their town — you might end up with a secret trail or historic tidbit
🥩 Ely Menu
- Chicken-Fried Steak: Crispy, golden, and smothered in white gravy — Nevada diner comfort food at its finest
- Basque Chorizo Sandwich: Spicy, garlicky sausage grilled and stuffed into a bun, often with peppers or onions
- Classic Patty Melt: Griddled rye bread, melted cheese, and a juicy burger patty — greasy, glorious, and iconic
- Giant Cinnamon Roll: As big as your plate and drowning in icing — a sweet staple at local cafés
- Picon Punch: A bitter, boozy cocktail beloved in Basque bars — strong, old-school, and not for the faint of heart
- Tater Tot Casserole: Found in roadside diners and potlucks alike — crispy, cheesy, and unexpectedly craveable
- Nevada-Style Prime Rib: Slow-roasted and served thick — often with horseradish sauce and a baked potato the size of your head