Location: Ely
Top Things to do in Ely
What to do and see in Ely, Nevada (NV): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Ely (/ˈiːli/, EE-lee) is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. In 1906, copper was discovered and Ely's mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50. The railroads connecting the First Transcontinental Railroad to the mines in Austin, Nevada and Eureka, Nevada have long been removed, but the railroad to Ely is preserved as a heritage railway by the Nevada Northern Railway and known as the Ghost Train of Old Ely. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,255.
Restaurants in Ely
1. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Museum on former site of Ward, a small mining town.
Reviewed By SueR965 - Las Vegas, United States
The Ward Charcoal Ovens was on my Nevada bucket list. Exploring them lived up to my expectations. The history of these well built structures is fascinating. One tip:when heading south on route 50, take the second turn (look for the official park sign) to drive 7 miles on a dirt road to the site. What a cool place to visit!
2. Nevada Northern Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
The Nevada Northern Railway is a non-profit historical foundation whose mission is to maintain and operate what has been acclaimed as the best-preserved railroad facility in the United States. Come, enjoy history with us! We offer 90-minute train rides up toward the historic Ruth Copper Mine, as well as a view into the history of what put this mining town on the map. Don't miss the included tour of the Engine House and yard after the train ride. You can see the facility that has been servicing these steam locomotives for over a century now. For the serious railfan, we offer the opportunity to be at the throttle (and brakes!) Of a real, standard-gauge, steam locomotive on your own private run "up the hill." Covid-19: Masks are required to ride the train and while inside buildings.
3. Garnet Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By 939glendar
This place was a lot of fun! I wish there was more information on how to find the garnets at the site, and the sign that had information wasn't at the top of the parking lot so I was looking around for it a few minutes before finding it. Based on some of the other reviews I had read I ran into the grocery store in town and bought three mini colanders/strainers for us to bring with us. We didn't have a hammer and chisel so we were looking for loose garnets. The most successful method for us was to go into the washes and scoop us the loose rocks and sand. Sift out as much of the sand as you can, pick out the big rocks, then slowly pick through the rest to see if you have any garnets. We were only there for an hour or two-this place is close enough to town it is easy to come for just a little bit or you could stay longer if really interested. If you are staying for awhile make sure to bring water. There is a toilet at the top parking lot but we didn't use it so I am not sure the cleanliness of it.
4. White Pine Public Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By mariellad121 - Las Vegas, United States
This place is bigger than it looks from the outside. One of the featured artifacts on display is an Ice Age short-faced bear skeleton that was found in White Pine County, but the museum also exhibits artifacts from more recent history of White Pine County, which has a long history of mining.
