Carson City’s Most Underrated Locations

Jack C. Davis Observatory

Enjoy an out-of-this-world experience at the Jack C. Davis Observatory on the Western Nevada College campus in Carson City. The observatory, which serves as a research-level facility for the college, is open to the public for stargazing, classes, and events. Located on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the observatory is the ideal place to view the moon, stars, and planets.

The Jack C. Davis Observatory hosts a continuing lecture series for the public during the year. These events, which are known as Saturday Night Star Parties, center around various topics, such as celestial wonders, Isaac Newton, and space art. The observatory also hosts viewings of astronomical events, including lunar eclipses and meteor showers.

Location: 2269 Vanpatten Ave., Carson City

Hours: Vary. View the public events schedule online.

Kings Canyon Waterfall

When you think of Nevada, you may picture an arid desert and hot climate. In Carson City, you can take a short trip to see a beautiful oasis at the Kings Canyon Waterfall. Five minutes from downtown Carson City, a quarter-mile hike on the Kings Canyon Trail will lead you directly to the waterfall. The 25-foot cascading waterfall dazzles in the springtime when its flows are highest, although it's a breathtaking view in every season.

If you continue hiking Kings Canyon Trail, you can scramble up a creek to reach additional smaller waterfalls. You can take a refreshing swim under the waterfalls or enjoy a picnic lunch while you take in the falls and surrounding scenery. The trail offers a one-mile or three-mile loop if you want to continue hiking after seeing the falls.

Location: Kings Canyon Road, Carson City.

Hours: Open anytime. Check Visit Carson City for seasonal or weather-related closures.

Fuji Park

Carson City enjoys a mild climate all year round, which means that there's rarely ever a bad time to head outdoors. Fuji Park is an excellent place to take the whole family and enjoy a day outside. The four-acre park features a playground area, a semi-enclosed picnic pavilion, ample green space, and a fenced-in dog park with designated areas for large and small dogs.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy at Fuji Park. Bring your fishing gear and spend an afternoon fishing at the Baily Fishing Pond, which is stocked with trout all year round. The park is next to the Fairgrounds Arena Complex, which is open for drop-in horseback riding seven days a week unless otherwise reserved. The park is also the site of many fun, engaging community events throughout the year.

Location: 701 Old Clear Creek Road, Carson City.

Hours: Open year round, although the restrooms are winterized and closed from November through April.

Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

Enjoy a day of family fun at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada. This private nonprofit educational center offers play-based and hands-on learning for children and families. Explore exhibits related to the arts, sciences, and humanities to help your child learn while having fun.

The children's museum provides various educational opportunities for young children. Bring your little one to the museum's story time, which explores various themes and subjects using children's literature, art, and puppets. In the museum's art room, children can use paints, glue, and glitter to express themselves through art. The museum also hosts events throughout the year and a summer camp for children as young as pre-kindergarten through preteens and older.

Location: 813 N. Carson St., Carson City.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Foreman-Roberts House Museum

Listed on the National Historic Register, the Foreman-Roberts House Museum features a permanent collection and historical exhibits that are designed to provide a unique perspective of early life in Carson City. Located on a one-quarter acre property in downtown Carson City, the museum offers a historic example of Gothic Revival architecture. The museum moved to Carson City from Old Washoe City in 1873 on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. Thurman Roberts, the last surviving child of the Roberts family, willed the home to Nevada, and it became part of Carson City.

The Carson City Historical Society hosts several events at the Foreman-Roberts House Museum throughout the year. From May through October, the society typically holds yard sales at the museum. Previous events included lecture series and historical presentations

Location: 1207 N. Carson St., Carson City.

Hours: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. Check with the Carson City Historical Society for more information.

Washoe Lake State Park

While many Carson City residents and visitors flock to Lake Tahoe (and understandably so), Washoe Lake State Park provides an equally idyllic setting within a 15-minute drive from downtown. The park offers stunning views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada, Carson, and Virginia Mountain Ranges. Within the park, the Scripps Wildlife Management Area provides a foraging and nesting habitat for birds and waterfowl, and birdwatchers often report spotting bald eagles, American white pelicans, and Canadian geese.

Other activities at Washoe Lake State Park include hiking, horseback riding, and boating. You can fish at either of the park's two lakes, which contain a variety of species, including channel and bullhead catfish, white bass, and Sacramento perch. Picnic sites throughout the park provide shaded spots to enjoy lunch or a snack. If you want to extend your stay, the park offers 49 campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Water and utility hook-ups are available at some sites.

Location: 4855 Eastlake Blvd., New Washoe City.

Hours: Always open.

We hope you enjoyed reading about these six underrated places in the Carson City area. Which one do you plan to visit next? If you're a local, did we miss one of your favorite underrated destinations in the Carson City area? Send a message to Carson City Hyundai and let us know so that we can add it to our list. We enjoy highlighting the unique, lesser-known places that make Carson City such a great place to live and work.