Elko：The True Western Town with the Wild West Spirit Where Nevada’s Real Cowboys Work and Play

Elko which is also referred to as ‘’ Nevada with altitude’’ elevates more than 5,000 feet. Despite being located in the sloppy mountains, Elko has recently been marked as a rising travel destination due to the increase in outdoor activities it offers its visitors rather than skiing. Tourists can now visit some amazing sightseeing locations around Elko as cited below.

1. Northeastern Nevada Museum

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Northeastern Nevada Museum is an exotic museum in Elko featuring a lot of western art pieces.
The museum does a good job summarizing the history and culture of Elko and parts of the northeastern side of Nevada. The museum has a mammoth exhibit among other exhibits on many subjects such as ranching, mining, Native Americans, Basque and other interesting things. There is a Pony Express Station from 1860 at the front of the museum which is surrounded by a lovely garden. Aside from the art pieces, this sightseeing site also hosts an extensive collection of guns that one can see. The gift shop within is also a good place to grab a souvenir.

2. California Trail Historic Interpretive Center

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California Trail Historic Interpretive Center is a well-managed museum in Elko illustrating the emigrant trail through the gold rush. This museum is located in a very scenic area with outdoor patios, some exhibits, and art. From the museum, one can learn more about the Donner party and how they made it through the harsh weather conditions. One also get to learn about the native Americans and how they interacted with pioneers. From the inside, one is able to watch short videos and listen to journal descriptions from travelers sharing their journeys. The staff is also very ready to answer any questions you may have.

3. Western Folklife Center

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Western Folklife Center is a small museum celebrating Elko’s cowboy heritage. It beats your everyday expectation of a museum as it also covers some entertainment. The staff is very knowledgeable about Elko and the history of the Western Folklife Center. Another interesting thing about its staff is the fact that all are volunteers who are passionate about the cowboy culture. It features a fabulous gift shop with lots of representation from local artists. There is also a bar within the center where jam sessions are held and one can enjoy a cold beer at just $3.

4. Elko Area Chamber of Commerce (Sherman Station)

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Elko Area Chamber of Commerce (Sherman Station) is a great stop to get some useful information about Elko and its best sightseeing activities including the Ruby mountains. Despite this, the building itself is a historical landmark in Elko. This two-story station was built by Valentine Walther for his family of eleven children. There are 18" thick pine logs in the station that came from the Ruby Mountains. There are some historical exhibits, a gift shop and the Chamber of Commerce within the same premises. There are some additional structures within the same land that includes a stable, a one-room schoolhouse, a creamery and a blacksmith shop. There is no entrance charge to the center.

5. J.M. Capriola Co

J.M. Capriola Co is a small family owned store hidden in Elko. Despite its size, it holds a load of neat history about Elko amongst other cowboy western culture stories. The store is known for leather items that are over 100 years old and is believed to be the perfect place to buy cowboy merchandise. The store also has nice souvenirs such jewelry, crafts and household items with a countryside feel. One can also go to the top stairs and marvel at how saddles are made.

6. Ruby View Golf Course

Ruby View Golf Course is an 18 hole golf course in Elko. The golf course is a famous sightseeing spot with tourists, especially during summer season. Reservations are usually made 7 days prior but they try to accommodate everyone as they arrive. The golf course covers about 200 miles and has been well maintained over the years. The course has both challenging and not so challenging sites but both give a pleasant gameplay.Aside from golfing, their food is absolutely amazing and worth a try during a golfing break.

7. Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation Area

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Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation Area is a natural park for outdoor activities. The park got its name from the wild horses that live around the area. The place is mostly a high desert surrounded by sagebrush and a few trees. Some of the mountains surrounding the area are more than 8000' high and are lovely reflected in the placid waters of the reservoir. The area is remote making it an ideal place to get away from it all. Some sightseeing activities include viewing wildlife, camping, fishing, hiking and other amazing things. Entrance to the recreation area is charged at $7 with additional charges on camping and boat launching.

8. Crystal 5 Theatre

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Crystal 5 Theatre is one of the two movie theatres in Elko. However, despite being small, it still offers tourists a great experience while sightseeing the entertainment joints around Elko. The theatre is a small house coupled with some friendly staff and a cozy feel. This theatre is generally clean and ideal for a movie night, not forgetting it has an assortment of movie snacks. Remember to dress warmly as the theatre gets cold sometimes.

9. Commercial Casino

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Commercial Casino is a storied casino in Elko that has been operational since 1869. The casino has an old west feel from its decor and layout. The casino has a large space featuring 153 gaming machines. The casino is all inclusive as it also features a hotel, bar, and restaurant. There is a dead stuffed polar bear which is the largest ever killed that seems to attract so much attention from tourists sightseeing the place. Since the place is open 24 hours, there is no excuse not giving it a look.

◎ Closing

Elko is indeed the best travel destination with its rich western history, robust nature, and its breathtaking vistas on the rugged beauty of the Ruby Mountains. Whether you fancy a hike on the rocky trails, gambling your luck at one of the casinos, visiting one of the museums or taking a tour to see firsthand one of the area’s many Gold Rush ghost towns, tourists have no shortage of sightseeing activities to choose from while in Elko.

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