Spring is kind of an amazing time of year in Northern Nevada. For one, the weather can go from warm rays of sunshine to blustery storm showers on a moment’s notice. But there are those beautiful days when the clouds disappear and the flowers on the trees blossom in bright purples and yellows, yet the distant mountains are covered with snow and dotted with green pines.
These are the days you want to spend outdoors, even if you have to put on a jacket (or a raincoat). You want to take this chance to appreciate Carson City in all of its springtime glory — its abundance of history, its small-town shops and restaurants, its moments of crisp mountain breeze. So why not take it all in with a bike ride?
I, for one, have always jumped at the first opportunity of the year to pull my bicycle from its winter hibernation and ride around town. There are so many places to ride in Carson City that a bike tour might take well over a couple of weeks, so I’ve decided to dedicate this particular bike tour to a few of downtown Carson City’s historic locations — a scenic trip past the Victorian mansions and tree-shaded streets that seem to blossom in springtime just as much as the flowers. Enjoy a few of my favorite downtown places to visit on two wheels.
What’s that? Don’t have a bicycle? Your first stop, then, will have to be the Wheel House. This shop on Rhodes Street has only been around for a couple of years, but it features a top-notch line of BMX and their own brand of fixed-gear “fixie” bikes. Anything will do for our ride, so find a model and style that catches your eye (I think the Wheel House’s neon-colored pedal bikes are pretty awesome), then pick up any accessories you like, from sunglasses to a backpack and, of course, a helmet (safety first!).
As it happens, Carson City’s own bicycling and walking organization Muscle Powered holds weekly Sunday morning bike rides near Fremont Elementary School, but it’s also putting together a special get-together for a tour of the Nevada State Capitol Building this Friday at 3 p.m. Meet up with other cyclists and take a tour of the storied halls of the 19th-century building, complete with a small Carson City history museum on the second floor. Then it’s time to hit the road.
Carson City’s legislative mall is one of my personal favorite places to roam on a bike. Right in between the capitol building and the Nevada State Legislature, it’s a tree-lined area with memorial statues and a state constitution–engraved cement amphitheater. There’s something refreshing about this bright, wide-open space that makes you feel like you’re in the center of Carson City. Bring some sandwiches and have a picnic at one of the area’s picnic tables or lock up your bikes across the street and sit on the patio at The Fox Pub for a beer and a happy-hour snack.
Pedal toward the west side of Carson City and its historic Blue Line Trail. I’m a sucker for the 19th-century architecture of these historic district homes, especially the Bliss Mansion. It’s now a bed and breakfast (and on a national registry of haunted houses), but its grounds feature the restored mansion and its grassy lawn with a stone fountain. In its day, it was the most modern home in Nevada.
Just across the street is the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, built in the early 20th century and easily the largest building in the downtown area. Park your bike and walk up the steps for a closer look at the beautiful home.
Heading south through the residential streets will lead you to the Brewery Arts Center campus. From the outside you can see the towering former Catholic church, now converted into a performance hall yet still featuring the original brick exterior and stained-glass windows from its former life. There’s also the original brewery building with its founders immortalized on the outside wall mural. Step inside and check out the artisan store and gallery.
Take a ride down historic Division Street, sheltered by old trees and featuring the Ferris Mansion (home of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel), the Orion Clemens House (home of Mark Twain’s brother and where the author would often stay) and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, one of Carson City’s original churches.
If you’re really into the history of these stunning homes and buildings, stop and read the Nevada historical markers at each. You’re guaranteed to walk away with more than a few fun facts about each location, making for a truly immersive ride through downtown Carson City.
A great place to end this tour is the Nevada State Museum, not far from where you started and the perfect place to lock up your bike and take a break. Perhaps you'll want to head inside and tour the museum, former site of the U.S. Mint and full of artifacts telling the story of Nevada’s early days. It seems to me like a fitting way to tie these Carson City historic sites together into the tale of Nevada’s founding.
Whether you’re obsessed with history or just up for an afternoon of fresh air and exercise, hop on a bicycle and head to Downtown Carson City this weekend for the first of many rides through the remarkable beauty of this little town.
For the rest of this week’s events, stop by our Daytime, Nightlife and Community pages and have a great time in Carson City.
About the Author
Bryan Akerley was born and raised in Northern Nevada and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. When he’s not writing, he’s keeping up with pop culture as a lover of movies, TV, music and books or out exploring the area through its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Then he’ll unwind by playing the drums or piano or spending time with his corgi, Teddy.
About the Author Bryan Akerley
Bryan was born and raised in Northern Nevada and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. When he’s not writing, he’s keeping up with pop culture as a lover of movies, TV, music and books or out exploring the area through its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Then he’ll unwind by playing the drums or piano or spending time with his corgi, Teddy. 
