Carson Valley Nevada
Carson Valley is the vacation we didn’t know we needed! Carson Valley is a MUST-SEE DESTINATION - filled with history, shops, restaurants, hikes, and scenic views.
Carson Valley sits in Western Nevada just south of Reno and east of Lake Tahoe. We enjoyed an action-packed two days in October with beautiful fall colors and (mostly) great weather.
One highlight of our trip was a wild horse tour with Country Excursions Nevada. We spent the morning with our guide observing and photographing more than 30 wild horses! It was incredibly peaceful to watch them interact with each other in a natural environment. We learned so much about horses, in general, plus the specifics of these horse bands and their history on the range. We cannot wait to visit these beauties again on our next trip!
First photo above courtesy of Cheryl Broumley
While our intent was to spend more time outdoors, we were slightly limited due to unexpected cold and rainy weather. BUT - that didn’t limit our fun or scenic views! We took some drives around the valley and enjoyed the breathtaking views on Eagle Ridge Road and Kingsbury Grade. We explored shops in Genoa, Gardnerville, and Minden and took a drive out to Topaz Lake. Pay attention as you top the final hill on your way to Topaz - the view is amazing!
We felt a bit like we were eating our way through the valley… and we loved every bite! Breakfast at our hotel, Carson Valley Inn, was delicious and budget-friendly. We enjoyed the small coffee shop, Job’s Perk, and the sit-down breakfast at Katie’s Country Kitchen.
Lunch at JT Basque was an experience in itself! We enjoyed learning about the rich history of the Basque people and of this restaurant in particular. We highly recommend the traditional Basque Family-style meal. This shared meal includes multiple courses, personalized entrees, wine, and even dessert. Make sure to check out the dollar bills on the ceiling before you go and ask the staff to teach you how to add yours to the mix!
If you are looking for a perfect date night - the Minden Mill Distilling tour and dinner at CV Steak are a winning combination! We first enjoyed an afternoon distillery tour and tasting. The facilities are impeccable! They’ve somehow married function and beauty in the distillery process and the entire building is photo-worthy. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and very personable. Following our tour of the distillery, we enjoyed a tasting in their beautiful bar/tasting room and our guide personalized our selections to meet our specific preferences. We were having such a great experience, that we spent a little extra time at the bar sampling their custom cocktails. We finished our date night with dinner down the street at CV Steak (located inside our hotel, Carson Valley Inn). We enjoyed crab cakes and wine, steaks, ample sides, and a delicious dessert. The service, food, and ambiance were all phenomenal!
We are already looking forward to our next visit to Carson Valley where we plan to enjoy the many beautiful hikes, spend more time with the horses, and hopefully hop on a ride in a hot air balloon!
