Looking for the best and fun things to do in Elko, NV?
Elko is the largest city in and the county seat of Elko County, Nevada, United States. The exciting town is 21 miles (34 km) from Lamoille Canyon and the Ruby Mountains, and it
provides year-round access to recreation, including hiking, skiing, and hunting, with access to more than twenty alpine lakes
The city is where Nevada’s real cowboys work and play, which keeps on the Western spirit. Elko’s originality has earned the town its spot as one of the Top True Western Towns in the United States.
There is so much to discover in the beautiful city, like the historical museums, restaurants, arts, spas and saloons, Nevada’s artistic heritage, reserves and forests, indoor and outdoor games and attractions, and many others.
Here are the top fun things to do in Elko, Nevada.
Things to Do in Elko
1. California Trail Historic Interpretive Center
California Trail Historic Interpretive Center
California Trail Historic Interpretive Center is one of the best places to visit in Elko. It is a center where visitors learn Western history and deepen themselves in the experiences of emigrants and Native Americans during the United States period of Western Expansion.
The center interprets the California Trail experience and themes and offers educational and cultural enrichment to the general public.
The California Trail Interpretive Center opens five days a week. It provides movies and programs on the California Gold Rush, the Donner Party, American Indian heritage, particularly the region, the harrowing Forty Mile Desert, and others.
There is also a unique gift shop offering a variety of books, children’s gifts, apparel, candy, Nevada-specific library, and others.
Visit the California Trail Historic Interpretive Center with your loved ones, as you are sure to enjoy live demonstrations and programs every day since it is fun and educational. You will also find hiking trails for the adventurist with scenic views of the area.
Address: 1 Trail Center Way, Elko, NV 89801
2. Northeastern Nevada Museum
Northeastern Nevada Museum
One of the top fun things to do in Elko, NV, is spending some quality time at Northeastern Nevada Museum.
Tourists interested in Nevada’s local and natural history are sure to enjoy the museum, which offers an art gallery, museum store, and items at reasonable admission prices.
Northeastern Nevada Museum is home to art and local history exhibits alongside extensive wildlife habitat dioramas. You will discover that six galleries occupy more than 20,000 square feet in the museum.
There is something for all to explore and enjoy. Discover the regional exhibits chronicle northeastern Nevada histories such as the railroads, mining, exploration, and ranching. The displays of early life in Elko County feature the Basque, Chinese, American Indian, and cowboy cultures.
Northeastern Nevada Museum displays the most extensive collection of wildlife from around the world in a permanent exhibit in the Wanamaker Wing. Late Jack Wanamaker of Burbank, California, donated most of these animals.
Address: 1515 Idaho St, Elko, NV 89801-4021
3. Humboldt National Forest
Humboldt National Forest
The Humboldt National Forest is one of the best attractions in Elko you need to visit as it preserves spans of more than two million acres and provides varieties of fun outdoor activities such as camping, horseback riding, hiking, and backpacking.
Humboldt National Forest is one of the top places in Elko, Nevada, because of its many recreational opportunities. Explore the diverse landscapes of the forests, from towering snow-capped peaks to wide-open sage steppes and many more.
If you are on vacation in Elko, Nevada, and you are searching for exciting and enjoyable places to visit in the city, visit the Humboldt National Forest as it offers exciting things to do in Elko, NV.
Address: 2035 Last Chance Rd, Elko, NV 89801-4808
4. Western Folklife Center
Western Folklife Center
The Western Folklife Center focuses on cowboy gear contemporary folk art and serves as the headquarter for the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. The center offers a platform for rural and urban communities to communicate and exchange new ideas and avenues of expression.
The Western Folklife Center is a local and regional nonprofit cultural exhibit center featuring an exhibition gallery, a 300-seat theater, a 20-seat black box theater, a gift shop, and a historic saloon. The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world. The center produced the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985.
The center offers media and educational programs to entertain, engage, and deepen the understanding of the vitality and challenges of western communities.
The gift shop at the center consists of books, jewelry, films, memorabilia, music, award-winning videos and C.D.s, and others. Go to the Western Folklife Center, as it is one of the attractions in Elko; you don’t have to miss it.
Address: 501 Railroad St, Elko, NV 89801-3752
5. Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation Area
Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation Area
The recreational center is open year-round. The park’s reservoir at Wild Horse Reservoir State Recreation is a popular site for fishing; you will discover rainbow and German brown trout, small-mouth bass, yellow perch and catfish, and others for fishers.
Cold winters make the lake a perfect place to ice fish, skate, or explore skis and snowmobiles. Spectacular wildflowers surround the park in the spring, and summers offer swimming, camping, boating, and hiking.
You will also discover wildlife like mule deer, elk, pronghorn, as well as varieties of upland game birds and waterfowl.
Address: Gold Creek Rd., Elko, NV 89801
6. Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum
Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum
The Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum is a nonprofit museum and the former home of G.S. Garcia Saddle Company. Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum showcases western heritage.
The western United States is rich in the traditions and heritage of the cowboy. The Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum in Elko, Nevada, displays the traditions and culture of cowboys. The Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum is the best place to visit in Elko for cowboy items, arts, and related items.
Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting saddle-making skills, bit and spur making silversmithing plus rawhide braiding, and the role of these traditional crafts in the cowboy culture of the North American West.
A visit here will open you to history, definitely one of the top things to do in Elko, NV for history lovers.
Address: 542 Commercial St, Elko, NV 89801-3783
7. Sherman Station Visitor’s Center
Sherman Station Visitor’s Center features a historic limber pine ranch house and five outbuildings; in 1997, it was relocated to Elmo from Huntington’s Valley, 60 miles south of Elko.
The Visitor’s Center offers guided group tours and self-guided walking tours that allow visitors to view the pictures and memorabilia containing the station’s history and the Walther family who built it.
Sherman Station Visitor’s Center is one of the attractions in Elkado you have to visit, as you will discover and learn exciting things about the city. You will get information, maps, and free tourism brochures to help you know the best places to visit in Elko.
You will also discover things like a stable, barbed wire collection, branding iron display, horseshoe exhibit, a blacksmith’s shop, several types of horse-drawn carriages, and many other items at Sherman Station Visitor’s Center
Address: 1405 Idaho St, Elko, NV 89801-4050
8. J.M. Capriola Co
J.M. Capriola Co
Garcia created the most popular saddle, bringing home the gold medal from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. A year later, Garcia’s saddle won another gold medal at the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Ore, making it the only saddle to win two gold medals in history.
Garcia handed his business to his sons and retired. One of Garcia’s apprentices, Joe Capriola started his own saddle business in Elko; he opened J.M. Capriola Co. in 1929 in an old adobe building at 500 Commercial Street.
J.M. Capriola Co. became an excellent place to buy ranchers and working cowboys throughout the West. J.M. Capriola Co. offers the highest quality, exceptionally made leather goods and likes.
At J.M. Capriola Co., you will also find wallets, belts, headstalls, chaps, belts, custom-made saddles, silver engraved Garcia bits and Spurs, custom-made hats, jewelry, and outerwear.
Address: 500 Commercial St, Elko, NV 89801-3791
9. Elko Cinema 6
Elko Cinema 6
Go to the Elko Cinema if you search for a beautiful spot to spend a good time with your loved ones. The environment is clean and well-maintained.
The staff at Elko Cinema 6 is friendly and nice, as they offer fantastic customer service, the ticket prices for movies are affordable.
Get your tickets, grab your drink and popcorn, and relax in the comfortable and beautiful cinema while you enjoy watching the movies.
Address: 1145 Connolly, Elko, NV 89801
10. Rolling Rock Gallery
Rolling Rock Gallery is one of the top places in Elko where you can find unique gifts for all ages, both kids and adults, plus prospecting supplies, science kits, home decor, art, and toys.
Rolling Rock Gallery is the only rock shop in Nevada retail; the store received the 2011 and 2012 Readers Choice Awards from the Elko Daily Free Press for the best destination to purchase unique gifts.
At Rolling, Rock Gallery, you will discover incredible items like clothes, educational toys, classic children’s books, science kits, dinosaur selection, posters, a music section, gift cards, maps, souvenirs, museum-quality materials, and others.
Address: 369 5th St, Elko, NV 89801-3705
11. Maverick Casino Hotel
Maverick Casino Hotel
For fun lovers, one of the fun things to do in Elko, NV, is visiting Maverick Casino Hotel.
The Maverick Casino Hotel is one of the best places to visit in Elko with your friends or family, as it has the most extensive selection of state-of-the-art slot machines, with over 350 of your favorite machines lined up.
Exciting fun and games await you at Maverick Casino Hotel. Whether you play nickels, dollars, pennies, or higher denominations, Maverick Casino Hotel has games to match your playing desire.
Maverick Casino Hotel offers blackjack, an enjoyable card game; the 3-card poker is one of the most famous casino table games in Elko, featuring three ways to play and four ways to win. Take your kids to the Casino as there are engaging and fantastic arcades and video games they will love.
A gift shop at Maverick Casino Hotel consists of novelties, sundries, beautiful jewelry, sundries, and the hotel’s logo apparel and souvenirs. Maverick Casino Hotel opens every day from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Address: 2065 Idaho St, Elko, NV 89801-2628
12. Good Time Charlee’s
Good Time Charlee’s is the only bar in the city with karaoke available seven nights per week.
Enjoy a good time with your friends or family at Good Time Charlee’s as they offer fantastic drink specials, plus a complete K.J. service every night of the week.
The staff at Good Time Charlee’s are friendly and nice. Good Time Charlee’s has a professional sound system; they are open 24 hours except for Sunday and Monday. You will find a Bloody Mary Bar with an array of snacks every Sunday morning.
You will enjoy snacks like Nachos, Ceviche, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Shrimp Cocktail, Calamari Strips, Potato Skins, Baja Wings, and others.
Address: 542 River St, Elko, NV 89801-3738
13. Ruby View Golf Course
Ruby View Golf Course features an 18-hole golf course and a restaurant located in Elko. Duncan Golf Management manages Ruby View Golf Course on behalf of the City of Elko.
Whether you are an expert in golfing or a beginner, all golfers will experience an enjoyable round on the championship layout at Ruby View Golf Course.
The course features a picturesque environment consisting of 160-acres, and spectacular views of the majestic Ruby Mountains, measuring a lengthy 6,945-yards for par 71; the golf course has a casual, relaxed atmosphere that makes playing around enjoyable.
You will find traditional golf course elements like serene ponds, meandering creeks, enormous shade trees lining the pristine fairways, lush greens, deep and strategic bunkers.
Ruby View Golf Course also features the Grill at Ruby View, a great bar and grill, an excellent place to unwind after around
Address: 2100 Ruby View Dr, Elko, NV 89801-2697
14. Crystal Theatre
Crystal Theatre
Crystal Theatre is a historic theater in the city, situated at 676 Commercial Street; the theatre is part of UEC Theatres. Crystal Theatre is a fantastic place to watch movies with your friends or family.
Crystal Theatre offers a friendly and pleasant service in a relaxing environment. The seats are very comfortable, and the restrooms are well-maintained.
You will be offered popcorn and drinks to enjoy your movies; the movie tickets are affordable. Go to Crystal Theatre with your loved ones to have a wonderful time together.
Visiting Crystal Theatre is one of the unique things to do in Elko, with the family.
Address: 676 Commercial St, Elko, NV 89801-3860
15. Me Time Salon & Day Spa
Me Time Salon and Day Spa is the perfect place for you to experience a complete and excellent service body treatment that leaves your body rejuvenated. You can create your package or ask one of the spa experts to assist you in making your particular package.
At Me Time Salon and Day Spa, you can combine any of their skin and body care treatments to create an incredible gift for someone special or yourself.
Me Time Salon and Day Spa offers services like Aveda elemental nature facials, salt glow body scrub, body massage, ultimate spa pedicure, hair waxing, hair services, color services, and others. You will also enjoy massages like Swedish massage, deep tissue, stress-fix massage, La stone massage, pregnancy massage, and others.
Aveda Elemental Nature Facial, Body
Address: 438 S 5th St, Elko, NV 89801-4276
16. Elko Mural Tour
Elko Mural Tour
Discover an impressive display of public art that captures northwestern Nevada’s cultural ties to Basque, American Indian, plus the cowboy cultures in over 60 murals painted by 43 artists from across the Silver State and around the nation.
The Elko Mural Tour is a public art display that is free and open to everyone, seven days a week. Be sure to visit the area to discover interesting stories about the city.
This makes what to do in Elko, for some exploration, quite a perfect addition to your bucket list of fun things to do in Elko, NV
Address: Downtown Elko (501 Railroad Street), Elko, NV
17. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Cowboys from across the nation go to Elko every January for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which celebrates the cowboy lifestyle and the rural West.
The city is where Nevada’s real cowboys work and play, as Elko’s originality has earned the town its place as one of the Top True Western Towns in the U.S.
The story comes from the earliest storytelling of the buckaroos who ranched and rode the western U.S., and the art form has earned an international audience. The storytelling and displays at National Cowboy Poetry Gathering attract renowned poets, musicians, filmmakers, artists, and revelers celebrating the living West.
If you are in Elko, Nevada, be sure to attend the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each January, as it draws many to its harmonious blend of the Wild West with poetry, video, visual art, song, new media, and more.
18. Machi’s Saloon & Grill
If you are on holiday in Elko, Nevada, and you are in search of the best place in the city to hang out with the locals, Machi’s Saloon and Grill is the right place for you.
Machi’s Saloon and Grill is a stone’s throw away from the Stockmen’s or the Western Folklife Center. Machi’s Saloon and Grill provides different varieties of tasty meals from upscale sandwiches, pasta, sandwiches, entrees, and others, and they do not fall short when it comes to quality.
Prepared with the fines, freshest ingredients, at Machi’s, you are sure to find something to satisfy your palette with options like Oven Roasted Prime Rib, Alaskan King Crab, Chili Chicken Fettuccine, and Fried Chick Peas.
You will also find a full bar, complete with an extensive wine selection. Be sure you make a reservation before your visit, and the small dining room certainly fills up quick
Address: 450 Commercial Street, Elko, NV
19. Ogi Deli Bar & Pintxos
Ogi Deli Bar and Pintxos are situated in the heart of historic downtown Elko; visiting Ogi Deli means you will not only get your hands on a great meal, but it assures proximity to some of the area’s popular attractions.
Grab your lunch at Ogi Deli, then go to the Western Folklife Center or Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum for an afternoon filled with multi-faceted cultural history, which explains the story of Elko’s fascinating past and present.
Since its opening in 2018, Ogi Deli has offered a dynamic menu, like a full range of Pintxos-skewered delights of all types, Basque Chorizo on a freshly baked French roll, the Lamb Sandwich, Basque and American sandwiches pall kinds, salads, and others.
Deli hours breakfast and lunch are available on Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Bar & Pintxos hours are Thursday and Friday from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Address: 450 Commercial Street, Elko, NV
20. Lamoille Canyon & The Ruby Mountains
Lamoille Canyon & The Ruby Mountains
Explore the Lamoille Canyon close to the Ruby Mountain. The Mountain is accessible through the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway. Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is a 12-mile paved road featuring fantastic vistas and a picturesque environment perfect for photographers.
As you explore the canyon, you will discover interpretative signs, the bends and beaver ponds of Lamoille Creek, a beautiful picnic area, alpine peaks, tree-lines canyons, etc. During winter, when the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway cannot be accessible, the mountains attract snowmobilers, snowshoers, hello-skiers, and powder-hungry backcountry skiers.
You’re sure to enjoy a great time meandering the Lamoille Canyon, as you will discover beautiful views and fun things to do in the area.
21. Ruby Mountains Heli-Ski Experience
Are you ready to embark on an adventure on the incredible Ruby Mountain? The best way to enjoy them is the family-friendly Heli-Ski Experience. Ruby Mountain Heli-Experience has been a family-owned and operated business for over 45 years.
The Heli-Ski Experience is declared the “Best American Adventures” by National Geographic; skiing enthusiasts can navigate the Rubies like an expert, thanks to the all-in-the-family hello skiing outfit, 30 minutes south of Elko. Exploring the Ruby Mountains is one of the top things to do in Elko.
Skiers and snowboarders will discover 200,000 acres of untouched wilderness with nary a lift line or track in sight. The experienced and professional instructors and pilots at the Ruby Mountain help you enjoy a safe and memorable experience.
22. The Stage Door Elko
The Stage Door Elko
The Stage Door Elko, an establishment that places Elko on the map when it comes to entertainment, was launched to support the growing artistic industry of the town.
The Stage Door Elko is a host to several persons going through the rural area with a large number of local artists.
The facility organizes exciting live performances, comedy acts, music shows, improv events, art shows, and more.
There is an impressive collection of wine, beer, and spirits that you can enjoy while watching a show.
The Stage Door Elko offers tasty nachos, flatbreads, and other munchies, which are excellent supplements as the show goes on.
23. The Cowboy Corridor
For those who want an authentic western American experience, the top thing to do in Elko is to visit the Cowboy Corridor.
The Cowboy Corridor offers visitors a fantastic road trip that takes them through the communities known for their abundant western roots.
As you ride through Cowboy Corridor, you will head to intriguing roadside attractions with a good number of cultural centers and museums.
Visitors can drop by some delicious treats in Basque restaurants and spend the entire night in ghost town B&Bs.
24. La Fiesta
La Fiesta
A well-known Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta is dedicated to serving the people of the city original, modern and traditional dishes.
La Fiesta is located in the heart of Elko and has been serving the public since 1997 as a neighborhood eatery.
It is a family-owned and operated restaurant concerned with providing a comfortable and friendly environment.
They serve meals like combo platters, burritos, enchiladas, desserts, appetizers, and more, plus the 29 combo plates.
25. Shutters Hotel Elko
Shutters Hotel Elko
Shutters Hotel Elko offers beautiful decor made in craftsmanship-inspired style providing gorgeous views of the Ruby Mountains and a homey feel.
The resort features a fitness center, whirlpool, and splash pool where visitors can relax and have a chilled time on a hot day.
You get to enjoy delicious meals made by the experienced chef at Ruby restaurant; they would definitely blow your mind.
Shutters Hotel Elko offers fantastic options for organizing business meetings with the newly restored ballroom, which can accommodate over sixty persons. The Ruby room can comfortably accommodate ten persons privately.
26. Duncan LittleCreek Gallery & the Gallery Bar
If you have been looking for a place that offers unique artworks, visiting Duncan LittleCreek Gallery & the Gallery Bar should be next on your list of things to do in Elko.
Duncan LittleCreek Gallery & the Gallery Bar offers beautiful paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and many more.
It is strategically located in the center of Elko, with numerous businesses. Duncan LittleCreek Gallery & the Gallery Bar is also a point for an exhibition of modern plus live music presentations.
Ask questions about their outdoor space if you plan to book the gallery and their Gallery bar for special occasions.
Duncan LittleCreek Gallery & the Gallery Bar offers a receptive environment with a nice beer, wines, cocktails, and martinis collection.
Plan Your Trip to Elko
If you are searching for a spectacular place to explore with your family or friends, be sure to visit the beautiful city of Elko, Nevada, as it consists of fantastic attractions you will love to see.
There are so many incredible and exciting and fun things to do in Elko, NV, such as historical museums, restaurants, and bars, theatres, hotels and Casino, spas, golfing, hiking, watching movies at the cinema, karaoke nights, recreational parks and preserves, and others.
Why not start to pack your bags as you plan your next adventure with your loved ones to the fantastic city; it is worth your visit.