Nevada County Points of Interest
Grass Valley and Nevada City Area

AREA MUSEUMS AND ART CENTERS

Firehouse Museum #1
214 Main St., Nevada City / 530-265-5468
Nevada City’s 1st permanent firehouse. Built in 1861, it operated as a firehouse until 1940’s. Now operated by the Nevada County Historical Society. The museum houses relics from the Donner Party and a unique Maidu Indian display. Call for hours.Donation.

Grass Valley Museum, St. Joseph’s Cultural Center
410 S. Church St., Grass Valley / 530-272-4725
http://www.saintjosephsculturalcenter.org/
St. Mary’s Academy was built in 1865 as a convent for Sisters of Mercy. This restored school and orphanage offers a glimpse of some of the past uses of the building. It is registered as a State Historical Landmark. Open Tuesday thru Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

Imaginarium
112 Nevada City Hwy., Nevada City / 530-478-6400
The Imaginarium is an interactive science center featuring hands-on exhibits and activities in science, nature and technology. Open Saturday 10-4 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm. Admission fee.

Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring Street, Nevada City / 530-265-5040
http://www.minersfoundry.org/
Built in 1856, this enormous structure produced the first Pelton wheels. It contains an impressive hall built entirely of stone. Open weekdays, 9am-4pm. Call for tour information.

Museum of Ancient and Modern Art
Wildwood Business Center, 11392 Pleasant Valley Rd. / 530-432-3080
http://www.mama.org
Visitors can view art from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Babylon, and Greece, and works on paper by Rembrandt, Picasso, Miro and Chagall. African masks. Open Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Free.

Nevada County Traction Company
402 Railroad Ave., Nevada City (behind the Northern Queen Inn) / 530-265-0896
http://www.northernqueeninn.com/nevada_county_traction.htm
Ride the narrow gauge rail through 3 miles of beautiful tall pines. Disembark at the top of the hill and visit an authentic Chinese cemetery used by the Chinese from 1868 to 1939. Please allow 1 1/2 hours for your ride.

Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad & Transportation Museum -
#5 Kidder Court, Nevada City
The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad began operations 1876 to link the rich mining districts of western Nevada County, California.
http://www.ncngrrmuseum.org

Nevada Theatre
401 Broad Street, Nevada City / 265-6161
www.nevadatheatre.com
Built in 1865, it is the oldest original-use theatre in California. Registered Nat. Historical Landmark.Today, The Nevada Theatre is the main stage for The Foothill Theatre Company and the home of the Nevada Theatre Film Series. Community Asian Theater of the Sierra often uses the theater for their productions.

HISTORICAL STATE PARKS

North Star Mining Museum
At the North Star you will find displays of mining equipment and artifacts from the 1880’s. On display is the largest Pelton Wheel ever constructed. The museum has a picnic area alongside a Wolf Creek. Open May 1 thru Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
Located at the end of Mill St. at Allison Ranch Rd. Grass Valley
530-273-4255

The Empire Mine State Historic Park
The Empire State Historic Park is the site of the oldest, richest mine in California. An estimated 5.8 million ounces of gold were extracted. The mine is located on 700 acres of forested area. Open daily, call for park hours.
10791 E. Empire St., Grass Valley
530-273-8522
www.empiremine.org

Bridgeport Historic State Park
Bridgeport is one of only 9 covered bridges built before 1900 remaining in California. Built in 1862 at 251 feet, it is still the longest single span covered bridge of its type in the United States. The Bridge is a State and National Historic Landmark.
Pleasant Valley Rd. at the South Yuba River, Penn Valley
530-432-2546

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
Malakoff contains over 3,000 acres of oak woodlands pine forest and meadows; several small lakes and creeks. The historical little town of North Bloomfield has several buildings that have been reconstructed and refurbished to show what life was like in the 1870’s. View the site of the largest hydraulic mining pit in California, operated from 1860-1890’s. Camping available through the park office.
23579 N. Bloomfield Rd., Nevada City
530-265-2740

TRAILS AND HIKING

Tahoe National Forest
Tons and tons of hiking, biking and wilderness trails.
For information visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/

Empire Mine
Offers many acres of hiking trails for people and horses.
For more information visit: http://www.empiremine.org/trails.html

Independence Trail
The very first wilderness trail in the country with wheelchair accessibility is found in the Gold Country in California. Just north of Nevada City on State Highway 49, the Trail is truly a unique natural and historic jewel. Today, the Trail demonstrates another sign of independence because it is managed and maintained by both private and public sectors

Mountain Biking Clubs
Miles of trail information visit:
http://www.bonc.org/

Rollins Lake: Accessible from Hwy. 174, 530-346-6166
Scott's Flat Lake: Off Hwy. 20, 530-265-5302
Englebright Lake: Off Hwy. 20 past Penn Valley, 530-639-2342
Bullard's Bar Reservoir: Yuba County off Hwy. 49, 530-692-3200
Collins Lake: Marysville Rd. off Hwy 20 toward Marysville, 800-286-0576

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