On the surface, the Carson Valley may appear relatively straightforward in its appeal. Epic mountain views, small-town charm. An ideal destination for people wanting to unwind, get away from it all, embrace tranquility. History enthusiasts may be intrigued by the notion of immersing themselves in the culture that’s evolved from one of the early settlements of the American West. And of course, thrill seekers will find a welcome base camp for soaring, skiing, off-roading, and any number of outdoor recreational activities. However, what about those who love to travel as a family?
Carson Valley is not only home to stunning scenery, a long-established agricultural heritage, and friendly people. The many experiences on offer here are more than up for the challenge of keeping even the youngest visitors entertained. Share the joy of the Carson Valley with the whole family! If you’re traveling with children or teens, consider the following ideas for a delightfully entertaining and memorable time.
Arts & Culture
A local gem so family-friendly it literally hosts a monthly “Family Day,” the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Downtown Gardnerville brings to light Douglas County history in a simple yet engaging way. Its very structure is a historical landmark in its own right, formerly serving as the original Douglas County High School when it was built in 1915. Today, it operates as a museum, with various exhibits highlighting different aspects of the region’s history and agricultural heritage. Younger children can embark on a mini-scavenger hunt as they explore the museum. On top of the admission-free Family Day each month, the Douglas County Historical Society hosts other special events throughout the year at both the Carson Valley Museum and its sister location, the Courthouse Museum in Genoa. Visit the Historical Society’s website for more information.
For anyone looking to unleash their inner artist, HelloHandmade’s studio space in Downtown Gardnerville offers a terrific environment for kids, teens, tweens, and adults! Offering walk-in art projects, classes, and event space for parties and private workshops, HelloHandmade is a worthy stop no matter how long (or short!) your stay in town is. Their dedication to nurturing creativity is bolstered by a strong community of local artists and makers. For more information, including a class schedule and description of offerings, visit HelloHandmade’s official website. Whether your passion is painting, mosaics, or clay sculpting, anyone can enjoy a fun, relaxing, and hopefully illuminating artistic experience!
Encourage even the youngest readers to embrace the joy of being a bookworm at Luminary Books in Gardnerville. This cozy yet colorful bookshop is an incredible place to peruse a surprisingly diverse inventory of new, used, and vintage books of all genres, plus accessories that are sure to please any literary fan. Luminary also hosts recurring monthly events including workshops, pop-up markets, and kids’ story time, so be sure to check their calendar for the best days to visit! Updates are regularly posted to their Facebook page.
Movement & Play
The Carson Valley Swim Center in Minden provides state-of-the-art facilities for swimmers of all ages. And with its indoor and outdoor pools, plus incredible amenities like water slides, diving boards, rock wall, and fitness area, there’s a variety of fun to be had for kids and adults all year long! Drop-in swim lessons, aerobics classes, and party rental spaces, not to mention a number of special events throughout the year, all help solidify why the Carson Valley Swim Center is often regarded as one of the best kid-friendly attractions in the area. Find out more by visiting CVSC’s official website.
Have a go on the greens and bring the family, because Carson Valley Golf Course has a special family golf rate every day after 3:00pm. There must be one adult and at least one junior golfer (ages 5-17) per foursome. For kids and adults who are new to the sport, Carson Valley Golf Course has special forward tees available, so beginners can learn and practice! You can read more details about family golfing on their website.
The numerous parks and trails situated throughout Carson Valley are ideal for spending time as a family, whether it’s picnicking at Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa, enjoying any of the playing fields at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, or spotting wildlife and taking in the panoramic views along the River Fork Ranch Trail. Minden Park, Heritage Park in Gardnerville, and Genoa Town Park all host lively, family-friendly community events and celebrations throughout the year, but even without an assembly of merrymakers, they’re gorgeous places to play and bask in the fresh air, especially in good weather. Topaz Lake Park is an inspired place for camping, recreation, and exploration. The Martin Slough Trail offers a creative and accessible way to traverse between downtown Gardnerville and Minden, with ponds and picture-perfect vistas along its paved path. Find out more about this and other Carson Valley trails by going to the Carson Valley Trails Association website, where you can find updated maps and information about its 6 unique trail systems.
Events
Throughout the year, Carson Valley hosts family-friendly events that are often free to attend, and will often incorporate activities and entertainment especially for kids.
Spring sees the return of annual events like the Genoa Western Heritage Days festival, whose children’s activities have featured Western-themed games, face-painting, a scavenger hunt, and a petting zoo, on top of entertainment for all ages like the Horse Parade, live music, and so much more. Another popular springtime event for families is the Carson Valley Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival, where balloon pilots take to the skies in their brightly colored aircraft while vendors, musicians, and entertainers enliven the ground below.
With the warm, sunny weather of summer comes what many consider to be Carson Valley’s peak season for events. A popular event with children, particularly young aspiring anglers, is the annual Douglas County Kid’s Fishing Derby, which is free for ages 3-12 years old to participate and compete for prizes. Another summer event, and a staple among locals and visitors of all ages, is the Carson Valley Days Festival. With attractions such as its famous parade, carnival, craft and food vendors, live music, games, and various tournaments, Carson Valley Days has certainly grown since its humble beginnings in 1910. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the free concerts and community events held throughout the summer, like the Summer Concert Series in Minden Park, the Genoa Town Park’s Summer Concerts on the Green, or Gardnerville’s Movies in the Park.
Many a Carson Valley local will advise that fall is perhaps the best time of year to visit, with the gorgeous warm colors of changing foliage decorating the foothills and a wide variety of activities made available by the mild weather to suit any interest. Events, too, especially in celebration of Halloween and the harvest season in general, are just as fun and vibrant as ever. Kids may find particular amusement from the antics brought about by Main Street Gardnerville’s Fall Festival and Coffin Races at Heritage Park, for example. Or, they could join the vivid, energetic celebrations with live music, dance, and delicious food at the Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival. The month-long October Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch at Corley Ranch is especially popular with little ones, as admission includes corn and straw mazes, farm animal encounters, and 9-hole miniature golf, with the addition of hay wagon rides and scheduled pig races on the weekends.
The winter holiday season sees a good amount of travel among families wanting to reunite with their loved ones. While Carson Valley sees an average-to-fair amount of snowy weather, it hasn’t put a damper on all manner of community gatherings and celebrations, the more prominent of which have culminated in a series of events dubbed Carson Valley Christmas. Holiday kickoffs, pop-up markets, and concerts — many of them free and practically all of them family-friendly, if not family-focused — take place throughout the month of December in Minden, Genoa, and Gardnerville.
Keep up with events all year long by checking out Visit Carson Valley’s online Events Calendar!
As with any Carson Valley experience highlighted in our blogs, it’s always a good idea to contact businesses and organizers directly with questions or to confirm availability. You can refer to our Business Directory or call us at the Visitors Center at 775-782-8145 for information.