by Anthony Megna

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: May 12, 2012

When people think of Las Vegas, Nevada, most think of the strip with all the lights. It's not their fault, it's just that the strip is all over the television and the Internet. There are many, many other things to do in Vegas besides going to the strip, I know because I live here.

Living in Las Vegas, there are many sites to see within a day's drive of this exciting town. One can even venture to another state and be back home in Vegas within the day. Examples are California, Arizona, Utah, and for those living in the North of Nevada, Idaho and Oregon. So, with my in-laws coming into town to stay for a week where were my wife and I going to take them? We decided on Calico, Ca.

Calico is a defunct mining town about 100 miles to the west of Vegas. Easily driven round trip within a day from Las Vegas. Just head south on interstate 15 and you will see Calico written into the mountainside on the right-hand side of the road. Many tons of gold has been mined out of this area, and now it has been turned into an interesting tourist site.

If you want to see how mining was in the old days, this is the place. There are guided tours taking you into the mountainside explaining the risks and hardships old-time miners had to face searching for the precious gold. I loved how some enterprising miners dug out bunk beds into the rock on the side of the mining trail where they would hit the sack after a hard days dig. Since the mining went on year-round, it was a welcome relief to be inside the mountain where the temperatures are a cool 60 to 70 degrees. The summer sun can be fierce, and the temperature can easily climb over 110 in the summer. Not a place you want to spend too much time out of doors in. Yet, the people in this town had to face this. All for the love of gold.

There is a theatrical show put on in the town in a little wooden theater. It is an interesting diversion after a seeing some of the gold-mining equipment around the town. Don't worry, it is air-conditioned for us in the 21st century! This play is from the 1800's and it is interesting to fantasize that you are witnessing the same entertainment the old-timers watched.

Refreshment stands abound for that much needed drink or cooling down with some ice-cream. And believe me, if you come to Calico in the summer, you will need to cool down as much as possible. That is why it is such a great place to visit. Going into the mountain on a hot summer's day to a nice cool cavern is a delicious respite from the intense and fiery heat.

Calico has other odds and ends to see in the town, places to buy souvenirs, and it is just a half-days drive from Las Vegas. So don't worry, you will be back in Vegas late afternoon for that much needed nap before you paint the town that night!

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