Preston NevadaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Preston, Nevada.
1. Stardust Ranch
HISTORIC RANCH EXPERIENCE
Stardust Ranch is a highly-rated attraction in Preston that offers visitors a glimpse into Nevada's ranching heritage. Visitors can explore the property which showcases the area's agricultural history dating back to when ranchers first settled in the White River Valley in the 1890s. The ranch provides an authentic Western experience with opportunities for horseback riding and learning about traditional ranching practices.
2. Jailhouse Casino
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Jailhouse Casino is a popular entertainment destination in Preston with a unique prison-themed atmosphere. The casino offers a variety of gaming options including slot machines, table games, and video poker for visitors looking to try their luck. It also features dining options and occasional live entertainment, making it a central gathering spot for both locals and tourists.
3. Wicked Rein Herb & Gift Boutique
LOCAL CRAFTS AND HERBS
Wicked Rein Herb & Gift Boutique is a charming specialty shop in Preston offering a unique selection of locally sourced herbs and handcrafted gifts. The boutique showcases items made by local artisans, providing visitors with authentic Nevada souvenirs and specialty products. This highly-rated shop offers a personalized shopping experience with knowledgeable staff who can explain the uses of various herbs and the stories behind the handmade gifts.
4. Central Theatre
HISTORIC MOVIE VENUE
Central Theatre is a beloved historic movie venue in Preston that has been entertaining locals and visitors for generations. The theater maintains much of its original charm while offering current film screenings in a nostalgic setting. With its excellent ratings, Central Theatre provides a welcome entertainment option and glimpse into the past of this small Nevada town.
5. Preston Historical Church
PIONEER RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
Preston Historical Church stands as a testament to the Mormon settlers who arrived in White River Valley in 1898. Built in the early 1900s, the church served as a spiritual and community center for the growing settlement named after William B. Preston, the fourth presiding Bishop of the LDS Church in Utah. Today, visitors can appreciate the historic architecture and learn about the role religion played in establishing this frontier community.
6. White River Valley Museum
LOCAL HISTORY EXHIBITS
White River Valley Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of Preston and the surrounding White River Valley area. Exhibits feature artifacts from the Native Shoshone people, the arrival of white settlers in the 1860s, and the development of ranching in the region. The museum offers visitors insight into the area's pioneer heritage, including displays about the thirteen wagons of settlers from Moroni, Utah who arrived in 1898 to establish Preston.
7. Bradley House
FIRST WOODEN HOME
Bradley House holds the distinction of being the first wood home built in Preston, constructed by Z.D. Bradley and his wife Martha Jane in 1898. This historic structure represents the beginning of permanent settlement in the town and showcases period-appropriate architecture and furnishings. Visitors can step back in time to experience how early settlers lived when Preston was first established around a spring on the Maddox Ranch.
8. Historic Brick Factory Site
EARLY INDUSTRY LANDMARK
The Historic Brick Factory Site marks the location where John Horsley and William Davis manufactured bricks on the flat land south of Preston around 1898. This site represents one of the earliest industries in Preston and played an important role in the construction of permanent structures in the developing town. Visitors can learn about the brick-making process that helped transform Preston from a settlement of temporary structures to a more established community.
9. Original Preston Schoolhouse
PIONEER EDUCATION CENTER
The Original Preston Schoolhouse is a preserved four-room school building constructed in the early 1900s to serve the educational needs of the growing settlement. This historic structure represents the importance early settlers placed on education even in remote Nevada communities. Visitors can explore the classrooms set up with period furnishings to understand what school life was like for children in rural Nevada over a century ago.
10. Preston Spring
TOWN'S FOUNDING WATERPOINT
Preston Spring is the natural water source around which the town was originally established in 1898. This vital water source made settlement possible in the arid region and continues to be an important historical landmark in understanding Preston's origins. Visitors can see the spring that attracted Mormon settlers to this specific location in the White River Valley and learn about water management in Nevada's desert environment.
11. White River Valley Lookout
SCENIC VALLEY VIEWS
White River Valley Lookout offers breathtaking panoramic views of the lush valley that attracted ranchers and stockmen to the area in the 1890s. From this vantage point, visitors can appreciate the natural beauty that made this area desirable for settlement despite its remote location. Interpretive signs highlight points of interest including historic ranches along the White River that formed the backbone of the local economy.
12. Horsley's General Store
HISTORIC TRADING POST
Horsley's General Store is a recreation of one of Preston's first businesses, modeled after the original log cabin store opened by Mart Peterson and H.A. Comins. The store features period-appropriate merchandise and displays showing what goods were available to early settlers in this remote Nevada community. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of an early 20th century trading post that served as both commercial center and social gathering place for the community.
13. Mattics Ranch Heritage Site
PIONEER RANCHING LEGACY
Mattics Ranch Heritage Site preserves one of the central historic ranches in the White River Valley, originally known as the Maddox Ranch. This working heritage ranch demonstrates the agricultural practices that have sustained the area since the 1890s when ranchers first established operations in the valley. Visitors can tour original ranch buildings and learn about the importance of ranching to Preston's economy and development.
14. Spooner Lake
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Spooner Lake is a picturesque alpine lake offering year-round outdoor recreation opportunities a short drive from Preston. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and cross-country skiing depending on the season. The lake's scenic beauty and accessible trails make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts looking to experience Nevada's diverse landscapes.
15. Ely Renaissance Village
CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM
Ely Renaissance Village showcases the diverse cultural heritage of eastern Nevada through restored historic homes representing different ethnic communities. Each building is furnished to represent a specific immigrant group that contributed to the development of the region in the early 20th century. This highly-rated attraction offers guided tours that bring to life the stories of the people who shaped this part of Nevada, providing context for understanding Preston's own settlement history.