Things to do near the Mizpah Hotel: top local attractions
The Mizpah Hotel sits at 100 N. Main Street in Tonopah and puts you within easy walking distance of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Barsanti Park, and several local museums. On-site dining includes the Jack Dempsey Room (dinner), Pittman Café (breakfast), and the Long Shot Bar for drinks and snacks.
In this guide
- Tonopah Historic Mining Park — mining ruins and self-guided tours
- Historic downtown walking — museums, shops and Barsanti Park
- Ghosts, cemeteries and quirky stops — Old Tonopah Cemetery & Clown Motel
- Day trips & ghost towns — Belmont, Manhattan and Goldfield
- Stargazing and desert weather — night skies and best seasons
- On-site options: dining, casino and hotel events
- Hotel services useful for exploring Tonopah
Tonopah Historic Mining Park — mining ruins and self-guided tours
The Tonopah Historic Mining Park is roughly a two-minute walk from the Mizpah Hotel and lets visitors explore old silver mine ruins, headframes, and interpretive signage.
The park is suited to short walks and photography; bring a hat and water in warm months because this is a high-desert environment with limited shade.
- Distance from hotel: about a 2-minute walk
- What to expect: mine ruins, headframes, interpretive signs
- Bring: sun protection and water during summer
| Visitor Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Wear sturdy shoes | Uneven ground around ruins |
| Morning or late afternoon | Better light for photos and cooler temperatures |
| Short visit possible | Park can be explored in under an hour for a quick stop |
Historic downtown walking — museums, shops and Barsanti Park
From the Mizpah’s front door you can walk downtown to see small museums, local shops, and Barsanti Park (about a 4–5 minute walk).
The Central Nevada Museum & Research Library is walkable (roughly a 15–20 minute walk) and offers exhibits on regional mining history and archives.
- Barsanti Park: local green space good for a short break
- Central Nevada Museum: regional mining exhibits and archives (~16-minute walk)
- Small shops and cafés: a few minutes’ walk from the hotel
| Place | Approx. walk time from Mizpah |
|---|---|
| Barsanti Park | 4–5 minutes |
| Central Nevada Museum | ~16 minutes |
| Downtown shops & cafés | 2–10 minutes |
Ghosts, cemeteries and quirky stops — Old Tonopah Cemetery & Clown Motel
The Old Tonopah Cemetery (established 1901) is about a 10-minute walk and is known locally for its ghost stories; the Clown Motel sits adjacent to the cemetery and is a short walk beyond it.
If you’re interested in haunted lore or odd roadside attractions, these spots are walkable from the Mizpah and make for an atmospheric late-afternoon or evening visit.
- Old Tonopah Cemetery: ~10-minute walk from the hotel
- Clown Motel & Museum: adjacent to the cemetery
- Best time to visit: daytime for safety; evening if you want the haunted-atmosphere photos
| Attraction | Notes |
|---|---|
| Old Tonopah Cemetery | Historic pioneer cemetery (walkable) |
| Clown Motel | Quirky museum next to cemetery |
| Safety note | Stick to daylight hours for easier access and photos |
Day trips & ghost towns — Belmont, Manhattan and Goldfield
The Mizpah is a practical base for day trips to nearby ghost towns: Belmont (about a 45–60 minute drive) and Goldfield (roughly 30 minutes south on US-95).
Road conditions vary: the final portion of the drive to Belmont includes a maintained gravel/dirt segment, so check current conditions and vehicle suitability before you go.
- Belmont Ghost Town: ~45–60 minute drive; preserved 1876 courthouse
- Goldfield: ~30-minute drive; living ghost town with local attractions
- Plan: bring water, a spare tire, and a full tank of gas for desert drives
| Destination | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|
| Belmont Ghost Town | 45–60 minutes |
| Goldfield | ~30 minutes |
| Manhattan (via Belmont) | Combine with Belmont for extended outing |
Stargazing and desert weather — night skies and best seasons
Tonopah’s high-desert location makes it a good spot for dark-sky stargazing directly from town; many guests at the Mizpah head outside after dinner to watch the stars.
For comfortable outdoor excursions, the best months are generally late spring and early fall, while summer is hot and winter can be cold and snowy.
- Why it’s good: remote desert location reduces light pollution
- Best months for mild weather: May–June and September–October according to regional climate summaries
- Summer note: expect hot daytime highs; bring sun protection
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late spring / early fall | Milder daytime temperatures; good for hiking and exploring |
| Summer | Hot daytime temperatures; clear nights |
| Winter | Cold and possible snow; limited daylight |
On-site options: dining, casino and hotel events
Dining and drinks are available on-site: Pittman Café serves breakfast favorites, the Jack Dempsey Room serves dinner (5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. nightly), and the Long Shot Bar provides cocktails and casual bites (hours vary).
The Mizpah Hotel contains a saloon-style casino and has event spaces including the Jack Dempsey Room for dinners and receptions; the hotel advertises meeting space and wedding services.
- Pittman Café: breakfast; hours vary (typically early morning until mid-morning)
- Jack Dempsey Room: dinner service nightly, reservations recommended
- Long Shot Bar: lobby bar with drinks and casual bites
| Venue | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Pittman Café | Breakfast favorites (extra charge) |
| Jack Dempsey Room | Dinner; reservations recommended |
| Long Shot Bar | Cocktails and bites (hours vary) |
Hotel services useful for exploring Tonopah
Mizpah Hotel services that help with local trips include free self-parking, complimentary Wi‑Fi, 24-hour fitness facilities, and tour/ticket assistance available from staff.
The hotel also offers a free airport shuttle arranged in advance — guests should contact the property with arrival details before travel. Pets are allowed in designated pet-friendly rooms (max two pets per reservation).
- Free self-parking and EV charger on-site
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi throughout the property
- Airport shuttle available if arranged in advance via the hotel
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| Airport shuttle | Free but must be arranged with the hotel in advance |
| Parking | Free self-parking; EV charger available |
| Pet policy | Dogs and cats allowed in designated rooms (max two pets) |
