What’s New in 2025 in White Pine County
Ely welcomes visitors with fresh flavors, downtown upgrades, and historical celebrations in 2025
This year, White Pine County, Nevada is enhancing its appeal as a tourism destination with improvements including a burgeoning culinary scene that highlights local flavors, a revitalized downtown remodel designed to improve accessibility and aesthetics, and major cultural milestones and celebrations. With these updates, Ely is ready to welcome visitors seeking history, adventure, and authentic Nevada experiences.
New Flavorful Food & Drink Offerings
Ely’s dining and coffee scene is booming with several new businesses bringing delicious options to the table:
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JT’s Steakhouse: JT’s Steakhouse offers a premium dining experience with a rotating, seasonal menu featuring prime Black Angus beef. Raised locally at the family-owned Perigo Hay & Cattle ranch, the beef is verified natural and CARE-certified with a focus on environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
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Hector’s Cellblock Steakhouse: Located inside the iconic Jailhouse Motel and Casino, this recently reopened steakhouse brings new life to a beloved dining venue with an upscale ambiance and nods to its Old West jailhouse history. With a carefully curated menu, the steakhouse offers standout dishes including perfectly cooked steaks, seafood, salads, and other meat entrees.
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Headframe Coffee: Opened on Thanksgiving Day 2024, Headframe Coffee is quickly becoming a community favorite in downtown Ely. The roastery, owned and operated by a sole proprietor, delivers handcrafted beverages and pastries in a cozy setting.
Downtown Remodel & Trail Expansion
The Ely Roadway Rehabilitation Project, spearheaded by Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the City of Ely, represents a $54 million investment in the city’s infrastructure, accessibility, and aesthetics. Improvements will be made to Aultman Street and Great Basin Boulevard in Ely to provide a safer route for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Supported by a $24 million federal RAISE grant, the multi-year project is set to begin in spring 2025 and continue through 2026.
Key updates include:
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Nearly 15 inches of aging roadway surface will be pulverized, rebuilt, and resurfaced with six inches of new asphalt for a smoother and more durable roadway.
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Enhanced drainage, sewer and water systems will reduce flooding and improve reliability.
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A section of U.S. 50 will feature a “complete streets” design, with one lane in each direction, a center two-way left-turn lane, bicycle lanes, and widened, accessible sidewalks.
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Rapid rectangular flashing beacons will be installed at key pedestrian crossings for enhanced safety.
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Upgraded, decorative LED street lighting, trees and other aesthetic improvements such as welcome signs. The three welcome signs, decorative pavement, street trees and tile medallions set into the sidewalk representing the cultural heritage of Ely will create a signature main street environment.
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Designated bicycle lanes and improved sidewalks will make Ely more navigable for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly with Ely at the crossroads of major statewide bicycle corridors.
The transformation marks the second phase of Ely’s Downtown Reconstruction Project, following earlier improvements to East Aultman Street between Bell Avenue and East 10th Street in 2021.
In addition to the roadway remodel, the Ward Mountain Trail Expansion project launched in Summer 2024 in collaboration with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to enhance and expand the mountain bike trail system in the region. This ambitious project promises to elevate the outdoor recreation experience for both residents and visitors while boosting the local tourism economy.
Over the next three years, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Ely Ranger District will oversee the implementation of this project, which involves the construction and reconstruction of approximately 40 miles of mountain bike trails. This initiative is designed to provide clear access to trailheads, create staging areas, and improve the overall safety and enjoyment of the trail system. The IMBA team is contracted to begin construction of up to 30 miles of trail starting this spring.
Celebrating History
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Operation Haylift Mural: Ely commemorates a heroic moment in Nevada’s history with a brand new mural honoring Operation Haylift. This 1949 relief mission used cargo planes to deliver hay to over 100,000 livestock during a brutal winter. The mural, located downtown, celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of those who saved Nevada’s ranching communities.
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65th Anniversary of the White Pine Public Museum: 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of the White Pine Public Museum, celebrating decades of preserving and showcasing the region’s history and culture. The museum’s exhibits include a rare 12,000-year-old short-faced cave bear, a Lincoln Highway display, Native American artifacts, mining history, geology and the historical McGill Drug Store. At the White Pine Public Museum, visitors can relive the history, cultural diversity, and nostalgia of simpler times and the hard times in the lives of miners, ranchers, and pioneers.
With these exciting developments and milestones, Ely is poised to be a premier destination for travelers in 2025. For more information about Ely’s attractions, accommodations, dining and events, please visit www.elynevada.net.
About Visit White Pine County
Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of White Pine County, centered around the remote mountain town of Ely, positioned on the eastern edge of “Nevada’s Loneliest Highway.” With a population of 4,000, Ely seamlessly integrates history, art, and outdoor adventure. Explore the wonders of the nearby Great Basin National Park, featuring the Lehman Cave system and the majestic Wheeler Peak. Wander through Ely’s downtown on the 11-block art walk, adorned with over 20 murals and sculptures depicting the town’s rich history. Don’t miss the Nevada Northern Railway, a National Historic Landmark showcasing the town’s rail heritage. Plan your visit to White Pine County at elynevada.net and discover the hidden gems that await in this destination.