Store your luggage around Elko with Bounce
The sparsely populated northeastern Nevada rarely ends up on travel bucket lists, but the stunning natural beauty of the region has caught plenty of attention in recent years. The gorgeous Ruby Mountains offer some of the best hiking and camping in the country, and there is the historic California Trail which paved the way for settlement across the West.
This far north from Las Vegas, you won’t find a better city to stop in than Elko. While the outdoor activities on offer are the main draw, there’s a lot more to enjoy in Elko, NV. Combining classic Western traditions with a surprising Basque heritage, Elko has a more culturally-minded community than most cities.
There’s a diverse restaurant scene, highlighted by authentic Basque cuisine, and there are plenty of boutiques for shopping in the city. There are plenty of museums and historical landmarks to visit as well. If you want a quintessential “Wild West” experience, you shouldn’t look further than this gem.
Luggage storage in Elko
Elko has a compact and bustling downtown without much surrounding it. If you’re taking to the Ruby Mountains for some hiking or heading down the California Trail for an adventure, you won’t want to be stuck with your luggage. Fortunately, Bounce has plenty of luggage storage locations in the area, including at popular hotels like the Elko Quality Inn and the Hampton Inn, so you can quickly drop the bags in a secure location before heading out.
Bounce is easily the best luggage storage Elko has to offer, with 24/7 support, Bounce Shield Protection, and an intuitive app for finding and booking storage facilities. We have locations that can accept anything, including any large-sized item you may have, so give us a try. Plus, we have friendly staff, and when you use our convenient app, you get an immediate booking confirmation.
Elko city guide
Top things to do in Elko
Most travelers in Elko start their trips by hiking in the Ruby Mountains and other surrounding areas. But once the sun sets, you’ll either try your hand at one of the many casinos in town or explore the Western-inspired downtown Elko. For curious travelers, there are museums, restaurants, and a diverse range of shopping on offer in the city. Here are a few ideas for where to start:
Museums in Elko
Northeastern Nevada Museum
If you want to learn about this fascinating part of the country, this would be the place! This museum features a diverse range of exhibits about Native American history, the region’s mining boom, and local wildlife. The museum’s best feature is its extensive collection of Western and Native American art.
Western Folklife Center
While it’s more of a visitors' center than a museum, The Western Folklife Center does a great job preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the American West in a family-friendly setting. It hosts art exhibitions, musical performances, and storytelling events throughout the year. Every January, it hosts the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which is a week-long celebration of cowboy poetry, music, and art that attracts Western enthusiasts from across the country.
California Trail Interpretive Center
Located a 15-minute drive from Elko, this museum focuses on the history of the California Trail, which ran through the town. This was one of the primary routes used by pioneers and gold seekers during the 19th century to reach the west coast. Interactive exhibits, hiking trails, and even reenactments will give you an idea of the challenges faced by intrepid westward settlers. This one is absolutely perfect for the kids!
For security measures, many museums don’t allow larger items or luggage inside, so it’s best to find baggage storage ahead of time before heading over. Some Elko museums might offer limited luggage lockers onsite, but you can always reach out before you travel.
Shopping in Elko
Downtown Elko
You'll find a variety of locally owned boutiques in Elko's historic district offering unique clothing, accessories, and jewelry. Downtown Elko is where all of the area's art galleries are located, so you can browse and purchase works by local artists (Native American and Western art are all prominently featured). Antique shops are scattered throughout downtown, which are great for vintage furniture, collectibles, and memorabilia with Western aesthetics.
Saturday Farmers' Markets
This seasonal farmers' market provides fresh produce, local artisanal products like honey and jam, and a taste of the region's agricultural offerings. Elko really embraces local producers, so this is well worth a visit!
Western Wear Stores
Elko (really) embraces its Western heritage, and you can find stores offering cowboy boots, hats, apparel, and accessories to suit that cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle you’ve been thinking of adopting. J.M. Capriola, Boot Barn, and Cander’s are all popular western outfitters that can set you up with high-quality cowboy hats, boots, accessories, and any other gear you might need to look the part!
It can get pretty warm in Elko, so you will not want to be lugging your bags around while you shop through the farmers market or downtown. Fortunately, Bounce has plenty of luggage storage facilities near the best Elko retail areas.
Restaurants In Elko
The Star Hotel
The last place you’d expect to find Basque cuisine is Elko, Nevada. But this town celebrates this surprising aspect of its cultural heritage through a few restaurants serving traditional Basque stews and dishes like pickled tongue and grilled lamb. The Star Hotel is first and foremost among these restaurants, with a cozy environment and inviting staff. It’s also the most popular restaurant in Elko, so make a reservation ahead of time!
Ogi Deli
If you don't have time for a lengthy Basque meal at Star Hotel, opt for its casual counterpart at Ogi Deli. This quick-serve joint takes bold Basque flavors and packages them in a rotating menu of sandwiches and soups. This is the most popular spot with locals by far.
La Fiesta
If you're craving Mexican cuisine, and you should be when traveling through Nevada, La Fiesta serves up a variety of traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. It’s located right in downtown Elko, so it can fuel your shopping spree or sightseeing!
Conclusion
Nevada is an untapped region for travel experiences; Elko is a huge part of that. With a surprising array of cultural offerings alongside its outdoor appeal, it’s a must-visit for that quintessential Western experience. For all of your Nevada adventures, we have you covered with convenient locations throughout the best travel destinations. We have even created useful travel guides for cities like Reno, South Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas, where there are luggage storage facilities.