Elko: City of the Year

Three Nevada Travel Network "2012 Must-See, Must-Do" awards bestowed on northeastern town.

By NEVADA TRAVEL NETWORK | March/April 2012

Photo: Matthew B. Brown (downtown Elko)

Three of the Nevada Travel Network’s “2012 Must-See, Must-Do” awards have been bestowed in Elko.

David Toll, co-owner (with his wife, Robin Cobbey) and publisher of nevadatravel.net, says that after nearly 50 years of roaming Nevada as a writer and photographer, he decided to make the awards because so many great things about Nevada are going under-appreciated.

“My list looks forward into 2012 because I want to emphasize that these wonders, excitements, pleasures, comforts, and satisfactions lie ahead,” he says. “‘Let’s do this’ and ‘Let’s go there,’ instead of ‘Oh, look what we missed.’ It’s why we call them the ‘Must-See, Must-Do Awards.’”

Elko was named the Nevada Travel Network City of the Year for 2012. The award states, “This vivacious little city is in its prime. Mining has sustained the local economy, while it continues to evolve beyond its cow town origins. There is a wide range of dining options, from fast to fine, and lodgings that range from budget to boutique. In its beautiful setting beneath the Ruby Mountains, this is an interesting and enjoyable place to visit almost any time, but add an event and it’s even better.

“We selected Machi’s as one of three “Must-See, Must-Do” Nevada restaurants for one simple reason, added Toll, “We love it.” The award says, “We try never to leave Elko without a dinner at Machi’s. Hearty and satisfying food prepared with brio.” The award to the Inn Above the Gallery Bar states, “Once upon a time the Clifton Hotel was nine upstairs rooms over Jack’s Bar. Now it’s the Gallery Bar, combining fine wine and cocktails with art in a most pleasing way and the upstairs rooms have been tastefully renovated for overnight guests, with bath down the hall, old-country style.”

Elko was the only three-winner city. The other award-winning Restaurants of the Year for 2012 are the Bistro Cafe in Boulder City and S’Socorro’s in Mina. Other award-winning hotels are the Hotel Nevada in Ely and the Tahoe House Hotel in Virginia City.

The entire list is available online at nevadatravel.net.