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Reno is a lively city in northern Nevada, set in the high desert Truckee Meadows at about 4,500 feet, where the Truckee River flows out of the Sierra Nevada and through the heart of downtown. It began in 1859 as a toll bridge crossing on the route to the California gold fields and the Comstock Lode silver mines, and grew into a railroad town when the Central Pacific arrived in 1868. Nevada's legalization of gambling in 1931 and its famously quick divorce laws made Reno a national destination, and its glowing arch proclaimed it The Biggest Little City in the World.
Today Reno has about 270,000 residents and a more diverse character than its casino image suggests. Tech companies, a growing arts scene and the University of Nevada have brought new energy, and the Truckee River Whitewater Park lets kayakers and tubers play right next to downtown casinos and restaurants. The Midtown district is full of murals, coffee shops, vintage stores and local restaurants, and the city hosts big events like Hot August Nights, the Great Reno Balloon Race and the Reno Rodeo.
Reno's location is its great advantage. Lake Tahoe's sparkling blue water and world-class ski resorts are less than an hour away, as are the historic mining town of Virginia City and the vast desert around Pyramid Lake. In town, the National Automobile Museum displays one of the finest collections of classic cars in the country, the Nevada Museum of Art focuses on art and the environment, and the Riverwalk District, Wingfield Park and the iconic Reno Arch are at the center of downtown life.
The illuminated arch over Virginia Street downtown bearing the slogan The Biggest Little City in the World, a version of which has greeted visitors since 1926. The current arch dates from 1987, and an older one stands near the National Automobile Museum. Come after dark when it is lit for the classic photo.
A stretch of the Truckee River through downtown, around Wingfield Park, with rock drops and pools for kayaking, tubing and swimming in summer, plus grassy banks and an amphitheater for concerts. Water is fastest in spring snowmelt. Rent a tube nearby on hot days and check flow levels before getting in.
A large park north of downtown with lawns, trails into the sagebrush hills, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden and a museum, and the launch field for the Great Reno Balloon Race. It is popular for picnics and dog walks. Hike the short trail to the Basque sheepherder monument for city views.
A museum built around casino owner Bill Harrah's car collection, with more than 200 vehicles from the 1890s to modern times shown in recreated street scenes, including rare cars and celebrity vehicles. It sits on the Truckee River downtown. Allow two hours and join a guided tour if one is running.
The state's only accredited art museum, in a striking dark building inspired by the Black Rock Desert, with exhibitions on art and the environment, Western and contemporary art, and a rooftop sky room with mountain views. It is in the downtown arts district. Allow about 90 minutes and visit the rooftop terrace.
A creative district south of downtown along South Virginia Street, with murals on many walls, vintage and independent shops, coffee shops, breweries and restaurants in older buildings. It is the best place in Reno for local food. Walk or bike between the murals, and come for dinner on a weekend evening.
The downtown stretch along the Truckee River lined with restaurants, bars, galleries and shops, linking Wingfield Park with the Reno Arch area. It hosts the popular monthly Wine Walk and summer events. Join a Wine Walk on the third Saturday of the month, or simply stroll the river at sunset.
The cluster of casino resorts around Virginia Street, including the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, connected by indoor skywalks, with gaming, shows, buffets and arcades. They are more casual and cheaper than Las Vegas. Use the skywalks in winter and check showrooms for weekend concerts and comedy.
A planetarium and science center on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, in a distinctive 1963 building with a curved roof, offering dome shows on space and the night sky, free exhibits and meteorites on display. Telescope viewing nights run on some evenings. Check the show schedule and buy tickets at the door.
A free hot air balloon festival held each September at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, with around 100 balloons launching at dawn, special shape balloons and the Dawn Patrol, when lit balloons rise in the dark. It is one of the largest such events in the country. Arrive well before sunrise and dress warmly.
A large classic car festival held in Reno each summer, with thousands of vintage cars and hot rods cruising the streets, car shows, auctions, live music and parades through downtown and nearby Sparks. It draws huge crowds. Book hotels early, pick a spot along the cruise route and bring sun protection.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
