Reno travel guide
Reno Tourism | Reno Guide
You're Going to Love Reno
Often called the "Biggest Little City in the World", Reno, Nevada, has everything from casinos to theaters, museums, boutique shopping neighborhoods, golf courses, and fine dining opportunities. It certainly earns its nickname. Small enough to walk around but offering endless attractions, Reno is one of the best tourist destinations in the western USA.
Memorable experiences are easy to come by in Reno: bike out to dramatic rocky outcrops to see the city set against its desert backdrop; watch a flotilla of hot air balloons ascend into the pure blue Nevada skies; spend a day fishing on Lake Tahoe; or window-shop for souvenirs by the Truckee River. When evening comes, head to the casinos to try your luck.
Natural beauty, entertainment, and family attractions combine in Reno, which is why it's such an incredible place to spend a vacation.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Reno
1. Great Events All Year Round
A great thing about Reno is its packed events schedule. From the Great Reno Balloon Race in September to the Reno Rodeo in June, and the mouth-watering Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off on Labor Day, there will almost certainly be something on during your stay.
2. Easy Access to Lake Tahoe
Staying in Reno also puts you within a short drive of Lake Tahoe. Whether you visit to try your skills on the famous ski slopes, or you want to take a boat out onto the massive lake during the summer months, Lake Tahoe is one of the country's premier outdoor destinations.
3. The Attractions of the Nevada Desert
Reno is also situated in the middle of some jaw-dropping desert scenery and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Rent mountain bikes and take them to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, go kayaking in Wingfield Park, or time your visit to coincide with the unique Burning Man Festival, which creates a temporary city every year to host its creative visitors.
4. It's a Great Shopping and Dining Destination
Reno is also simply a great place to spend some time. Even if you aren't keen on the casinos or the desert doesn't beckon, the stores in Midtown and wonderful restaurants like Old Granite Street Eatery are attractions in their own right.
5. Gambling and Casino Entertainment
Reno is famous for its casinos, home to 20 of them at the last count. They range from the popular Peppermill to the exotic Atlantis Resort, Circus Circus with its acrobats and clowns, and the dazzlingly illuminated Eldorado.
What to do in Reno
1. Reno Riverwalk District: Casino Central
Visitors are invited to enter an entertaining throng of neon lights for a night of fun. Restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and world-class casinos have offered gaming and recreation galore since the start of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the streets surrounding Truckee River are constantly developing with contemporary design. Don't miss the sculptures along the water or the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts!
2. Nevada Museum of Art: The Art of Human Nature
In a state known for its outdoor wonders, this institution has made its mission statement the preservation of nature. The contemporary building houses galleries that are curated not based on style or era, but examining the many questions of how humans interact with their environments. Visitors from far and wide have flocked to the Museum to interpret the answers for themselves. The restaurant is also a highlight of the reflective experience, offering world class dining.
3. Lake Tahoe: The Best Lake in America
This deep blue alpine lake was officially named the greatest lake in the United States, and it's no wonder why the vast coastline is dotted with the greatest of activities, host to all water sports from lazy to extreme. The freshwater that fills the depths of Lake Tahoe is also of the purest quality, beckoning visitors to swim their hearts out beneath the stunning peaks of surrounding mountains.
4. National Automobile Museum: Vroom Vroom
The United States and the automobile industry share a complex, intertwined history. Across four educational galleries, the National Automobile Museum tells the story of cars in North America throughout the ages. Incredible original models of vehicles are found parked in its halls, and the ogling can go on for hours. Elvis Presley's Cadillac Eldorado and John F. Kennedy's Lincoln Continental are highlights of the all-American collection.
5. Animal Ark: Beware of Cheetahs
This wildlife sanctuary welcomes visitors of all ages to meet gorgeous animals up close and personal. Providing a safe home for life to disadvantaged predators who cannot survive in the wild, the Animal Ark is educational, inspirational and moving. With cute and memorable names, the rescued and rehabilitated creatures greet and entertain families from within perfectly curated habitats.
6. Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts: The Golden Turtle
A textured golden dome dominates this square in the center of Downtown Reno, host to the city's greatest cultural events. The home of the Philharmonic and countless seasonal acts, the building is also an architectural wonder in itself. The futuristic yet elegant roof was erected in 1967 and hasn't lost a bit of splendor since then, even inspiring the more recent urban development of the region as it continues today. For more events, Artown is just down the river.
1. Reno Riverwalk District: Casino Central
Visitors are invited to enter an entertaining throng of neon lights for a night of fun. Restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and world-class casinos have offered gaming and recreation galore since the start of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the streets surrounding Truckee River are constantly developing with contemporary design. Don't miss the sculptures along the water or the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts!
2. Nevada Museum of Art: The Art of Human Nature
In a state known for its outdoor wonders, this institution has made its mission statement the preservation of nature. The contemporary building houses galleries that are curated not based on style or era, but examining the many questions of how humans interact with their environments. Visitors from far and wide have flocked to the Museum to interpret the answers for themselves. The restaurant is also a highlight of the reflective experience, offering world class dining.
3. Lake Tahoe: The Best Lake in America
This deep blue alpine lake was officially named the greatest lake in the United States, and it's no wonder why the vast coastline is dotted with the greatest of activities, host to all water sports from lazy to extreme. The freshwater that fills the depths of Lake Tahoe is also of the purest quality, beckoning visitors to swim their hearts out beneath the stunning peaks of surrounding mountains.
4. National Automobile Museum: Vroom Vroom
The United States and the automobile industry share a complex, intertwined history. Across four educational galleries, the National Automobile Museum tells the story of cars in North America throughout the ages. Incredible original models of vehicles are found parked in its halls, and the ogling can go on for hours. Elvis Presley's Cadillac Eldorado and John F. Kennedy's Lincoln Continental are highlights of the all-American collection.
5. Animal Ark: Beware of Cheetahs
This wildlife sanctuary welcomes visitors of all ages to meet gorgeous animals up close and personal. Providing a safe home for life to disadvantaged predators who cannot survive in the wild, the Animal Ark is educational, inspirational and moving. With cute and memorable names, the rescued and rehabilitated creatures greet and entertain families from within perfectly curated habitats.
6. Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts: The Golden Turtle
A textured golden dome dominates this square in the center of Downtown Reno, host to the city's greatest cultural events. The home of the Philharmonic and countless seasonal acts, the building is also an architectural wonder in itself. The futuristic yet elegant roof was erected in 1967 and hasn't lost a bit of splendor since then, even inspiring the more recent urban development of the region as it continues today. For more events, Artown is just down the river.
1. Reno Riverwalk District: Casino Central
Visitors are invited to enter an entertaining throng of neon lights for a night of fun. Restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and world-class casinos have offered gaming and recreation galore since the start of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the streets surrounding Truckee River are constantly developing with contemporary design. Don't miss the sculptures along the water or the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts!
2. Nevada Museum of Art: The Art of Human Nature
In a state known for its outdoor wonders, this institution has made its mission statement the preservation of nature. The contemporary building houses galleries that are curated not based on style or era, but examining the many questions of how humans interact with their environments. Visitors from far and wide have flocked to the Museum to interpret the answers for themselves. The restaurant is also a highlight of the reflective experience, offering world class dining.
3. Lake Tahoe: The Best Lake in America
This deep blue alpine lake was officially named the greatest lake in the United States, and it's no wonder why the vast coastline is dotted with the greatest of activities, host to all water sports from lazy to extreme. The freshwater that fills the depths of Lake Tahoe is also of the purest quality, beckoning visitors to swim their hearts out beneath the stunning peaks of surrounding mountains.
Activities & attractions in Reno
Shopping
Food, Drinks, & Nightlife
Activities
Other activities
Where to Eat in Reno
Reno has some great restaurants, with a truly global spread of cuisines. For a beautifully cooked eclectic selection, head to Beaujolais Bistro. Campo is a first-class Italian trattoria while Great Full Gardens is all about salads and healthy vegan dishes. Ichiban is the ideal place to fill up in between games of poker, while the Old Granite Street Eatery is a superb traditional American diner. Prices are generally reasonable, at around $10-15 for a main and $30 per head at the best places.
When to visit Reno
When you visit Reno, it's always a good idea to dodge the crowds if possible. In April and May and the fall, the casinos are much less crowded and accommodation prices drop a little, making these the ideal times to visit.
How to Get to Reno
Plane
The best way to get to Reno is flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), which is about four miles from the city and offers connections to most parts of the United States. From there, you can take the number 19 bus on the RTC Ride network, which costs $2, take a taxi, or hire a car to drive into town.
Train
Reno's Amtrak station is a stop on the California Zephyr route between Emeryville and Chicago, so if you are in the Midwest, traveling to Reno by train is definitely possible. Even better, the station is centrally located and you can walk to the major hotels and casinos in a few minutes.
Car
Driving to Reno is a great option, and it's one of the most popular ways to get there. US-395 takes you to Reno from Southern California, while I-80 runs from San Francisco and other northern Californian cities. If you are coming from Las Vegas, you'll need to take US-95, US-50 and then I-80 into Reno.
Bus
Reno is on the national Greyhound bus network, so it's possible to catch a bus there from most parts of the US (although you may need a few changes along the way). FlixBus also offers direct bus connections to Sacramento and San Francisco.
Airports near Reno
Airlines serving Reno
Where to stay in Reno
For most visitors, accommodation in Reno is all about picking the right hotel resort. If that sounds like you, check out the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and Grand Sierra Resort, which also features an on-site amusement park. High-quality non-gaming hotels include Residence Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa and Whitney Peak, but there are smaller boutique hotels to choose from like The Jesse and Kramer’s Midtown.
Popular Neighborhoods in Reno
Downtown Reno - where most of the action is, Downtown Reno is defined by fun, casinos, and showbiz entertainment. Like a slightly more relaxed version of Las Vegas (but only slightly), Downtown Reno casinos like Silver Legacy and Atlantis blend slots, table games, musical shows, and fine food to give guests an all-round vacation experience.
Midtown - just south of Downtown Reno, Midtown is the place to relax with a coffee or enjoy a few beers with friends. It's home to the Nevada Museum of Art and it's also the city's premier shopping district thanks to boutiques like Chocolate Walrus, second-hand stores like Recycled Records, and myriad craft shops to explore.
Sparks - like Reno's sister city, Sparks is more of a down-to-earth place. It's home to fine craft breweries like the Great Basin Brewing Company, has casinos of its own such as Nugget, and hosts community events like the Nugget Rib Cook-Off on Labor Day that draw participants from all over Nevada.
Where to stay in popular areas of Reno
Most booked hotels in Reno
How to Get Around Reno
Public Transportation
If you just want to get around Downtown Reno, the RTC RAPID bus service offers quick buses every 15 minutes throughout the day, so it's a good way to hop between casinos. Day passes are $4 - try to buy them from the bus station if you can, as they cost $1 more on the bus.
Taxi
Taxis are a very popular way to get around Reno, and they aren't very expensive either. Expect to pay around $5.50 for a mile-long journey or around $17 for five miles with companies like Reno Sparks Cab Co. Uber can make getting around even cheaper. Their cheapest UberX vehicles charge a meter drop of $2 and then $1.10 per mile.
Car
If you want to visit Lake Tahoe, take an excursion to Virginia City, or explore the desert, having your own vehicle is a must. Reno has plenty of car rental options to choose from, with companies like Alamo, Avis, and Hertz all present in the center of town. Rentals will cost around $40 per day.
Best car rental deals in Reno
Supplier choice
5 Adults, 5 Bags
$35/day
Intermediate
5 Adults, 3 Bags
$35/day
The Cost of Living in Reno
Shopping Streets
Reno’s Midtown neighborhood is the place to shop, and it’s been at the forefront of the city’s recent renaissance. More specifically, shop eccentric and thrift finds at Junkee or Sundance Bookstore, or look for the latest trends at Nomad Boutique or Sierra Belle. California Avenue and Arlington Street probably have the highest concentration of independent stores, along with cafes, restaurants, and bars aplenty.
Groceries and Other
If you are self-catering in Reno, local supermarkets include Whole Foods, Shop N Go, Walmart, and Trader Joe's, although most of them are on the outskirts of town. In downtown, there are handy grocery stores like locally sourced Great Basin Co-op and Urban Market. The city is generally fairly cheap. Expect to pay $2.70 for a gallon of milk and around $2.20 for 12 eggs.