//
City in Nevada, United States
Photo: Lvtalon at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Reno, the "Biggest Little City in the World", is in the beautiful north-west region of the State of Nevada, right at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Reno is the second largest tourist destination in Nevada, mainly thanks to its popular downtown casinos. It also has family entertainment, festivals, museums, and cuisine.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The Nevada Museum of Art building was designed by Will Bruder and opened in 2003. It plays host to national and international touring exhibits in addition to smaller exhibits of regional significance. It is the only accredited art museum in Nevada. .
Closed through summer 2026. Along the Truckee River just a few blocks from the casino core, Wingfield Park features an amphitheater with regular performances during the summer months, a kayak park open year round, and many pleasant spots to sit and watch the world go by any day of the week, at pretty much any time of the day. Home of annual events the Reno River Festival, held for three days in early June, and the Artown Festival, July 1–31.
This area of small shops and restaurants is a short walk from the downtown casino core and provides a pleasant setting for a meal.
An ideal location for a pleasant stroll, the layout of the University campus was inspired by Jefferson's University of Virginia. Visitors will find a parklike setting with a variety of architectural styles, and the Fleischmann Planetarium. Guided walking tours are available by reservation.
A few blocks west of the north end of the University, this 570-acre county park is home to an arboretum, as well as the Wilbur D. May Museum, a fishing pond and a large off-leash dog area. This is the home of the Reno Balloon Races, held in late summer/early fall annually. The northern half of the park connects to trail networks in the hills.
A local neighborhood with a decidedly Latino flavor, this neighborhood features unique shopping and dining and generally winds down in early evening hours.
A nice stroll from downtown along Riverside Drive, Idlewild Park features Reno's Municipal Rose Garden, as well as playgrounds, exercise equipment, a skate park, a swimming pool and various walking trails. On Friday evenings in the summer there are dozens of food trucks. Located on the south bank of the Truckee River.
You’ll see more than 200 eye-popping cars with authentic street scenes and sounds. The facades bring displays to life; a hardware store here, a movie theatre there which accompany artifacts from each era. Same day re-entry with receipt.
The Discovery
Children's museum with two stories of interactive exhibits.
University of Nevada sports, competing in five men's sports, 10 women's sports, and one coed sport (rifle shooting), mostly in the Mountain West Conference. As with most major universities, the most widely followed sports are football and men's basketball. The Wolf Pack's rivalry with its sister campus in Las Vegas, UNLV, is especially intense. The main athletics venues are on campus, with the most notable being Mackay Stadium (football) and the Lawlor Events Center (basketball); the latter also houses the main ticket office for all Wolf Pack sports. The men's basketball team is planning to move to a new arena at the Grand Sierra Resort in 2026.
Minor League Baseball in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, one of two U.S.-based leagues that are a step below Major League Baseball. The Aces are the top farm team for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
10-day rodeo competition with championship events on the final day.
Three day hot air balloon event over Labor Day weekend. You can see the balloons from all over town once they are up in the air, but if you would like a good spot to see them inflate and take off up close you will need to get to the park before 5am. Parking can be a challenge due to closed roads; be prepared to walk several blocks uphill.
Classic car show with free outdoor rock concerts.
Twice-yearly motorcycle rally in June and September.
Artown brings distinguished artists from around the world to Reno each July 1-31, for music, arts and theater performances throughout the Reno area.
On the second floor, the circus acts and midway arcade are great attractions for families so if you're traveling with children, they should not be missed.
This property features affordable gambling of all types and a variety of cheap dining options. This is the classic "Reno-style" casino and should not be missed, especially for those who like to gamble. For those who don't like to gamble, there are arcade games on the second floor.
The Eldorado is a pink neon masterpiece featuring a variety of dining options including the Brew Brothers brewpub (with live music on Friday and Saturday nights), a steakhouse, a sushi bar, La Strada Italian Restaurant, and more.
This hotel/casino was completed in 1995 and is the tallest building in Reno. It includes a cheesy "mint press" "churning out" souvenir coins as well as numerous dining options including several lounges, a steakhouse, coffeeshop, rum bar with dueling pianos, and more. Other features include a concert venue with frequent shows and a comedy club open Thursday through Sunday.
This tropical-themed casino resort features a variety of dining options including an oyster bar, one of the last traditional casino buffets in town, and a steakhouse. Well served by the #1 bus. Other amenities include a pool, a spa and an arcade.
This is Reno's largest hotel/casino and the closest to the airport. The Hotel features nightclub with a pool and many decently appointed standard guest rooms. You will find a whole host of dining options including a Charlie Palmer Steak, Chickie and Pete's sports bar, and a buffet (Thursday through Sunday only). In addition the resort features the outdoor Grand Adventure Land (go karts, mini golf and a giant swing), a discount movie theater, an arcade, a bowling alley and a driving range. Well served by the #14 bus, though driving or taking a cab is recommended. In September 2023, the resort announced a 10-year, $1 billion-plus expansion that will add (among other facilities) a new 800-room hotel tower and a new arena that will host various events, most notably Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball games.
This is a big hotel-casino/resort in Sparks' Victorian Square only minutes from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. It features a great coffee shop, Rosie's Café, as well as The Steakhouse Grill, John's Oyster Bar, and Starbucks Coffee. Also regular live, weekly music performances from local and national touring acts.
If you've been to Vegas and seen the Peppermill on The Strip, you might just have to do a double-take when viewing Reno's Peppermill. This is a large, well-appointed hotel/casino, with numerous dining options and a full-featured spa. Also South of downtown, well served by the #1 bus.
This gym is part of the Whitney Peak hotel, but is open to anyone and is the only one in downtown. Basecamp has a small fitness center, 7,000 square feet of bouldering walls inside, and top rope walls on the outside of the building. Two of these top rope routes actually go up the whole side of the Whitney Peak building, making it the Guinness Book of World Records "World's Tallest Artificial Climbing Wall" at 164 feet.
This is the newest and largest climbing gym in Reno. The place has bouldering, top rope, and lead walls, plus a fitness center and a yoga studio.
The first climbing gym in Reno, this place boasts 7,500 square feet of terrain, 35 foot top rope and lead walls, and bouldering walls. All indoor, very family friendly.
Hiking to the peak and back is over ten miles (15 km) and takes a large portion of the day but rewards you with some very impressive panoramic views on a clear day. For a shorter excursion, the waterfall around halfway up makes a good turn-around point. Very good area for wildflower viewing.
The closest ski resort to Reno. This resort is at elevation 8200 ft and has a great layout and an impressive array of terrain for its no more than 1500 of rise off the base. Good powder here.
Lake Views on one side (you're literally skiing above the casinos at the south end of the lake) and the desert valleys and pow pow on the other side. Huge amount of terrain and claims to have the West's largest snowmaking system for those dry years.
Two base areas with a little village in between and an extensive network of terrain.
Ski right above Lake Tahoe on a well laid-out network of runs. They have carpetloader lifts, so be prepared for a strange boarding experience. Small resort, family-friendly.
formerly Squaw Valley
This legendary resort is home of the legendary KT22 and hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Peg's is always busy for brunch, but well worth the wait. A local favorite. There are actually five of these in Reno, the other four at 196 Lemmon Dr (North Reno), 6300 Mae Anne Ave (West Reno), 720 S Meadows Pkwy (South Reno), and 1495 E Prater Way (Sparks). The downtown location is the original.
Sports, beer, pizza, and subs.
Sit-down Mexican food. Family owned and operated.
Mexican restaurant that's been here forever (actually since 1959). Also family owned and operated.
Mexican restaurant that's been here forever (actually since 1959). Also family owned and operated.
All casino buffets in the area closed during COVID restrictions and most did not reopen. Of the remaining buffets, this is by far the best.
Delicious American food. Vegetarian and vegan options.
LEX features three full bars, 33 VIP tables and deluxe amenities. The nightclub also features nine intricate skylights, a $2 million lighting system and an adult indoor pool partially covered by a glass dance floor, creating the illusion of dancing on water.
Locations on 10580 North McCarran Boulevard and 465 South Meadows Parkway.
Craft brewery/distillery and restaurant with 6 different beers 4 kinds of spirits.
Brewery, distillery and restaurant.
The Comfort Inn & Suites at the Reno - Tahoe International is conveniently one quarter mile (400 m) from the Reno Airport.
A good choice for the traveler that wants to be downtown but not in a casino. Right next to the Reno Arch. Non-smoking.
Anchored by Macy's, JC Penny and Dick's Sporting Goods. Also features a Round One arcade and Cheesecake Factory.
Includes an Apple Store, Dillards, Pottery Barn and a movie theater.
Local souvenir shop.
By train
Amtrak serves Reno via its California Zephyr service between Emeryville and Chicago, and stops once a day in both directions.
By bus
Intercity buses stop at RTC Centennial Plaza Transit Center at 1421 Victorian Ave in Sparks; the airport; the downtown Amtrak station at 280 N Center St or another location.
By plane
The following airlines serve Reno (some distant cities are seasonal and/or weekly):
Car rental
Nearly all national car rental agencies serve the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Note that several agencies do not have fleets within the airport property.
By bus
Reno's transit system, called RTC RIDE, is operated by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County.
By taxi or ride hailing service
Reno's taxis are plentiful, efficient, and comfortable. At the airport, downtown or near any major casino they should be very easy to come by, in other places expect to call to arrange pick-up.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Reno · International · RNO
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Reno and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.