If you don’t know about the revitalization of Reno, it’s time to give this western Nevada city a second look. While at one time Reno, Nevada, may be have been all about casinos, buffets and divorces, that dated reputation is long gone.
Reno has transformed itself into a thriving and hip hub of art, food, drink, nightlife and Bohemian fun – with world-class gambling and Old West cowboy culture thrown in there too. Reno is a mix of vibrant urbanity and rich history with something for everyone from foodies to families to art lovers to outdoor enthusiasts. Still sporting its legendary moniker of The Biggest Little City in the World, Reno, Nevada is ever-growing in popularity and population, but it is still a small city that’s easy to visit and navigate.
For a small city, Reno has a more than its fair share of bars, casinos, hotels and restaurants. When it comes to food, drink, a social scene and nightlife, Reno’s high-energy Reno Riverwalk, Reno Midtown District and Reno Downtown areas are the places to be. Filled with restaurants of every sort, food trucks, bars, clubs, breweries, distilleries and shops, these areas are major draws for visitors and a wealth of new residents. Reno is well-known for its nightlife and is famous for its live music scene, pub crawls, wine walks and bar-hopping adventures. Reno casinos are world-class but are more down-to-earth, less crowded and have more of an authentic, real-world vibe than those in Las Vegas.
Public art is a hallmark of Reno. Art installations, murals and sculptures dot the urban landscape, so much so that there are guided art walks and maps to help you find it all. The city is also famous for its cultural arts, from art museums and galleries to ballet, orchestra and theater.
Reno, Nevada and the Great Outdoors
Within the city limits of Reno there are opportunities for outdoor fun, especially along the Truckee River that runs right through town. Urban fishing, floating, surfing and whitewater rafting are available in the river. Venture not too far outside the city limits, and you’re in the great outdoors, a veritable wonderland of wild lands. In the High Sierra foothills just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Reno is ideally positioned for outdoor adventures – a fact that adds immensely to its popularity. Desert, mountain, river and lake opportunities of every sort are within arm’s reach of the city. Reno golf draws golfers from all around the region, and Reno attractions are varied and abundant. Look around this site to find information on Reno fishing, Reno parks, Reno hiking, Reno whitewater rafting so much more. All the fun and beauty of Lake Tahoe is within an hour’s drive.
Reno Events, Things to Do and Activities
With all the change and progress in Reno, Nevada, and the influx of families and visitors looking for fun things to do, it goes without saying that Reno events and Reno activities have increased exponentially. Reno hosts a wealth of hugely popular outdoor festivals and events like the Reno Rodeo, The Great Reno Balloon Race, Hot August Nights, the BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival and so many more. Reno is also the gateway city for Burning Man, the counter-cultural festival held in the nearby Black Rock Desert. Whether you're looking for theater, music, art, ballet, an annual event, trivia nights, casino shows and concerts or most anything else that's happening here, you'll find it all on this site. We also tell you all about Reno golf, sports to watch and to play, classes you can take, Reno attractions, historic sites, activities for families, nature-oriented things to do and so much more. If you love public art, you’ll find murals and sculptures all over the urban landscape, including former Burning Man installations. Reno casinos are famous and bring many thousands of people to this area. You'll learn all about them here! These Reno events and activities are constantly updated, so you can be confident that you're in things-to-do central on this site. Following our lead, you can get out there and not miss a single thing to do in Reno!
Reno Restaurants and Reno Shopping
The Reno, Nevada, of today is a wonderland of fantastically interesting retail opportunities alongside some of the most memorable eateries in the state. Distinct Reno shopping areas such as Reno Midtown and Reno Downtown create venues that are enjoyable to experience on foot and where you also find lots of places to eat, drink and have fun. The new West Street Market is a blend of outdoor space for market-style vendors and indoor space for food, drink and retail. But the overall Reno shopping scene is spread out from stem to stern in the city, so no matter where you are, you're close to shops you both need and enjoy. The Reno cannabis scene is well known here with many stand-alone shops as well as a well-respected grow/retail operation that's one of the biggest in the region. And then there are Reno restaurants to experience! No matter if you're a foodie or just want a basic burger and fries, you're covered in this city. Then, of course, as you'd imagine in a city with a party past, you're also in for a treat with the huge variety of Reno bars – dive bars, distilleries, pet-friendly patios, wine bars, breweries, sports bars, you get the idea.
Reno Hotels, Casinos and Other Accommodations
Of course, locals get a lot of information from this site, but visitors who aren't as familiar with everything offered here especially appreciate our section on Reno hotels and other places to stay. From mom & pop motels that have been imaginatively updated to national chains to RV parks to fantabulous casino resorts, there's a perfect place to lay your head. Whether you want to stay close to the airport or right in the middle of the downtown scene, our Reno hotels will give you plenty of options.
Reno, Nevada’s Wild Past
The story of Reno is a fascinating one and begins more than a century and a half ago. Soon after the state of Nevada was admitted into the Union, the small community that had grown up around Lake's Crossing on the Truckee River was officially named Reno. It was in 1865 that officials of the Central Pacific Railroad gave it this title in memory of a general who had been killed during the Civil War. Over time, Reno overtook all of the neighboring communities in size and impact. For example, it was Virginia City that was once the most lively and entertaining city between San Francisco and St. Louis, but today Reno is home to some of the nation's most highly rated resorts and casinos. Washoe City was originally the county seat of Washoe County, but Reno took on that role in 1871. The University of Nevada Reno, was founded here in 1874. Carson City remains the state capital and is a thriving city in its own right, but the population of the greater Reno area that includes the city of Sparks is approaching nearly 10 times that of the capital city.
For decades in the early 1900s, Reno was known to the nation as the Divorce Capital of the World. Nevada's re-legalization of gambling in the 1930s built onto the city's reputation for a wild and somewhat unsavory lifestyle. By the early 1970s, national divorce reform removed the incentive for travel to Nevada to facilitate divorces, resulting in an economic blow to the economy of the state. But during these decades, other Reno institutions came into existence that would outlive the city's role as a haven for those seeking a divorce. The Nevada Art Gallery was founded in 1931, and Bill Harrah opened his bingo parlor in 1937, the first step toward a world-renowned gaming empire. The Air Races and the Balloon Race were started. In the 1970s, the Atlantis, the Peppermill and the Eldorado casinos opened their doors.
Recently, the city has experienced a renaissance of sorts. While the gaming and resort industries remain the anchor of the economy, new businesses have made their home in the Reno area. Technology and innovation companies have found a lot to like about the region, including Tesla, Google and Amazon, and the Truckee Meadows is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and reputation. And ... there's so much more, as we show you in detail on this site.
