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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Reno is steeped in a rich, diverse, and rugged history. This is where the historic Johnson-Jeffries fight happened. This is where Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable made The Misfits in 1961—the last completed film for both (Gable died in 1960, after shooting was complete but before release; Monroe died in 1962). It is where the railroad tumbles down out of the mountains from California to cross the Truckee River and begin the long journey east.
Reno is served by two freeways: I-80 running east-west, and I-580 (previously US 395), running north-south. Circling the valley of the Truckee Meadows is the McCarran Blvd ring road. The primary business artery is Virginia Street, which runs north-south through downtown Reno. Major east-west routes include Moana Lane, Plumb Lane, Mill Street, Second Street, Fourth Street, and Sixth Street. Major routes running north-south in Reno include Keystone Avenue, Lakeside Drive, Wells Avenue, and Kietzke Lane. Nearly all national car rental agencies serve the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Note that several agencies do not have fleets within the airport property.
Reno is an interesting city, with plenty to see and do day and night; many attractions which should be considered "must-see" are 30–60 minutes outside of town by car. Therefore, renting a car is a good idea when visiting Reno. 1 Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W Liberty St (free parking), ☏ +1 775-329-3333, art@nevadaart.org. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM. 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. . $15/adult, $13/concession, $3/child.
1 Nevada Wolf Pack, Lawlor Events Center, 15th and Virginia, ☏ +1 775-348-PACK (7225) (select option 2). M–F 10AM–5PM. 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.
One thing Renoites know is food! Check out some of these great spots: 1 Peg's Glorified Ham 'n' Eggs, 420 S Sierra St (downtown), ☏ +1 775-329-2600. Daily 6:30AM-2PM. 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. $10-17. (updated May 2023) 2 JJ's Pie Company, 555 W 5th St, ☏ +1 775-786-5555. Sports, beer, pizza, and subs. (updated Jan 2021) 3 Smiling with Hope Pizza, 6135 Lakeside Dr, ☏ +1 775-825-1070.
1 LEX Nightclub, 2500 East Second St (At Grand Sierra Resort and Casino), ☏ +1 775-789-5399, info@lexnightclub.com. Daily 9PM - 4AM. 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. (updated Oct 2016) 2 Flowing Tide Pub. Locations on 10580 North McCarran Boulevard and 465 South Meadows Parkway. 3 Sierra Tap House, 253 W 1st St (On Truckee Riverwalk), ☏ +1 775-322-7678. (updated Oct 2016) 4 The Depot, 325 E 4th St, ☏ +1 775-737-4330. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-9PM.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Reno typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 2 rainy days.
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