Vegas’ younger sibling, a seven hour drive north to the opposite side of Nevada state, certainly doesn’t live in the shadow of the City of Sin’s towering skyscrapers. Oh no, Reno has very much carved out its own niche. Indeed, though the Biggest Little City in the World’s downtown is built on the gambling industry, boasting 20 casinos, in recent years the city centre has undergone something of a renaissance, with extensive shopping options added and a more firm focus on ‘family’ fun. Something for everyone then, in these; our 5 IDEAL things to do in Reno, Nevada.
TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE IN ELDORADO
There’s no point beating about the bush, Reno is known for gambling nearly as famously as its same state cousin Las Vegas, with the downtown area still very much dedicated to the dice and flutter. Perhaps the best place to have a punt is Eldorado, a megacomplex with 815 gambling and 4’100 guest rooms, as well as several excellent restaurants and bars.
2016 saw the casino undergo a huge renovation project totalling to the tune of $50 million and it shows; it’s a sleek and sophisticated operation, indeed. Should you want to get familiar with slot and table games prior to arrival, saving yourself a fair bit of pocket and face in the process, then many online sites offer practice sessions with no financial commitment necessary.
RIVERWALK IT, TALK IT
Reno’s Riverwalk District is at the very heart of that urban regeneration (‘renogeneration’, does that work? Maybe not) we mentioned earlier. Beautification, they’re calling it, and what an apt description; a gorgeous section of town dedicated to hip restaurants, bars, galleries and more, all running besides the gorgeous Truckee river.
The retail and recreation element has only been in existence since 1990, but has already cemented itself as the place to head for the best hustle and bustle in town. As with any city which has a free flowing body of water as its focal point, there’s an intriguing marriage of serenity and excitement here, the latter summed up by the area’s very own white water kayak park! Get stuck in.
VISIT LAKE TAHOE
If all the glitz and glamour gets a bit much for you and the need to reconnect with nature calls, then the Biggest Little City in the World has a pretty impressive ace up its sleeve; the spectacular Lake Tahoe, a huge freshwater lake surrounded by mountains, with the opportunity for swimming, skiing, hiking and so much more, is just a 45 minute drive away. Should you not be behind the wheel for you trip, several shuttle buses run regularly between the city and lake, taking just over an hour.
THE GREAT RENO BALLOON RACE
The what now? Well, it’s all there in the title. The Great Balloon Race is an annual, three day event (next years takes place from the 11th to the 13th of September) which lays claim to being the world’s largest free hot air-ballooning event. Yep, it’s totally free to attend and one of the biggest days in the tight knit community’s calendar to boot. It’s one hell of a spectacle to witness, with the sky full of vibrant colours and the wonder of flight. What’s more, September is a great time of year to visit the city, with temperatures beginning to mellow and rainfall low.
GET HITCHED
Ah, the old ‘quickie wedding’, an act immortalised in popular culture for decades. And if you can’t quite face the planning, financial outlay, stress and keeping apart feuding family of a traditional wedding on British soil, then maybe you’re thinking of doing one yourself? If you are tying the knot, make sure the person conducting the ceremony is licensed to do so; there are lots of scammers in the state looking to take advantage of happy, inebriated couples.
Once you’ve found a reputable vow master, it will only cost you $60 to make it official. Think of the savings on that. That, or you could go simply go to watch one take place; the majority in Reno are open to the public and are often a fantastic spectacle to witness.