Consolidated "What to do in Reno?" thread
 

Hello!

In order to use up an expiring America West voucher, I agreed to a ticket to Reno for mid-March. Now I wonder - what's there to do there? My local library has lots of Las Vegas books, but none on Reno or Nevada.

I enjoy the shows and the sights in Las Vegas, but not the gambling. Does Reno have anything except gambling?

Thank you!

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Middle_Seat

I can't offer much to do in Reno as although I've been many times I have only gambled in the city.

What I LOVE to do is get out of Reno and head to Lake Tahoe. The north end is about 35-40 minutes from Reno.

IMO most of Lake Tahoe is breathtaking.

I have also broken up trips that were supposed to be all in Reno to include stays at the casino area in the town of South Lake Tahoe.

Thanks, Sweet Willie!

I don't find much Reno entertainment listed on the web, so it's good that I'll only be there two nights.

There is an Expedia special deal for a room Sunday night at the Reno Hilton for $25 (twenty-five dollars) http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif, which is cheaper than Days Inn. I went ahead and prepaid for the one night. Hotels near Tahoe seem to be a couple of hundred dollars more than that.

Sightseeing around Lake Tahoe does sound like fun, and going by the state capitol in Carson City. I assume that the ski resorts will still be open on March 23, so that might be fun also.

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Middle_Seat

If you like eating sushi, Sushi Pier is fantastic. All you can eat for $11.95 at lunch or $16.95 at dinner. We've never had better sushi. Located in the Airport Plaza across from Costco; just west of RNO airport.

Also located in the Airport Plaza is Sierra Trading Post, a discounter of outlet outdoor clothing and items. Our last visit yielded a Marmot jacket for my wife for about 70% off. Clothing, tents, boots, etc..

A trip to Virginia City is interesting, but a bit touristy for my tastes. There's a steam locomotive ride put on by volunteers that is great. From Virginia City, you can head south and end up in Carson City. There's not much in Carson City, IMHO.

If you're into a glider ride, the Minden airport has Soar Minden and a typical flight will include a view of Lake Tahoe. Glider flights from Minden at times have reached 50,000' and pilots from around the world come to ride "The Wave," which is created when winds from the west are uplifted by the Sierra. A $50-$100 flight might get you to 14,000' if conditions are right.

Bill Harrah established a very good car museum and it's worth a look if you're a car buff.

Eldorado has a decent buffet. The Silver Legacy (www.silverlegacy.com) usually has the top acts, but they're not showing much for normally slow March. Also, the Nugget, located to the east of downtown along I-80 often has good acts; they're showing Glen Campbell and Michael Martin Murphy during mid-March (www.janugget.com)

Tahoe will be cold in March. The skiing should be great (corn snow, mid-40s or even low 50s for temperature), but don't plan on any beach activity until late June.

Hmmm... did I mention Sushi Pier????!!!

A few additonal comments:

Reno:

There is a Patagonia outlet in a mall somewhere along/near the Truckee river.

Worth trying out the Basque restaurants. Louis's Basque Corner for one.

Bill Harrah's museum, or the remnants of such, is now the National Auto Museum. It's not the complete collection as it was auctioned off.

Tahoe:

best sushi is reputed to be up at Tahoe near Kings Beach. There is a small sushi resturant on CA89 just east of the terminus of CA 267.

Could drive up to Truckee to see the Donner Party site. There is also gliding out of Truckee airport.

Carson City: site of the state museum and I think old U.S. mint.

OK - so I have no class whatsoever, but whenever I am in Reno, I MUST go bowling at the National Bowling Center.

For a bowler, it's like achieving Nirvana!

The NBC was not open to the public when it first opened but became so later (of course when attendance and revenue fell off and the place was losing $$$). Do you know when this was?

Using 4 Hours at RNO or Reno?
 

Please see
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/004289.html
to understand why I may have 4 free hours (10 AM to 2 PM) on a Saturday at or near RNO / Reno.

I've never been to Reno. Any ideas on the best cheap way to use this block of time?

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Middle_Seat

You don't have enough time to really do anything. The only possibility I can think of it take a courtesy shuttle bus to one of the casinos (and have something to eat/drink there). One along the Strip (Virginia Street) would be good for wondering around. Just keep an eye out on the time.

Actually, the RNO Hilton is much closer than downtown (about 2-3 minutes away) - they have a pretty decent casino and some reasonable restaurants and coffee shops, a bowling alley, and other non-gambling entertainment.

True about the Reno Hilton but it is a bit isolated if you want to get out of the casino. And not much of interest unless there's a ShotGun News show when you're there. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

What to do in Reno for a weekend?
 

Hey all. Not a skier here (live in FL - afraid of snow, that is why I moved :) )

I have a relative attending college in Reno. Thinking about a weekend up there to see her. Probably fly in Friday. She has classes this term on Fridays. then spend Saturday with her, head home to FL on Sunday. Not long, but all the time I have.

Any suggestions for stuff? Is there something to do at Tahoe, or just hiking and looking at the beauty? Any suggested trails? How about other parts of the Toiyabe National Forest? We are not climbers, just walk/hike.

I am thinking later March 2011 or April. Seems to work fine with her spring break schedule and finals.

Other suggestions for stuff to do? I can always make it a two day on the ground and fly in Thursday late instead.

I am Platinum with Marriott. I will search there for hotel suggestions - of worth the extra distance to stay toward lake Tahoe and drive or closer to Reno and the airport (will be an early flight out Sunday for sure).

Are there places at night where you get away from 'city lights' and see all the stars in the sky - even the really really far away ones?

Museums? Annual events?

Be sure to suggest stuff outside my time frame. She is a freshmen. I will have years to get there and see her.

Thanks - FLgrr

If she is new to the area you can at least grab a car and take a tour around the lake. Drive to Truckee and do some shopping.
Could also drive south on 395 and visit Carson City. I don't know what the museum status is there but there was a US mint there in the heydays of silver mining.

JPat, do you recommend a specific route to follow and points of interest along the way around lake? Is there a designated 'scenic drive'? Seeing my time, that may be enough to see her at school, drive the lake and have dinner before heading out.

There is a scenic drive, but much of it is closed in the winter and the parts that are open require 4WD with chains (which you are unlikely to have, or want to have if not liking snow). It all depends on the weather, March can be tricky. All the main highways are pretty scenic, so driving 80 to Truckee or 395 to South Lake Tahoe (the latter is preferred and probably an easier drive). Reno is flat, in a desert, but a few miles west there are gorgeous mountains and pine forest as well as the lake.