Reno

"The Biggest Little City in the World": beyond the casinos and Riverwalk, explore Lake Tahoe's North Shore, the gold-rush-era town of Virginia City and Pyramid Lake.

Reno lies in western Nevada in a high-desert basin at the eastern foot of the Sierra Nevada, at an elevation of about 1,370 m, with a population of around 270,000. Billing itself as "The Biggest Little City in the World," it was once famous for its lenient divorce laws and legal gambling, and today it is also the gateway to Lake Tahoe's North Shore and a base for outdoor sports. The climate is dry: summer days are hot with cool mornings and evenings, and winters often bring snow, though little settles in the city. June–September is ideal for Lake Tahoe and riverside activities, December–April for skiing, and hotel prices soar during Burning Man in late August. Core sights: the Reno Arch downtown, the interconnected casino hotels and the Truckee River Walk, plus the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada Museum of Art. Day trips: the gold-rush-era town of Virginia City about 40 km southeast (reachable by steam train); about 50 minutes southwest over the Mount Rose Highway to Incline Village on Lake Tahoe's North Shore and the East Shore Trail; Pyramid Lake in the desert about 55 km north; the state capital, Carson City, about 50 km south; and the railroad town of Truckee and Donner Lake about 50 km west. For Lake Tahoe's South Shore, Sand Harbor, Emerald Bay and more, see the South Lake Tahoe destination. Getting there: Reno–Tahoe International Airport is about 6 km from downtown, and Amtrak's California Zephyr connects to the San Francisco Bay Area. Sights in the surrounding area are spread out, so you'll generally need a car. Plan on 2–3 days. In winter, carry snow chains or drive a 4WD vehicle in the mountains, and at this altitude the UV is strong, so wear sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Top sights

• Reno Arch & Downtown Casinos – The neon arch reading “The Biggest Little City in the World” is Reno's landmark, surrounded by casino hotels such as the Eldorado and Circu…
• National Automobile Museum (Harrah Collection) – Over 200 vintage cars from casino tycoon Bill Harrah's collection, arranged in period street scenes. One of America's top automobile museum…
• Virginia City – A Wild West town built on the 19th-century Comstock silver rush, with plank sidewalks, old saloons, and authentic mine tours.
• Incline Village, Lake Tahoe – A resort town on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by beaches, luxury homes, and pine forests. It's the closest base to Lake Ta…
• Truckee River Walk & Wingfield Park – A riverside path on both banks of the Truckee River, which runs through the city. Wingfield Park in the middle of the river has a city whit…
• Nevada Museum of Art – A black building inspired by the Black Rock Desert, focused on art and the environment, with a rooftop terrace that overlooks the mountains.
• Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center – A planetarium with a hyperboloid roof on the University of Nevada campus. Dome films and a meteorite display make it good for families.
• Rancho San Rafael Park & Wilbur D. May Center – Reno's largest city park, with a botanical garden and the Wilbur D. May Museum. The hot air balloon festival takes off here in September.
• Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary – A rescue center for big cats in the high desert, where you can see tigers, cheetahs, black bears and wolves up close. Cheetah sprint demons…
• Virginia & Truckee Railroad – A historic steam train that leaves from Virginia City, passes through mine tunnels and reaches Gold Hill. The one-way trip takes about 35 m…
• Pyramid Lake – A bright blue saline lake in the desert. The pyramid-shaped tufa island in the lake gives it its name. It is part of the Paiute reservation…
• Tahoe East Shore Trail – A paved lakeside path of about 4.5 km from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. Walking or cycling, you look down on the bright blue bays all th…
• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe – The highest ski base in the Lake Tahoe area, at about 2,520 m. It is only 40 minutes from Reno airport, which suits skiers who come and go…
• Diamond Peak Ski Resort – A family ski area run by the Incline Village community. As you ski down from the summit, the entire Lake Tahoe opens up in front of you.
• Kings Beach State Recreation Area – A large public beach on the California side of the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The shallow, gently sloping water is good for family wading a…
• Historic Downtown Truckee – The old main street of a mountain town on the transcontinental railroad, with 19th-century brick and timber buildings now filled with resta…
• Nevada State Museum, Carson City – Set in the former Carson City Mint, built in 1869. You can see the original coin press and a simulated underground mine.
• Nevada State Capitol – The 1871 sandstone State Capitol with a silver dome. Inside are the governor's office and a small exhibition on state history.
• Nevada State Railroad Museum – Houses original locomotives and cars of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. On some weekends you can ride a restored steam train.
• Galena Creek Regional Park – A park in a pine-forested canyon halfway up Mt. Rose Highway, with picnic areas and hiking trails leading to waterfalls.
• Donner Lake & Donner Memorial State Park – A high mountain lake and state park on the west side of Truckee. It commemorates the Donner Party, trapped by heavy snow in 1846. In summer…

Where to eat

• Louis' Basque Corner – A family-run Basque restaurant that opened in 1967, known for family-style dinners at long tables and as the self-procl…
• Kwoks Bistro – A small Cantonese restaurant that opened in 2018 and was voted one of Reno's best by locals, with General's Chicken and…
• Liberty Food & Wine Exchange – A craft restaurant downtown that combines a dining room, market and bar, with house-made bread, pasta and meats, and wo…
• Michael's Deli – A New York-style deli in Midtown, the local favorite for pastrami and Reuben sandwiches, with generous portions and fai…
• Two Chicks (Midtown) – A popular Midtown brunch spot that opened in 2014, serving local pasture-raised eggs, with the Benedict and sourdough p…

Itineraries

• Reno, Virginia City & Lake Tahoe Loop – Depart from Reno, pass through the historic gold-mining town of Virginia City and Carson City, and loop around Lake Tah…