Top Attractions to Explore in Reno, NV

Reno’s top cool things to do reflect the many features, events, and activities making Reno a recreational, cultural, and historic place to explore. Reno’s downtown redevelopment has transformed the face of the city in dramatic ways – the train trench, Riverwalk, condo conversions of old casinos, and the Reno Aces Ballpark to name a few. Our main tourism promotion organization, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) is in the thick of it as well, using the tagline “America’s Adventure Place” to tout the many cool things about the Reno / Tahoe region.

Reno’s Location, Location, Location

Renoites live life on the edge. To the west, the Sierra Nevada rise abruptly into a mountain zone of pine forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and splashing streams. To the east, the Great Basin opens up to wide open and empty spaces, dry landscapes, brown mountain ranges, and sagebrush plains. With one foot in each zone, we have a basecamp ideally situated for an uncommonly wide range of adventures. In a single day, you can ski in the morning, kayak in downtown Reno in the afternoon, take a quick mountain bike ride on Peavine Peak, and top it off with drinks, dinner, and a show that night. If that isn’t enough, Lake Tahoe is less than an hour away, presenting its own unique combination of indoor and outdoor activities.

Reno’s Big Events

There is hardly a week throughout the year when something exciting isn’t happening in the Reno / Tahoe region. Some of the major events include Hot August Nights, the Reno Rodeo, Reno River Festival, Tour de Nez, Street Vibrations, Earth Day, Artown, Great Reno Balloon Race, National Championship Air Races, Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, and more. Few cities of similar size have such an amazing variety of annual events.

Art and Culture in Reno

Historically, recognizing Reno as a center for art and culture was a challenge, but that perspective has changed significantly with the emergence of the Artown festival and the distinctive Nevada Museum of Art, opened in 2003. Numerous art galleries, exhibits, and artists’ studios have since developed in Reno, particularly in the Truckee River Arts District. The renowned Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts and a selection of premier artistic endeavors at the University of Nevada, Reno further enhance the city’s cultural landscape.

Truckee River

Not every town benefits from a river flowing through it, but Reno is fortunate to have the Truckee River. This river provides not only some of America’s cleanest drinking water but also unique recreational opportunities, such as a whitewater park located right in downtown Reno and another in Sparks, which opened in June 2009 at Rock Park. The Reno River Festival features kayaking competitions and a vibrant celebration every year. A scenic walking and biking path follows the river through the Truckee Meadows, allowing access to shady Idlewild Park and downtown Reno’s Riverwalk District.

Reno is a 24-Hour Town

For some individuals, the good news is that Reno offers 24/7 options for partying, gambling, shopping, and dining. Most casinos in the Reno / Tahoe area are open around the clock, alongside various other businesses. If this lifestyle appeals to you, it is readily available. Conversely, if it’s not your scene, it’s easy to navigate away from it. Ultimately, many residents lead regular lives, patronizing the casinos as they choose. Over time, newcomers recognize that the gaming industry is merely one part of the diverse Nevada economy.

Lake Tahoe

Upon seeing Lake Tahoe for the first time, Mark Twain wrote, “I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” (from Roughing It, 1872). Twain’s sentiment remains true today – Lake Tahoe is still a vibrant blue, circled by the forested slopes of majestic Sierra Peaks. While I could continue with all the praise, nothing would replace the personal experience of witnessing the lake. The most effective way to appreciate its beauty is by taking a scenic 72-mile drive around Lake Tahoe.

Wild West History

Historically, as the West was being explored, emigrants passed through the Truckee Meadows heading towards California in hopes of striking it rich during the Gold Rush. Initially, there was little reason to stop, but over time, the area slowly developed as a crossroads for commerce and a vital crossing over the Truckee River (originally, the city was named Lake’s Crossing in honor of founder Myron Lake). The arrival of the transcontinental railroad and the discovery of the Comstock Lode at Virginia City spurred economic growth. There are numerous sites to delve into this rich history, from the Nevada Historical Society in Reno to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City.

Reno Aces Triple-A Baseball

You don’t have to be a baseball enthusiast to enjoy the excitement of having a professional baseball team and new baseball stadium right in downtown Reno. The Reno Aces, affiliated with the Major League Arizona Diamondbacks, put on an entertaining show at every home game, complete with fun promotions and fireworks after Friday games. Additionally, ticket prices are affordable, starting at less than the cost of local movie theater admissions.

Black Rock Desert

The Black Rock Desert encompasses a vast area of public land, designated as the Black Rock Desert Emigrant Trails High Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This location is a remarkable destination, renowned for its wildness, human history, and astonishing geological features. The Black Rock Playa is one of the flattest places on earth and has witnessed the setting of the current land speed record. Moreover, it serves as the venue for the annual ​Burning Man festival. For those interested in exploring this stunning area, the Friends of Black Rock High Rock are a valuable resource for information about this BLM-managed region of Nevada.