Reno, Nevada, calls itself "the biggest little city in the world." Although its population of full-time residents is just 211,000, that number makes Reno the largest city in Northern Nevada. Reno sits in an area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains called the Truckee Meadows, with the Truckee River flowing right through downtown Reno. In the year 2007, Reno hosted 5.1 million visitors. Visiting Nevada does not just mean visiting the popular city of Las Vegas. There is much to do and see in Reno.
One thing that visitors to Reno note that the city has over Las Vegas is climate. For example, in mid-to-late July, temperatures in Reno average in the mid 80s and a breeze can usually be felt. Contrast that with Las Vegas, which can see temperatures about 30 degrees higher, and you can see why many visitors might prefer the comfort in Reno instead of the air conditioning in Las Vegas.
Speaking of comfort, there are many nice and fairly affordable places to stay once one reaches Reno. In addition to the regular hotel chains such as Holiday Inn, Days Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott, there are also the hotels within the casinos, including the Eldorado, Boomtown, and The Riverboat. Hotel room rates in the casinos range from $50 per night for a basic room to $400 per night for a suite. The standard hotel chains charge from $45 per night and up.
Once arriving in Reno, visitors can find many things to do besides gamble in the city's 22 casinos. Golfers love the courses including Wolf Run, Rosewood Lakes, and the Jack Nicklaus signature course, Montreux. Many hotels and casinos offer stay-and-play packages for local golf courses. Hiking is also a popular pastime in Reno, as the city is nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, providing many challenging hiking, biking, and four-wheeling trails. In the winter, skiing is a popular sport in Reno. In addition, nearby Lake Tahoe provides visitors the opportunity to participate in a wealth of water sports.
There are a plethora of art museums, planetariums, and zoos nearby or within Reno's city limits. The University of Nevada in Reno is also famous for its entertainment and sporting events. Various annual festivals take place in Reno, including a jazz festival in April, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Film Festival, and River Festival in May, a rodeo in June, and various other music and art festivals throughout the year.
No matter what time of year you decide to visit, Reno promises plenty to do for all ages.
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Article written by Susan Maphis
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