Top 15 Exciting Day Trips Near Reno
Featured in an REM song, Reno provides an excellent option for an out-of-town excursion, whether one is seeking a change of scenery or planning to explore the renowned ski resorts in the vicinity.
A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Featured in an REM song, Reno provides an excellent option for an out-of-town excursion, whether one is seeking a change of scenery or planning to explore the renowned ski resorts in the vicinity.
Located in the northwestern part of Nevada, Reno is often conceptualized as the sibling of Las Vegas. While both cities offer casinos and entertainment, Reno features numerous unique attractions worth exploring. Indeed, there exists a wealth of activities in Reno that extend throughout the surrounding area.
In close proximity to some of the top destinations in California, and the breathtaking Lake Tahoe, Reno serves as a perfect base for a city getaway as part of a larger road trip through Nevada or California.
Additionally, the renowned Burning Man festival occurs annually in Black Rock City around late August, approximately a 150-minute drive from Reno. This makes the city a likely destination following an adventure at Burning Man.
Regardless of the reason for your visit to Reno, maximizing your experience in the city is crucial. To assist you in fully enjoying your time here, we present some of the premier activities to consider once you arrive.
Now, let’s delve into the outstanding attractions and experiences in Reno. Enjoy your visit!
Londoners have clamored for tables at Dishoom (Tube: Shoreditch High St) since 2010, and demand remains strong. (It’s walk-in, but at weekend brunch, you absolutely need a reservation.) The Iranian cafe serves a delicious morning spread called The Big Bombay, a colorful plate of their famousakuri(spicy scrambled egg), streaky bacon, sausages, masala beans, mushrooms, and homemade buns. Even if you have it at 8 am on a weekday, you’ll still be full way after lunch.
Driving times and distances from Reno to other cities in Nevada can be deceiving. Several major towns are close to the Reno/Sparks metro area, but reaching more remote destinations may take hours. For instance, traveling from Reno to West Wendover covers approximately 400 miles, while the distance to Las Vegas is even greater at 450 miles. Clearly, Nevada is a vast state.
As those who have felt earthquakes in northern Nevada know, the Reno area is geologically active. One of the more pleasant and useful manifestations of this activity is hot water — specifically, hot water found in numerous hot springs around the region. While some springs are hot enough to foster a thriving geothermal energy industry, several others have been tapped to provide soothing soaking pools and health spas for people to enjoy.
Reno’s MidTown District is located south of the Truckee River and the bustling downtown casino area. The northern boundary is Liberty Street, while Plumb Lane marks the southern edge. Holcomb Avenue defines the eastern border, and Plumas Avenue lies to the west. These are theboundariesas defined byMidTown District Reno, an organization aiming to enhance the area for its residents, visitors, and businesses.
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.
Christmas and holiday activities, events, and shows in Reno feature Philharmonic concerts, Christmas tree lights, festive celebrations, holiday festivals, shopping, singing, and even several ballets. You won’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy family fun during this season, as many free holiday activities are available throughout the Reno and Tahoe areas.
Museums, historic sites, and attractions in the Reno area offer a diverse range of experiences. From children’s museums to historical parks, Reno, Sparks, and northern Nevada present engaging activities for families and visitors alike, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Wingfield Park in Reno, Nevada, is partly on an island in the Truckee River (Belle Isle). It serves as a cherished location for both residents and visitors, who come to enjoy the diverse recreational options provided by the Truckee River and Parkway in downtown Reno. In conjunction with the Truckee River Whitewater Park, this urban park presents an array of activities such as relaxing by the water, picnicking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming, river tubing, and enjoying walking and biking trails. Wingfield Park also hosts the Reno River Festival, numerous Artown events, and various other festivities throughout the year.
Depending on what time of year you plan to travel to the Reno and Tahoe region of Nevada, you’re sure to find a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including winter sports, summer festivals, and fall events. The temperatures in the area range from extremely hot in the summer months to freezing in the winter, but nighttime is almost always chilly in Lake Tahoe and the high desert climate of Reno.
Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is the busiest shopping day of the year around Reno and Sparks. In 2014, it falls on November 28. Most major retailers and shopping malls open early and extend their hours to accommodate eager shoppers. Bargain hunters can expect a plethora of deals as retailers aim to attract customers and maximize sales during the holiday shopping season. Consequently, if you head out early, you may uncover some particularly enticing discounts as stores reduce prices to clear inventory.
This northern Nevada city is just 22 miles (35km) from Lake Tahoe and about 105 miles (170 kilometers) southeast of Sacramento, making Reno an easy weekend escape. This guide covers all the best things to do in Reno, including where to stay. So, let’s explore!