Reno, Nevada - Worth Visiting

[Carole]

I have a short work trip to Reno. Is it worth the money for my DH to fly out and make it a really long weekend. We've never been to Nevada. Anything fun to do besides gamble? Is it worth driving up to the Tahoe area for two nights? THANKS!

 

[Ohiodislover]

A friend of mine got back from Reno yesterday. She did not like it. Said casinos were dirty, and the whole town rather shabby. She also mentioned that many of the casinos were closed. She would just as soon went to Vegas for not that much more money.

She drove to Lake Tahoe for one night and did enjoy it.

 

[monkeybug]

A friend of mine got back from Reno yesterday. She did not like it. Said casinos were dirty, and the whole town rather shabby. She also mentioned that many of the casinos were closed. She would just as soon went to Vegas for not that much more money.

She drove to Lake Tahoe for one night and did enjoy it.

I agree with all of the above. Reno is ick!
Tahoe however is lovely, and if you could get a few nights there, it might be worth the flight!

 

[pixiewings71]

Go to Tahoe instead. We are just a few hours from Reno but rarely go. Last time we went it was about 5 years ago, the casinos were dirty...oh wait, that's not totally right. We did go back and stayed at the Silver Legacy courtesy of a work friend, we really enjoyed the SL, it is a non smoking facility so that helps.

 

[sasywtch]

I would definitely have your husband fly in, take a drive to Virginia City for a couple of hours and then down into Tahoe. When in Tahoe, take the MS Dixie cruise around Emerald Bay. You will never see bluer water. I spent all my summers there and love it. Virginia City is just a fun detour.

 

[Carole]

Thanks. I am staying at the SL hopefully it won't be too bad! Any thoughts on where to stay at Lake Tahoe?

 

[DSNY4ever]

Tahoe is wonderful and definitely worth a trip from anywhere. I live an hour from South Lake Tahoe and we go there all the time and still love it

Yes, the MS Dixie is fun, the tickets are a little pricey. There are also catamaran rides that are great for a similar price...and they have parasailing, hot air balloon rides etc. There are plenty of nice restaurants and beaches, LOTS of wonderful hikes.

What time of year are you going?

 

[perdidobay]

I would definitely have your husband fly in, take a drive to Virginia City for a couple of hours and then down into Tahoe. When in Tahoe, take the MS Dixie cruise around Emerald Bay. You will never see bluer water. I spent all my summers there and love it. Virginia City is just a fun detour.

I totally agree with the post above. We had the best time doing all the above.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, yeah - go to Tahoe for a coupla nights. I agree that Virginia City is worth the drive (can you hear the "Bonanza" theme in your head yet?) We love Lake Tahoe. As for where to stay, there are casino hotels in Southshore (Harrah's is the only one I can think of). But check with Triple-A to see what is available.

 

[Carole]

I'm scheduled to visit the middle of June.

 

[sasywtch]

Even though I spent all my summers growing up in South Tahoe, I can't recommend where to stay. The motel my parents always stayed in was further down from stateline and now it's not so great. I'd stick by stateline. I don't know the name of the one right next to Harrahs but it was nice.

I love Virginia City, going through cave rock and the smell of the trees in Tahoe.
I had a friend who visited from the east coast and has been to many many places around the world and loved Tahoe so you shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Thanks. I am staying at the SL hopefully it won't be too bad! Any thoughts on where to stay at Lake Tahoe?

The Silver Legacy isn't bad. It's connected to Circus Circus and the El Dorado, SL is in the middle, and there's a lot to do between them. Also, the Grand Sierra, Atlantis and Peppermill are worth a trip if you have time. There are parts of Reno that aren't wonderful, and those parts are unfortunately places that tourists go most often so it gets a bad reputation. Also, if you have time, Boomtown is really fun!

If you're expecting it to be like Vegas, you'll be disappointed.

Tahoe is a million times worth it! It's really one of the most beautiful places in the world. I wouldn't try to go all the way around it, just go to the South Lake Tahoe area... you get a nice view of the scenery and a good taste of the city and casinos of Tahoe. There are also nice mini-cruises that launch from there.

And, if you feel like it of course, you can hunt down one of those "Keep Tahoe Blue" stickers.


My sources: I spent summers in Reno, going to Tahoe and everywhere in between, a lot!

 

[mamacatnv]

I live in the city of ick!
As a local, I agree, downtown in general sucks. This is not a town known for its majestic casinos it is a town known for the access to everything outdoors.

Given our current weather, Squaw Valley still had skiing last weekend. We are supposed to get into the high 70's this week, I'll believe it when I see it.

You can try your hand at Kayaking on the Truckee River right in the center of town. Or head up river and take a raft trip down the Truckee

Drive up to Tahoe 45-60 minutes depending on where you are headed. Tahoe is one of the worlds most beautiful high mountain lakes. I recommend Mt. Rose Highway (HWY 431), the views are incredible (steep and windy, but well traveled and busy)
Take the gondola at Heavenly up the summit and see the view, awe-mazing!
The M.S. Dixie is fun, while in Tahoe you can zip-line, deep water fish, canoe, sail, parasail and anything else you can think of that involves water, horse back riding is available along with hiking, skiing, bike riding etc.

Virginia City is interesting, we enjoy the history, wander thru the graveyard, view the beautiful church and the opera house, stop at a Saloon for a drink etc.

Truckee, about a 30 minute ride from Reno, full of little shops, nice restaurants and the gateway to Squaw Valley - Squaw Valley is breathtakingly beautiful in its own right, especially at this time of year.

You like trains? Drive north about an hour to the tiny town of Portola, Ca. and visit the railroad museum, from there you can wander to Graeagle, a story book town with restaurants, shops and galleries.

Drive East to Fallon, NV about 90 minutes to Grimes Point and see the petroglyphs.

Drive NE about 45 minutes to Pyramid Lake, a high alkaline (saline) lake that is owned by the indians and governed by tribal laws. Pyramid is hauntingly beautiful. Visit Crosby's the local watering hole and learn the legends of the lake........

IMO it is well worth the trip, don't let downtown influence your view of our beautiful area.
Couple of things - we are a high desert, therefore the evenings are almost always cool, bring a jacket. We can and do get snow in June. We are prone to afternoon thunderstorms also.
Due to our altitude 4500-5000 ft. and even higher up at Tahoe, drink lots and lots of water while you are here, not only can the altitude affect you but our climate is very very dry (low humidity).

I hope you decide to come. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

 

[Carole]

Thanks for the great information!! Our flights are booked. Do you recommend any place to stay in the Tahoe area? Can we wing it and just find a hotel while driving around? We have two nights we can spend away from the Reno area. Our flight leaves at 7 in the morning on Sunday so we figure we better be back in Reno on Saturday night. We'll have three full days - Thursday, Friday and Saturday to explore.

 

[mamacatnv]

Thanks for the great information!! Our flights are booked. Do you recommend any place to stay in the Tahoe area? Can we wing it and just find a hotel while driving around? We have two nights we can spend away from the Reno area. Our flight leaves at 7 in the morning on Sunday so we figure we better be back in Reno on Saturday night. We'll have three full days - Thursday, Friday and Saturday to explore.

I am not familiar with the hotels up at the Lake - there is N. shore and S. Shore. S. Shore is glittzy and home to the large casinos that are on the Stateline of CA/NV - the area is referred to as Stateline. There are tons of little motel type places also in S. Shore on the California side.

If I were you I would have ressies in place both at the Lake and in town, but especially here in town for the Saturday night. While Tahoe motels are probably available and quaint, Reno motels can be seedy, crime ridden and just plain icky!

Not sure when you are coming but late June the Rodeo is in town here and the large casino hotels in Reno are booked and expensive. The Rodeo is 10 days from June 17-27. August Hosts Hot August Nights and there will not be a hotel room for miles over the weekends, July 30 - August 8th.

In Sept Reno/Sparks host several large events that chew up hotel rooms just about every weekend. The fun begins with The Best in the West Rib Cook-Off over Labor Day, then there is the Reno Balloon Races, The Reno Air Races and then Street Vibrations. All of these events attract 100's of thousands of people (us locals really hate the traffic in Sept )

 

[Micca]

I work with a guy from Reno. The way he describes it makes it sound like a pit. I've never been there, but I don't have the greatest impression of the place.

 

[mamacatnv]

I work with a guy from Reno. The way he describes it makes it sound like a pit. I've never been there, but I don't have the greatest impression of the place.

That statement speaks volumes

 

[DisTeach1]

I am a regular at Reno, and I agree and disagree with what was posted here.

First of all, yes, the city itself, downtown, is ICK. Silver Legacy is very nice and we are regulars there. It is not however...nonsmoking. The restaurants and open areas upstairs are nonsmoking, but you can still smoke in the casino just like always.

My husband and I are big gamblers, and we love Silver Legacy. I do not think Reno is worth visiting for other things if you are not a gambler...hiking, mountains, white water rafting...I can get those at other locations besides Reno.

There are some great restaurants and night life in Reno.

 

[giddygirl]

I just got back from Reno / Tahoe last night. We stayed at the Embassy Suites South Lake Tahoe which is right next door to the stateline / Harrah's. I highly recommend it but watch out for the parking: $25/day! Other hotels that caught our interest in Tahoe were the Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort and the Marriott Timber Lodge.
While in Reno, we visited the Animal Ark which is a wildlife sanctuary / zoo for rehabilitated animals that can no longer survive out in the wild. It's a pretty cool place to visit and about 45 minutes from SL. We also visited Virginia City and give it a thumbs up. VC would be a good stop on your way from Tahoe to Reno.
If you're into shopping the Legends Outlet Mall in Reno is a fun place to get good deals.

Hope this helps!

 

[mamacatnv]

While in Reno, we visited the Animal Ark which is a wildlife sanctuary / zoo for rehabilitated animals that can no longer survive out in the wild. It's a pretty cool place to visit and about 45 minutes from SL. We also visited Virginia City and give it a thumbs up. VC would be a good stop on your way from Tahoe to Reno.
If you're into shopping the Legends Outlet Mall in Reno is a fun place to get good deals.

Hope this helps!

I'm just curious, what made you decide on Animal Ark? You had to have driven right past my house to get there Did you go for the cheetah races?