Reno Travel Guide

Reno Visitors Guide

There are hotel-casinos to visit, attractions to see, performances to watch, casinos to gamble in, food to eat, nightclubs to get wild in, slopes to ski, drinks to nurse, people to see and be seen by and, if you don't stay up all night, a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed. So, by all means plan your trip and time.

Consider these five components when planning your trip to Reno:

1. When to go
2. Where to stay
3. What to do
4. How to get around
5. Why visit Reno Vs. Las Vegas

When to go to Reno. It is a good idea to know when the high, middle (shoulder) and low seasons are in Reno. It is also important to understand how weather, holidays and special events influence those seasons. Examine the chart below:

The purpose of this chart is to provide a visual representation indicating monthly CHANGE in visitors by the number of hotel rooms (all types) occupied both above and below Reno's established daily average of 13,826 rooms throughout the year. This average represents 70.3% of the total number of rooms available in the Reno-Sparks area. As of January 1, 2007, the daily average total number of available rooms in Reno-Sparks was 19,667. Keep in mind, these numbers are averages, and there are several dates when demand exceeds supply, which is not necessarily evident in the chart, but we'll get back to that in a moment.

• Low Season: mid-October through January. With exception to holiday and special event periods you can expect room availability to be ample and prices to be low.
• Shoulder Season: February through mid-May. Because hotels increase they're rates when they become 60% occupied, and because Shoulder Season is at or above-average occupancy, you will not want to wait until the last minute to make your plans.
• High Season: late-May through mid-October. If you are planning a trip to reno during High Season you should confirm your plans ASAP.

Regardless of season, the best time to come for the lowest rates and shortest lines is a few days before and right after major holidays, Reno Conventions and special events in Reno . If those dates occur over a weekend they are considered 'certain sell-out dates.' The basic axiom to remember when planning your visit during high season or certain sell-out dates is: you cannot plan too soon, but you can wait too late. That said, below is a list of
Certain sell-out dates in Reno:

• January 18-26: Safari Club International
• February 1-3: Super Bowl Weekend
• February 15-17: President's Day & Valentine's Day Weekend
• May 23-25: Memorial Day Weekend
• July 4-6: Independence Day Weekend
• August 7-9: Hot August Nights
• August 29-31: Labor Day Weekend
• September 12-13: Air Races
• September 25-27: Street Vibrations
• October 10-12: Columbus Weekend
• November 27-29: Thanksgiving
• December 31-January 1: New Year's

Weather is also going to play a role. Reno enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. It's the other 65 days you will want to pay close attention to, particulary November through January when temperatures can drop below freezing and heavy show falls over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 70% of all visitors to Reno drive in. If you are driving over the Sierra's in the Winter, pay close attention to road conditions, always carry tire chains, never take unmaintained roads or "short-cuts," and keep your cell phone charged. Right now the

Where to stay in Reno. First, you'll want to find lodging that meets your needs, desires and budget. We will co-conspire with you to help meet those needs and wants. Examine the Interactive Reno Hotels Amenities Chart. It provides both at-a-glance and detailed information regarding each hotel's amenities and services. It will help you narrow in on those hotels that meet your needs.

Meeting your desires can be a little more challenging, for obvious reasons. But we are here to provide some helpful guidance in that regard, as follows:

• What hotels are nearest to the Reno Convention Center ? The Atlantis Reno and the Peppermill Reno . Both are 4-star full service hotel-casinos that provide a top quality product. The Atlantis is also the only Reno hotel with a combination indoor-outdoor pool. The Peppermill has the most plush standard rooms in town.
• What hotels provide the lowest rates/best deals? The Sands Reno and Circus Circus . Both are 3-star full service hotels offering quality amenities and services. The Sands boasts the largest standard rooms in downtown Reno, and it's not unusual for there to be live music playing out by the pool on weekends, weather permitting.
• What is the most family friendly hotel? Circus Circus Reno would be the best choice for familys with active children. They are located downtown and within the "Tri-Properties Building" shared by Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and the Eldorado.
• What is the most popular hotel? Harrah's Reno . Built by Bill Harrah in the 1930's, and modenrized over the past many years, not only does this downtown hotel have a 4-star rating, excellent fitness center, nice room-accommodations and the Harrah's Steakhouse, which is to die for, but it also has a following among visitor's who have been coming for decades.
• What hotel has the best suites? The Summit Reno is brand new, located within the Grand Sierra Resort Reno (formerly the Reno Hilton; formerly the MGM Grand Reno; formerly Bally's Reno). The suites at the Atlantis and the Peppermill (new) are also very nice. The Jacuzzi Suites at Atlantis are quite popular. Grand Sierra is also in the process of developing the largest on-property water park in all of Nevada.
• What is the best hotel for romantic getaways? John Ascuaga's Nugget , in Sparks, NV. The Nugget is a 4-star resort with very nice rooms, restaurants and bubble pools. They are located only about 2 ½ miles from city center Reno.
• What hotel is nearest the Airport? The Best Western Plaza Hotel is literally right across the street.

What to do in Reno.

Special Events

• Jazz Festival : April 24-26, 2008. Unabashed love of jazz.
• Rodeo : June 20-28, 2008. The Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West!
• Hot August Nights : August 7-9, 2008. Over 200,000 people celebrate America's love affair with the automobile.
• Balloon Festival : September 5-7, 2008. Hot-air balloons rise-to-the-skies in an astonishing ascension of color and mass!
• Air Races : September 10-14, 2008. The Reno Air Races turn the sky's over Reno into non-stop high flying action.
• Street Vibrations : September 25-28, 2008. The party is ON, it's Street Vibrations!
• Bowling : 2008 Season. Tournaments and events throughout the season.
• Shakespeare Festival : 2008 Season is what “is” is.

Year Round Activities

• Go bowling at the National Bowling Stadium: 300 N. Center St., 775-335-8800
• Visit the National Automobile Musium: Over 200 antique, ventage, classic and special interest vehicles: 10 S. Lake St., 775-333-9300
• Visit the Sierra Safari Zoo: 10AM - 5PM 7-days/week, weather permitting: 10200 N. Virginia St., 775-677-1101
• Attend Uptown Downtown Artown: The largent art festival in the country: 775-322-1538
• Visit Heischmann Planetarium and Science Center: MS272, University of Nevada, Reno, 775-784-4811
• Take the 72-mile loop around Lake Tahoe
• Take in art, architecture and culture along the Truckee River Corridor: Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS): Walking Tours: 775-747-4478

Summer Activities

• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Mountain Biking
• Golfing
  • Lake Ridge Golf Course (Public): 775-825-2200
  • Rosewood Lakes (Municipal): 775-857-2896
  • Sierra Sage (Municipal): 775-972-1564
  • Washoe Country Golf Club (Public): 775-828-6640
  • Wolf Run Golf Club (Public): 775-851-3301
  • Montreaux Golf & Country Club (Private): 775-849-9496
• Parasailing
• Sky Diving
• Soaring
• Hot-air Ballooning
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Rafting
• Scuba Diving

Winter Activities

• Skiing
• Ice Fishing
• Snowboarding
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing

How to get around in Reno.

Auto: Private auto and rental cars are the most common form of transportation around Reno.

Bus: The Sierra Spirirt is a free bus that will take you around the center of Reno and makes a complete loop every 30 minutes. It is a great way to get around. It goes as far as the University to the north and the Museum of Art to the south.

Informational Signs: Scattered around the downtown area are signs that tell you where things are located that may be of interest to a tourist. These signs list local attractions and their distance from that point. On the back of the signs is a city street map pinpointing your present location.

Limos: One excellent way to see the Reno & Lake Tahoe area is to take advantage of the many limousines available through the many companies in Reno or Lake Tahoe. Most limos are fully equipped and have amenities including a full liquor bar.

Train: Private Railroad Passenger Car. You'll experience the best of vintage rail travel. All of your needs aboard are met by uniformed staff in the traditions of the famed Pullman Company. Enjoy a classic cocktail as the miles roll by or enjoy a sit-down meal served on vintage china and linen in railroad tradition.

Airport Shuttles: All major hotels provide free airport shuttle service.

Why Reno vis-a-vis Las Vegas.