The Insiders Guide to Awesome

Named after the infamous Donner Party, Donner Memorial State Park is home to recreational activities like fishing, camping and swimming. Stop by the Visitor Center for a history lesson of the area including Washoe life and the Chinese railroad builders.

The Hunter Creek Trail is a perfectly accessible out-and-back made all the more rewarding by the majestic waterfall waiting for you at the end. Did we mention it’s only 10 minutes from downtown Reno?

The National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno houses some of the rarest cars known to man. Admire yourself in the side of a copper and teak Rolls Royce or check out celebrity rides like The Duke’s ‘53 Corvette while in downtown Reno.

We firmly believe in “you grow old once you stop playing,” so that’s why we recommend The Discovery. Downtown Reno’s exploratorium is an everyday science and learning center for kids and an after-hours special event space for young-at-heart adults.

If you ask us, every day is a perfect day for baseball. But no day is quite like Sunday, when the Reno Aces sling $1 hot dogs all afternoon long. Take the family (heck, might as well invite extended relatives at that price) and gain some serious MVP status (Most Valuable Parent).

You read that right. The Scheels store in Sparks is 295,000 square feet of sporting goods, outdoor gear and fitness wear. You could fit a Ferris wheel inside the thing. We know because they did. And yes, you can ride it.

Luxuriously designed and beautifully appointed, Spa Atlantis is the only spa in Northern Nevada to receive the highly-coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star designation. Check in at 8 a.m. and stay till close at 9 p.m. for a true spa day.

Whether you’re a rock star on the ropes or a casual climber, you need a place to hone your skills for the real deal. Train safely on the next closest thing at Mesa Rim, Reno’s indoor climbing Mecca.

Instead of soaking your aching muscles and mind after the fact, take a more preemptive approach at Steamboat Hot Springs. This historical landmark only operates on natural, geothermal springs.

One of Midtown’s long standing cultural institutions is Junkee Clothing Exchange, a one-of-a-kind store that’s part costume shop, part thrift store and part vintage shop. Don’t be surprised to find yourself leaving the parking lot with a truck load of goods from the undisputed champion of eclectic Midtown vibes.

When in Reno Tahoe, right? Head over to Home Means Nevada for Silver State-themed shirts, hats, and souvenirs before checking out the Reno Tahoe Visitor Center. You'll be looking Battle Born-and-raised in no time.

Natural Selection is a store of conversation starters for any space. Lush exotic plants and natural oddities adorn the shelves. Think ethically-sourced taxidermy, antlers, skulls, insect displays and, in their own words, “all things glorious and natural.”

It's not all sushi when it comes to seafood in Reno Tahoe, and the Oyster Bar at the Nugget Casino Resort proves it. Don't visit without trying their pan roast, a hearty soup of shrimp, clams and oysters so addicting, that patrons eventually begged the recipe our of the casino's original owner.

Of course, Nevada’s oldest brewery would sell a flagship beer named after a dinosaur. Thus, the Icky IPA (short for Ichthyosaur, Nevada’s state fossil) was born and, subsequently, loved by Reno’s original craft beer scene. Don't leave Reno without trying this quintessential Northern Nevada brew.

Don’t get confused with the Black Rock Desert. We’re talking desserts. Black Rock Dessert is changing the ice cream game. With names like Trash Fence, Cereal Chiller, and Dust Storm you just know you’re in for a major treat. Plus, the unique rotating flavors are made by hand and locally. It really doesn’t get better than this.

More often than not, the average Renoite will tell you the best drinks in town are at Death and Taxes. Operating out of their speakeasy-style digs, this Midtown stalwart crafts carefully considered cocktails with dazzling flavors that belie their morbid namesake.

No more standing in line for the lone Buckhunter game at the bar. Playfield 76 is a bar and arcade in Reno where you can find all those classic games from your childhood. Grab some quarters and challenge your friends for top scoreboard honors. Hungry after all your wins? Feast on some unique bites like poutine and cinnamon roll bread pudding.

Move over, cornhole. The newest lawn game of the moment is bocce ball, and the absolute best spot to play is Bundox Bocce. Play on their full size, freshly carpeted courts, then settle any disputes with skeeball and table tennis. Loser buys drinks.