The USBC Bowlers Guide to Reno Tahoe

When spring and summer arrive, Reno Tahoe transforms into a lively high-desert hub filled with ways for bowlers to explore, unwind, and enjoy the city right outside their host hotels. Steps from Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus, the Riverwalk District offers sunshine-filled strolls along the Truckee River, where you can relax at parks along the banks, take in the surrounding mountain scenery, or dine al fresco at one of the many restaurants lining the water.

Outdoor experiences are everywhere this time of year. Take a hike in the nearby foothills with sweeping valley views, cruise through MidTown’s murals and shops, or head to Rancho San Rafael Park for peaceful strolls and botanical gardens in bloom. Reno’s warm weather calendar is also packed with surprises, from weekly outdoor concerts and food truck gatherings to art festivals and cultural celebrations that fill downtown plazas with energy.

Back at your hotel, you’ll find plenty to enjoy between tournament sessions, including dining, entertainment, lounges, and nightlife all connected by skywalks for easy exploration. No matter how you spend your downtime, Reno’s vibrant atmosphere offers a refreshing and memorable complement to your USBC Open Championships experience.

The small city vibes of Reno Tahoe make it easy to eat well between tournament sessions without looking far. Steps from your hotel, you’ll find breakfast and brunch spots with hearty plates and great coffee, perfect fuel for early mornings at the National Bowling Stadium.

For lunch, explore MidTown, the Riverwalk District, or Wells Avenue District for quick bites and global flavors. It’s simple to grab something fast or sit down with teammates for a relaxed midday break.

Dinner brings even more choice, from steakhouses and farm-to-table kitchens to local favorites and creative fusion spots. Whether you want comfort food or a standout meal to celebrate a great day on the lanes, Reno Tahoe’s dining scene has something for every taste.

Reno Tahoe’s summer event season is in full swing during the USBC Open Championships, giving visiting bowlers plenty to enjoy between competition days. Big annual favorites light up the region, including Reno River Festival, the Reno Rodeo, BBQ Brews & Blues, concerts at the J Resort Festival Grounds, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Artown, American Century Celebrity Golf, and Dancing in the Streets.

And beyond the major draws, the area is packed with smaller concerts, cultural happenings, pop-up markets, and community events nearly every week. Be sure to check out the Reno Tahoe events calendar to see what’s happening during your stay.

Reno Tahoe offers a rich mix of museums, public art and hands-on creative experiences that are easy to explore during your stay.

Start with the Nevada Museum of Art, the only art museum in Nevada accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Located in downtown Reno, it showcases works inspired by the region’s striking natural landscape along with rotating exhibitions, guided tours, workshops and talks from visiting artists. The museum recently expanded with the Charles and Stacie Mathewson Education + Research Center, which adds new gallery and library space and supports both academic scholars and local K through 12 students.

If classic cars are more your style, the National Automobile Museum is a must-see. Ranked among the Top 5 auto museums in the nation, it features more than 200 vehicles from the famed Harrah Collection. You will also find rotating specialty exhibits such as Cars of the Stars, which includes automobiles featured in films or owned by icons like Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Both guided and self-guided tours are available.

Reno is also known for its vibrant arts scene. Downtown and MidTown feature colorful murals and public art installations throughout the Riverwalk District, where you can take a self-guided tour and scan QR codes to learn about each piece. Guided pedicab tours are available through Travel Pineapple if you prefer to sit back while an expert highlights the stories behind the murals.

In nearby Sparks, The Generator makerspace welcomes independent artists and visitors interested in behind-the-scenes creativity. Guided tours showcase its textile, screen printing and metal shops along with Paintlandia, a space dedicated to large-scale artwork. Depending on timing, you might even catch artists preparing pieces for Burning Man, held each August in the Black Rock Desert about three hours from Reno.

To explore Northern Nevada’s arts and culture, visit visitrenotahoe.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture.

Blessed with sparkling natural beauty, Lake Tahoe is considered the Jewel of the Sierra Nevada and is recognized as one of the best adventure vacations, one of the best family vacations, and one of the best ski vacations in the United States. At 6,229 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States and is the second deepest lake with a maximum depth of 1,645 feet. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from downtown Reno, Lake Tahoe features world-class summer activities, local events, outdoor recreation, and unique experiences.

During July and August, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park offers plays set against the backdrop of Lake Tahoe. From Sand Harbor, visitors can walk, bike, and hike on the Tahoe East Shore Trail, an accessible paved trail along the shoreline, to Incline Village.

Did you know golf balls fly 10 percent farther at our elevation? With more than 50 courses within a 90-minute drive to choose from, Reno and Lake Tahoe golf courses are accessible for every level of play, from quick layouts to championship-level challenges. Reno Tahoe is the perfect year-round golf destination with 300 days of sunshine per year.

Lake Tahoe offers a stunning backdrop for unforgettable adventures, and its tours provide the perfect way to immerse visitors in the region’s beauty and history. Departing between Zephyr Cove and Emerald Bay, the historic paddle wheeler, M.S. Dixie II takes visitors on a 2.5-hour-guided tour that includes informative history and a special presentation of Lake Tahoe.

To learn more about what Lake Tahoe has to offer, please visit https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/regions/lake-tahoe.

Just east of downtown is Reno’s unofficial brewery district, where a collection of craft breweries and taprooms call home. The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery offers more than just hand-crafted brews and spirits, they also offer a piece of Reno’s history. The Depot converted the century-old former headquarters for the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway into Reno’s first distillery and brewery in 2014. Pigeon Head Brewery is located right in the heart of Reno’s Brewery District, known for its German-style lagers. Lead Dog Brewing is a short walk from downtown Reno and offers ales that range from being heavily-hopped to fruited sours. Experience something different at Black Rabbit Mead Co., making and pouring meads made from locally-sourced honey. The brewery district is full of many more gems to explore while you’re visiting the Biggest Little City.

Learn more about the land of no last calls by visiting https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/food-and-drink/breweries-and-distilleries.

Coming to a competition doesn’t need to be all serious. Between matches, take a break and unwind with some mall shopping. The Outlets at Legends in Sparks offer a full lineup of popular national brands, spacious walkways, and plenty of dining. Plus, Scheels: a must-visit destination featuring everything from top athletic gear to an indoor Ferris wheel. Venturing further south? Check out Meadowood Mall or the Summit at Reno for more brand name comforts.

If you’re looking to explore a bit more, Reno’s MidTown and Downtown districts also offer a mix of familiar shops alongside local boutiques. And for those who enjoy treasure hunting, Reno is home to several standout thrift stores such as Junkee, The Nest, Uncle Junkee Clothing Exchange and Plato's Closet.

During your downtime, treat yourself to an experience at one of Reno’s world-class spas. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino at THE ROW has an exceptional spa where you can treat yourself to their custom-mixed scents, a herbal seaweed wrap or a detox clay body wrap. Make a quick stop at the Refuge Spa inside the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa for express spa treatments. Healing One is a float center where you can truly let go of the weight of the world, figuratively and literally. There are a variety of unique ways to relax and find your Zen in Reno Tahoe.

Welcome to the wild, wild west. While visiting Northern Nevada, visitors can prepare to see and experience a variety of cultures that make up Reno Tahoe’s history, from our Native American and Basque cultures, to evidence of our silver mining background and Western traditions.

Approximately 20 miles southeast of Reno lies Virginia City, a historic town most famous for the Comstock Lode in the 1800s, where miners and prospectors in the western Great Basin discovered gold and silver ore. The silver discovered in Virginia City was used to fund the North during the Civil War, leading President Abraham Lincoln to give Nevada statehood. Journey back in time by taking a stroll down the wooden sidewalks and quench your thirst at one of the unique saloons. Take a 35-minute excursion back into the Old West with a steam engine ride on the Virginia & Truckee (V&T) Railroad from Virginia City to Gold Hill, Nevada. Completed in 1869, the V&T Railroad hauled millions of dollars of gold and silver ore from the rich mines. For more than 150 years, Virginia City has attracted visitors to the area with arts and culture. Built in 1885, the historic Piper’s Opera House is recognized as one of the nation’s most famous performance venues and one of the most significant vintage theatres in the United States. The Fourth Ward School Museum, built as a state-of-the-art school in 1876, serves as a museum to commemorate the American West with permanent exhibits and historic memorabilia.

Situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, just 25 minutes east of Lake Tahoe and one hour south of Reno, Genoa is filled with history and heritage. Recognized as the oldest permanent settlement in Nevada, Genoa is a quaint community rich with historical charm. The Genoa Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, filled with Victorian buildings. Established in 1853, Genoa Bar & Saloon is recognized as Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor.

Stewart Indian School was operated by the federal government from 1890-1980 as a boarding school for Great Basin Native students, located south of Carson City, Nevada. Created and funded by the State of Nevada, Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum tells the stories of the students’ experiences and serves as a gathering place for their ancestors. The museum includes a contemporary art space called Great Basin Native Artists Gallery, a storytelling room, a research room, and a permanent exhibit about Stewart Indian School’s 90-year history.

Groups can take a short drive from Reno to Carson City, the capital of the State of Nevada, to visit the Nevada State Museum. The museum celebrates the state’s natural and cultural history and features the historic Carson City Mint.

Honor and experience Northern Nevada’s heritage and history by visiting https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/heritage.