Reno
As the hub of Northern Nevada, Reno is a
short drive from anything you could want. Besides boasting a
myriad of activities within the city limits, once you’re here, you’re less than an hour away from all that Northern Nevada has to offer.
Although Reno has long been known for gambling, “The Biggest Little City” is changing with the times and has even been called “
The Next Silicon Valley” by Bloomberg Businessweek. Tech giants Tesla, Switch, and Panasonic are just a few of the companies that have chosen to call Northern Nevada home, leading to a spur in the local economy. Boutique hotels, craft breweries, and a thriving art scene are now becoming synonymous with Reno, making it the perfect vacation destination.
Looking to pay a visit to the Biggest Little City? Discover
where to stay in Reno Tahoe.
Reno Arts and Culture
It’s hard to ignore the abundance of art displayed in downtown Reno. In addition to the art installations originating from Burning Man, like the 50-foot tall stained glass Space Whale in City Plaza, there are many original art pieces adding to the aesthetic. Within the downtown and
MidTown areas, there are over 100 larger-than-life murals, as well as countless painted signal boxes, benches, and bike racks. If you are interested in learning more, you can participate in a
monthly guided art tour or follow a
self-guided tour.
Looking for a more traditional art experience? Reno has many
local art galleries,
performing art centers, and
museums for all ages. Car enthusiasts can see over 200 unique and historical cars at the National Automobile Museum and art lovers can witness some of the finest traveling exhibitions in the state’s only nationally accredited museum, the Nevada Museum of Art.
Reno Shopping
The Biggest Little City is home to many
shopping options that range from boutiques and antique stores to shopping malls. One thing is for sure, you will not leave empty-handed! MidTown District is a vibrant neighborhood that offers many locally-owned boutiques such as Sierra Belle and Nomad. Junkee Clothing Exchange, inside Reno Public Market, is a thrifting staple, especially when searching for your Burning Man wardrobe! If you venture outside of the downtown area, you will find both the Meadowood Mall and Summit Mall with some familiar retailers. Whether you are on a shopping spree or just hunting for a local treasure, Reno has something for everyone.
Reno Dining
Reno has blended old-school and modern to create a foodie haven accompanied by local brewpubs, experimental farm-to-table restaurants, and craft distilleries. This burgeoning food scene has options ranging from rustic Italian to all-you-can-eat sushi, with new spots popping up throughout the city.
Downtown Reno and MidTown are Reno's most popular areas for bars and clubs. However, other hotspots include East Fourth Street, Wells Avenue, the UNR area, Kietzke Lane, and all along South Virginia St. Most neighborhoods also have their own local bar, sports pub, or brewery. Learn more about the
region’s eateries and some pro tips on
how to eat like a local in Reno.
Reno Outdoor Activities
Reno is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, with endless options for
outdoor activities year-round. Within an hour’s drive, there are more than a dozen ski resorts, Lake Tahoe, thousands of mountain biking and hiking trails, several lakes that are perfect for fishing and boating, and 114 miles of the Truckee River which runs right through the center of downtown Reno. With the plethora of outdoor opportunities, you will find people taking advantage of them year-round.
Reno Events
What do hot air balloons, classic cars, outhouses, and ribs have in common? Normally nothing, but in Reno, they are all unique themes of the Biggest Little City’s exciting iconic events.
Hot August Nights,
Reno Rodeo, and
The Great Reno Balloon Race are favorites that have each called Reno home for decades (an entire century in the case of the Reno Rodeo!). In addition, the city celebrates several gastronomic gatherings like the
Eldorado Great Italian Festival and the
Best in the West Rib Cook-Off. During the summer months there is always an event in some form, so make sure to check out our
Reno events calendar during your planning.
The casinos, Pioneer Center, Bruka Theatre, La Bussola, Sierra Arts and the
Reno Events Center provide numerous concerts, art events, plays and shows as well.
Reno History
As early as the 1850s, a few pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows, a relatively fertile valley through which the Truckee River made its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Gold was discovered in the vicinity of Virginia City in 1850 and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of silver in 1859 led to one of the greatest mining bonanzas of all time as the Comstock Lode spewed forth treasure.
To provide the necessary connection between Virginia City and the California Trail, Charles Fuller built a log toll bridge across the Truckee River in 1859. A small community servicing travelers soon grew near the bridge. After two years, Fuller sold the bridge to Myron Lake, who continued to develop the Lakes Crossing Community.
In 1864, Washoe County was consolidated with Roop County, and Lakes Crossing became the largest city in the county.
In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad built tracks across the west to connect with the Union Pacific to form the first transcontinental railroad. Once the railroad station was established, the town of Reno officially came to be on May 13, 1868. The new town was named in honor of Major General Jesse L. Reno; a Union officer killed in the American Civil War.
Nevada's legalization of casino gambling in 1931 and the passage of liberal divorce laws created another boom for Reno. Beginning in the 1950s, the need for economic diversification beyond gaming fueled a movement for more lenient business taxation. The presence of a main east-west rail line, the emerging interstate highway system, favorable tax climate and inexpensive land created the ideal conditions for warehousing and distribution of goods to the growing population in the surrounding eleven western states. Today, Reno, Nevada has the largest concentration of distribution-related property per capita in the United States.
Learn more about the history of casinos in Reno.
Reno Climate
Reno sits in the rain shadow of the Sierras with
four distinct seasons. Winter has snowfall but typically it is light. Summer highs are generally in the low to mid-90s°F, but temperatures above 100°F occur occasionally. July daytime and nighttime temperatures average 92°F and 51°F, respectively; while January day and night temperatures average 46°F (7°C) and 22°F (-6°C), respectively. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring.
Explore more of our region.
Reno FAQ
Got a question? We've got the answers. Check out the most frequently asked questions below about Reno.
What Is Reno Known For?
Reno is nicknamed the Biggest Little City in the World and is historically known for its gaming tourism industry. In the last decade, the arts, culture and foodie scenes of Reno, Nevada have boomed, transforming it into a hub of endless things to eat, see and experience. In the summer months, Reno offers virtually nonstop events, from the famous Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook Off to The Great Reno Balloon Race. Plus, close proximity to Lake Tahoe, the largest concentration of ski resorts on the planet, and tons of hiking trails offers something for every adventurer. With so many things to do in Reno, it's pretty darn hard to get bored in this little high desert city.
Is Reno a Good Place To Live?
Reno was named the
number one best place to live by bestcities.org in 2020. With tons of new industries heading to Reno, new infrastructure and a booming arts and culture scene, it's no wonder why so many people are choosing to call Reno home. Plus, the proximity to Lake Tahoe and Mt. Rose are a nice perk.
Why Is Reno So Popular?
Reno is so popular for the endless experiences it offers its visitors and residents. Ever hiked Lake Tahoe, hit up a museum, went on a downtown mural hunt, and enjoyed an award-winning restaurant, all in one day? Those who live in Reno have. In fact, we do this all of the time. Only in the Biggest Little City in the World can you be on top of a mountain in the morning, floating in Lake Tahoe by afternoon and reveling in the glittering lights of the casinos by the evening. Are you a self-proclaimed foodie? Reno, Nevada is fast becoming one of the biggest foodie hotspots on the West Coast. Don't want to take our word for it? We guess you'll just have to taste it to believe it.
How Is Reno Different From Las Vegas?
While Reno and Las Vegas share some similarities with their desert landscapes and casinos, the two cities really couldn't be more different. Reno, Nevada has endless options when it comes to year-round outdoor activities during four distinct seasons, as well as a rich history, vibrant arts and culture scene, and a wealth of local restaurants and breweries. Reno feels like a big city when it comes to the diversity of things to do, but still exemplifies the definition of a small town with its friendliness and ease of getting around.