Take a Walk & See the Sights in Reno Tahoe

Lace up your walking shoes and take in the region’s rich history and emerging arts scene. Here are a few great options if you want to log some miles while also experiencing Reno Tahoe’s rich culture.

Artistic Expressions

Reno’s Midtown District is teeming with unique shops, trendy bars and restaurants, and more than 80 larger-than-life murals by local, national and international artists. Download the interactive mural map for a self-guided tour, or take part in one of the docent-led tours offered every second Saturday at 11 a.m.

Take a walk in the art when you explore the curated collection of art on display in Victorian Square in downtown Sparks that is part of the Sparks Art Walk. Stroll through this self-guided tour and scan the QR codes at each installation to learn more about the artist and their work. Guided tours are also offered on the third Thursday of each month.

If you find yourself in downtown Reno, perhaps grabbing a bite to eat or taking in a show, take the scenic route and explore City Plaza, home to two Burning Man art pieces – BELIEVE and Space Whale. Explore the city further on Reno’s Playa Art Trail. This tour features large-scale interactive installations who once called the Black Desert home but now permanently reside in Reno. This trail will take you to the Nevada Museum of Art and The Discovery, and goes along the Truckee River from City Plaza to Bicentennial Park. Don’t forget your camera!

Local Muralist Joe C Rock working on his mural “Georgia on my mind.”

Rich Historic Experiences

Take a step back into the Wild West with a day trip to Virginia City, a short drive from downtown Reno. Home of the Comstock Lode, the largest deposit of silver ore ever discovered, and one of the largest mining camps west of Denver, it is rich in history. Guided, half-day tours of the community are available, or park and get your steps in while you take in the rich history of this unique town.

Nevada’s state capital, Carson City, is a charming town with plenty of historic and cultural landmarks. The Kit Carson Trail offers visitors the opportunity to experience 1800s-era Victorian-style homes, museums and churches. Printable maps are available, and the VisitCarsonCity app allows you to listen to stories as you walk.

Evidence of Nevada’s rich history can be found on the very rocks that make up the desert landscape. Rock art – either painted pictographs or engraved petroglyphs – can be found in several areas within a short drive of Reno. Grimes Point, Hidden Cave and Hickison Summit are just a few places you will find ancient rock art. Visitors to the Kyburz Flat Interpretive Area, located just north of Truckee, are guided through 2,000 years of human history.

Unique Guided Tours

For those who like the idea of adding a little more to that daily run, Race 178 offers a variety of running tours with both 5K and 10K distance options. Take their Quintessential Reno tour to learn how Reno earned its Biggest Little City in the World nickname and enjoy views of the Truckee River. On the Hip & Funky Reno tour, you’ll explore Midtown and run past several art pieces and murals. Check out these, along with their other tours, for an interesting way to see Reno Tahoe.

If giving your feet a break sounds nice, let Pineapple Pedicabs take you on one of their unique tours. They offer mural tours in both Midtown and downtown, a tour of Burning Man art and a Brewery District tour, complete with samples at select breweries. And if you have your own idea for a tour, they can help you create a custom experience.

For more information on art and history in the area visit our Arts and Culture page. Want more walking trails? Visit our hiking page.