The Insiders Guide to Awesome

Fall in Reno Tahoe makes for the ideal hiking climate. Not only do temps drop, but some hikes, like Whites Creek Trail and its towering aspen groves, change to fiery shades of red, orange and yellow.

The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail is an ambitious bike and walking path that follows the Truckee River from its source, Lake Tahoe, to its terminus at Pyramid Lake. Pedal or pace your way along the glistening Truckee from any of the path’s starting points.

The spookiest way to explore the state capital is the Carson City Ghost Walk. For decades, the ghastly guided tours led by Madame Curry have taken would-be ghost hunters through the city’s Victorian history – and the haunted tales and paranormal stories that filled it. Photo courtesy of Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

Nevada’s only accredited art museum also knows how to throw a party. When you’re not contemplating the intricacies of art from around the world and Nevada, belly up to the bloody mary bar at Sunday brunch or sip a cocktail on the roof at First Thursdays.

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.

The drive-in movie theater is one of America’s longest standing institutions and it's still going strong at West Wind El Rancho in Sparks. Pro tip: save cash and bring all the snacks you want from home. And don’t forget extra pillows.

There are go-karts, and then there’s Need 2 Speed. We’re talking high performance, white-knuckle karts that kick it up to 45 mph, leaving lesser vehicles eating their dust. Who will win the bragging rights in your group?

You don’t have to be Grizzly Adams to see the kokanee salmon run in Tahoe. Check out Taylor Creek Visitor Center in South Lake where an underground viewing area gives you a fish’s eye view of salmon swimming upstream in the fall.

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.

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.”

Out-of-towners might not believe it, but Reno's become one of the biggest coffee cultures in the West. Our pick is one of the oldest and most loved: Hub Coffee Roasters. Come for the meticulously brewed pour-overs and latte art, stay for the river views and dog-friendly atmosphere.

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.

If you haven’t noticed by now, we’ve got a thing for our Wild West roots. That’s why there’ll always be soft spots in our hearts for the Genoa Bar and Saloon, where Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor has been wetting whistles since 1853. Photo courtesy of Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

Opened more than four decades ago, the Fireside Lounge is continually voted Reno’s best bar and lounge year after year. This storied watering hole is adored for its vintage vibe, plush booths and an iconic fire pit.