Communities : Reno and surrounding area

Reno Attractions

In addition to the obvious entertainment for the over-21 crowd, the greater Reno area offers a wide range of attractions for every age group, interest and activity level, all within a scenic 1-hour drive.

The National Automobile Museum let's you travel through time like few other places. You can stroll down period street scenes, explore decades of intriguing automobiles, marvel at clothing from long ago, and discover the past. The museum is located just two blocks from downtown Reno at 10 Lake Street, and is open everyday expect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Museum hours are Monday - Saturday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Sundays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is located just 1.5 miles north of downtown Reno on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, offering planetarium star shows, SkyDome large-format films, an astronomical museum and exhibits, a free public observatory plus fun and educational programs for all ages.

The Nevada Museum of Art (NMA) is the oldest cultural institution in the state of Nevada and the only accredited art museum in the state of Nevada. The NMA provides a forum for the presentation of creative ideas through innovative programming for people of all ages to enjoy a diverse art experience. The museum is located at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, 160 West Liberty Street, on the southern side of downtown Reno. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, to 8:00 pm on Thursdays, and closed on Mondays and national holidays.

The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff is held every Labor Day weekend in the city of Sparks, Reno's smaller next-door neighbor. Record amounts of pork ribs, barbeque sauce, and libations are devoured by 400,000 very hungry visitors. During the event, six city blocks of downtown Sparks are closed off to traffic, turning Victorian Square into a must attend family affair of culinary delights, top-notched entertainment, unique craft booths and excellent children's activities.

The Great Reno Balloon Race, now in its 25th year, is always scheduled for the first Friday thru Sunday after Labor Day. The Dawn Patrol is a trademark of the Great Reno Balloon Race, which is worth the early rise. The show features a handful of balloonists who are qualified to fly in the dark. The Glow Show begins at 5:00 am on Saturday and Sunday with glowing balloons acting as beacons to sleepy spectators making their way to the launch field.

The Reno Air Races occur every September. The National Championship Air Races and Air Show will return to the Stead Airport with six classes of racing aircraft and a first-class airshow that includes world class aerobatic performers, military aircraft, plus static aircraft displays. It must be the world's fastest motor sport, with the motto of: “Fly low, go fast, turn left!”

Virginia City is a winding, but fascinating drive about 25 minutes from downtown Reno. The mining boom turned grubby prospectors into instant millionaires. Virginia City was one of the most important settlements between Denver and San Francisco. There was gold and silver in every hill, and millions of dollars were being made.  Men came from everywhere to try their hand at mining including Mark Twain, who began his writing career here as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise. Here you can see the preserved past come alive!

Washoe Lake and Little Washoe Lakes are located in the scenic Washoe Valley, between Carson City and Reno. Visitors will find spectacular views of the majestic Sierra Nevada and the Carson Range. Activities range from bird watching, horseback riding and picnicking to water and jet skiing, sailing and fishing. A campground, boat launches, equestrian trails, group and day-use picnic sites are available. A wetlands area with a viewing tower is a new addition to the park. The park is located 15 miles south of Reno on U.S. 395.

Lake Tahoe - Nevada State Park offers a number of different areas for visitors to enjoy. Sand Harbor, popular with residents and visitors alike, has sandy beaches, a boat launch, picnicking and group use facilities. During July and August, enjoy the shows put on by the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, a perfect way to enrich your summer vacation or escape from city life. Sand Harbor is approximately 40 miles southwest of Reno, located three miles south of Incline Village on State Route 28. Spooner Lake, at the intersection of State Route 28 and U.S. 50, is popular for picnicking, hiking and mountain biking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. Two popular trails in this area are the Flume Trail above Sand Harbor and the Tahoe Rim Trail along the crest of the Carson Range.

Mormon Station is the site of Nevada's first permanent nonnative settlement. A replica of the original trading post built in 1851 houses a small museum with relics of pioneer days. Picnic and group facilities are available. The museum is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Mormon Station is located in the historic town of Genoa, 42 miles south of Reno on U.S. 395 and State Route 206. The park is open May through October.

Dayton State Park is located in the town of Dayton. The Rock Point Mill, built in 1861, was once used to process rich silver ore from nearby Virginia City. Remnants of the mill are still visible within the park. Picnicking, camping, and group use facilities are available. Dayton State Park is located on U.S. 50, approximately 43 miles southeast of Reno.

Fort Churchill was once a U.S. Army fort built in 1861 to provide protection for early settlers. It was abandoned nine years later and today the ruins are preserved in a state of arrested decay. Twice a year the Nevada Civil War Volunteers put on a civil war encampment at Fort Churchill. The Pony Express and the Overland Telegraph once passed through this area. Nearby is Buckland Station, a Pony Express stop, supply center and former hotel built in 1870. Facilities at Fort Churchill State Historic Park include trails, a campground, picnic area, group-use area, and access to the Carson River. The park is located about 90 minutes outside of Reno on Alternate U.S. 95.

Lahontan State Recreation Area is located on the Carson River approximately one hour from Reno by car. The reservoir is almost 17 miles long with 69 miles of shoreline. When full, it contains 10,000 surface acres of water. The recreation area offers opportunities for hunting and fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, camping and picnicking.