Aptly named as the World’s Biggest Little City, Reno is a city with a robust, ambitious spirit and friendly small city feel. Nestled next to the Sierra Nevada to the west, Reno is an unexpected gem for families on summer vacation and has more to offer than its glittering casinos and its stones-throw distance to Lake Tahoe.
If you’re planning to travel to Reno, consider scheduling a visit during one of these regionally popular events.
Reno Rodeo—June
Reno kicks off the summer with the Reno Rodeo, where professional and amateur cowboys from all over the globe come to compete for money and fame. Put on your jeans and cowboy hat for this 10-day event, which features events including Women’s Professional Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, the Saddle Bronc, and Bull Riding by members from the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. Amateurs compete in the Invitational Amateur Team Roping, with the hopes of winning part of a $1 million purse. Every afternoon a carnival opens with a collection of country vendors. Visit www.renorodeo.com for more information and free events.
Artown—July
July in Reno is perfect for the more artsy types. For the entire month of July, Reno transforms into a citywide art exhibit with artwork displayed all over the city, from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport to many of the local casinos. Artown, a local not-for-profit organization, coordinates with the community to showcase over 350 events, most of which are free.
Take your pick of local and national talent of all forms of art. In the past, Artown has featured nationally renowned acts such as Stomp, a percussion and dance troupe, and Tony Award-winning singer Mandy Patinkin with Paul Ford on the piano. Bring the family to Wingfield Park for the family series in downtown to watch free theatrical and dance performances, watch movies in the park and lots of other hands-on art activities. Be sure to refer to Artown’s schedule www.renoisartown.com for more artistic fun for kids of all ages.
Great International Chicken Wing Society Cook-off—July
In downtown Reno on South Virginia Street, vendors will sell over 117,000 freshly cooked chicken wings in countless versions of specialty sauces. Local Willie Davison, aka The Chicken Wing King, has witnessed the growing popularity of this event with a growing attendance of 12,000 people to over 50,000. Visit www.tgicws.com for more information.
Hot August Nights—August
Reno’s multi-venue nostalgia event is a classic car show, sock hop, prom, and a flash of history rolled up in one. Families attending Hot August Nights can shake, rattle and roll to live rock and roll entertainers while enjoying the local culinary fare. Shoppers can poke through merchandise from the good old days at the Swap Market at the Reno Livestock Event Center. One of the most popular events is the Big Boy Toy Store, a 55,000 square foot marketplace for the latest parts and accessories for muscle cars, hot rods and street rods. Visit www.hotaugustnights.net for more information.
Year-round
Scheels is not simply a sporting goods store, but an experience. Besides selling virtually everything sports related, from archery equipment to camping supplies, Scheels features sports simulators for NASCAR driving, golf, hockey, football and baseball to name a few. Stroll down the Walk of Presidents with talking lifelike representations of former presidents Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower and other great leaders of this country. Read about their contributions to history and listen to them voice their opinions regarding events that occurred in their lifetime.
Tour the 800 square foot taxidermy mountain for impressive displays of moose, deer and other wildlife. Check out the two 16,000 gallon aquariums, one at each end of the store. The freshwater aquarium houses healthy specimens of trout and other fish found America’s lakes and streams. Check out the brilliantly colored tropical fish among the exotic coral in the saltwater tank. Before you leave, make sure you ride the Ferris wheel that dominates in the middle of the store.
Spend a day at the Truckee White Water Park in the heart of Reno. Families can rent rafts, kayaks, and inner tubes from rental places all over the city, some are located in select casinos, and float down the refreshing Truckee River. Designed to be an easy going white water course, kayaking is perfect for novices or even if you’re there to take a lesson. More experienced kayakers can perform a number of maneuvers including flat spinning, slalom racing and spoofing and splatting.
If you’re looking for more outdoor fun, Animal Ark may fit your bill. What started as a refuge for two gray wolves has grown to a full animal sanctuary and educational attraction 25 miles northwest of Reno. Animal Ark is home to non-releasable animals and gives visitors to learn about these majestic creatures normally elusive in the wild. Watch Yogi the bear forage for food planted in his environments or come on the weekends for special animal demonstrations.
Where to Stay
Families can stay in downtown Reno, close to many of the attractions and events. Circus Circus Hotel and Casino is located in the heart of Reno close to dozens of restaurants and home to a sprawling midway, popular among local children of all ages. Besides all of the carnival-style games and arcade, free acrobatic shows run through the night.
For downtown accommodations that are more peaceful, check out Plaza on the River Resort Club overlooking the Truckee River. The Plaza is walking distance to Wingfield Park, the newly-built West Street Market and the Riverwalk, home to unique local boutiques. Unlike most hotels, the Plaza does not have any slot machines or gaming on its property, a selling point for some families.
Wildflower Village is like a home away from home, but with an art gallery and art classes. Tucked away in the west part of Reno, guests can bunk in motel rooms for $50 to $75 per night and for $100 per night, guests sleep in a bed and breakfast suite complete with champagne breakfasts. Explore the galleries featuring Reno artists or learn how to watercolor with the kids. No matter how families decide to experience Reno, visitors will discover the true treasures of Northern Nevada: the sunny faces of its residents and the limitless Nevadan landscape.
Article written by Lori Ann Kruse
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
www.circuscircusreno.com
1-800-648-5010
Plaza on the River Resort Club
www.plazaresortclub.com
1-800-628-5974
Wildflower Village
www.wildflowervillage.com
(775) 827-5250
