Reno area
Around Reno area
Photo: Trevor Bexon · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Nevada · 709k people
Reno area
Locals say Truckee Meadows · “The Biggest Little City in the World”
Neon meets the Sierra
Navy blueSilver
Welcome to the Truckee Meadows! Whether you're here for the outdoor adventures or the quirky downtown vibe, you'll find a friendly community that loves its river, its mountains, and its own unique rhythm. Take a walk along the Truckee, grab a craft beer, and you'll quickly feel at home.
Clubs for Reno area
No clubs for Reno area yet.
The room
Reno area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Reno's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Reno. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Reno area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Reno Arch Iconic illuminated arch over Virginia Street, symbol of the city.
- Truckee River Whitewater Park Urban river park with rapids for kayaking and a popular float route.
- Nevada Museum of Art Modern art museum with rotating exhibits and a rooftop sculpture garden.
- University of Nevada, Reno Historic campus with the iconic Mackay Stadium and the Quad.
- Idlewild Park Riverside park with a rose garden, playgrounds, and a small train.
- Rancho San Rafael Regional Park Large park with hiking trails and the Wilbur D. May Museum.
- Outdoors Float the Truckee River
- Outdoors Hike the Hunter Creek Trail
- With kids Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
- With kids Idlewild Park
- Evenings Catch a show at the Pioneer Center
- Evenings Bar hop in Midtown
- Locals love Brewery taprooms
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Artown July Month-long summer arts festival with music, dance, and visual arts across the city.
- Reno Rodeo June One of the top professional rodeos in the country, held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.
- Great Reno Balloon Race September Mass hot air balloon launch at dawn, with colorful balloons filling the sky.
- Hot August Nights August Week-long classic car celebration with cruises, shows, and concerts.
- Street Vibrations September Motorcycle rally with live music, bike shows, and a downtown parade.
Reno has a high desert climate with four distinct seasons, low humidity, and over 300 sunny days a year. The best time to be out is spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and the skies are clear. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temperatures and sunny skies.
Talk like a local
- “The Biggest Little City”
- Reno's nickname, referencing its size and ambition.
- “the Arch”
- The Reno Arch, a local landmark.
- “the Truckee”
- The Truckee River, often just called 'the Truckee'.
- “Midtown”
- The Midtown district, known for arts and dining.
Getaways
- Truckee Mountain town with skiing, hiking, and a historic downtown.
- Carson City State capital with museums, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, and access to the Sierra.
- Gardnerville Ranchos Rural valley with hot springs and farm stands.
- Fallon Known for birdwatching at wetlands and the annual cantaloupe festival.
Local flavour
Teams
- Reno Aces Triple-A (MiLB)
- Nevada Wolf Pack NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Basque cuisine Lamb, chorizo, paella – a legacy of Reno's Basque boarding houses
- Awful Awful burger Iconic burger from the Nugget Casino in Sparks
- Casino buffets Grand all-you-can-eat spreads, a Reno staple
- Craft beer Local breweries like Great Basin and Revision
Where people go
- Casinos Silver Legacy, Peppermill, Eldorado – the classic Reno experience
- Truckee River Rafting, kayaking, and riverside paths through downtown
- Sierra Nevada trails Hiking and mountain biking just minutes from town
- Reno Arch The iconic downtown landmark
- Midtown district Bars, restaurants, and a lively arts scene
Heritage and traditions
Reno is proud of its 'Biggest Little City' spirit, blending a Wild West past with a modern outdoor and arts scene, all set against the stunning Sierra Nevada.
This time of year in Reno area
- Leaf peeping in the Sierra Fall Fall colors in the mountains, especially around Lake Tahoe.
- Reno Tahoe International Film Festival October Screens independent and international films in October.
- Reno Chili Cook-off Fall Annual chili competition and tasting.
Say it like a local: “Picon” — A Basque aperitif, often ordered in local Basque bars.
Festivals
- Reno Jazz Festival April Held at UNR in April, featuring school and professional jazz bands.
- Reno Celtic Festival June Celebrates Celtic music, dance, and culture in June.
- Reno Basque Festival July Showcases Basque food, dance, and sports in July.
- Reno Greek Festival September Greek Orthodox church hosts food, music, and dancing in September.
- Reno Tahoe International Film Festival October Screens independent and international films in October.
- Reno Pride June LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade and festival in June.
Landmarks with a story
- Nevada State Capitol Historic government building in Carson City, built in 1870.
- Nevada State Museum Located in the former Carson City Mint, with exhibits on state history.
- St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral Catholic cathedral in Reno, a spiritual landmark since 1910.
- Temple Emanu-El Reform synagogue in Reno, serving the Jewish community since 1921.
- Bowers Mansion Historic mansion in Washoe Valley, built by a Comstock silver baron.
- Sparks Heritage Museum Tells the story of Sparks' railroad and Basque heritage.
Food traditions
- Picon punch A Basque cocktail made with Amer Picon, soda, and lemon, served in local Basque bars.
- Basque family-style dining Communal tables with lamb, beans, and wine, a tradition from the Basque boarding houses.
- Reno Chili Cook-off A competitive chili tasting that draws local cooks.
- Food truck Friday Weekly gathering of food trucks along the Riverwalk in summer.
Music and arts
- Reno Philharmonic Professional symphony orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Reno Jazz Orchestra Local jazz ensemble with regular performances.
- Burning Man art culture Art cars, installations, and a DIY ethos that spills into the city.
- Midtown arts district Galleries, murals, and creative businesses in the Midtown neighborhood.
A little history
- 1868 Reno founded as a railroad town.
- 1926 Reno Arch erected, becoming the city's symbol.
- 1931 Gambling legalized in Nevada, sparking Reno's casino industry.
- 1930s–1960s Reno becomes known as the 'Divorce Capital' due to quick divorce laws.
- 1990 Burning Man moves to the Black Rock Desert, bringing art and counterculture.
Rivalries
- Nevada Wolf Pack vs UNLV Rebels In-state college football and basketball rivalry.
- Game day Tailgating at Mackay Stadium
- Game day Wolf Pack Howl
- Outdoors Snowshoeing at Chickadee Ridge
- Outdoors Mountain biking at Peavine Peak
- With kids Wild Island Family Adventure Park
- With kids Fleischmann Planetarium
Locals speak with a neutral Western accent, but you'll hear 'Sierra' for the mountains and 'the Truckee' for the river. Basque terms like 'picon' pop up in bars, and the state name is firmly 'Ne-VAD-uh'.
Only here
- The 'Biggest Little City in the World' slogan is everywhere, from the arch to bumper stickers.
- The Reno Arch is a neon icon that's been lit since 1926.
- The 'Awful Awful' burger is a local legend, though it's been served for decades.
- The Reno Rodeo is one of the largest in the country.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the 'Biggest Little City' vibe—it's a small town with big city amenities.
- Get outdoors: the Sierra Nevada is your backyard, so learn to ski, hike, or paddle.
- Be ready for weather extremes: hot summers, cold winters, and occasional valley snow.
- Try Basque food, especially the family-style dinners.
- Pronounce 'Nevada' as 'Ne-VAD-uh' (rhymes with 'had').
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Areas in Reno area
Nearby
Every areaTruckeeCaliforniaHigh country, deep roots.Lost SierraCaliforniaWhere the pines meet the river and the sky goes on forever.HawthorneNevadaSmall towns, wide open skies.SonoraCaliforniaGold Country calm, where the Sierra meets the past.SusanvilleCaliforniaWhere the high desert meets the pinesSacramentoCaliforniaWhere rivers meet and every meal is from the farm.Yuba CityCaliforniaOrchards, river, and a world of flavor.StocktonCaliforniaWhere the Delta meets the valley's bounty.
Reno-Carson City-Gardnerville Ranchos, NV-CA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.