Reno

Reno sits in the Truckee Meadows at the base of the Sierra Nevada. High-rise casino towers anchor downtown, while independent galleries and craft breweries fill MidTown. You can paddle the downtown whitewater park in the afternoon and drive to Lake Tahoe in 45 minutes. Expect dry high-desert air, wide temperature swings, and an unpretentious city re-engineering its identity.

Reno's culinary history stems directly from 19th-century Basque sheepherders who settled in Northern Nevada. Traditional Basque boarding houses established family-style dining as a regional staple, though the Santa Fe Hotel permanently closed in 2020, leaving Louis' Basque Corner as the primary remaining classic Basque dining house in Reno. You sit at long shared tables while course after course arrives automatically: soup, salad, beans, French fries, and meat entrees.The signature drink is the Picon Punch. It blends Amer Picon substitute, soda water, grenadine, brandy, and a lemon peel. It is strong, bitter, and served across every classic Nevada bar.Beyond Basque heritage, MidTown has emerged as the city's independent dining core. Expect wood-fired pizzas, ramen bars, and third-wave coffee shops replacing older auto repair garages along South Virginia Street.

• Order a Picon Punch

  Drink it at Louis' Basque Corner on East 4th Street. Limit yourself to two; the brandy float is potent.

• Basque dinner hours

  Family-style dinners usually begin around 5:00 PM. Seating is communal, so expect to sit next to locals.

• Casino buffets have shrunk

  Many classic casino buffets closed after 2020. Check individual hotel restaurant rosters rather than assuming a buffet exists.

Reno began as Lake's Crossing in 1859, a toll bridge over the Truckee River built to serve silver miners heading to the Comstock Lode in Virginia City. The transcontinental railroad arrived in 1868, establishing the townsite named after Union General Jesse L. Reno.In 1931, Nevada legalized commercial gambling and lowered residency requirements for divorce to six weeks. Reno became the quick-divorce capital of the nation and Nevada's primary gaming hub until Las Vegas expanded rapidly in the 1950s.

1. 1868

   Railroad Town Established

   The Central Pacific Railroad auctions land lots, officially creating the city of Reno.

2. 1931

   Gambling and Divorce Laws

   Nevada legalizes wide-open casino gambling and cuts divorce residency rules to six weeks.

3. 1978

   MGM Grand Reno Opens

   The opening of massive resort-casinos marks the peak of Reno's mega-property era.

4. 2010s

   Tech and MidTown Shift

   Industrial diversification and the MidTown revitalization shift local economy away from pure gaming.

Choose your base by how much neon and noise you want outside your window. Major casino resorts line Downtown and East 2nd Street, offering self-contained amenities, pools, and floor-to-ceiling city views. If you prefer boutique hotels without slot machines on the ground floor, select non-gaming properties along the Truckee River or in MidTown.

• Resort loyalistsDowntown Reno — Massive gaming floors, multiple in-house restaurants, and direct highway access.
• Non-gamers & walkersRiverwalk District — Boutique riverfront hotels steps from restaurants, galleries, and urban parks.
• Design & dining fansMidTown — Independent shops, cocktail bars, and proximity to the Nevada Museum of Art.

Reno's city center is compact and walkable between Downtown, Riverwalk, and MidTown. However, you need a vehicle or rideshare service to reach outer casino resorts, trailheads, or mountain passes. Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) operates local buses, including the rapid transit RAPID Virginia Line connecting downtown to MidTown.

• This bus line runs every 15 minutes along Virginia Street, connecting Downtown, MidTown, and Meadowood Mall.

• Walking from the Reno Arch to MidTown takes about 20 minutes along a continuous sidewalk.

• If driving to Lake Tahoe or Mount Rose in winter, Nevada law requires snow tires or tire chains during winter storms.

Reno remains more affordable than neighboring California, but lodging prices surge during major events like Hot August Nights or peak winter ski weekends. Sales tax in Washoe County is 8.265%. Hotel resort fees at casino properties add $25 to $45 per room night.

• Picon Punch cocktail: $7–10

  Standard price at classic Basque bars like Louis' Basque Corner.

• Nevada Museum of Art admission: $15

  Standard adult entry fee; free for children under six.

• RTC Bus Day Pass: $3.75

  Unlimited rides on local bus routes for 24 hours.

• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Lift Ticket: $125–165

  Daily adult pass depending on weekday vs peak weekend purchasing.

• High altitude climate

  Reno sits at 4,500 feet (1,370 m) above sea level. Drink extra water and apply sunscreen year-round.

• 24-hour operations

  Casino floors, select late-night diners, and gaming bars operate continuously 24/7.

• Resort fee charges

  Most casino hotels add a mandatory daily resort fee covering Wi-Fi and airport shuttles upon checkout.

• Age restrictions

  You must be 21 or older to enter casino gaming areas or consume alcohol in Nevada.

• Sierra weather changes

  Mountain weather shifts rapidly. Always check Nevada DOT road conditions (NVroads.com) before mountain drives.