When you think of outdoor activities in the mountains you think of Tahoe. When you think of gambling you instantly think Las Vegas. If you want the best of both worlds, look no further than Reno. Reno is known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” and lives up to its name! The town boasts, casinos, good restaurants, concerts, shows, family friendly entertainment, and is in close proximity to many outdoor activities. Here is a list of our favorites from our last trip to this big little city.

Stay

Whitney Peak Hotel is a sleek and modern hotel located in the heart of downtown Reno. The rooms are beautifully decorated and inspired by the natural beauty of mountains and the sky. The hotel is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and amenities include a climbing wall facility, fresh water dispensers in every hallway, and reusable water bottles for sale in every room. Once you park your car, you won’t have to use it again since everything is pretty much walkable from this hotel. This hotel is also pet friendly.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino is part of the Eldorado Resorts group and is currently in the midst of a total remodel. Many of the rooms have already been updated and they are scheduled to complete renovations next year. You could technically spend your whole weekend at the Silver Legacy given it has so many entertainment and dining options. The casino has a pool, restaurants, spas, night clubs, and is also connected to Circus Circus which is always great for the kids(big and little). Many big name artists also perform here so be sure to check out who’s in town during your visit!

Eat

Wet Hen Cafe is a delicious locals joint just outside of downtown Reno. They are known for their homestyle breakfasts as well as their fresh sandwiches. The cafe is named after the chickens that the owners raise at their home and gather fresh eggs from. All of their food is made with a French twist originated from the owner’s grandfather who went to culinary school in France and later moved to California, eventually settling in Reno. This family owned cafe is full of chicken memorabilia and has a wall dedicated to their family history.

The Pearl Oyster Bar and Grill is definitely a hidden gem in the middle of a Silver Legacy casino. Most people don’t think much of casino restaurants but The Pearl was a delightful surprise. We loved the vast selection of seafood dishes they had. All dishes tasted fresh with their own unique flavors. We were told by the chef that he was able to produce such high quality dishes because unlike many other casino restaurants, he is able to change the menu easily and quickly. This helps keep the menu up to date with the season’s best offerings. Our favorite dish here was this Dungeness Crab Tower Salad- who would have guessed fresh seafood in Nevada?

The Buffet at Eldorado is one of the best buffets in Reno. There are many choices to choose from like prime rib, dim sum, pasta, shrimp cocktail, a full dessert counter, and tons more! On Saturdays and Sundays they also have a champagne brunch with bottomless mimosas or champagne.  All other days they are opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to fill your empty stomach up to the brim. Be sure to check out their big, juicy shrimp cocktails- we had an eating competition to see who eat the most!

Do

BaseCamp has the world’s Tallest Climbing Wall and is located in the Whitney Peak Hotel right in the heart of Reno. The 164 ft wall is located inside a 7,000 sq ft indoor bouldering park that was built to accommodate climbers of all levels, from first-timers to the most experienced climbers. BaseCamp also has a kid friendly area for the little ones, a gym, and other fitness classes including yoga!

Circus Circus Midway is the perfect place for children of all ages. The Midway is currently undergoing a remodel and will be fully completed by mid-November 2016. The completed Midway will have new carnival games and shows performed throughout the day. Take the whole family for a few hours of fun that everyone will enjoy!

National Bowling Stadium at Reno is the only one of its kind in the world. The “Taj Mahal of Tenpins” has a 4 floor lobby and 78 championship lanes. The stadium is home to the longest video screen in the world which is capable of projecting video images as well as state-of-the-art scoring graphics across its 440 foot length. Check out their 81 Pro Shop for the latest and greatest equipment in the bowling world or head upstairs to the 5th floor where there’s a 172 seat theater!

Galena Creek Park is located 15 minutes drive out from central Reno. The Park heads into the nearby mountains where miles of trails are available. The park has many trails with some being hiker friendly, biker friendly, horse friendly, and dog friendly. There are also picnic table areas and fishing ponds available for use so you can spend all day in the beautiful outdoors. In the fall there is a beautiful display of fall color scattered all along the trails!

Pyramid Lake is a little under an hour drive from Reno, but is certainly worth it! The lake is one of the biggest natural lakes in all of Nevada and is also the biggest remnant of ancient Lake Lahontan: the colossal inland sea that once covered most of Nevada. Pyramid lake is known as North America’s most beautiful dessert lake which is surrounded by interesting rock formations and also holds a deep history for American Indians. If you love to fish, grab your pole because fishing is allowed at the lake. The use of fireworks is also permitted in certain designated areas around the lake.

We know there are still tons of places we have yet to check out in this wonderful town.  Next time you want to gamble or spend some time outdoors, think about heading to Reno!