18 Can’t Miss Things to Do in Reno, NV

With millions of visitors to Reno every year, America’s ‘Biggest Little City’ is starting to outgrow its small town feel—it’s ironically the largest city in Washoe County and top five in the state. Discover why so many people choose this as a preferred travel destination with exciting things to do in Reno all year round.

You hit the jackpot the moment you choose to visit Reno—and casinos are just the beginning. Step away from the slots for a bit to enjoy other local activities like discovering the RiverWalk District, uncovering forgotten ghost towns, water recreation at Lake Tahoe, alpine skiing, and more.

Here are our picks for things you should do during your stay in Reno.

Urban Thrills

1. Take Photos at the Reno Arch

Consider the Reno Arch your rite of passage to truly claim you visited ‘The Biggest Little City In the World.’ This historical landmark straddles the intersection of Virginia Street and Commercial Row.

If you’re looking for the perfect Instagram cover shot for your Reno photo dump, this is it. Stop by while sightseeing during the daytime and include a nighttime visit to get pics of it with lights.

2. Hit the Jackpot at the Casino

One word comes to mind when most people think of Reno: casinos! While some consider it a backup city in case the slot machines aren’t hitting in Las Vegas, others prefer the smaller crowds to focus on their hand during table games.

Reno has more than 20 casinos to try your luck. Casino hop between three iconic casinos in the downtown area: Circus Circus, Eldorado Resort Casino, and Silver Legacy Resort Casino.

3. Stroll The Riverwalk District

Reno’s Riverwalk District is one of the most charming parts of the city. The banks of the Truckee River are developed with paved walkways for recreation and tons of venues to shop, dine, art galleries, and entertainment.

The River Walk starts at Idlewild Park and extends to Wingfield Park. Some of the best restaurants and cafes in Reno are located nearby. You can catch theater plays at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, attend summer concerts, or stop by Whitewater Park for river rafting.

4. Uncover a Hidden Gem at Virginia City

Virginia City is a hidden gem located just outside of Reno. In fact, this historic mining town produced so much iron ore that it was once called the “richest city in the world.” While its physical wealth has long diminished this site into a ghost town, it’s still filled with tons of cultural treasures that transport you back in time the moment you arrive.

The well-preserved mid-19th-century buildings give you a great idea of how the Old West used to look. Take one of the ghost tours to see if it’s truly one of America’s most haunted towns, or attend live events to see what life was like during the town’s prosperous era.

Art & Culture

5. Take a Pedicab Tour to See the Reno Art Murals

Hop in the back of a pedicab and discover some of the best art murals in Reno. More than 100 artistic creations decorate the walls of Downtown and the Midtown District.

A tour guide taxis you in an open-air cart for drive-by pictures of our signature murals. Ride past the Whitney Peak Hotel Garage for the iconic Face of Reno mural and even see a wall-sized recreation of the famous Reno Arch.

6. Experience the Burning Man Festival

The extravagance—and often peculiar—happenings at the Burning Man Festival always make headlines. If you think Reno is in the middle of the desert, consider it’s the biggest major city to the festival location, more than 100 miles away.

Renos is a popular hub for Burners attending the annual festival. But you don’t have to wait until Summer to experience its eccentricities. Stop By City Plaza to see the massive 40-ft tall Space Whale and 12-ft tall BELIEVE sculptures, both relocated from the festival.

7. Admire masterpieces in the Nevada Museum of Art

The architectural beauty of the Nevada Museum of Art is a masterpiece on its own—but wait till you see the artwork inside! Plan for a couple of hours because there are more than 1900 works of art across the four-story building.

This art museum holds a mix of modern works, landscapes reflecting the Western landscape, and more. See works by Georgia O’Keefe, one of the most iconic modernist paintings in American history; stunning landscape depictions like “Lake Tahoe” by Albert Bierstadt; and a showcase of Native American culture with works by Martin Grelle.

FREE guided tours are available with admission.

8. Visit the National Automobile Museum

Are you a car lover? Wait till you see how a car-collecting passion led to the National Automobile Museum. Bill Harrah, founder of the Harrah’s casino empire, left behind an extensive car collection to start the museum, which has become one of the top things to do in Reno.

The museum gallery holds more than 240 vehicles of all types. Get nostalgia from shiny vintage autos, imagine yourself in the seat of retro racers, and even see exotics like a Bugatti from 1939!

Science and Educational Fun

9. Test Your Wits at the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum

Want some educational fun that even the kids will enjoy? Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum brings interactive fun to Reno with the largest hands-on science museum in the state—it’s larger than a football field!

Get hands-on in the Discovery with family-friendly exhibitions about science, engineering, technology, history, art, and more. There are always new exhibits popping up and a dozen permanent galleries you can always check out. See dinosaur fossil recreations in the Allosaurus exhibit. Tease your brain with puzzles in the Mindbender Mansion. Awake your inner genius in Da Vinci’s Corner. And get creative in the Art Alcove.

10. Explore the Wildlife in Nevada’s Great Basin Region

Nevada is teeming with wildlife, although not all animals can fend for themselves in harsh desert conditions. In 1981, the Hiibel couple opened the doors to the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary to rescue and rehabilitate animals.

This animal rehab center is open seasonally as a wildlife park for visitors to see the predators, reptiles, birds, and other wildlife. The 38-acre park in Northern Nevada hosts tigers, bears, birds, mountain lions, wolves, iguanas, tortoises, etc.

Get there early to see the animals most active. Otherwise, you’ll have to search for them, and they might be asleep.

11. Tour the Universe in the Fleischmann Planetarium

There are tons of casino lights around Downtown Reno at night, but not too far away, you’ll have ideal dark skies to gazing out into the universe. Located on the University of Nevada Reno campus, you can hop on the Sierra Spirit Bus for a free ride to the Fleischmann Planetarium.

The exhibitions at this planetarium are out of this world! Check out models and displays about the planets in our solar system. Take pictures of the 1-ton meteorite. And watch larger-than-life digital planetarium shows in the SkyDome.

Get out in nature

12. Year-round Outdoor Fun at Lake Tahoe

Traffic permitting, you can get to Lake Tahoe in about an hour from Reno. Leave your vacation rental in the morning, and you can count on an entire day of outdoor activities in any season.

Cool off in the chilly waters on hot days with swimming and kayaking. Go biking and hiking on trails through state parks like D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay. Or take a cruise or helicopter tour to see the true scale of North America’s largest alpine lake. You can even go skiing in winter at one of many ski resorts (more on skiing below!).

13. Go Fishing at Pyramid Lake

See if you have what it takes to catch the world’s largest Lahontan Cutthroat Trout! Pyramid Lake is an excellent alternative to visiting Lake Tahoe and one of the best places to fish in Nevada.

Pyramid Lake is one of the state’s largest natural lakes, formed by the Truckee River. You can catch trout between October and June, and there are tons of Sacramento Perch any time of year.

Chat with our team via our in-app messenger to see how you can get a fishing permit for your trip.

14. Stop and Smell the Roses at Idlewild Park

Inhale. Exhale. The aromatic paths through the Idlewild Park rose garden are the perfect place to bring the whole family for relaxation and recreation—including four-legged family members.

Stay with your pet in our pet-friendly vacation rentals and take them out for some fresh air in this urban park set along the Truckee River. In addition to the rose garden, there are two children’s playgrounds, paved shaded walkways, and even Native American-themed art.

15. Nature Walks Through the Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden

You don’t have to venture far to find a green oasis in the middle of the Black Rock Desert. The Rancho San Rafael Regional Park sits right in Midtown and is home to the Wilbur D. May Center. This living museum is another one of the pet-friendly things to do in Reno.

The arboretum features more than 4,000 plants representing 185 species. And each of these plants were intentionally planted to create lush gardens and paved paths to see how many different trees and plants you can identify.

During the fall, the park also hosts the Great Reno Balloon Race, the largest free hot-air balloon event in the world.

16. Hit the Slopes at Local Ski Resorts

Snow in the desert? Due to the high elevation of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, you can bet your bottom dollar that you can come across some flurries when visiting Reno during the winter.

Lake Tahoe isn’t the only place to find great skiing spots. Ascend to the mountain summits of some of the top ski resorts nearby. Mt. Rose Ski Resort is the closest, just a half hour from Reno.

There’s nothing like warming up after a day on the slopes. Aren’t you glad you booked one of our vacation rentals with an indoor fireplace?!

Nightlife and Entertainment

17. Stay Up For The Energetic Nightlife

Sin City isn’t the only place in Nevada to have some wild nights. Reno is a “24-Hour town” with an exciting nightlife that goes up in the morning hours.

Start your night at the 19th-century-themed 1864 Tavern for craft cocktails. Take the party to LEX Nightclub to dance till two in the morning. Several casinos stay open 24 hours—in case you weren’t lucky in the clubs.

18. Catch a Game to See the Reno Aces

Pack your peanuts and crackerjacks because it’s always a great day to catch a baseball game at Greater Nevada Field. Reno lacks a major sports team, but the local fandom for the Reno Aces shows that we’re just as proud to have a minor league team.

The Aces are affiliated with the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, so you’re sure to see pro-level talent. Join Archie, the Sasquatch of the Sierra Mountains, at the 9,500+ capacity ballpark to cheer on the home team while enjoying a Reno skyline view from the stadium.

Plan Your Stay in Reno, NV

Now that you know some of the best things to do in Reno, it’s time to start planning your visit. Our Lusso Stay guests can access local activities and dining recommendations in Reno via our app. Book your vacation home and let us enhance your Reno experience.