Reno - or 'the biggest little city in the world', as it's affectionately known - is located in the north-west of Nevada, near the California state line. Like Las Vegas, some 340 miles to the south-east, Reno is known for its gambling industry, but the city has a lot more to offer than casinos and evening entertainment. Pick up a car rental at Reno-Tahoe International Airport and in no time you could be taking in the sights of Tahoe National Forest and northern California.
If you fancy trying your luck at some of the legal gambling establishments that attract so many visitors to Reno, there are several to choose from. On East Second Street you'll find the Grand Sierra Resort, which features a large casino floor and additional features including a cinema, a family entertainment center and the Grand Adventure Land amusement park. Other popular casino resorts include the Silver Legacy and the Eldorado.
Car lovers shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the National Automobile Museum, which is located just south of the Truckee River. Most of the historic vehicles on display are from the collection of the late casino owner William F Harrah. Particular highlights include a 1973 Cadillac Eldorado owned by Elvis Presley and a 1962 Lincoln Continental once used by John F Kennedy.
If culture captures your interest more than cars and casinos, head to 160 West Liberty Street in Reno to visit the Nevada Museum of Art, which houses a permanent collection featuring more than 2,000 works. The museum's expanding archive of contemporary pieces includes paintings, photography, sculpture, digital media and mixed media installations offering insights into modern life and society.
If you're interested in heading over Nevada's state line into California, rent a car in Reno and head west on I-80. A drive of just over two hours through Tahoe National Forest will take you to Sacramento, California's state capital. There is much to see and do in the city, like exploring Old Sacramento, where you'll find cobbled streets and historic buildings dating back to the mid-19th century. There is also an extensive park system covering more than 5,000 acres of land.
Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the United States, is known as the 'jewel of Nevada'. You can drive from Reno to this scenic spot, which straddles the border between Nevada and California, in about 45 minutes. Once you're there, you can explore some of the 72 miles of scenic shoreline that surround the lake and treat yourself to a trip on one of the famous paddle-wheel cruise vessels, MS Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen.
Dubbed 'cowboy country' by the local tourist board, the northern portion of Nevada is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the south-western United States. Destinations worth visiting in this region include Elko, where you can stop off at the Western Folklife Center, and the beautiful Ruby Mountains. At the Northeastern Nevada Museum and California Trail Center, you can learn all about local natural history and the pioneers who settled in this part of the country.
Picking up a comfortable car rental in Reno, like a sedan, will boost your enjoyment of scenic drives around Nevada.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
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July, with 424 hours of sun on average.
December and January both see 26 mm of rain on average.
Hot August Nights, Great Reno Balloon Race, Cinco de Mayo