Combining urban living with Old West charm, Reno offers a variety of activities. Foremost among them is casino gambling and the big-name entertainment shows that go along with it (though both are far less extensive than in Las Vegas). Among the casinos is the Silver Legacy, a Victorian gem that contains a larger-than-life mining rig on the casino floor and an interior crafted from mahogany, marble and etched glass. The best view of Reno, in our opinion, is found while driving the strip (Virginia Street) at night. The casino lights create synchronized fire while the sound of dropping coins and ringing bells is amplified up and down the street. There is more to the town than gambling, however. Take time to stroll along the Riverwalk, a three-block plaza with fountains, galleries, shops and native plants overlooking the Truckee River. The third Saturday of the month features the "Wine Walk on the Riverwalk," when each shop offers a different wine to taste.

Reno Travels & Tours

Pyramid Lake Desolation can be beautiful. This body of water is one of the largest freshwater lakes in North America, covering 170-square-miles. It is one of the remains of a huge inland sea that covered 8,600 square miles of land more than 50,000 years ago. The barren shoreline offers no respite from the blazing Nevada sun. It remains much the same as when John C. Fremont first viewed its shining oasis in 1844. He named the lake after the Pyramid of Cheops when he saw a large stone formation in the shape of a pyramid. Paiute tribal members are the caretakers of the lake; their reservation encompasses more than a half-million acres surrounding the water. They operate the Numana Fish Hatchery and Visitor's Center open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Pyramid Lake Marina offers boat rentals, launches and slips; you can purchase a tribal permit for fishing, camping and boating at the Pyramid Lake Ranger Station. Virginia City The history of the wild, wild West permeates this wonderful little town hidden in the foothills between Reno and Carson City. As you stroll the wooden sidewalks, you are transported back to the 1860s when the Comstock Lode of gold and silver was discovered. Instant millionaires were made here and some of their mansions have been preserved throughout the years. One of the finest examples is The Castle on Millionaire's Row. Visitors can also tour some of the original gold and silver digs such as the Chollar Mine, the Silver Terrace Cemetery, the Fourth Ward School, The Way It Was Museum and St. Mary's Catholic Church. Many special events take place in the little town during the year including the Camel Races and Christmas on the Comstock Parade. The town has some quaint hotels or bed and breakfasts to accommodate visitors such as the Gold Hill Hotel and Sugarloaf. Hot August Nights Dust off your saddle shoes and get out your poodle skirts and join the fun at one of the best classic car meets in the United States. Held annually in August, this event showcases 3,000-4,000 classic cars from all over the country. The activities include parades through town and a classic car auction. Prom Night tops off the week of fun that you wish would never end. Admission to outdoor activities is free for spectators. Some vendors may accept credit cards. Indoor dances and other indoor events may require an admission fee. Atlantis Casino Resort Step into this luxurious place and enjoy yourself in style. The tropical casino has an enchanting atmosphere with lots of water and foliage. The gaming area is filled with beckoning slot machines and action-packed table games. The hot Atlantis Nightclub is open nightly from 10pm till dawn, and free cabaret entertainment is featured Tuesday-Sunday. Several great restaurants include Cafe Alfresco and the Oyster Bar in the Skyway. The deluxe rooms and luxury suites offer a quiet refuge from the casino floor. Impeccable service is also a standard feature of this quality hotel. Truckee River Walk This river flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake nourishing farmland along its journey. Starting at Wingfield Park, you can walk for miles in either direction. Going east toward downtown Reno, you will pass the place where thousands of divorcees have thrown their wedding rings into the flowing waters. Birds of all kinds including Canadian geese, hawks and kingfishers can be seen foraging for food. Anglers can also enjoy the superb fishing the river offers. Sierra Safari Zoo This facility is home to more than 40 species of animals and is now officially the largest zoo in Nevada. Staffed by volunteers and supported by donations, this organization does a marvelous job displaying the animals in their natural habitat. Special tours and field trips are available to provide educational fun for young and old alike. See lions and Siberian tigers roaming, reptiles slithering, baboons swinging, and parrots and other birds putting on their high-flying antics. Artown The whole city gets into the act during the entire month of July every year for this outstanding festival. More than 200 events take place at various locations citywide, including films, ballet, art workshops, poetry readings, and music. This event has been nationally acclaimed as one of the best summer arts festivals in the country. Most events are free. Bring money for food and drink. Some vendors may take credit cards. Fleischmann Planetarium This facility is totally far out! Learn how much you would weigh on Venus and about black holes in the universe. In the Star Theater, visitors recline in comfortable seats while the heavens open above them on the Skydome screen. Among the many exhibits, you can see a meteorite weighing more than one ton that actually fell in Nevada. The public observatory contains a 12-inch reflecting telescope so you can see the stars up close and personal. Reno-Tahoe Open This tournament attracts some of the best golfers in the world and thousands of spectators. The course is situated at the base of Mount Rose in the Galena Forest. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is not only beautiful, it is also considered one of his best creations. More than 140 participants will vie for a total purse of USD3 million with the winner's share being USD540,000 Silver Legacy Resort Casino This resort is one of the newer additions to downtown, and one of the finest. Victorian elegance is displayed throughout the hotel and gaming areas. The 85,000-square-foot casino offers players 80 table games and 2,500 slots. A mining rig rises 120-feet above the casino floor and generates its own excitement from dusk to dawn. Visitors may dine in any of the six theme restaurants or shop at the fine stores located in the hotel. The guest rooms and spa suites are beautifully appointed and spacious. Pamper yourself in the luxurious health spa at the pool area.

Nature and Adventure

Reno's National Bowling Stadium is one of the country's premier bowling venues -- more than 75 championship Brunswick lanes, all covered by a geodesic dome shaped like a stylized bowling ball. The stadium hosts national and international bowling tournaments. Adjoining Reno to the east is Sparks, which was originally the home of the Southern Pacific Railroad. It now has a lively downtown district that includes Victorian Square, a four-block area of shops, restaurants, casinos and an amphitheater. Overlooking the square are the 16-story twin towers of John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino. Even if you don't want to drop any coins (or dollars) in the casino, ascend to the top of the hotel to get a nice view of the distant mountains beyond the city . If you have time for a day trip, visit Pyramid Lake, 35 mi/55 km northeast of Reno, a beautiful high-desert lake surrounded by rolling mountains and rangeland on the Paiute Indian Reservation. It's so hot and dry that these vast blue waters seem like a mirage. The largest lake completely in Nevada (Lake Tahoe is larger but is shared with California), Pyramid is one of the last remnants of the waters that once covered nearly all of prehistoric Nevada (the mark of the ancient shoreline is visible along the slopes of the surrounding mountains).

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