Holidays to Reno
Dubbed the ‘Biggest Little City in the World’, Reno proves that size doesn’t matter. With the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe on its doorstep, holidays to Reno combine buzzing nightlife with outdoor adventures and the jaw-dropping scenery of Nevada’s high desert. A day in Reno could take you from marvelling at street art to skiing in Tahoe to catching a gig at a brewery.
Reno holiday highlights
Reno
Visit Reno
Outdoor adventures
The outdoors can’t be ignored on your holiday to Reno. Hikers can start with the Tom Cooke Trail along the Truckee River before levelling up to waterfall views on the Hunter Creek Trail or even backpacking through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Just an hour away, Lake Tahoe offers everything from winter skiing to summer water sports and biking trails.
Events galore
While casinos are big here, there are better bets for your entertainment — Reno’s bustling events are one of the city’s biggest draws. Highlights include the month-long, citywide art festival of Artown and the homage to classic American cars, Hot August Nights. Music lovers shouldn’t miss the OffBeat Music Festival, where dozens of bands perform at stages across the city each autumn.
Where to stay
Downtown Reno is the heart of the city and the place to be if you want easy access to restaurants and bars, the iconic Reno Arch and the Truckee River. For something a bit further from the main strip, check out MidTown. You’ll find a few boutique hotels plus craft breweries, hip cafes and the Nevada Museum of Art.
Reno: Know before you go
Language
English
Currency
United States dollar ($)
Time zone
UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT)
High season
June – August
Low season
September – November
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Things to do in Reno
Reno
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Take in the culture
Get your cultural fix at one of Reno’s museums, public artworks or the annual Artown festival. The Nevada Museum of Art features leading international and local artists, while the National Automobile Museum includes over 200 historic cars. Explore the 100-plus murals around MidTown on a self-guided tour with an interactive map. Or visit in July, when hundreds of cultural events take over Reno.
Shopping
You’ll find bigger chain stores along Downtown Reno’s main strip, but for more local flavour, check out The Basement. Hidden beneath a historic post office, this retail market features artisanal retailers selling homewares, sustainable goods and food. MidTown is also home to chic boutiques selling clothes, home goods and gifts, plus plenty of cafes for shopping breaks.
Places to eat
Reno serves a wide range of food options, from world-class fine diners in the casinos to American bistros along the Riverwalk and elevated bar bites in MidTown. Head to the Riverwalk District for intimate restaurants with views across the Truckee River, or continue on to a brewery crawl with casual eats through MidTown or Downtown.
FAQs about Reno holidays
Reno is blessed with almost 300 days of sun a year and snowfall during winter. Snow sports fanatics shouldn’t miss the slopes of nearby Lake Tahoe during ski season. If you’d prefer to skip the cold, visit between April and November to catch some of the city’s annual cultural events.
The locals primarily speak English here. Every city has its own distinct lingo, so it's worth picking up a few common phrases to use during your city break in Reno.
With temperatures peaking at 35ºC (95ºF), July is the hottest month in Reno.
Anywhere from three to five days is ideal for a holiday to Reno. This allows time to explore different pockets of the city and get some fresh air in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Organise your Reno holiday for December and you'll be there when conditions are at their coolest. -8ºC (18ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
Reno is generally a safe place to visit, but like any destination, it's a good idea to take commonsense precautions. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, keep local emergency numbers handy and only use licensed cabs or ride-share services. Also, keep to well-lit areas if you venture out at night during your holiday to Reno.
While on your trip to Reno, you'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for everything you buy. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cash and cards to avoid any payment issues.
With around 5 cm of rainfall, December is the rainiest month. If you're taking your Reno holiday then, you might want to have a few indoor activities lined up. Enjoy a meal at one of the city's top dining spots, relax in a local cafe, or hit the shops for some retail therapy.
Whether you're interested in history, food, or anything in between, there's no shortage of things to do in Reno. Raymond L Smith Truckee River Walk and Nevada Museum of Art are the start of the reasons you'll want to go.
Whether you're a discover-it-all traveller or a take-it-as-it-comes explorer, the cost of your city break in Reno will be shaped in part by your plans. Remember to factor in everything from entry fees to meals, as well as your Reno flights and hotels.
With museums, breweries, casinos and outdoor music venues all just a stone’s throw away, Reno is a great stop for a long weekend escape. A short holiday in Reno has something for everyone, from shopping and eating to leading art and live music.
