Things to do in Reno
Late spring and early fall bring warm, dry days, cool evenings, and easy access to both the Truckee River and the Sierra. Summer is hot but reliably sunny, and winter turns nearby Lake Tahoe into a major ski draw.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Reno
Midtown DistrictDo not miss
Reno's hippest strip of murals, vintage shops, craft cocktail bars, and the city's most adventurous independent restaurants.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.8
National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection)Do not miss
One of the world's great car collections, with more than 200 vehicles staged in period street scenes from the Harrah Collection.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.8
Rancho San Rafael Regional ParkDo not miss
A sprawling park of meadows, ponds, and trails, home to the May Arboretum and the launch site of the Great Reno Balloon Race.
Park · 1.8 hr4.7
Reno ArchDo not miss
The glowing The Biggest Little City in the World arch over Virginia Street is Reno's signature photo and the heart of downtown.
Landmark · 30 min4.7
Nevada Museum of ArtDo not miss
Nevada's only accredited art museum, a striking black building with landscape-focused galleries and a rooftop sculpture deck.
Museum · 2 hr4.6
Pyramid LakeDo not miss
A vast, otherworldly desert lake on Paiute tribal land, famous for its tufa formations, fishing, and pyramid-shaped island.
Nature · 5.5 hr4.6
Lake TahoeDo not miss
The cobalt-blue alpine jewel of the Sierra, an hour away, with beaches, lakeside drives, hikes, and ski resorts ringing the shore.
Day Trip · 7.5 hr4.3
Riverwalk DistrictDo not miss
Reno's walkable riverfront quarter packed with galleries, breweries, restaurants, and seasonal wine walks beside the Truckee.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr
Truckee River WalkDo not miss
A leafy riverside path through downtown linking parks, patios, and the whitewater park along the rushing Truckee River.
Scenic Route · 1.4 hr
Virginia CityDo not miss
A preserved Comstock Lode boomtown of wooden boardwalks, saloons, mine tours, and a vintage railroad in the hills above Reno.
Day Trip · 6.5 hr
Animal Ark
A nonprofit wildlife sanctuary north of the city caring for rescued bears, big cats, and wolves, with summer cheetah runs.
Activity · 2 hr4.8
Galena Creek Regional Park
A forested foothills park with creekside trails, a visitor center, and quick access to Mount Rose pine country.
Nature · 2.5 hr4.8
Hunter Creek Trail
A popular foothills hike climbing through forest to a tumbling waterfall, with city and valley views along the way.
Activity · 3.5 hr4.8
Midtown Mural District
Reno's open-air gallery of large-scale murals, many born from Burning Man artists, splashed across Midtown's walls.
Cultural Experience · 1.4 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Reno sits at 4,500 feet with high-desert air, so pack layers, sunscreen, and water even on mild days.
- Many headline experiences, from Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, are short drives away, so a rental car opens up the region.
- Downtown casinos run nonstop, but the riverfront, Midtown, and university areas show the city's more local, walkable side.
- Summer afternoons can spike into the 90s and 100s, so plan hikes and outdoor stops for the morning or evening.
- Check Lake Tahoe and Mount Rose conditions in winter and spring, when mountain passes can require chains or close in storms.