Reno's Appeal Lies Beyond Glitz and Glitter
Nevada City' s Trails, Fishing, Galleries, Shopping, Dining and More
Reno holds a winning hand for people who prefer natural beauty, cozy restaurants and non-gaming attractions to glitz and glitter. It's a pretty town with a number of parks, little lakes and tree-shaded streets. It is also a rapidly growing city with an equally rapid growth in its shopping and cultural opportunities.
Communing with Nature
Visitors don’t have to go far from the city’s neon to find natural attractions. In the shadow of the high-rise hotel/casinos, a half-mile stretch of the river has been reconfigured into a kayak venue and slalom course. However, a bit further downstream, fishermen still catch trout in its quieter waters.
The path along the Truckee from downtown to Idlewild Park and along the park’s “Crooked Mile” have been popular with generations of both residents and visitors. Mountain bikers follow trails up and down Reno’s Peavine Mountain, while bicyclists and hikers follow trails in the outlying housing developments such as those at the Caughlin Ranch development.
Galleries and a Museum
An easy walk from downtown, the Nevada Museum of Art (160 W. Liberty Street ) ranks as the state’s most important art space. The current building, which opened in 2004, was designed by architect Will Broder. The museum’s permanent collection, displayed on the museum’s second level, contains more than 1,300 works, focusing on contemporary art and photography of the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions. A high point for many visitors is the museum’s glass-walled roof garden on the fourth level , with its views of the city and Sierra Nevada. Admission is $10, adults.
Foremost of the art galleries located throughout the city is the Stremmel (1400 S. Virginia Street). The gallery’s owner, Peter Stremmel, is an internationally known art auctioneer and the works for sale are the caliber of those displayed in major galleries throughout the U. S. Other worthwhile galleries include The River Gallery (135 N. Sierra Street, suite 2a) and Powers Frameworks (2287 Kietzke Lane) where signed and numbered prints and paintings of Reno and surrounding area landmarks by Reno artist, Roy Powers, are available.
The Shopping Scene
Reno took its first great shopping leap forward on the opening of Meadowood Mall with its 100-plus shops in 1978. Another giant step almost 30 years later resulted in the Sierra Summit Mall (13933 S. Virginia) on the southernmost reaches of the city in 2006. Between those two major openings, specialty shops and strip malls have opened in all parts of the sprawling metropolitan area, so that now it’s possible to find almost anything that anyone wants to buy.
The Arts
The Biggest Little City in the World wasn’t always big on culture, but with its growth, existing cultural groups have become stronger and new ones have been formed. The Reno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra and Nevada Opera seasons begin in September and early October and extend to mid-winter. Year round, three highly respected little theater groups mount performances at various venues throughout Reno-Sparks. A "Broadway in Reno" subscription series and musical performances at Nightingale Hall on the University of Nevada-Reno campus add to the cultural bill of fare.
Dining Out
On the dining scene, Reno’s diversity of ethnic populations has brought added ingredients to the area’s cuisine. As a result, you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city limits -- dine on Salvadoran food one night; Thai, East Indian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese or French the next. For gourmet fare, best choices include Brick’s (1695 S. Virginia) Lulou’s (1470 S. Virginia) and the 4th Street Bistro (3065 W. 4th Street).
Hiking paths offer Reno views
|
More in Travel
Latest Articles