  |
||||||
|
|
Strolling Reno's Casino RowMain Street of Northern Nevada's Biggest Little City in the World
In the mid-1900s, Reno was the USA's best-known city for casinos. Though gaming action has diminished, its gaming palaces along Virginia Street still beckon.
Reno’s Casino Row in its glory days was dominated by gambling palaces. Today there are only a handful. But along the street – and on the street itself when one of the city’s many special events is in full swing – you’ll find entertainment of various sorts. Start your trek at the Downtown Post Office, built in 1933. Step inside the lobby to admire its imposing art deco interior. Swastika borders around the post office tables as well as the stylized eagles in the cast aluminum panels decorating walls, counters, and doorways, are eerily reminiscent of Third Reich documentaries. Next, head north toward the neon. Stop for a minute or two on the bridge over the Truckee River. In the 1930s, after receiving their decrees from the Washoe County Courthouse down the street, the newly divorced threw their wedding rings from the bridge into the waters below. During the mid-seventies, three Reno men dredged up thousands of dollars worth of rings, unlucky charms, foreign coins, diamonds and other cast-offs just east of the bridge. Cruising the CasinosAt Club Cal-Neva, you'll see a cast of characters Damon Runyon would have loved. The best spot for people watching is from the mezzanine railing. Harrah’s, one of the city’s major casinos, occupies the next block. The sun-splashed Skyway, with its keno lounge and slot machines, contrasts with the windowless interiors of most downtown casinos. Throughout the warm weather months, Harrah’s Plaza is the setting for various free entertainments such as game-show auditions and performances by rock or country groups. The Reno Arch -- immortalized through the years on satin pillows, ashtrays and t-shirts -- is the next attraction.. You may want to take a photo of the Arch, which is actually the fourth to have spanned Virginia Street. When special events, such as Hot August Nights and Rolling Thunder in September take place, Virginia Street from the Post Office to the Arch (and sometimes beyond) are blocked off to vehicular traffic and the street becomes a promenade lined with booths, displays and entertainment stages. Pawn Shops and Circus ActsNorth of the Arch and you’ll come to a trio of pawnshops. Garlands of guitars and banjos festoon their walls. Showcases dazzle with flashy diamond rings and other jewelry that was pawned and never redeemed. Drum sets, chainsaws, acetylene torches, cameras, boom boxes and just about everything else is for sale. In the next block beyond the Golden Arches, Sierra Gifts & Souvenirs specializes in such must-haves as fighting long-horn sheep on black satin jackets and glittery gold lucite clocks with dice marking the hours. And although there haven't been a lot of Elvis sightings in town lately, Elvis in Reno t-shirts are still a big seller. Cross the street to Circus Circus, where every half hour from 11:15 a.m. to around midnight, aerialists, unicycle riders, acrobats and other big-top entertainers perform in the circus ring on the mezzanine. Heading south, you’ll pass Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Fitzgerald’s hotel/casinos, as well as an array of small shops. Wingfield Park EntertainmentAt First Street, turn right and take a detour to Wingfield Park. During summer, the city band sponsors concerts every weekday. Whatever the program -- bluegrass, show tunes, marching band or jazz -- the music is sure to be of professional quality. And it's free. During the afternoon or early evening, walk back to the Post Office along either First Street or the RiverWalk, where coffee houses and sidewalk cafes attract both Reno residents and visitors. The Reno Gazette Journal is the best source of information about events going on along Virginia Street and at Wingfield Park.
The copyright of the article Strolling Reno's Casino Row in Nevada Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish Strolling Reno's Casino Row in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
