The destination guide
Reno
City in United States, North AmericaUpdated
- Overall7/10
- Best forAdventure seekers
- PeakJan–Apr
- CurrencyUSD
Reno gets dismissed as a lesser Vegas, but that’s the wrong comparison. The Sierra Nevada access alone makes it worth the stop.
Travel guides for Reno
Things to do (1)
More guides featuring Reno (4)
At a glance
- High desert city
- Sierra Nevada mountain range
- Lake Tahoe nearby
- Casino resorts
- Casino Entertainment
- Lake Tahoe Access
- Skiing
- Hiking
- River Sports
- Basque Culture
- Street Art
- Craft Beer
How Reno scores
Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, weighed against destinations of the same kind.
Travel safety snapshot
SafePlace indicators use their source 100-point scale; higher is more favourable. Planning context, not a live travel advisory — check official government guidance before you go.
When to go
Best months to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
- January: -2.5 to 5.7 degrees Celsius, 80.4 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- February: -2.2 to 7.6 degrees Celsius, 71.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- March: -0.2 to 10.4 degrees Celsius, 68.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- April: 3.5 to 16.4 degrees Celsius, 25.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- May: 7.8 to 21.3 degrees Celsius, 22.9 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- June: 13.2 to 28.4 degrees Celsius, 6.3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- July: 16.7 to 33.4 degrees Celsius, 3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- August: 16.2 to 31.9 degrees Celsius, 7 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- September: 12.6 to 26.6 degrees Celsius, 13.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- October: 6.5 to 18.8 degrees Celsius, 36.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- November: 1.7 to 11.1 degrees Celsius, 34.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- December: -1.8 to 6 degrees Celsius, 81.3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
Month-by-month conditions and packing advice
- January
- Cold, some rain January in Reno: deep winter cold makes general outdoor travel less balanced. Crowds: January in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- February
- Cold, some rain February in Reno: deep winter cold makes general outdoor travel less balanced. Crowds: February in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- March
- Cool to mild, occasional rain March in Reno: cold, snow, or transition weather narrows outdoor plans. Crowds: March in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- April
- Cool to mild, mostly dry April in Reno: conditions remain useful with spring layers or summer heat planning. Crowds: April in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- May
- Mild to warm, mostly dry May in Reno: city events, desert scenery, Tahoe side trips, hiking, patios, and fall color balance mild weather and sunshine. Crowds: May in Reno is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- June
- Warm to hot, mostly dry June in Reno: city events, desert scenery, Tahoe side trips, hiking, patios, and fall color balance mild weather and sunshine. Crowds: June in Reno is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- July
- Warm to hot, mostly dry July in Reno: conditions remain useful with spring layers or summer heat planning. Crowds: July in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- August
- Warm to hot, mostly dry August in Reno: conditions remain useful with spring layers or summer heat planning. Crowds: August in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- September
- Mild to warm, mostly dry September in Reno: city events, desert scenery, Tahoe side trips, hiking, patios, and fall color balance mild weather and sunshine. Crowds: September in Reno is comfortable for sightseeing, neighborhoods, food stops, day trips, and outdoor time with limited weather friction. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
- October
- Cool to mild, occasional rain October in Reno: city events, desert scenery, Tahoe side trips, hiking, patios, and fall color balance mild weather and sunshine. Crowds: October in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- November
- Cool to mild, occasional rain November in Reno: cold, snow, or transition weather narrows outdoor plans. Crowds: November in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- December
- Cold, some rain December in Reno: cold, snow, or transition weather narrows outdoor plans. Crowds: December in Reno is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- March
- February
- January
- April
- September
- August
- July
- June
Know before you go
About
Reno, Nevada, is a high-desert city in the Sierra Nevada foothills long billed as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” whose glowing arch over Virginia Street is among the most photographed signs in the American West. The fourth-largest city in Nevada, it grew up as a railroad and gambling town after Nevada legalized casino gaming in 1931, and its downtown still glitters with resort-casinos such as the Grand Sierra Resort, Silver Legacy, and Peppermill. The Truckee River, flowing out of Lake Tahoe, runs through the heart of the city, where the revitalized Riverwalk District offers dining, galleries, and kayaking. Reno’s greatest asset, though, may be its location: world-class skiing and the alpine shores of Lake Tahoe lie less than an hour to the southwest, while Pyramid Lake stretches to the north. Home to the University of Nevada, Reno and events like Hot August Nights and the Great Reno Balloon Race, the city pairs casino nightlife with easy access to the outdoors.
Neighbourhoods
Downtown Reno centres on the famous Reno Arch (The Biggest Little City in the World) and Virginia Street’s casino corridor. Midtown is a mile-long strip of independent restaurants, vintage shops, murals, and craft breweries along South Virginia Street. The Riverwalk District follows the Truckee River through Wingfield Park, with kayak runs, an amphitheatre, and riverside dining. The University District around UNR has a campus feel with museums.
Best time to visit
April-May and October-November for mild weather. Winter for proximity to Tahoe skiing.
Season by season
Year-round destination with 300+ days of sunshine. Summer (June-August) is peak season with warm temps and festival calendar. Winter (December-March) brings skiing at nearby resorts and cold but clear days. Spring and fall offer shoulder-season value with pleasant hiking weather.
Crowds
Downtown casinos and Midtown restaurants fill on weekends but rarely feel overwhelming. Peak crowds coincide with special events: Hot August Nights (August), Great Reno Balloon Race (September), Artown (July). Sierra ski resorts draw winter weekend traffic. Lake Tahoe beaches get crowded in July-August.
Getting there and around
Getting there
Fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), 5 km southeast of downtown. Amtrak’s California Zephyr stops in Reno en route between Chicago and San Francisco. Greyhound and FlixBus serve the downtown terminal. By car, I-80 connects Reno to San Francisco (370 km, 3.5 hours) and Salt Lake City (840 km, 8 hours). Lake Tahoe’s north shore is 45 minutes southwest via I-80 and SR 431.
Getting around
RTC Ride runs city buses including the free RTC RIDE Virginia Line through downtown and Midtown. Downtown and Midtown are walkable and bikeable—the Truckee River path extends for miles. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the metro area. A car is useful for day trips to Lake Tahoe (45 min), the Virginia City ghost town, and the Burning Man playa.
Top experiences in Reno
Lake Tahoe
North America’s largest alpine lake (and second deepest) straddles the California-Nevada border 45 minutes from Reno. The deep blue water, granite peaks, and pine forests provide year-round recreation: skiing at Mt. Rose, Northstar, and Heavenly in winter; hiking, paddleboarding, and kayaking in summer. The Tahoe Rim Trail (265 km) circles the lake. Sand Harbor on the Nevada side has a state beach with clear water over granite boulders.
National Automobile Museum
housing over 200 vintage and classic cars from the collection of casino magnate William F. Harrah. Displays include a 1907 Thomas Flyer (winner of the 1908 New York-to-Paris race), celebrity vehicles, and a replica of a 1900s street scene. The museum is considered one of the finest automobile collections in the world.
Midtown District
A mile-long corridor along South Virginia Street that has transformed from a strip of motels into Reno’s creative and culinary heart. Independent restaurants, craft breweries (Lead Off, IMBIB), vintage clothing shops, record stores, and colourful murals line both sides. Midtown hosts a monthly art walk and seasonal food festivals. The district’s walkability and personality contrast with the casino-heavy downtown.
Virginia City
A National Historic Landmark ghost town 30 minutes southeast of Reno. Virginia City was the epicentre of the Comstock Lode silver rush (1859), which funded much of San Francisco’s growth and helped finance the Union during the Civil War. Mark Twain reported for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper here. Today, restored saloons, mine tours, a historic railroad, and wooden boardwalks preserve the Old West atmosphere.
Truckee River Whitewater Park
An engineered kayak course running through downtown Reno’s Wingfield Park, with Class II-III features for kayakers and tubers. The park includes a river island amphitheatre that hosts concerts, film screenings, and the Reno River Festival each May. The Truckee River path extends from Verdi to Sparks (19 km), connecting parks, restaurants, and public art installations. In summer, casual tubing down the river is a local tradition.
Editor-curated picks carried over from our original guide. Where a full place guide exists, the card links to it.
Worth booking ahead in Reno
Hand-picked from the operators our guides already send readers to. Prices and availability are live on the partner site.
BrowseViator
Tours and tickets in Reno on Viator (opens Viator in a new tab)
Viator's full list of bookable tours and tickets in Reno.
BrowseGetYourGuide
Experiences in Reno on GetYourGuide (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)
Everything GetYourGuide sells in Reno, with the cancellation terms on each listing.
Where to stayBooking.com
Stays in Reno (opens Booking.com in a new tab)
Live rates and availability for Reno on Booking.com; filter by neighbourhood once you know where your days start.
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It is how we keep the guides free and independent.
Where to stay
Grand Sierra Resort
1 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
Large casino resort with pool, bowling, and cinema.
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
Tuscan-themed luxury resort with a major spa.
Whitney Peak Hotel
Non-gaming hotel downtown with a climbing wall.
Editor-curated stays carried over from our original guide. Where we have reviewed the hotel, the card links to the review.
Tips from the field
Highlights
- Casinos, Gateway to Lake Tahoe, 'Biggest Little City in the World', Neon lights.
Local experiences
- Kayaking through downtown on the Truckee River. Sampling Picon Punch at Louis' Basque Corner during a family-style Basque dinner. Walking the Midtown mural trail to discover 100+ street art pieces. Craft beer tasting at the Reno Brewery District's cluster of breweries and distilleries. Driving to Pyramid Lake (45 minutes) for surreal tufa rock formations at sunrise.
Practical tips
- Great base for Tahoe without Tahoe prices. Pack layers for high-desert climate.
Photography tips
- The Reno Arch photographs best at blue hour when neon glows against the twilight sky. University Ridge Park offers a city skyline panorama with mountain backdrop at sunset. Midtown's vivid murals provide dynamic, colorful frames year-round. Golden hour at Pyramid Lake catches the tufa formations in amber light. The Great Reno Balloon Race (September) fills the sky with color at dawn.
Timing
- Allow 2-3 days for Reno proper (downtown, Midtown, museums, dining). Add 1-2 days for Lake Tahoe day trips. A full week covers Reno, Tahoe, Virginia City, and Pyramid Lake. Ski season: book lodging well ahead for holiday weekends.
Keeping it authentic
- Reno's Basque heritage is genuine and deeply rooted — Louis' Basque Corner has served family-style dinners since 1967. The Midtown murals reflect a grassroots arts movement, not commercial installation. The Truckee River through downtown creates a real outdoor corridor used daily by locals, not just tourists.
Culture, customs and safety
Cultural heritage
Reno grew as a railroad town and divorce capital—in the early 20th century, Nevada’s short residency requirement drew thousands seeking quick divorces, including Mary Pickford and many other celebrities. The city became a gaming hub after Nevada legalised gambling in 1931. Burning Man, the annual countercultural art and self-expression festival, takes place in the Black Rock Desert 150 km north. Today Reno is reinventing itself as a tech, outdoor recreation, and arts hub.
Safety notes
Generally safe in tourist areas. Exercise caution at night in unlit areas. Standard city precautions.
