Summer in Reno – Customize your Reno summer vacation
In the High Desert Valley, at the foothills of the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range is Reno, Nevada. Also known as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno is the gateway to endless outdoor activities and adventures in some of the most picturesque landscapes in the U.S.
It won’t come as a big surprise to learn that casinos are ranked as the #1 attraction in Reno. More than 60 gaming locations inhabit this city of 200,000. However, considering what’s in its backyard, we highly suggest you participate in one of the many outdoor activities this city and its surrounding areas offer.
To begin with, Reno is a golfer’s dream. With more than 50 courses within 90 minutes of the city, golf is one of its main draws. Established in 1934 and located directly in Reno, the Washoe County Golf Course is the oldest course in Nevada. The Divine Nine Courses, located just 30 minutes south in Carson City, offer a whopping 70,000 yards of fairways. Edgewood Tahoe, a championship course located 60 minutes from Reno, is rated as one of the Top 25 Public U.S. Golf Courses by Golf Digest.
Bike trails are plentiful in Reno as are parks, outdoor markets and water parks. Wingfield Park provides the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon in the grass and under the sun. Pack a picnic and watch as experienced kayakers take on the Truckee River and enjoy some free live music. Sparks Marina offers a place to cool off with beaches and two miles of walking trails around a large man-made lake. The Rancho San Rafael Regional Park provides not only more great walking trails but a large kids’ playground, open grass areas, and is home to local wildlife. Mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, hiking and backpacking are all easily accessible from Reno as are Jeep, Hummer and ATV tours.
Your Reno summer vacation
Experience the view of a lifetime by taking a scenic airplane tour offered to a variety of destinations. Get a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Mt. Rose or opt for the Yosemite Park tour with unparalleled views of Half Dome and multiple backcountry lakes, rivers and waterfalls. As one of the lesser-known national parks, Lassen National Park is a majestic and virtually untouched landscape. Aerial views will include the Sierra Buttes, Lake Almanor and the Feather River Falls. Whichever tour you choose, it’s sure to be an experience like no other.
Family fun is endless in this high desert playground. If you need to get out of the sun for a bit, visit one of Reno’s many indoor attractions. Circus Circus Reno, located in the Circus Circus Hotel Casino offers a variety of free acts with clowns, magicians, jugglers, aerialists, and other circus regulars. In the lower level of the Grand Sierra Resort is perhaps one of the largest arcades imaginable. Funquest is 40,000 square feet of games and other arcade fun including a 6,000 square-foot Lazer Tag arena. The Ultimate Rush Thrill Park features go carts, miniature golf, bumper cars, and its namesake, the 185-foot tower called The Ultimate Rush. Class may be out for summer but the kids can keep on learning by visiting the Sierra Nevada Zoo, the Nevada Museum of Art, or the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center. A dome theater featuring public star shows and large-format films are just a few of the many highlights of this educational science center.
During the summer months, Reno is home to an array of festivals that bring the city to life. Perhaps its most popular, is the Reno River Festival. Celebrating the transformation of the portion of the Truckee River downtown into a whitewater kayak course, this festival attracts some of the world’s best kayakers. Also a big attraction is the Reno Rodeo. Bull and bronco riding, calf and steer roping, barrel racing, a parade and a cattle drive, are among a few of its highlights. Art aficionados will be happy to hear that the entire month of July is devoted to the Uptown Downtown ARTown. As one of the largest art festivals in the country, ARTown involves more than 350 cultural events which take place throughout the metro area. Locations range from Wingfield Park downtown to the Grand Court at the Meadowood Shopping Center. Described as an “awesome festival” by Good Morning America, ARTown also showcases ballerinas, bands and pipers, mimes, clowns and caricaturists. Catch a classic film at Wingfield Park or listen to the Reno Philharmonics while watching some spectacular fireworks at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center.
If that’s not enough, Lake Tahoe is within an hour’s drive of Reno and offers extensive resort accommodations, including camping, casino hotels, bed and breakfasts, condos and private homes. Like Reno, it has endless outdoor activities including all water sports imaginable, hiking, biking, golf, tennis, fishing, zip lining and camping, all along the shores of one of the most stunning bodies of water in the world. In fact, the 72-mile drive around the shores of this crystal clear lake has been called the “Most Beautiful Drive in America.”
Let Summer Mountain Travel customize an unforgettable vacation for you today to a remarkable summer resort. Book your Reno summer vacation package by talking to one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists and enjoy a truly spectacular summer mountain vacation. Make your Reno reservations today!