Classic Reno

Description:

One of the first and best hotel casinos in Reno/Sparks area. A mainstay of the historic Victorian Square area of Sparks, John Ascuaga's Nugget cares for visitors and locals. Stay in the West or East Tower or in the Courtyard Rooms, play some of the loosest slots in the area and each at the world famous Trader Dick's Restaurant or John's Oyster Bar. Indoor pool and spa are available.

Description:

This family-friendly place is home to fluffy omelets, tasty home fries, and crisp bacon. Prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of the food and excellent service. The decor is homey, clean and uncluttered, with lots of windows for people watchers. Dine outside when the weather is agreeable. Coffee, juice, tea, milk and soda are your drink choices; no alcohol is served here.

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This river flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake nourishing farmland along its journey. Starting at Wingfield Park, you can walk for miles in either direction. Going east toward downtown Reno, you will pass the place where thousands of divorcees have thrown their wedding rings into the flowing waters. Birds of all kinds including Canadian geese, hawks and kingfishers can be seen foraging for food. Anglers can also enjoy the superb fishing the river offers.

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The whole city gets into the act during the entire month of July every year for this outstanding festival. More than 200 events take place at various locations citywide, including films, ballet, art workshops, poetry readings, and music. This event has been nationally acclaimed as one of the best summer arts festivals in the country. Most events are free. Bring money for food and drink. Some vendors may take credit cards.

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This bakery not only bakes up excellent Viennese cakes, cookies, buns and bread, but they also offer great breakfasts, sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee. The breakfasts contain items like Eggs Benedict and French Crepes and their lunches items like Curried Chicken Salad and Viennese Goulash.

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Louis' Basque Corner is in the funky area of Fourth Street, close to downtown. This locally-loved spot serves dinners and lunches served family-style with authentic specialties such as paella, shrimp, tongue Basquaise, oxtails, tripas callos, lamb chops and sirloin steak. Fish is also served daily. Each meal comes with soup, salad and red wine. Things can get pretty lively here!

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In 1926, with the completion of the Lincoln Highway, city fathers wanted something that would make Reno stand out in the minds of those who visited the city. So the Reno arch was erected. In 1964, it came down and was banished to the scrap yard for a while. Since that time, the old arch has been moved to different spots in the city before finally finding a permanent home on Lake Street near the National Automobile Museum. Not as glitzy as the newer signs that have followed it, the old arch was a modern marvel that welcomed the likes of movie stars, politicians and divorcees to our fair city.

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Want to see some real cowboys in action? Then saddle up and come to Reno's Livestock Events Center in June for this must-see annual rodeo. From bucking horses to the meanest bulls, cowhands to clowns, this event has it all. Champion contestants from all over the United States vie for top money on their way to the National Finals. Rodeo week begins with an authentic cattle drive through downtown passing by the casinos and under the famous Reno Arch.

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Do not miss a chance to experience the best of dining at the award-winning Steakhouse at Harrah's Reno. It prides in being the only fine dining restaurant in Reno to receive a AAA four-diamond rating for ten years in a row! It is sure to satisfy your craving or appetite for mouthwatering steaks. After a visit here you will know the reason as to why America flocks to this Steak House at Harrah's. The comprehensive menu and service lets you live life king size. Whatever cut you choose, you certainly will not be disappointed. Highly recommended is the Rack of Lamb and Steak Diane apart from the favorites from the broiler. Harrah's Steak House is open for dinner on weekdays from 5pm till late.

Description:

The Little (Golden) Nugget in downtown Reno, right near the Reno Arch should not be confused with the much larger Nugget Casino in downtown Sparks, the city next to Reno. This little place really only houses a bar, a few slot machines and a diner in the back. However, this diner has become very well known for its great prices, large portions and the oh so wonderful Awful Awful Burger. It's named because it is awfully big and awfully good. The burger and its basket of fries cost around $7, but it is a huge portion that you might have to share. The half-pound burger is juicy and flavorful and is topped with cheese, huge slabs of onion, tomato and lettuce and served on an excellent soft onion burger bun. This burger won the Food Network's Food Wars contest between the Sparks Nugget.

The diner also serves up other good food including calamari sandwiches, bacon and eggs and a huge stack of pancakes that are great at 2 a.m. after a night on the town.

The diner is a little dated and dingy, but for diner lovers, this is a great place to hang out a the bar and meet some interesting characters.

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If you are looking out for some music, dance and a dash of comedy, then your search ends here at Sammy's Showroom. It is located at in Harrah's Reno and is a stylish place, named after showbiz legend and Harrah's Reno favorite Sammy Davis Junior. Sammy's always hosts a periodically regular schedule of popular performers. It makes for an ideal place to spend the night out. Here, you can really spend fun-filled times that include song, dance and laughter!

Our Local Expert Says:

Well designed and exhibited museum.

Description:

The National Automobile Museum houses more than 220 antique, vintage, classic, special-interest, and "cars-of-the-stars" vehicles from the Bill Harrah Collection. The cars are displayed in a realistic street theme complete with asphalt hallways and '50s and '60s-style diners and drive-in movie sets.

There are several celebrity vehicles located here including a 1941 Chrysler Newport owned by Lana Turner's husband, the 1907 Thomas Flyer which won the 1908 New York to Paris race, James Dean's 1949 Mercury Coupe from Rebel Without a Cause, and a gold-plated 1981 De Lorean LK Sport Coupe.

The Museum is available for private parties and events and there is a small gift shop. The admission price for adults is $10, seniors are $8 and children are $4. Ages 5 and under get in free.

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The state's oldest museum (it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004) displays memorabilia and historical information about Nevada. It's also home to the largest collection of Nevada-related library material in the country. Special programs augment the regular exhibits.

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What a wonderful place to spend the afternoon with the family. You will find lots of playground equipment for the kiddies at this small, but shady park. It sits across from the natural splendors of Virginia Lake, a haven for ducks and geese. When you get tired of the playground, just cross the street and feed the ducks. In a few moments, you'll be surrounded by hundreds of the quackers, begging for a treat. The park offers a covered cabana complete with half a dozen picnic tables and barbecues. You can relax and spend a quiet afternoon by a peaceful and serene lake or take a walk around the trail that encompasses the lake.