There is life outside the
casinos, and Reno has a number of special attractions
which we recommend as family distractions, particularly
after a hard day or two of gaming. Also, we suggest that
you explore the historic area around Reno, including
taking a day trip to Virginia City, or Pyramid Lake.
Ft. Churchill Historic State Monument
You'll find this 1860 U.S. Army outpost
eight miles south of Silver Springs, via Alternate
Highway 95 (start by driving east from Reno on I-80). The
710-acre park has a visitor center, picnic area, and
campground, located beside the Carson River. Nominal fees
are charged for use of the campground and picnic areas.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday through Tuesday. For
information, call (775) 577-2345.
Wildlife Parks
The Sierra Safari Zoo is located in Reno,
off I-80 near the Red Rock exit. This small zoo is home
to some 200 animals -- more than 40 species. The fee is
$5 for adults, and $3 for children, with those under 3
admitted without charge. For information, call (775)
677-1101
Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary houses
animals mostly native to the American West, including
coyotes, pronghorn antelopes, a black bear, mountain
lion, wolves, bobcats, owls, desert tortoises, and more
-- including two tigers (not found naturally in America).
The park is open weekends from early April to late
October, and also open on Thursdays and Fridays during
summer months. Admission fee: $4 for adults, and $3 for
children 3 years and under. To get there, take Interstate
395 north from Reno, and turn right on Red Rock Road, and
drive 11 miles to Deerlodge. Turn right and drive one
mile to the sanctuary. For information, call (775)
969-3111.
Nevada Museum of Art
This brand new major museum is at 160 West
Liberty St. in downtown Reno. You can easily find it from
Virginia Street, just south of the Truckee River. And
once you see the building you'll know it has to be the
new museum. It's an all-black building, meant by the
architect to represent the nearby Black Rock Desert and
mountains. It holds 60,000 square feet of exhibit and
common space. As well as major visiting exhibitions, the
museum features exhibits specializing in depicting the
Nevada (state) and Sierra Nevada area and people. The
Installation Gallery features the works of one artist.
The Contemporary Gallery is on the third floor. On the
roof is an expansive exhibit area for sculpture. The
museum has a gift shop, as well as a cafe and
library.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays, and until 8
p.m. on Thursdays. For information, call (775) 329-3333
or go to the museum web
site.
Reno/Tahoe Gaming Academy
This is the place to learn basic moves
before you venture into a casino. It's located at 300
East First Street, Suite 103, in downtown Reno. Two-hour
lessons are offered, covering popular table games. The
cost for a session is $5. For information, call (775)
329-5665.
Pure Country Dance Hall and Saloon
There's a lot of the Old West in Northern
Nevada and this place typifies the fun you can have in
the area if you like things Western, including music and
dancing. There is live music, mainly the western swing
type, and weekends are busy. Dance lessons are given on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. They're free. Many dancers wear
cowboy regalia, especially hats. The bands are great, so
if you don't or won't dance, it worth going here just to
hear the music. It's located at 1955 Oddie Blvd., Sparks.
For information and hours, call (775) 331-4441
Day Trips from Reno
1 - To Pyramid Lake
26 miles long and 11 miles wide, and home
to the unique cui-cui fish, as well as cutthroat trout,
Pyramid Lake offers a great family day trip. Located 30
miles northeast of Reno, it is the last remains of a huge
inland sea that covered most of the Great Basin Desert.
The signature object, which gives the lake its name, is a
huge, pyramid-shaped rock -- 400 feet high -- sitting in
the lake. The lake lies within the boundaries of the
Paiute Indian reservation.
You'll see hundreds of American white
pelicans around Anahoe Island, and other wildlife around
the lake. Boating, swimming, and camping are among the
popular recreational activities. For information on
recreational opportunities, call (775) 476-0123 or (775)
673-6335.
2 - To Virginia City
You'll love this little town. It's all that
remains from the sizable city that grew quickly after the
Comstock Lode silver discoveries in 1859. It became the
largest city in the west outside of San Francisco, with
opera houses, saloons, fine dining, brothels, several
newspapers, and -- of course -- mining operations. The
mines provided the silver that bankrolled the Union in
the Civil War. Mine shafts and tunnels are located all
over the area and under the present Virginia City.
The drive to Virginia City takes about 45
minutes, traveling from Reno. First, drive south on
Highway 395. Highway 341 takes you over Geiger Summit, at
6,799 feet. The driver may curse the steep road, but
others will marvel over the views.
What you'll see when you get there is the
old main street, lined with old buildings -- some brick,
some frame. Saloons, cafes, candy shops, and several
museums. A train takes you along the old mining railway,
for an hour's ride. Other attractions include underground
tours, and the annual Camel Races, held each Fall.
After your visit, you can continue south on
Highway 341, which ends at a few miles east of Carson
City. Return to Reno via Highway 395, passing Washoe
Lake.
For more information on Virginia City
attractions,
call (775) 847-0311.
