This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Reno. To help you make friends with Reno before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Reno, famed for being very near the Las Vegas metropolitan area, is a bustling city replete with a teeming nightlife and known the world over as the "Biggest Little City in the World." As it's one of the most popular United States cities for tourists, Reno is notorious for its myriad casinos, gambling houses, and theaters, and for the world-famous Caesar’s Entertainment Corporation -- the (more often than not) prime venue for high-stakes prizefights. Prior to becoming a sort of mini Las Vegas, Reno was once a settlement community founded in the early mid-nineteenth century and generally composed of an assorted populace, namely prospectors, gold miners, and renegades. A silver rush came about just nine years after its unofficial foundation, in effect increasing the city’s population, and opening Reno into a sizable city with its own commerce, trade, and industry in response to the population boom.
Aside from these iconic sights, Reno holds the annual All American BBQ Festival typically held at the equally iconic Harrah’s Reno Hotel and Casino. Reno is also home to more genteel and educational pursuits, as it is the birthplace of the National Automobile Museum, Nevada Museum of Art, and the University of Nevada.
If you’re more of a nature lover, you can visit the Animal Ark sanctuary; for distinctly outdoorsy activities, see the Mt. Rose Ski Resort and the Truckee River Walk. For a truly authentic historical experience of old Reno, the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is a a must-see whenever you’re in the city.
Getting some grub in Reno is a very easy. Places like Midtown Eats and The Gas Lamp Restaurant and Bar are excellent stops for great and affordable all-American meals. Booking places to stay in Reno is never difficult, as nearly all of the casinos in the area double as hotels, and there are plenty of small motels, inns, and hostels in Reno. Because the city is a prime destination for tourists, booking places in advance is sometimes a must especially during the holiday season, and it can’t hurt to ready a place months prior to your planned trip to ensure excellent accommodations.
Written by local enthusiast for Reno hostels
Angelica Burrage
