It’s hard to ignore the abundance of art displayed in downtown Reno. In addition to the art installations originating from Burning Man, like the 50-foot tall stained glass Space Whale in City Plaza, there are many original art pieces adding to the aesthetic. Within the downtown and MidTown areas, there are over 100 larger-than-life murals, as well as countless painted signal boxes, benches, and bike racks. If you are interested in learning more, you can participate in a monthly guided art tour or follow a self-guided tour.

Looking for a more traditional art experience? Reno has many local art galleries, performing art centers, and museums for all ages. Car enthusiasts can see over 200 unique and historical cars at the National Automobile Museum and art lovers can witness some of the finest traveling exhibitions in the state’s only nationally accredited museum, the Nevada Museum of Art.

The Biggest Little City is home to many shopping options that range from boutiques and antique stores to outlet shopping malls. One thing is for sure, you will not leave empty-handed! MidTown District is a vibrant neighborhood that offers many locally-owned boutiques such as Sierra Belle and Nomad. Junkee Clothing Exchange, inside Reno Public Market, is a thrifting staple, especially when searching for your Burning Man wardrobe! If you venture outside of the downtown area, you will find both the Meadowood Mall and Summit Mall with some familiar retailers. Whether you are on a shopping spree or just hunting for a local treasure, Reno has something for everyone.

Reno has blended old-school and modern to create a foodie haven accompanied by local brewpubs, experimental farm-to-table restaurants, and craft distilleries. This burgeoning food scene has options ranging from rustic Italian to all-you-can-eat sushi, with new spots popping up throughout the city.

Downtown Reno and MidTown are Reno’s most popular areas for bars and clubs. However, other hotspots include East Fourth Street, Wells Avenue, the UNR area, Kietzke Lane, and all along South Virginia St. Most neighborhoods also have their own local bar, sports pub, or brewery. Learn more about the region’s eateries.

What do hot air balloons, classic cars, outhouses, and ribs have in common? Normally nothing, but in Reno, they are all unique themes of the Biggest Little City’s exciting iconic events. Hot August Nights, Reno Rodeo, and The Great Reno Balloon Race are favorites that have each called Reno home for decades (an entire century in the case of the Reno Rodeo!). In addition, the city celebrates several gastronomic gatherings like the ROW's Great Italian Festival and the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off. You can catch a concert, art event, plays and shows at local casinos, Pioneer Center, Bruka Theatre, La Bussola, Sierra Arts and the Reno Events Center. During the summer months there is always an event in some form, so make sure to check out our Reno events calendar to see what events are happening during your Reno trip.

As early as the 1850s, a few pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows, a relatively fertile valley through which the Truckee River made its way from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Gold was discovered in the vicinity of Virginia City in 1850 and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of silver in 1859 led to one of the greatest mining bonanzas of all time as the Comstock Lode spewed forth treasure.

To provide the necessary connection between Virginia City and the California Trail, Charles Fuller built a log toll bridge across the Truckee River in 1859. A small community servicing travelers soon grew near the bridge. After two years, Fuller sold the bridge to Myron Lake, who continued to develop the Lakes Crossing Community. In 1864, Washoe County was consolidated with Roop County, and Lakes Crossing became the largest city in the county.

In 1868, the Central Pacific Railroad built tracks across the west to connect with the Union Pacific to form the first transcontinental railroad. Once the railroad station was established, the town of Reno officially came to be on May 13, 1868. The new town was named in honor of Major General Jesse L. Reno; a Union officer killed in the American Civil War.

Nevada’s legalization of casino gambling in 1931 and the passage of liberal divorce laws created another boom for Reno. Beginning in the 1950s, the need for economic diversification beyond gaming fueled a movement for more lenient business taxation. The presence of a main east-west rail line, the emerging interstate highway system, favorable tax climate and inexpensive land created the ideal conditions for warehousing and distribution of goods to the growing population in the surrounding eleven western states. Today, Reno, Nevada has the largest concentration of distribution-related property per capita in the United States.

Today, Reno is not only rich in history but also brimming with opportunities to explore and experience. Explore Reno and immerse yourself in the history through its culture, diverse cuisine, unique shopping experiences, and so much more.

Learn more about the history of casinos in Reno.