Visiting Reno

• Family friendly lodging in Reno
• Weekend in Reno with two older children
• Visiting Reno in winter with 3-year-old twins

Family friendly lodging in Reno

Dec 2007

Our family (two kids, ages 6 and 9) plans to downhill ski in the Reno area a few times this winter. I'm seeking recommendations for places to stay--casinos probably have the best deals for meals and lodging? Looking for one that is family friendly, although I'm sure all of them require a certain degree of navigation through yucky cigarette smoke... CC

We stayed at Circus Circus during the ski season because of its cheap hotel rooms and carnival game/circus show offerings. But the smoke permeates everything and is especially nauseating in the casino area...which you must traverse everytime you want to go eat, go outside or into your car. Your clothes and hair will reak of the stench when you come home.

The meals are not cheap (compared to the quality) and the lines always seemed long (especially for the buffets). Even to get tea from a snack kiosk (the room didn't even have a coffeemaker) was a 10-15 minute wait. Also, downtown Reno is still at least 30-40 minutes from the snowy mountains for skiing. I would recommend staying in Truckee or North Tahoe. I use VRBO.com and have never been dissappointed. Renting directly from the owner, you'll be pleasantly surpised how affordable and nicer it is to stay in a condo or townhouse as opposed to a one room smokey hotel. vick

We went to Reno in May with our 6-year-old to visit relatives. We stayed at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino which was great - it basically has its own amusement park - movie theater, bowling alley, a ton of arcade games, bumper cars, shuttleboard, lazer tag, and a Chevy's for dinner. You don't have to go through the casino to get to your room or to the amusements, and there is no longer smoking anywhere but in the casino, so it's not a stinky hotel. This hotel is not on the strip either - another plus - but it is just off the freeway, so very convenient. We'll probably stay there again.

Weekend in Reno with two older children

March 2006

Planning a weekend in Reno for a conference in August with family, including two older children. Considering Silver Legacy, Circus,or Sands. Would like to hear from anyone who can recommend any of these hotels. Budget is a consideration. If there are any really good restaurants (not to be missed), would like to hear about those, too. Thank you.

I have a 9 and 12 year old and we stayed at the Atlantis in Reno. The rooms were priced right, they have a great arcade (Atlantis Fun Center) and pool area. Best of all, it's off the strip. http://www.atlantiscasino.com/ My kids really loved the waterfalls and jungle theme of the hotel.

Depending on your budget, you can reserve a concierge tower room which has access to the fitness center and concierge room with complimentary breakfast and mangers reception in the evenings. We also found a grocery store across the street for snacks. Many great restaraunts offering something for everyone. anon

We have stayed a couple of times at the Atlantis casino / hotel, which is not one of the three you were considering. It is located further south, away from the downtown area, but it is newer (built around '95?) has good prices, and an indoor pool. The price and the pool are the selling points for us with our child. It is round, 3.5 to 4.5 feet deep, very warm, and fun. There is an outside jacuzzi (and in summer months, an outside pool too,) and a full floor of arcade / games / food for kids. Seems the teens love that floor. It has a fitness and spa center, a buffet and several other restaurants as well. Hope this helps. ~Not a casino fan, but enjoys the ammenities.

Visiting Reno in winter with 3-year-old twins

October 2001

We are visiting Reno in early November and would love some suggestions for activities. I have twin boys, almost 3, and would rather be away from casinos and cigarette smoke. I'm guessing I need indoor activities, depending on the weather. Any help is appreciated. Stefanie

List of parks and pools: http://www.cityofreno.com/com_service/parks/ Terrific Park: Rancho San Rafael Park Contact Information 1502 Washington St., Reno Phone (775) 785 4319 Prices: no admission is charged for park entrance. This beautifully landscaped area is one of Reno's premier parks. The Great Reno Balloon Race and Skyfire are a couple of the major events taking place here. On the grounds of this huge park you will find the Wilbur D. May Museum and Arboretum and the Great Basin Adventure Amusement Park. You will find miles of walking or jogging trails complete with exercise stations, several playgrounds for the kiddies, picnic and barbecue facilities, with acres and acres of grass. For large groups, you can call ahead and reserve one of the many gazebo picnic areas available throughout the park. These are all a about 25 miles from Reno:

We went to this children's museum in Carson City: It is in a smallish building --- about the size of a school gymnasium. It is similar to Habitot in flavor, but all in one room. It is larger, but not as nice as Habitot. It has a walk-on piano, an inflatable planetarium, a shadow room (this was a big hit with my 2-year-old) where the kids stand against the wall and a flash of light goes off and then they can step back and view their silhouette, a play grocery store, and so on. Children Museum-Northern Nv 813 N Carson St Carson City, NV (775) 884-2226 25.0 miles from Reno.

We have driven by this and wanted to go, but haven't made it there yet: CARSON CITY, NV--The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City will begin its ?Summer Hours? May 28, 2001. It will be open seven-days-a-week, from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. through Labor Day. After that, it will be open Wednesday through Sunday for its winter hours.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum operates steam-ups with historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad equipment on selected weekends throughout the year. The next steam-up will take place during the Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 26, 27 and 28. The train will operate at 40-minute intervals starting at 10 a.m., with the last train at 4 p.m. The fare is $2.50 for adults, $1 for children 6-11 years of age, under 6 ride free.

Squaw Valley: You can ride the cable car to the top of the mountain. There is a skating rink at the top and a swimming pool (probably closed). Kids love the cable car ride. Susan

I was last in Reno before my child was born, but my husband and I enjoyed the Reno Auto Museum (I think that is the name... formerly Harrah's collection) there. Also about 25 miles down the road in Carson City is the GREAT Nevada State Railroad Museum, which would definitely be a great place for young children as it is very hands on. Carson City probably also has other attractions; it is much smaller and more picturesque than Reno. You might also try the Reno Chamber of Commerce's website. When we travel, we find most places have websites that have visitor's info, and generally a section on activities for kids. Things to do with kids in Reno: There are some good events and attractions listed on this website: http://www.funjet.com/destin/nevada/rno/thingstoknow.htm cheryl

We visited Reno a few times when our son was young, and we were students looking for an inexpensive place to stay when we played in the snow. We stayed at Circus Circus, which has circus acts and games. My son also enjoyed riding the train that shuttles guests from the main building to the tower rooms and back (a big hit when he was 4!). The car museum at Harrahs is also neat - I had a much better time there than I had expected, and my husband and son loved it. The Reno Hilton (on the edge of town) has a big bowling alley with bumpers for the kids, and more games. We also went to a magic show one evening. The website http://www.renotahoefun.com/funbook/index.html has listings for what is on in town, and coupons. Barbara