Reno
City Information
”The Biggest Little City in the World”, also known as
'”Little Las Vegas”. Though it pains itself to promote
the city as a hot and happening gambling mecca, the real appeal of
Reno is its small-town charm. You can bust the bank here, or you can
spend your time fishing in the river that flows right through Downtown.
The first hotel and saloon were established in Reno in the 1850s.
In 1868 the town scored a train depot and took the name of Jesse Reno,
a Union general. Once named, the town grew fat on rail expansion and
the mining boom, but when the gold supply dried up, Reno wagered its
future on sin.
As California clamped down on gambling and prostitution,
Reno billed them as attractions, drawing miners from all over the south.
During prohibition, mobsters came here for the speakeasies and money
launderers. These days gambling is still the town’s number one
attraction, although the economy has diversified into agriculture and
industry, tourists now visit as much for the glories of nature as for
the lure of the mighty dollar.
Reno is located in Western Nevada, about 16km (10 miles) from the
California border, just off the I-80. The Truckee River runs right
through Downtown Reno, while most of the casinos are to its north.
The railroad tracks also cut through Reno 's version of Glitter Gulch,
adding a lovely touch of incongruity, and the pleasant campus of the
University of Nevada sits just north of the I-80.
Downtown has been the site of some serious redevelopment in recent
years. One pleasant addition is Riverwalk, a pedestrian path that follows
along the river all the way through Downtown. Most accommodations and
food are found in Downtown Reno just north of the river, but if you're
after something a bit flashier try Newland Heights, which is southeast
of Downtown.
Tourists and other visitors to Reno won’t have far to go to catch
their plane, train or bus… Reno-Cannon International Airport
is about 5km (3 miles) southeast of Downtown, the Greyhound Bus station
is on Stevenson Avenue at the western end of town, and the Amtrak station
is located in the heart of Downtown. Those traveling by car take note:
The I-80 runs west to Sacramento and east to Lovelock, while the 395
goes northwest into California or south to Carson City.
