skiing, sipping & spa-ing | hiking, art walks & gaming | angling, kayaking & dancing | lake day & culture night
Why Reno + Tahoe =
This season ushers in an especially opportune time for vacations in Reno Tahoe. Yes, Reno’s diverse urban diversions and Lake Tahoe’s soaring peaks offer a winning combo of activities in any season. But in spring, the city’s unique geographic place means you can experience inviting temperatures in the valley while snow still streaks across the surrounding slopes. As early summer sets in, the “Jewel of the Sierra’s” warming waters pave the way for lake days. Meanwhile, the dynamic city of Reno keeps visitors fully stocked with memorable experiences for all the senses.
Nature by day. Culture and comfort by evening. That’s the secret formula for maximizing your spring or summer getaway in Reno. Here are four sample itineraries for getting the most out of your days in and around Reno in the spring and summer seasons.
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Snowboarding at Diamond Peak
Hiking at Peavine Peak near Reno
Spring skiing, sipping & spa-ing
Spring hiking, art walks & gaming
Summer angling, kayaking & dancing
Plan your trip
Hiking near Lake Tahoe
"In the Chips," a public art installation in Reno
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Fishing in the Truckee River
The Patio at The Shore
Locomotion Plaza, Reno
Toro Bravo
At night, rock the dance floor
After a day of sunshine and serenity, Reno's nightlife scene gives your extroverted side a chance to shine.
If you're ready to dance, hit Lo-Bar Social in the MidTown district for compelling live music, summer-ready rooftop parties and a beloved cocktail menu. Nearby Cypress is a mid-sized venue that hosts local and national bands, and fans love that it has a food menu for noshing when the night goes late. In the Brewery District, The Alpine is an intimate and high-vibing concert venue, hosting hot bands from around the country. Downtown's Cargo Concert Hall inside the Whitney Peak Hotel has a stacked events calendar—with everything from punk bands to rap artists to extreme metal bands coming on stage each week. J Resort's Glow Plaza and Festival Grounds in the Neon Line District, meanwhile, is the place to catch outdoor concerts and festivals on a grand scale.
Cast a line in the morning sun
Reno Tahoe, with its long and diverse list of angling opportunities, makes it easy for enthusiasts to get out on the water. Summer's long days and sunny blue skies make it a great time to go. You don't even have to leave the city to get your fishing fix. Try for rainbow and brown trout at a catch-and-release fly-fishing section of the Truckee River, close to downtown. Sparks Marina is another opportune, easy-access fishing spot; the manmade lake is stocked with trout, bass and catfish. The nearby restaurants also make for convenient chow breaks.
Of course, an excursion on the Jewel of the Sierra itself takes things to another level. Your best bet is to book a boat tour with a knowledgeable guide who can take you to the best spots. Get an early start for the best chance of catching Mackinaw and Rainbow Trout—and to make the most of the cooler morning weather.
Eat and play the night away
After a day filled with multiple kinds of outdoor beauty, plus plenty of fresh air and exercise, plan a night centered around satisfying food and lighthearted fun.
Reno's top-rated casinos are surrounded by upscale restaurants, so you'll have plenty of options for a memorable meal before a gaming session. Near the Caesars Entertainment complex (where you'll find Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Circus Circus Reno and El Dorado Resort Casino), waterfront spots include Toro Bravo, a contemporary Mexican steakhouse; and Wild River Grille, a seafood- and steak-forward venue. Both have ample outdoor seating options along the Truckee River. Also near the downtown strip is the Brewery District, where Louis' Basque Corner serves traditional Basque fare; or casual bites, cocktails and brews served on the leafy back patio at The Jesse Hotel. Or book a table at Ramsay's Kitchen (by Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay) inside the Silver Legacy Resort before letting loose at the slot machines and table games. If you're looking for a throwback bar-restaurant experience, try Casale's Halfway Club, Nevada's oldest restaurant and a fixture for locals. Then head out for play time (not just a casino, but also a bowling alley, escape room, movie theater and arcade) at Grand Sierra Resort, just a mile and a half south.
Greet the day with a hike
By late spring, the snowcaps have typically disappeared around Reno, giving way to colorful wildflowers. This is a satisfying time for a hike, thanks to inviting temperatures and the verdant landscape.
Make your way to the Peavine Peak trailhead once you've had your morning brew (La Victoria Coffee and Old World Coffee are nearby and make some seriously good ones). The access point is just 6 miles northwest of downtown. The moderately difficult 9-mile loop trail reaches a maximum elevation of 2,972 feet, offering stunning views of the valley and the city from the summit. Also near downtown, the Hunter Creek Trail brings hikers to a variety of beauty—a waterfall, a meadow and rock formations—over the course of 6.5 miles.
Monkey Rock trail is a lighter endeavor—though still challenging—at about 2.5 miles out and back. The trailhead is set on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe, and its sweeping vistas of the lake and surrounding mountains are generous payoffs for the effort.
Ease into evening at a spa
Little has more appeal after a day on the slopes than a soak, steam or soothing body treatment.
Relax sore muscles with a full Nordic-style cycle of immersive hot and cold experiences at Reno Sauna Club at Best Bet Motor Lodge, a hidden gem well worth seeking out. Steamboat Hot Springs features soaking tubs of geothermally heated mineral water piped in from underground springs. Peppermill Reno's Spa Toscana is open daily until 8 or 9 p.m. so you can fit in a pampering massage even after après-ski social hour. The Forbes Four Diamond-rated Spa Atlantis keeps similar hours. Each treatment there includes access to lounges with jetted spa pools, heated benches, salt-inhalation therapy and therapeutic lights.
As a bonus, this ski-sip-spa itinerary more or less guarantees an epic night's sleep.
Enjoy a last-chance ski by morning
Those who can't bear to let ski and snowboard season go will rejoice in a spring getaway to Reno Tahoe. The slopes often stay open well past Easter—as of this writing, Mount Rose, a 45-minute drive from Reno, is slated to stay open through April 26, while Palisades Tahoe, about an hour away, is projected to keep the lifts going through May 25.
Get an early start so you won't miss a minute on the mountain. Compared to deep winter, spring's mix of snowfall, bluebird days, low winds and longer sunshine makes for joyful, relaxed runs sans bulky outerwear. Conditions can vary from hour to hour—from hard-packed morning snow to soft late-day slush—which keeps things interesting and helps build skills. Many resorts also offer spring deals on lift tickets and stays, adding affordability to the long list of reasons spring skiing in Lake Tahoe is so fabulous.
For those who'd rather hold a paddle than a rod, the east side of Lake Tahoe offers excellent kayaking and standup paddleboarding as well. Begin your adventure at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village and glide through shallow waters, past massive rock piles and to cove-like swimming spots. Adventurous types may get an urge to jump off one of the large boulders jutting out of the blue. Or paddle south toward Chimney Beach (so-named for a literal stone chimney that sits on its sand, a remnant of a caretaker's cabin), making a stop at Bonsai Rock on the way. The photogenic boulder gets its name from four little trees that grow out of its crevice; the nutrient deficiency of their station keeps them small, just like manually pruned bonsai trees.
To get a privileged view of the lake's aquatic life, rent a clear kayak at Tahoe Paddle Sports on the northeast shore of the lake, or Clearly Tahoe on the southeast side. Tahoe Paddle and Oar on the north shore rents standup paddleboards and kayaks as well.
Paddle the "Big Blue"
After your morning adventure, keep your joints limber with an easy public art tour in downtown. In City Plaza, you can view two former pieces from the Burning Man Festival: BELIEVE by Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg; and Space Whale, by Android Jones and (Reno local) Matt Schultz. The Neon Line District has even more thought-provoking Burning Man art sculptures on display.
Downtown Reno and the MidTown District are also home to over 100 large-scale murals, viewable via a self-guided walking tour. Or, if you want to get off your feet post-hike, you can opt for a seat on a group tour with Reno Brew Bike. Pineapple Pedicabs, meanwhile, offers mural tours in a cute bike-drawn carriage.
Admire a rotating sculpture collection at Bicentennial Park along the Truckee River. Or visit Victorian Square in Downtown Sparks, where the Sparks Art Walk is lined with striking large-scale sculptures—a giant steel bee, for example—plus murals.
Move on to an afternoon art tour
Savor an après-ski spring afternoon
Spring flowers on a trail near Reno
Summer lake day & culture night
Close the day with art & culture
After a day spent feasting on Tahoe's unparalleled natural beauty (and delicious picnic fare), cap the evening with an exploration of Reno's energetic art scene. Nevada Museum of Art's Power of Pollinators exhibit by David Burns and Austin Young was named one of the year's top new attractions in USA Today's 10Best. Its other nature-meets art exhibitions include artist Jonathon Keat's Centuries of the Bristlecone, a clock that tells time according to the growth of Nevada's state tree. Or view an iconic collection of perfectly Nevada-esque neon signs at the Light Circus Nevada Neon Museum (opening late spring).
For performing arts fans, the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts will put on Alicia Keys' hit Broadway musical "Hell's Kitchen" this summer (June 30-July 5) plus "The Sound of Music" (July 14-19). Meanwhile, the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort will host variety show "Lucy Darling: VIVA" (May 26) and comedian Jim Gaffigan (June 12) amid its packed concert schedule (LCD Soundsystem, Alabama Shakes and KC and the Sunshine Band, for starters).
Before you head out, prepare for your idyllic beach day with a stop for picnic-ready provisions. The Wheyfarer Cheese and Specialty Foods shop creates uncommonly good boxed lunches (for example, roast beef and smokey bleu cheese on locally made sourdough ciabatta, paired with a salad or chips). Pick up fresh pastries (and amazing coffees to-go) at Perenn or made-to-order gourmet sandwiches at Armando & Sons butcher shop (they sell wine, too). The Great Basin Co-Op grocery store is a top option for sustainably sourced and organic produce and snacks.
Have a picnic lunch break
Pasteries from Perenn
Jump in the lake by morning
If you're visiting during the warmest summer months (July-August), there's nothing like a Lake Tahoe beach day to unwind and bask in the area's spectacular beauty. Water temperatures are around 65 degrees at the surface even at the height of summer (and much colder below), so swimming may not be for everyone, but wading and splashing in the pristine water is a refreshing way to cool down. Secret Cove Beach and Sand Harbor Beach are easily accessible by car, and you can reach more secluded beaches with a short hike as well. For popular Sand Harbor Beach, it's best to book a day-use parking spot as far in advance as possible, or take the free East Shore Express shuttle (operating late June to early September) from Incline Village.
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unlimited possibilities
Golden-hour après-ski unwind time ranks up there with sunny mountain snow days as one of the best reasons to visit in spring. Reno Tahoe has no shortage of spots for sating the seemingly bottomless hunger snow sports tend to bring on. Once the lifts shut down, pick a spot nearby—like Le Chamois in Palisades Tahoe's Olympic Village, a two-story bar that serves loaded pizzas and rib-sticking bar snacks. (Chili fries and supersized pretzels with beer cheese? Yes, please.) If you plan on coming often, beer punch cards are an insider way to save on pints and pitchers.
Or hit the road back to Reno, where the après enjoyment options are even more numerous. Try Great Basin Brewing Company (Nevada's oldest craft brewery, with locations in Sparks, Carson City and Minden) for Monday through Friday happy hours and other enticing specials on food and locally brewed beers. Or head to the bar at The Shore Riverfront Dining, where fire pits overlooking the Truckee River lend a cozy post-ski ambiance. Their weekday happy hour menu includes enticing snacks like Greek meatballs and blackened salmon tostadas, plus a variety of cocktails, beers and wines.
Fishing on the Truckee River
Kayaking Lake Tahoe
Indoor pools at Peppermill Reno
Reno Sauna Club at Best Bet Motor Lodge
Wild River Grille
Louis' Basque Corner
The Jesse Hotel
VIP booth at the Grand Theatre
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Nevada Museum of Art's Sea Dragons exhibit
Nevada Museum of Art | credit: Joelle Friend
Paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe East Shore Trail, Sand Harbor
Swimming in Lake Tahoe
Wake surfing on Lake Tahoe
skiing, sipping & spa-ing | hiking, art walks & gaming | angling, kayaking & dancing | lake day & culture night
skiing, sipping & spa-ing | hiking, art walks & gaming | angling, kayaking & dancing | lake day & culture night
skiing, sipping & spa-ing | hiking, art walks & gaming | angling, kayaking & dancing | lake day & culture night