Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is so much more than Vegas’ little brother, home to lush riverfront parks, hip bars and unique wildlife on its doorstep. The result is a friendly, modern metropolis that’s quickly becoming known for first-rate culture, cuisine and, of course, casinos.

Things to do

Downtown Reno is fun with its neon lights, garish signage and burgers as big as your head, but there’s so much more to this Sierra Nevada gem. Reno is gaining a reputation across the United States for its pedigree as a cultural centre. If galleries and museums get your pulse racing, then you’re in luck.

Arguably the finest of Reno’s cultural attractions is the National Automobile Museum. Here visitors can enjoy over a century’s worth of American car history amid heavily stylised surrounds that somehow feel perfectly at home in Reno. Be sure to visit Discovery museum, a sprawling space of hands-on scientific learning that’s designed for kids but somehow has the whole family wide-eyed with excitement.

Although the collection at the Nevada Museum of Art is certainly worth a visit, the real draw of heading to this stunning structure just north of town is the second-to-none views. Head up to the Sky Room function area and enjoy unparalleled vistas in the swankiest of surrounds.

While it would be foolish to leave Reno without having sampled the full range of classic American cuisine, there is also a sophisticated food scene here to rival that of any mid-sized city in the country. From Basque pintxos to fragrant Vietnamese pho, the options are seemingly endless.

Getting around

The very best way to get around Reno is by car, which offers flexibility and convenience. Reno Union Station is the central hub for the train and bus systems, located around seven kilometres from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.