This is truly a special place. The areas surrounding the largest alpine lake in the country offer a traveler plenty to do and see whatever season they come in. The many casinos on the south part of the lake are known for their entertainment, excellent…Read More

This is truly a special place. The areas surrounding the largest alpine lake in the country offer a traveler plenty to do and see whatever season they come in. The many casinos on the south part of the lake are known for their entertainment, excellent restaurants, and as great places to have fun.

We enjoyed a lake cruise on the M.S. Dixie. In the winter, the cruises are different but still a wonderful family thing to do. We took a few snowmobile tours and did a lot of skiing. We visited the ski areas of Heavenly and Northstar. We drove up to site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley USA. We spent a day there and had a blast. Be sure to ride the cable car.

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This past weekend was jam packed with music and great food - another side of America's Adventure Place. The weekend started with dinner at Cafe Andreotti in Harrah's Reno, which was some amazing Italian food. They had an incredible pianist playing during our…Read More

This past weekend was jam packed with music and great food - another side of America's Adventure Place.

The weekend started with dinner at Cafe Andreotti in Harrah's Reno, which was some amazing Italian food. They had an incredible pianist playing during our meal, and it was a very romantic setting. We just discovered this restaurant gem, and I guarantee we'll be back.

We then checked into our hotel room, where we saw the sun set over the Sierras as the lights of downtown Reno came on. It was very picturesque. This is what it looked like (pics taken with my camera phone, so excuse the quality)...

There was a free concert going on in Harrah's outdoor plaza, which was right below our room. We enjoyed the tunes of John Eddie from our hotel room, and after a few minutes, we decided we had to go down and check out the concert in person.

Later that night, we went to see the Harrah's topless review show called Bareback. My hubby was extremely excited to see the show (go figure), and I had thought it would be mildly entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they also featured some men in the show, making the show much more than mildly entertaining for me -- something for everyone (except the kiddies!). The show featured country songs and dance routines. There was also a great comedian during the intermissions. He did spitting image impressions of Jack Nicholson, Michael Jackson, and John Wayne.

Sunday morning, we slept in and then had breakfast at Cafe Napa in Harrah's.

During the day on Sunday, we swam at the outdoor pool and took a nap, getting ready for another big evening. After dinner at Asiana, featuring Chinese, Thai, and Japanese cuisine in the Reno Hilton, we went to see Maroon 5 at the Reno Hilton's outdoor amphitheater.

It was a great night for an outdoor concert. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and we got to enjoy the sun setting over the Sierra Nevadas while we waited for the show to begin.

Oh, and did I mention that my husband is friends with a member of the band?! That's right. That's how I managed to get my hands on BACKSTAGE PASSES. And can you believe that right as I discovered we had backstage passes, I realised that my camera phone had completely died?! I went to the gift shop to purchase a disposable camera, because I definitely wanted to document such a momentous occasion.

The show was really good and ended with some incredible fireworks over the stage. We then went to the backstage-access line and found all kinds of groupies waiting to get in. I had my backstage pass proudly stuck to my shirt.

A band representative then came up to the line (where I was about five people back from the front) and started letting in hoards of scantily clad groupies. He'd pick one in the crowd and ask how many friends she had, and then girls would pipe up, saying six or eight, and all of those girls who didn't have official backstage passes, like we did, were let in.

After at least 30 groupies were let in, they started asking for people with passes. That is when the hubby and I were let in, and we went and found the drummer, Matt. We hung out backstage for at least 45 minutes, and I watched the groupies in awe - it was truly a whole new subculture for me.

After so much excitement this weekend, I had to go back to work on Monday to recover! Come check out the gaming and nightlife adventures in Reno-Tahoe for yourself!

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For those who hit the tables in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, playing blackjack in Reno is a little bit different. Here players will find mostly single-deck blackjack - meaning that the casino is using only one deck of cards, as opposed to five…Read More

For those who hit the tables in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, playing blackjack in Reno is a little bit different. Here players will find mostly single-deck blackjack - meaning that the casino is using only one deck of cards, as opposed to five or six like they do in the bigger Vegas casinos. This means you can find out more from watching the cards, and that there will be lots and lots of shuffles.

Etiquette. When playing blackjack in Reno, there is a way that one must play in order to adhere to the casino's rules. In Atlantic City or Vegas, players are not usually allowed to touch the cards, and use only hand signals to ask for a hit, or indicate that they will stay. In Reno, two cards will be dealt to each player, face down. The player is then expected to pick up the cards (as privately as possible so as not to show others their hand) to view them. If a player is satisfied with their cards, they are to place them face down on the table, but should slide them halfway under their bet. If a player would like to hit, they should keep the cards vertical, facing the player, in their hands. The player then sweeps the bottom of the cards on the table to signal the dealer for a hit. The player should sweep each time he would like a hit. When the player is satisfied with their hand, they slide the cards under their bet. If you bust (go over 21) you can throw the cards down face up and the dealer will dispose of them.

The good thing about playing blackjack in Reno is that they have very low table minimums, which can range from $3 to $10 a hand. Certain Reno casinos will also offer $1 blackjack on certain days. Larger casinos in Vegas and Atlantic City will have much higher minimums, anywhere from $5 to $25 a hand.

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The famous lighted arch is actually a symbol to celebrate the completion of the transcontinental highway. It went up in 1926. Three different arches have stood with the last one going up in 1987. The town got it's motto through a city held contest in…Read More

The famous lighted arch is actually a symbol to celebrate the completion of the transcontinental highway. It went up in 1926. Three different arches have stood with the last one going up in 1987. The town got it's motto through a city held contest in 1929. The winner 'The Biggest Little City in The World.'Close

Reno has several good spots to fill your picnic basket with interesting foods. My first stop would be Wild Oats Market at 5695 S. Virginia. Prices are a little on the high side, but the variety and quality can't be beat. They…Read More

Reno has several good spots to fill your picnic basket with interesting foods. My first stop would be Wild Oats Market at 5695 S. Virginia. Prices are a little on the high side, but the variety and quality can't be beat. They have an in-house sushi chef, an extensive deli department, and more exotic cheeses than you'll find probably anywhere else in Reno. There is also a bakery for your bread and dessert. It's an organic market, so you'll also find a large selection of juices and fresh fruit.

My next stop would be Trader Joe's at 5035 S. McCarran. Trader Joe's is less expensive than Wild Oats, but also has an excellent selection of cheeses and fresh picnic goodies. You'll also find wine at very reasonable prices and some unusual soft drinks and juices. If you didn't buy your bread at Wild Oats, Trader Joe's can fill that need, too. They have packaged breads as well as the wonderful Truckee Sourdough (at about half the price you'll find it in local supermarkets). They also have some unusual snacks (like wasabi-dusted fried peas, blue corn tortilla chips and peanut butter-filled pretzels). There is also a vast selection of cookies and chocolates for your picnic dessert.

If you haven't found a wine to your liking, head over to Cost Plus World Marketplace at 4987 S. Virginia, where they also have a variety of wines from around the world. And you can even buy your picnic basket there! Bon appetit!

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Reno has some great shopping if you're into outdoor sports. There's a Sierra Trading Post, one of only two in the country, at Airport Square (next to Costco). Sierra has good prices on seconds and overruns, and is a fun place to shop.…Read More

Reno has some great shopping if you're into outdoor sports. There's a Sierra Trading Post, one of only two in the country, at Airport Square (next to Costco). Sierra has good prices on seconds and overruns, and is a fun place to shop. Across the street is a large REI store, a bit pricier but you can find all the latest upscale gear. On the west end of town, along the north bank of the Truckee River in an industrial park is an outlet for Patagonia, with huge bins of seconds and returns of clothing at good prices.Close

The King Jacuzzi Suites at The Peppermill are an excellent and inexpensive way to enjoy Reno. These rooms typically go for $89.00 a night off peak and weekdays at the internet rate. You can not reserve rooms at The Peppermill over the internet,…Read More

The King Jacuzzi Suites at The Peppermill are an excellent and inexpensive way to enjoy Reno. These rooms typically go for $89.00 a night off peak and weekdays at the internet rate. You can not reserve rooms at The Peppermill over the internet, instead go to their website at www.peppermillcasino.com for pricing info,then call the number given.Close

One September way back when, we got up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning and met our friends at Rancho San Rafael park for the Balloon Races. This is a fun family event that is free. You'll want to bring…Read More

One September way back when, we got up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning and met our friends at Rancho San Rafael park for the Balloon Races. This is a fun family event that is free. You'll want to bring a thermos of hot cocoa and enjoy the spectacle. Wow. You can't believe the shapes that hot air balloons come in! This is one of those events you'll be glad you dragged your rear end to once those balloons get fired up and you just wallow in the splendor of the sky filled with colorful fire-breathing balloons.Close

We had a great time in Reno. We browsed the shops downtown, went to the neighboring hotels..Silver Legacy, Circus Circus, etc.Met wonderful people and my b/f even met someone from his old neighborhood when he was a boy. Even for just a partial…Read More

We had a great time in Reno. We browsed the shops downtown, went to the neighboring hotels..Silver Legacy, Circus Circus, etc.
Met wonderful people and my b/f even met someone from his old neighborhood when he was a boy.

Even for just a partial day trip, downtown Reno was really great.
I will take pictures of anything and everything as you will see.

It was a really fun time for us. Very much worth the side trip.Close