Skip to ContentReno sits on the Truckee River at the foot of the Sierra. This is the starting page for its history, river, museums and parks.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 1868town established (Wikipedia)
- 24 hrRiverwalk access
- Class 2-3whitewater course at Wingfield Park
- 1859toll bridge on the river (Wikipedia)
Places and History
Reno History
From a bridge on the Truckee River to the arch, the railroad and the divorce era.
History
Truckee River And Riverwalk
The 24-hour Riverwalk through downtown, with monthly Wine Walks and a free holiday lights festival.
Downtown
Wingfield Park
An island park that began as a resort, beside the Class 2 to 3 whitewater course.
River
National Automobile Museum
Over 200 cars in four galleries, opened in 1989.
Museum
Nevada Museum Of Art
Hours, admission and parking for the downtown art museum.
Museum
Rancho San Rafael Park
The arboretum, the May Museum and the balloon race field.
Park
Galena Creek Regional Park
Washoe County’s oldest park, up Mt. Rose Highway.
Park
Big Events
Hot August Nights is the classic-car week. The Great Reno Balloon Race is a free September event. The full calendar has the rest.
Just Beyond Town
Sparks is next door: see Sparks and the Truckee Meadows. Carson City and the valley are about 35 to 40 minutes south (our estimate, no live traffic) and Virginia City is about 45 minutes (our estimate, no live traffic). Mt. Rose and Lake Tahoe are in the mountains above town.
Legends And Lore
Stories people tell about this place, each labelled and checked against the record.
- Reno Is West of Los AngelesTrue. Reno sits west of Los Angeles. We checked it against Census Bureau coordinates.
- The Reno Arch and “Biggest Little City”True. The arch, the $100 slogan contest and the neon, from Reno Historical.
On The Map
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Drive times (our estimates only).
- Anything not on an official page is labelled on the page it appears on.
More to Explore
- Sparks And The Truckee Meadows
- Carson City And Carson Valley
- Virginia City And The Comstock
- Lake Tahoe
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Reno?
Walk the Truckee Riverwalk, visit the Nevada Museum of Art or the National Automobile Museum, see the balloon race or Hot August Nights, or hike at Galena Creek.
Sources
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Reno,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.
Events in The Next 45 Days
Nevada Wolf Pack Men's Basketball vs. Utah Valley
Sat, Nov 14 · 7:00 PM
Lawlor Events Center · Reno & Sparks
Home game on the official Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball schedule, listed with the weekday and 7 P.M. tip time. Price: See event page
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 3, 2026 on the organizer’s page
HOME for the Holiday's at Greater Nevada Field
Nov 27 - Dec 23 · 5:00-9:00 p.m. (Nov 27-29, Dec 3-6, 10-13, 16-23)
Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave · Reno & Sparks
A 360-degree stadium light show with Santa and Mrs. Claus photos, tree lightings and free hot chocolate. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: Read on the Downtown Reno Partnership listing; the ballpark's own page was not read. Admission price is not listed.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Nevada Wolf Pack Men's Basketball vs. Cal Poly Humboldt
Sat, Nov 28 · 2:00 PM
Lawlor Events Center · Reno & Sparks
Home game on the official Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball schedule, listed with the weekday and 2 P.M. tip time. Price: See event page
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 3, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Sierra Nevada Ballet Peanutcracker (Reno)
Sun, Nov 29
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts · Reno & Sparks
A short, family-oriented Nutcracker from Sierra Nevada Ballet. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: Showtime and ticket prices are not listed on the ballet's page.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
39 North Pole (Sparks Hometowne Christmas village)
Dec 3-5 · Thu and Fri 4-9 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Santa photos Sat 11-1:30 and 2:30-3:30)
Victorian Square · Reno & Sparks
Light displays, a crafters' village and Santa photos, part of the City of Sparks Hometowne Christmas weekend. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The city page gives no street address and no price.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Silver & Snowflake Festival of Lights and Capitol Tree Lighting
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Nevada State Capitol grounds, 101 N Carson St · Reno & Sparks
Tree lighting with fifth-grade caroling, sleigh rides on Carson Street, Santa and the Grinch, a vendor market, live music and hot chocolate. Listed by the Brewery Arts Center. Price: Free
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Tree Lighting
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Victorian Square gazebo, Victorian Ave and Victorian Plaza Circle East · Reno & Sparks
Live entertainment and free hot chocolate; the mayor lights the 60-foot Giant Sequoia. The City of Sparks lists it with the Hometowne Christmas weekend. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: No admission price is stated on the city page; free hot chocolate is the only price detail.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Santa Train at Nevada State Railroad Museum
Dec 5-20 · Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20; departures every 30 minutes, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S Carson St · Reno & Sparks
A 20-minute train ride; museum admission is not included. Price: $10 per seat ages 4+; lap riders 3 and under free
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Sierra Nevada Ballet Peanutcracker (Carson City)
Sat, Dec 5
Carson City Community Center · Reno & Sparks
A short, family-oriented Nutcracker from Sierra Nevada Ballet. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: Showtime and ticket prices are not listed on the ballet's page.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00-2:30 p.m. (parade-day activities 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Victorian Avenue, Victorian Square · Reno & Sparks
The 39th annual parade runs from Pyramid down Victorian Ave to Victorian Plaza Circle West. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: Admission is not stated on the city page.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Nevada Wolf Pack Men's Basketball vs. Sam Houston
Sat, Dec 12 · 7:00 PM
Lawlor Events Center · Reno & Sparks
Home game on the official Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball schedule, listed with the weekday and 7 P.M. tip time. Price: See event page
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 3, 2026 on the organizer’s page
11 events listed here, read on 6 organizer and venue websites. Every row shows the day we checked it. Dates change: check the organizer’s page before you go, and tell us if something is wrong.