Going to Reno
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Places to Go >
Going to Reno
Dec 2007
Our family (two kids, ages 6 and 9) plans to downhill ski in the Reno area
a few times this winter. I'm seeking recommendations for places to
stay--casinos probably have the best deals for meals and lodging? Looking
for one that is family friendly, although I'm sure all of them require a
certain degree of navigation through yucky cigarette smoke...
CC
We stayed at Circus Circus during the ski season because of its cheap
hotel rooms and carnival game/circus show offerings. But the smoke
permeates everything and is especially nauseating in the casino
area...which you must traverse everytime you want to go eat, go outside or
into your car. Your clothes and hair will reak of the stench when you come
home.
The meals are not cheap (compared to the quality) and the lines always
seemed long (especially for the buffets). Even to get tea from a snack
kiosk (the room didn't even have a coffeemaker) was a 10-15 minute wait.
Also, downtown Reno is still at least 30-40 minutes from the snowy
mountains for skiing. I would recommend staying in Truckee or North Tahoe.
I use VRBO.com and have never been dissappointed. Renting directly from
the owner, you'll be pleasantly surpised how affordable and nicer it is to
stay in a condo or townhouse as opposed to a one room smokey hotel.
vick
We went to Reno in May with our 6-year-old to visit relatives. We stayed
at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino which was great - it basically has its
own amusement park - movie theater, bowling alley, a ton of arcade games,
bumper cars, shuttleboard, lazer tag, and a Chevy's for dinner. You don't
have to go through the casino to get to your room or to the amusements,
and there is no longer smoking anywhere but in the casino, so it's not a
stinky hotel. This hotel is not on the strip either - another plus - but
it is just off the freeway, so very convenient. We'll probably stay there
again.
March 2006
Planning a weekend in Reno for a conference in August with
family, including two older children. Considering Silver Legacy,
Circus,or Sands. Would like to hear from anyone who can
recommend any of these hotels. Budget is a consideration. If
there are any really good restaurants (not to be missed), would
like to hear about those, too. Thank you.
I have a 9 and 12 year old and we stayed at the Atlantis in Reno. The rooms were priced
right, they have a great arcade (Atlantis Fun Center) and pool area. Best of all, it's
off the strip. http://www.atlantiscasino.com/ My kids really loved the waterfalls and
jungle theme of the hotel.
Depending on your budget, you can reserve a concierge tower room which has access to the
fitness center and concierge room with complimentary breakfast and mangers reception in
the evenings. We also found a grocery store across the street for snacks. Many great
restaraunts offering something for everyone. anon
We have stayed a couple of times at the Atlantis casino / hotel, which is not one of the
three you were considering. It is located further south, away from the downtown area,
but it is newer (built around '95?) has good prices, and an indoor pool. The price and
the pool are the selling points for us with our child. It is round, 3.5 to 4.5 feet
deep, very warm, and fun. There is an outside jacuzzi (and in summer months, an outside
pool too,) and a full floor of arcade / games / food for kids. Seems the teens love that
floor. It has a fitness and spa center, a buffet and several other restaurants as well.
Hope this helps. ~Not a casino fan, but enjoys the ammenities.
October 2001
We are visiting Reno in early November and would love some suggestions for
activities. I have twin boys, almost 3, and would rather be away from
casinos and cigarette smoke. I'm guessing I need indoor activities,
depending on the weather. Any help is appreciated.
Stefanie
List of parks and pools:
http://www.cityofreno.com/com_service/parks/
Terrific Park:
Rancho San Rafael Park
Contact Information
1502 Washington St., Reno Phone (775) 785 4319
Prices: no admission is charged for park entrance.
This beautifully landscaped area is one of Reno's premier parks. The Great
Reno Balloon Race and Skyfire are a couple of the major events taking place
here.
On the grounds of this huge park you will find the Wilbur D. May Museum and
Arboretum and the Great Basin Adventure Amusement Park. You will find
miles of walking or jogging trails complete with exercise stations, several
playgrounds for the kiddies, picnic and barbecue facilities, with acres and
acres of grass. For large groups, you can call ahead and reserve one of the
many gazebo picnic areas available throughout the park.
These are all a about 25 miles from Reno:
We went to this children's museum in Carson City: It is in a smallish
building --- about the size of a school gymnasium. It is similar to
Habitot in flavor, but all in one room. It is larger, but not as nice
as Habitot. It has a walk-on piano, an inflatable planetarium, a
shadow room (this was a big hit with my 2-year-old) where the kids
stand against the wall and a flash of light goes off and then they can
step back and view their silhouette, a play grocery store, and so on.
Children Museum-Northern Nv 813 N Carson St Carson City, NV
(775) 884-2226
25.0 miles from Reno.
We have driven by this and wanted to go, but haven't made it there yet:
CARSON CITY, NV--The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City will
begin its ?Summer Hours? May 28, 2001. It will be open
seven-days-a-week, from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. through Labor Day. After
that, it will be open Wednesday through Sunday for its winter hours.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum operates steam-ups with historic
Virginia & Truckee Railroad equipment on selected weekends throughout
the year. The next steam-up will take place during the Memorial Day
weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 26, 27 and 28. The train
will operate at 40-minute intervals starting at 10 a.m., with the last
train at 4 p.m. The fare is $2.50 for adults, $1 for children 6-11
years of age, under 6 ride free.
Squaw Valley:
You can ride the cable car to the top of the mountain. There is a
skating rink at the top and a swimming pool (probably closed). Kids
love the cable car ride.
Susan
I was last in Reno before my child was born, but my husband and I enjoyed the Reno Auto Museum (I think
that is the name... formerly Harrah's collection) there. Also about 25 miles down the road in Carson City
is the GREAT Nevada State Railroad Museum, which would definitely be a great place for young children as it
is very "hands on." Carson City probably also has other attractions; it is much smaller and more
picturesque than Reno.
You might also try the Reno Chamber of Commerce's website. When we travel, we find most places have
websites that have visitor's info, and generally a section on activities for kids.
Things to do with kids in Reno:
There are some good events and attractions listed on this website:
http://www.funjet.com/destin/nevada/rno/thingstoknow.htm
cheryl
We visited Reno a few times when our son was young, and we were students
looking for an inexpensive place to stay when we played in the snow. We
stayed at Circus Circus, which has circus acts and games. My son also
enjoyed riding the train that shuttles guests from the main building to the
tower rooms and back (a big hit when he was 4!). The car museum at Harrahs
is also neat - I had a much better time there than I had expected, and my
husband and son loved it. The Reno Hilton (on the edge of town) has a big
bowling alley with bumpers for the kids, and more games. We also went to a
magic show one evening. The website
http://www.renotahoefun.com/funbook/index.html has listings for what is on
in town, and coupons.
Barbara
this page was last updated: Apr 30, 2008
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network