I’ve lived in Reno, Nevada going on 8 years. There are plenty of things to do here. When my out-of-town friends come and visit, I like to plan a perfect day that includes a local activity paired with a great meal. There are some combinations that I always fall back on and invariably delight my guests. Below are a few of my perfect days with local adventures and restaurants. What are some of yours? From river rafts and burgers to long walks and espresso, you can get out and explore all that Reno-Sparks has to offer – then top it off with delicious food and drinks from some of our world-class eateries.

Truckee River Tubing and The Silver Peak

This pairing is always a hit. It’s super easy, reasonably priced, and family-friendly. Right next to the Truckee River Whitewater Park, in downtown Reno, you can rent inner tubes from Truckee River with Sierra Adventures. They shuttle you up the river to your choice of drop spot. Tube rentals are for an entire day so if you want to make a day of it, you can stop along the way and swim. The trip ends right downtown where you started. Return your tube and walk half a block to Silver Peak on The River where you can dine on delicious pub food. After a day on the water, I almost always order the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich with Steak Fries.

Sunset River Walk with Rolled Mountain Creamery

This pairing is a great way to cap off a weekend. Head downtown near sunset and take a leisurely stroll along the Truckee River. The Reno Riverwalk is at the heart of Reno’s downtown urban renaissance, offering great views and plenty of opportunities to watch people, if that’s your thing. This leads to a medley of shops, bistros, and cafes. One of my favorites is Rolled Mountain Creamery. They offer a unique ice cream experience and plenty of options, including non-dairy ice cream – to keep everyone happy.

Eclectic Shopping, Coffee and Crêpes In MidTown

My out-of-town friends love to shop at unique places. I almost always take them to Junkee in MidTown. They offer recycled clothing, costumes, vintage finds, antiques and furniture. There is definitely something for everyone here and we have been known to let hours go by browsing isle by isle. We usually cross the street to check out the Melting Pot World Emporium too. The counterculture shop features Burning Man supplies, apparel, and jewelry for men and women. After that, we enjoy French Press Coffee and Crêpes at CRÈME Cafe. They offer a selection of sweet or savory crepes and locally roasted Blind Dog Coffee.

MidTown Mural Tour and Pizza by the Slice from Sizzle Pie

Reno has a great art scene. One component of that and completely free to enjoy are the murals. We currently have 80 different murals in downtown Reno and Midtown. You can easily walk or drive along the tour path to enjoy the portraits, characters and everything in between. You can use this interactive Midtown Mural Map or explore on your own. Somewhere along the way, I like to pair the activity with a slice of pizza from Sizzle Pie. They have whole made-to-order pizzas, premade slices and salads.

No matter what your tastes are, there is definitely plenty of fun to be had in Reno. Beyond that, it is a dream for foodies. If you have a favorite local activity and food pairing send it to us and we will be sure to share it with our followers. Make sure to check out The 7 Best Restaurants in Reno for Farm-to-Table Cuisine too.

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