Visitreno

[aaron353]

So this is my first (and super long) post in your forum. Thanks for having me, and thanks to ErinSD for the invite (and John for dynamiting the hermetically sealed bank vault of a registration site so I could actually join, j/k John – it really wasn’t that bad for a person who thinks first and asks questions second – do I qualify?).

My post is a little like the “Need some ideas for my trip thread”. The wife and I are looking for some exciting local finds. We live in Austin, TX and will fly into Reno 2/7 - 2/17 for our 3rd trip in the last 3 years. We have a 4wd SUV and we'll be at the north lake Hyatt 2/7-2/9, then The Red Wolf Lodge North Lake (granny's timeshare) 2/9-2/15, and finally free Peppermill (+$100, woo hoo) 2/16-2/17. Driving an hour or two is never a problem.

To give you a little background, and so that I'm not asking w/o giving back, we've found some cool stuff... here's a list of some of it:

VA City was really fun - but not really a place you go again and again – saw suicide table, bought rocks, prayed for casino luck at the church – was stuck my lightning and hit by an ambulance first step outta the chapel
PHO 777 across from Harrah's where tea is $0.29 - lol
Greasy Char Pitt and loud children's b-day at Steamers near Tahoe City...
okay meal at Bankok Cuisine Reno
we wont miss Stonehouse Reno for breakfast
we plan to try Grand Sierra -Enoteca - for their 1/2 price dinner on Sunday
Jazz with local Radio station @ John Ascuaga - & a big ass burger - 2/11
$35 lift tickets at Sierra at Tahoe 2/9 - 2/12
gotta hit Fallen Leaf lake at Sunrise or Sunset on a clear day - quiet romantic non-touristy
didnt have time for Wilbur May or Richardson Art "gallery"/sales shop
tried Dory's Oar and it was okay
Love the Banana Bread at Heidi’s S. Shore
not yet tried Brothers Place, Mulligan’s, or Murphy’s
Free Prime Rib for my B-Day at LakeSide (woo hoo)
Sleigh ride at Borges with the owner driving - well worth the $15pp + a well earned tip
going to Steamboat Springs (.org) for a massage
using all of Hyatt's services - love the breakfast.
We hit the NVMOA on 3rd Thursday or whatever last year and caught some free tunes (and food) there last time we were in town.
Really bummed we are missing the snow festival at the end of the month
NOT DOING – ultimate rush, planetarium, or auto museum – but ty for suggestions

We've even done a little homework and plan to highroll at Wolfdales, 4th Street Bistro (for jazz too?), and Evans if we win any money (holding my breath….)

We are not big shoppers, so Malls and such hold little appeal. Sierra Trading Post and a few local place’s clearance sections usually “shut us up (…for a minute)” if we need any last minute hard goods.

As you might note, we are motivated and really like to get a feel for everything. We've spent a total of about 16 days in Reno...ever. I like to travel and Reno/Tahoe is presently my favorite place in America.

So I've rambled... I am looking for some info on good local places (yes, I read shooters and pyramid lake seems interesting).

1) Are there any more cool places to drink for cheap, hear good tunes, have great food, or hit up special events?

2) Are there any good coupons or discounts - LIKE MATCHPLAYS - that will work at local casinos? I have tons of free rooms that go to waste every year in Reno/Tahoe, but I never get coupons or deals on gambling itself, unless I make a reservation at the casino...and even then it is usually only Peppermill. Are there specials in the local paper or some other source that might be of value? I get Las Vegas Advisor and American Casino Guide, and they’re pretty shoddy when it comes to Reno deals. Best I got was $5 at Hyatt for the first time I signed up (WOW).

3) Are there any good places that are cheap and fun to rent a snowmobile? I rented one on north lake last year and they tried to say I damaged it. They then attempted to charge the AMEX to the outrageous tune of several grand. Once I carefully explained to the manager the precise location where the card could be swiped (between his cheeks) the charge was dropped; however, this year, I’d like to deal with a proprietor that is only semi-corrupt, rather than a walking contagious black hearted cancerous festering tumor.

4) Good Reno/Local Beers? Sierra Nevada is a given, but in Austin we have Independence Brewery (try bootlegger brown if you see it) which is pretty good. Getting drunk on the local brew is a true test of a city’s character. Any kind advice will be thoroughly tested (again and again and again). Who knows, I might even ask the same exact question next year (and your same exact answer would certainly be appropriate).

5) Is there anything to do in Carson City? I drive past and think it kinda sucks, but I am a tourist, so discount my opinion accordingly. Cliffnotes on Carson City attractions would be nice….

I look forward to cluttering up your boards with mindless (lengthy) banter. Seriously though, I appreciate any help you could provide and I’ll keep it shorter going forward. Thanks for having me!

[llkraus]

Can't help with all of your questions, but do know that both the Crystal Bay Club and the Tahoe Biltmore (both at the CA/NV stateline on Hwy 2 have live entertainment. The Crystal Bay Club even (sometimes) has people you might have heard of. (The last time I was there, about two years ago, the sign said David Allen Coe was appearing the next weekend.)

Also, the steak house in the Crystal Bay Club is very good, if a bit pricey.

llk
_________________
Larry L. Kraus
Tyler, TX

[remano]

You seem to have a pretty full schedule already so I'll just touch on a few things.

1. Cool places .... great food. I know you're not into shopping but take a drive out to the Scheels at the Sparks Marina Legends project. It is huge. While there, check out the new "Jazz" restaurant next door for New Orleans style food and atmosphere. It just opened a week or so ago but I have heard good things about it. I think it's a small chain with 5 or 6 other locations. For Mexican food we really like El Adobe, on Arroyo behind an antique mall. It would be on your right if going down Virginia St. from downtown toward Peppermill, a few blocks before Plumb. But, coming from TX you might not be too interested in Mexican food.

2. Coupons. Can be hard to come by. There are some on this site and RGJ's web site has some. Also, look for a glossy magazine (something like "Entertainmeent" or such) which is put out by the four main downtown casinos. You should be able to find it in their news stands or check-in counters. Since they sponsor it they mainly focus on their own shows and restaurants but it has a section of coupons including a 2-4-1 show deal. I've noticed the concierge desk at Pepp also has brochures and coupons, probably most concierge desks do.

3. Snowmobile rental. Sorry, no personal experience with rentals. I think I saw a winter visitor's guide published up in Tahoe that included coupons for discounts (probably that concierge desk again, maybe online too).

4. Local beers. If you go to Scheels/Jazz, go about a half mile across the freeway and visit Buckbean Brewery's tasting room. They have a web site to help find it. Some of their varieties are also available on tap at local establishments. Since you'll be at JA's Nugget it's just a short hop across the street to Great Basin Brewery, which I think is the best local microbrew. Downtown there's Silver Peak on the River, at W. First and Sierra. There's a couple others - I think one in the Summit Sierra mall at the base of the Mt. Rose Highway and a couple in Carson, but I've never been to those.

[hawk]

I like the NEW Buckbean Brewery options. Only thing I've found in casino is at Siena. They HAD the orange earlier and later the Black Noddy. I liked it.
Two brewpubs come to mind. In Sparks (is that Silver peak or is the other) on Victoria Ave and the other (now) downtown - probably this is Silver Peak. Both good but more expensive than I pay.
At the Eldo, the Brew Pub has won a lot of awards as Best in America. I do llike the Big Dog Ale here. They have happpy hour from 3-6, I think it is. Then pints are two bucks.

I dislike Tahoe.
As for Carson, it sucks a bit too. The new casino Fandango is nice enough but still just another casino.

The Aviary on Linden is SPECIAL as is the Docent. Appointments a necessity. (editors note: This is an inside joke)
Come to think of it: SHOOTERS is also an inside joke...
No further comment.

[aaron353]

the wife just found this. it looks pretty good. I hope it is not a "rival" site...

http://www.tahoe.com/article/20081217/ENTERTAINMENT04/812169995/1022/WHATTODO

[ErininSD]

Good God, I grew up in Reno and you've done more in your few trips then I've done in the whole time I lived there...LOL

10 years ago, I could've told you the cool bars to go to, like the Blue Lamp and Area 51, but since I don't go back often I don't really know where the cool hangouts are anymore.

My ex was into hangliding, that's why he moved there. If you're ever up there during the summer you ought to look into a tandem hangliding lesson, that'll definitely get your adrenaline going!

I always thought a sleigh ride would be cool, you might also want to look into snowshoeing, I think that would be fun too.

Anyway, enjoy your trip. Reno is an awesome place if you're into the outdoors.