"Reno: More Than Just a Smaller Vegas " a Reno Travel Page by Tom_Fields

Reno's downtown resembles that of Las Vegas. It has older, less gaudy casinos than does the Las Vegas Strip. You can have about as much fun here as in Las Vegas, with fewer hassles (such as traffic and parking problems).

Reno is often compared to Las Vegas. It's strikingly similar in many ways, but with some big differences.

Reno is more laid-back. In my opinion, it's more livable and attractive. It has the beautiful Truckee River flowing right through downtown, is located close to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, and has a highly respected university.

It's not nearly as trendy as the famous Las Vegas Strip, and does not draw the vast throng of tourists. But if you live in Northern California, it's a pleasant weekend getaway.

If you go, it's better during the summer, when the mountain roads are clear. During winter, you'll need snow chains to get there.