The quintessential Reno experience

[Ryan Jerz]

On a plane ride home from Chicago last week, I sat with a girl who is a senior at the US Naval Academy. She was on her way to Reno to compete in the collegiate national weightlifting championships and had a few days in Reno to hang out with her teammates. She asked me what I thought she needed to do while she was here.

I thought about it for a minute and came up with one answer for her. If she did nothing else while she was here she absolutely had to get herself an Awful Awful. I told her she might be scared away by the location, but it was not nearly as bad as it looks and the experience would be worth it. She said she'd do it, and I really hope she did.

What would you have said? If that person on the plane asked you what one thing they should do while they were here, what is that thing?

What is the quintessential Reno experience?

[Katie Palani]

Like we talked about this morning, I would have to say walking the river from the Sienna all the way to Mayberry park and back. You meet the locals, the tourists, the rich and the homeless; you have an opportunity to get some coffee, catch a movie, hit up a boutique or two, see Reno's beautiful river, watch/join the whitewater kayakers and swimmers, see the shimmering trees as Walter VanTilburg Clark wrote about in City of Trembling Leaves, and feel like you've gotten to know the place, all in a span of maybe 3 hours. Plus, Reno is the Adventure Place, so step it up and get outside!!!

[Elisa Maser]

Depends on how much time you're talking about .... days w/ the visitors usually = trip to Virginia City or Tahoe (depending on whether they're inclined to history to nature). Dinner at the Santa Fe and at least one Picon Punch. Almost anything Artown - if it's July.

[Ryan Jerz]

My thinking is more along the lines of the one thing you can do anytime in Reno. So Artown, VC and Tahoe are all out as far as this particular thought goes. But to each his own. If you suggest to the person on the plane that when they're in Reno, they should go see Virginia City, I'd question your allegiance to Reno Baby!

For that reason, I like your idea of dinner at the Santa Fe. That may raise another question about Picons. While Reno isn't the mecca for Picons, Nevada, as a whole, might be. And as an Elko product, I might have a thing or two to say about the Santa Fe's. But that's for another day.

[Katie Palani]

Talking to my husband, I find my reply remis in that I did not mention Artown. So, in addition to Ms. Maser, I hereby post that Artown is part of hte quintessential Reno experience, should the visitor or local be here in July to experience the ordeal, though I'd like to see more local talent involved in the program. Maybe this year, we'll see more locals on the stage, making it a locals for locals and visitors alike event.

[Elisa Maser]

Katie - good point. It's a pretty regular query around these parts .... is Artown a showcase of the fabulous splendor of the local arts scene (which is how I remember it from year 1) ... or a fabulous showcase of the arts (from elsewhere) presented locally (which is the "vision" of what Artown should be when it grows up).

Not that an event like this should not evolve ... it's just that brand / identity / dare we say it? soul thing.

I love some of the "headliners" they've brought to town, but I do agree with you that I like the local focus.

[dave aiazzi]

Love to talk about Artown and locals (I am the chair). Just not sure if this is the correct thread. Ryan?

[Ryan Jerz]

As maybe the most covered event in this town, I am hesitant to let Artown take over any topic that doesn't specifically mean to be about Artown.

[Jackie Shelton]

I had friends in from out of town a couple of weeks ago and they wanted to see the Reno that wasn't the stereotype. The boys and I took them to Heidi's for breakfast. And then we went to the river, where we showed them the river walk, the amphitheatre and the whitewater park. It was cold, but some kayakers were obliging enough to be in the water anyway.

I'm so impressed with the redevelopment of downtown Reno. Do you remember when locals didn't go there?

I love taking people down there, showing off our lovely river, and talking about how cool it is to see a live show in such a beautiful venue. Absolutely Artown is part of the experience - too bad it's only one month a year. :)

[Jim_Scripps]

I would have to say anything having to do with riding your bike. Downtown, around town, in the hills, etc. If it is sunny out, get on two wheels and roll to the river, have a beer, roll along the river path, etc. Good times.

[Wolfy]

Ditto that. I'd say go hit the shops on Cal Ave too. That's not as awesome as it could be, but it's a good blend of the old Reno and [what could be] the new reno. Art town is great, but Cal Ave is there 24-7 more or less.

-M

[Rob Woods]

I would tell her to check out the various events we have going on that particular weekend. For example, coming up is the Reno River Festival which is a great way to check out downtown and all the area offers. Aside from that, I agree that the river walk would be a great way to check out the city.

[Tom Clark]

Walk Cal Ave from Starbucks to the Chocolate Bar. You can really get a flavor for Reno in that short walk.