Downtown Reno

First stop: The Riverwalk. This city park sits on the Truckee River in downtown Reno, Nevada. It was a pleasant place for me to start exploring Reno. The fall colors and rapids were a stark contrast to the glitter gulch of the Virginia Street casinos nearby.


Virginia Street is the main drag of Reno. Many of the casinos are here. The familiar, brand name ones are mostly downtown. Heading south (past the University of Nevada campus) a number of newer casino-hotel complexes have sprouted. Reno bills itself as "The Biggest Little City in the World". True to form, I did find it's downtown compact and easily navigable.


I'm not a gambler. At least not in casinos. A lot of people think of it as a fun game or a chance to win big money. In reality, the house sets it's own rules--heavily in favor of itself. You might win, sure--but you are definitely going to LOSE! Besides, Nevada still allows smoking on the floor. One more reason to stay OUT of the casinos...

Just enjoy the pretty neon signs from the outside. Stroll the avenues. When you see people through the windows shake your head and laugh. They're flushing money and time down the toilet! You're a special person--trust me--you don't need to run a deficit to have a good time...