Reno: High-rolling adventures in the Sierra Nevada
Want activities for adventurous groups?
There are several ski and snowboard resorts within an hour’s drive of Reno. Planners also can take attendees on snowmobile or cross-country skiing; unusual transportation options include sleigh rides and dog sleds. During the warmer months, attendees can raft, canoe or kayak down the Truckee River, which runs through downtown Reno and downtown Sparks. The Truckee River Whitewater Park is a $1.5 million urban waterpark with class 2-3 rapids, 11 drop pools and adventure pools accommodating all skill levels. The Reno-Sparks area also has more than 50 golf courses within an hour and a half drive. According to local lore, the high altitude causes golf balls to fly 10 percent further here than in less mountainous regions.
Want to please high-rollers?
The area boasts 17 hotel-casino resorts. The Peppermill Hotel & Casino is one of the most impressive. A recent $400 million, Tuscan-themed expansion added new gambling areas, meeting space, luxury suites and dining venues. Entertainment options include a cabaret theater, a nightclub, a full-service spa and customized gambling tournaments. Meeting venues range from penthouse suites to elegant ballrooms and fine-dining restaurants. Visit Reno-Tahoe has a list of available casinos broken out by location, games offered and amenities (e.g., blackjack, poker rooms, VIP club and entertainment) on its Web site.
Want to bowl attendees over?
The National Bowling Center is a love letter to the sport of bowling. A four-story lobby features a bronze sculpture of a family on their way to the lanes. A Tournament Level offers 78 championship lanes and a pro shop. Groups also have access to a 172-seat I-WERKS theater and event spaces for up to 2,000 people.
Want Western-themed venues?
The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center can organize private rodeos or team-building programs, like steer-decorating contests, for groups. Or groups can come to see live rodeo events, concerts or livestock exhibitions. In nearby Sparks, the Pelfrey-Rosa is an outdoor venue with a log cabin pavilion and 46 wooded acres. Open from June through September, it’s a popular site for barbecues, receptions and weddings.
Want to surround groups with culture?
The third Saturday of every month, there is a Reno Wine Walk from 2-5 p.m., sponsored by the Riverwalk’s small business owners. Guests are given a wine glass and ID bracelet and encouraged to sample wine at any participating merchant. The last Thursday of every month, there is an Art Walk along the Riverwalk from 4-9 p.m., featuring live music, food tastings and art exhibits. Venues along the river include a 120-person gallery at Sierra Arts and The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Nevada Opera Association, Washoe County Concerts Association and Masterworks Chorale as well as a Broadway show series. Hospitality suites are available for groups of up to 120 people, and there is a black-box theater in addition to the main auditorium.
Want unusual venues?
The National Automobile Museum is ranked one of the nation’s top 10 automobile museums. Meeting space accommodates groups of up to 1,200, and there is a 157-seat theater on-site. The Wilbur D. May Center has several unusual venues for groups of up to 200, including a garden courtyard, a room overlooking the center’s arboretum and a private room off the courtyard. The center is home to a museum, gardens and a family fun park with gold-panning activities and pony rides. The Fleishmann Planetarium & Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, has meeting space, large-format film screenings, hands-on exhibits and a full-dome digital star show.
Want to give back while doing business?
The Lake Mansion has five event rooms, a contemporary gathering space and an 800-sq. ft. pavilion. The historic home accommodates groups of up to 150 people and is the home of the VSA arts of Nevada, a nonprofit organization that helps disabled and abled children and adults explore the arts in a positive environment. Meetings at the venue support restoration efforts.
