I was born in Grass Valley, California, so Reno has been part of my life for as long as I can…read moreremember. As a kid, driving into town felt like arriving somewhere magical. Back then, the casino doors were wide open. You could hear the constant soundtrack of coins pouring out of slot machines before you even stepped inside. Maybe it's nostalgia talking, but there was just something about Reno in the late '70s and '80s that felt electric.
I've got more memories in this town than I probably should admit. When I was 17, I somehow wandered into a casino, got free drinks, and not one person asked for an ID. Different times... or maybe I just had the world's worst fake mustache. Either way, I survived, and apparently so did the casino.
My first marriage happened in Reno. I've played golf here, stayed in a penthouse overlooking the river and the casinos, wandered downtown with family, and now I've brought my son here to make a few memories of his own. Every visit seems to add another chapter.
Of course, you can't come to Reno without stopping at the famous arch. It's iconic. During the day it's cool. At night? That's when it really comes alive. The lights, the energy, the people it just feels like Reno.
Now, I'll admit I'm an old-school guy. I remember when casinos practically begged you to come inside. You'd get steak and eggs for $1.99, and somehow it was actually good. Drinks were free, people were winning enough coins to need a bucket, and every slot machine sounded like it was celebrating somebody. These days you slide your money into a machine, blink twice, and somehow you've just made a generous donation to the casino's remodeling fund.
The funny thing is, Reno has changed, but in some ways it's gotten even better. These days I come for the food just as much as the lights. Yelp has introduced me to little hole-in-the-wall restaurants that looked like they'd fail a beauty contest but absolutely crushed it in the kitchen. One place had us wondering if we took a wrong turn... until the food showed up and suddenly we were planning our next visit before we'd finished the meal. Fancy casino restaurant? Fantastic. Tiny local diner with faded paint? Also fantastic. Reno's food scene doesn't care what the building looks like it just shows up and delivers.
So yes, stop and grab your picture under the Reno Arch. It's part of the experience. Then put the phone away, wander around downtown, enjoy the lights, take in the river, and most importantly... go eat somewhere the locals recommend.
The house may always win, but if you come for the scenery, the memories, and especially the food... you'll leave feeling like you beat the odds.
Five stars. Some things change. Thankfully, Reno still knows how to make a trip worth remembering.