2026-2027
EVENTS CASINOS
DRI NKS
Read our updated digital vers at RenoNR ion .com
r u c o f
food
C I US
e r ltu
M ce
i v d a r e d i Ins e h t n i e f i l on ty i C e l t t i L t Bigges
y r o hist
a r t C O M M U N I T Y
WELCOME! Introducing our new insiders’ guide—for newcomers and longtime locals alike! Mailing address: 31855 Date Palm Drive, No. 3-263, Cathedral City, CA 92234 775-324-4440 • RenoNR.com
Publisher/Executive Editor Jimmy Boegle Managing Editor Kris Vagner Editor at Large Frank X. Mullen Photo Editor David Robert Cover Design Maria Ratinova Distribution Lead Rick Beckwith Contributors Mark Earnest, Jessi Sprocket Janusee, Misty Kinser, Kelley Lang, Michael Moberly, David Rodriguez, Sarah Russell, Jason Sarna, Susan Winters The Reno News & Review newcomers' guide is published annually, and is available free of charge throughout Northern Nevada, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $10 by calling 775-3244440. The RN&R may be distributed only by authorized distributors. The RN&R is online every day, all the time, at RenoNR.com. All content is ©2026 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The RN&R is owned by Coachella Valley Independent, LLC, and is a proud member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the Nevada Press Association, and the Local Independent Online News Publishers.
Welcome to Reno for Real, the RN&R’s new annual guide, with insider advice on life in and around the Biggest Little City! If you’re new to the region, welcome! We’re here to help get you living like a local in no time, with advice on where to eat and drink; how to navigate the local arts and culture scene; where to find your political allies; and a lot more. If you’re a longtime resident, this guide is for you, too, with sections on how to thrive here in every season, and details on how the latest laws passed (or not passed) by the Legislature are affecting life in Nevada. And after the rash of wildfires in the summer of 2026 destroyed numerous homes—and threatened many, many others—learning how to prepare for the next fires is front and center on our minds, so we compiled some helpful info on that topic as well. We call this guide Reno for Real for a reason. While you’ll hear a lot of local pride in our writers’ voices—we do love it here!—we are not sugarcoating things. Life in Reno has its share of problems, grittiness and annoyances, just like anywhere, so you’ll find a little tough love in these pages, too. Here’s what else is “real”: This guide is not in any way influenced by tourism boards, realty associations or anyone who may be trying to entice you to come or go, buy or sell. These are our honest assessments of what life here is like, and why you should care. This guide is full of observations and insights from RN&R writers who’ve been writing about the nooks and crannies of life in Reno for years—and in some cases, decades. Our advice on great outings for kids comes straight from Jesse Janusee, artist and adventure mom extraordinaire. Our legislative rundown comes from Frank X. Mullen, a longtime investigative reporter and a Nevada Newspaper Hall of Famer. Our tips on getting to know the bar scene come from Michael Moberly, a longtime beverage-industry manager, consultant and columnist. You get the idea. Enjoy the new guide! —Kris Vagner krisv@renonr.com
Get oriented: The greater Reno area by the numbers 287,532 5 percent Reno’s population in 2026 —Source: World Population Review
Percentage by which the cost of living in Reno exceeds that national average in 2026 —Source: Payscale
112,456
Sparks’ population in 2026 —Source: World Population Review
519,471
Washoe County’s population in 2025 —Source: Nevada Tomorrow
578,070
Washoe County’s projected population in 2043 —Source: Nevada Department of Taxation
Breakdown by party of registered voters in Washoe County (which accounts for 15.68% of Nevada voters) as of Oct. 1, 2026: Republican: 101,871 Democrat: 93,074 Independent American Party: 14,418 Libertarian: 2,841 Non-partisan: 109,466 Other: 5,242 —Source: Office of Nevada Secretary of State
$80,760
Median Reno household income in 2026 —Source: U.S. Census Bureau
$645,450
Median list price of a home in September 2026 —Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$367,000
Median list price of a home in September 2016 —Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 2
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
Rainy days are rare in Reno: The city gets an average of just 7.35 inches of precipitation per year, according to the National Weather Service. Photo/Kris Vagner
NO COMMISSION. NO WORRIES. Finding the right car for you is what drives us. That’s the Dolan Difference and why we’ve been voted Best New Car Dealership and Best Used Car Dealership. RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
3
FOOD & DRINK
| BY MICHAEL MOBERLY
Getting buzzed in the Biggest Little City The good, the rad and the weird—bars that set the bar Reno has a vibrant, fun bar scene with a lot of talented bartenders—but finding the right one for you and/or your mood can be daunting. Start with this list of local good, rad and weird bars so you can pick the right one for your vibe. The Good
Bars with exceptional cocktails and exceptional vibes, great for date nights or showing off. Death & Taxes 26 Cheney St., www.deathandtaxesreno.com This is the first on the list for many reasons, first and foremost that in the eyes of many, they make the best drinks in Reno—and realistically some of the best drinks you can have anywhere. The attention to detail at Death & Taxes is on par with that of the best bars in the world. The drinks are pricey because of incredible, sometimes rare ingredients you won’t find anywhere else, such as the bar’s many single-barrel selections. If you want the best drink at a fancy place, Death & Taxes is for you.
too fancy in vibe, but very ambitious in the glass. Features include a house solera barrel aging system that pours an aged boulevardier found only at Chapel. This place is the best way to tell a date, “I have taste, but I’m also very laid back.” Like Japanese denim, Chapel is for those who know what they like—and are willing to pay for it.
The Rad
Places to hang with friends in chill Reno style. Whispering Vine Wine Co. 4201 W. Fourth St. and 85 Foothill Road, www.whisperingvinewine.com Whispering Vine is Reno’s oldest independent wine store for a reason. Its multiple locations have wine at pretty much any price point, with no corkage fee to drink it there. If you want classic-Reno, open-a-bottle-and-yap vibes, this is the place, with a crew that has been doing it longer than anyone. You will see every drinking-age demographic at a Whispering Vine, because it features products that draw the masses. From crowd pleasing bottles for tailgating to obscure, hard-to-find bottles, Whispering Vine has it all (including food if you’re hungry, and cocktails if they’re your preference).
Reno Public House 33 St. Lawrence Ave., therenopublichouse.com This is a bar lovers’ bar in the best possible way—with a great staff, a wide selection, and a big patio at an amazing Midtown location. It’s busy when you want it to be on Friday night and chill when you want it to be for a Saturday afternoon hang. Beer and a shot, or classic cocktail? They do both pretty damn well. Craft Wine and Beer 22 Martin St., www.craftreno.net Craft is a retail shop that other retail shops wish they could be, run by some of the most unpretentious and knowledgeable staff you can find in the U.S., not just in Reno. You can find a new favorite tipple every day of the week, and you’ll still want to come back for more. Drinking at Craft feels like hanging out in your smart best friend’s bar. Great Basin Brewing Co. 846 Victorian Ave., Sparks (with other locations in Reno, Carson City and Minden), www.greatbasinbrewingco.com Having beers at Great Basin in Sparks is like stepping into a time machine to when people still called good beers “microbrews.” The burgers and bar food are ideal for a brewery,
Derby Barber & Supply 406 California Ave., Suite 100, www.derbybarber.com Deluxe drinks in a handsome location will always be a winning combo. This barber shop/ cocktail lounge looks like it’s right out of a Ralph Lauren showroom—and the drinks do, too. With a nice patio for watching the sunset and well-priced happy hour cocktails made with care, Derby is perfect for anyone looking to feel stylish. Rum Sugar Lime 1039 S. Virginia St., rumsugarlime.com It’s not a tiki bar, but it has tiki drinks. RSL’s vibe is more expensive tropical vacation destination than kitschy tiki escapism, with a brilliant selection of rum cocktails and a luxury Tommy Bahama feel that will leave you buzzy and ready to watch White Lotus. Chapel Tavern 1099 S. Virginia St., www.chapeltavern.com Chapel is the best place to drink during the day (after 2 p.m. on weekdays) in Reno—not 4
|
RN&R
|
Brian Harvey puts some “sting” into the Scorpion bowl cocktail at Rum Sugar Lime. Photo/David Robert
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
and the beers have been great since 1993. This is a bar where your dad would have hung out when your dad was cool.
The Weird
Yeah, Reno is weird, and we like it that way. These are the oh-so-Reno bars you’ll want to share with the world. Louis’ Basque Corner 301 E. Fourth St., louisbasquecorner.com Nevada’s state drink is the picon punch, and you should have your first one at a Basque restaurant, because that’s where this legendary libation is most at home. The picon punch is Nevada’s drinking secret handshake—those who can handle the intense and somewhat bitter flavor are welcome in our dusty, weird club. Ryan’s Irish Saloon 924 S. Wells Ave., www.ryanssaloon.com Finding an Irish dive bar with good food is like finding a $100 bill in your pocket—it’s always a welcome surprise. Here, you’ll get classic dive vibes, good drinks, tons of regulars, and you can eat. Plus, Ryan’s has a pool table, darts and even a great seasonal frozen drink. What more could you ever want? Coney Island Bar 2644 Prater Way, Sparks, coneyislandbar.net There is a bar in Reno mostly open only for lunch and happy hour (plus dinner on most Wednesdays) where you will see politicians, lawyers, construction workers, retired folks and day drinkers all mingling. This magical place is named Coney Island Bar, after the amusement park that was once across the street. Built in 1935, it is one of the oldest restaurants in the region, and while you won’t find any rollercoasters, you will find a picon punch or five, and you can still order a plate of deli meat as a lunch entree. It is the ideal place to get a taste of old Reno/Sparks in all its glory. Ferino Distillery 541 E. Fourth St., ferinodistillery.com Did you know the picon punch’s principal ingredient, amer, is made right on Fourth Street at a local distillery? Ferino Distillery makes a classic style of Italian liquor called amaro, known for its bitter, bold taste, and it also operates as a bar and tasting room. Be sure to book a tour with the distiller and owner, Joe Cannella, to learn about the history and styles of amaro.
ADVICE F ROM T HE EXPER T S
SPONSORED CONTENT
You don’t have to know someone: Finding your way into Reno’s creative community, one slightly awkward hello at a time By Megan O’Reilly
There’s a hesitation outside an unfamiliar event. You saw the post. The art looked interesting. You remembered to leave the house. And now you’re outside a studio thinking, “Is this a thing I can just walk into?” Do I need to know somebody? Am I supposed to buy something? Is everyone going to recognize that I have no idea what I’m doing? An impressive amount of overthinking can happen between the sidewalk and the front door. But you don’t have to be an artist, a collector, or someone with strong opinions about sculpture to be interested in what people are making here. You just have to be curious. That’s enough to start. About Pitch Black Printing Co. Born from DIY, built for bold print: We started as a band, a basement show, and a box of shirts that made a dollar each. Fifteen years later, we print for artists, galleries, makers, and brands who would rather be remembered than blend in. If it needs to be seen, remembered, and talked about, that’s the kind of thing we want to print. 2011, the basement show: Back in the olden days of yore, Maurice and his band ordered some shirts from a buddy’s shop in Portland. After printing, shipping, and selling the shirts at a basement show, the return on investment was about a dollar per shirt. Not a great ROI. So we bought our own press: Deep in DIY culture, the group picked up a six-color screen press with all the fixins, and with it, a decent printer. Word got out: Artist friends soon found out Maurice had this printer and started saying things like “I have a gallery submission, can you print this photo?” or “Can you make a few prints of this painting?” The dumb mistake: Maurice then made the dumb mistake of telling Megan this could turn into something that actually helped artists. A way to get work out into the world in a form that could be seen, touched, sold. Maybe a small retail space to sell these art prints. Megan, who was looking for a change of pace from the daily electrical grind, took the idea and ran with it. Today, a 50/50 shop: Art reproduction was originally the only thing we planned to offer. Then artist clients started asking for more commercial items for conventions. Banners, business cards, stickers. Today, Pitch Black Printing Co. is roughly a 50/50 split between artist services and commercial printing. We draw in commercial clients because we approach every project from an artist’s point of view. In crowded industries where everyone’s fighting to be noticed, we focus on telling a clear visual story and helping people actually stand out. We’re really here to make you unforgettable. Pitch Black Printing Co. is located at 700 E. Fourth St., #A. Call (775) 476-2003, or visit pitchblackprintingco.com.
There are real people behind all this stuff
One of my favorite sentences lately is that my business partner, Maurice, and I are officially trading cards. Our buds behind Barista Brawl asked us to become characters in their coffee-shop card game. It’s built by real baristas, with hand-drawn work by real artists. Seeing yourself as a game character is a trip. Seeing something your friends dreamed up become something people can hold and play is even better. But creative work doesn’t live exclusively on gallery walls. Sometimes it’s a card game. Sometimes it’s a poster for a band you’ve never heard of, a piece hanging in a coffee shop, or something on a maker’s table that stops you midconversation. The interesting part isn’t the finished object. It’s finding out who made it, what they were trying to do, and how they figured it out. You don’t need an art vocabulary to ask about that.
Find your version of interesting
“Get involved in the arts” sounds like a big assignment. “Go see how someone makes that” feels more manageable. Start with something you like. Music. Photography. Weird little drawings. Clothes. Coffee. Objects made out of materials you didn’t realize could become objects. There are plenty of ways in: a reception, a demonstration, an open studio. An open studio might let you see someone’s workspace and ask about what they’re making. A reception might put you in front of finished work with the person who made it standing a few feet away. Neither requires you to arrive with a thoughtful speech prepared. If you’re visiting, something like that can give you a way to meet people who actually live and make things here. If you’re local, it can interrupt the very convincing story that you already know what’s around you.
A reception is not a test
Some event descriptions could use a little translation. An “opening reception” generally celebrates the start of an exhibition. An “artist talk” puts more attention on hearing about the work. An “open studio” offers a look at the place where someone makes it. A “workshop” is more likely to put you to work, so check whether you need to register or bring supplies. The names are useful clues, not complete instructions. Read the details. A listing might say an artist-and-curator meet-andgreet is “free with admission.” That last part matters. Free programming doesn’t necessarily mean free entry. Check the cost, timing, age restrictions, and whether you need a ticket. If seating, stairs, noise, or another practical detail will affect whether you can enjoy yourself, ask about it. None of that needs to become a research project. You’re just trying to avoid arriving at 7:30 for the thing that started at 6 and required registration. RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
And if the announcement leaves out something important, “Hey, I haven’t been before—how does this work?” is a reasonable message.
You can just ask a normal question
You don’t have to say something profound about the relationship between light and memory. Unless you want to. I’m not stopping you. But “What is this made out of?” works. So does “How did you get started?” Or “What was the hardest part of making this?” I spend time helping people turn ideas into something real, and I’m still interested in the figuring-it-out part. The material that didn’t cooperate. The version that went sideways. The unexpected decision that made the whole thing better. Those are human conversations, not expert conversations. Give people room if they’re busy, and ask before photographing their work or handling something. Otherwise, you’re allowed to be interested without already knowing the answer. You’re also allowed to look quietly. Not every outing has to become a networking event.
Support doesn’t have to be a whole production
I come back to this a lot in business, too: Not every interaction is a sales pitch. Sometimes you’re introducing yourself. Sometimes you’re saying thank you. Sometimes you’re just letting someone know that a thing they made caught your attention. If something fits your budget and you love it, great. Ask how to buy it. If it doesn’t, you can have a genuine conversation, follow the artist, or tell a friend about work they’d enjoy. If you share it online, get the artist’s name right. Give people a way to find the person who made the thing, not just its picture. Small efforts can be meaningful. They don’t need to come with a grand declaration about supporting the creative economy. “I saw this and thought of you” is a great place to start.
Familiarity starts somewhere
You don’t have to become a different kind of person to participate in Reno’s creative community. You can be the person who stops in for 20 minutes. The person who asks how something was made. The visitor who takes home a small piece with a story attached. The longtime resident who checks out the place they’ve driven past again and again. Go to one thing that sounds interesting. Ask one honest question. See what happens. You might find an artist you love, a new place to spend an afternoon, or someone working on a wonderfully strange idea. Sometimes you end up as a trading card.
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
5
FOOD & DRINK
| BY MISTY KINSER AND KRIS VAGNER
Strip mall meals
A lot of Reno’s best restaurants are tucked away in shopping centers Most visitors and newcomers to Reno are steered toward the popular, walkable Midtown district, or naturally wander downtown Reno for sights, snacks and bars. Downtown Sparks has a lot of charm, especially during events. There are a lot of good restaurants in all of these neighborhoods, and they’re easy to find. That said, we’re in a metro area where most residential neighborhoods are car-dependent— and a lot of the best local dining takes place in strip malls. In strip malls old and new, all around the region, you’ll find neighborhood favorites and restaurants that are worth a trip across town, including a wide range of places that serve international fare. Here’s a way-too-brief list of tried-and-true strip-mall eateries to get you started. Keep an eye out as you travel around town—there are many more.
SF Kitchen 1775 Mill St. I have had many bar debates about the best Vietnamese in Reno; pho loyalties run deep, after all. But for me, SF Kitchen wins the battle of the broths. Try the oxtail pho with juicy, meaty nuggets and loads of fresh basil; I also love the crunchy combination of fried wontons in the fried wor wonton soup. I can’t place an order without the summer roll appetizer—think warm, tangy pork and crispy rice noodles rolled in rice paper with a light, sweet chili sauce. The belle of the ball, however, is the broth used for the steak and oxtail pho. It’s rich with deep, roasted baking spices such as star anise and clove. It’s so tasty that I never put in an order without asking for an additional broth or two to save in the freezer. —MK R Town Pizza 180 W. Peckham Lane, No. 1100, www.rtownpizza.com I never knew how much I loved Detroit-style pan pizza until R Town opened in 2022. The rectangular pizzas’ crunchy, caramelized edges are so good that you might be disappointed if you don’t get a corner piece—and yes, I am
Pho with oxtail at SF Kitchen. Photo/David Robert 6
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
Monika Marsh is the owner of Edelweiss Pizza, Pub and Pastries at Shayden Summit mall. Photo/ David Robert Casa Grande Mexican that person who will take two corner pieces Restaurant and Cantina at a time. What can I say? I’m an opportunist. 1655 Robb Drive, Suite 1 There are more than 20 pizza options, includ4796 Caughlin Parkway, ing great vegetarian pies, as well as appetizers www.casagranderestaurant.com and grinders. I can’t seem to stray from the Proximity to our house initially led my partpizza, though, especially the Three One Three, ner and me to Casa Grande—there are two with perfect pepperoni cups, a rich tomato locations, and the one we go to is at Caughlin sauce and parmesan cheese. R Town also has Parkway and McCarran Boulevard—but the pinball machines, making it great for kids— friendly service, food and skinny margaritas and a full bar for adults! —MK (made from scratch, not a mix) keep us coming back. Those margaritas are served tableside, Tofu House with individual Mason-jar shakers left for you 1021 Steamboat Parkway, Suite 180, to pour at your leisure. Start off with the rewww.tofuhousereno.com freshing shrimp cocktail—shrimp swimming in I’m not a vegetarian, but I do have a list of a peppery lime juice with onions and avocado, great vegetarian dishes I will never pass up. served traditional style, in a large glass with On the very top of that list is the vegetable saltine crackers. —MK soft tofu soup at Tofu House, near The Home Depot at Damonte Ranch and Steamboat Moo Dang parkways. This Korean comfort-food mas1565 S. Virginia St., www.moodang.com terpiece is served boiling in a small pot, with While Reno has a few great Thai spots, I a raw egg on the side. Crack in the egg; stir love Moo Dang’s fresh, unique ingredients. to cook it; and you have a silky, hearty soup Spring rolls are stuffed with chunks of shitake that’s spicy, sweet and smoky. Tofu House mushrooms, and stir-fried entrees include serves a wide range of other Korean dishes, thick cuts of veggies like celery and wood ear including delicious japchae with beef or pork. mushrooms that are still a little crisp, rather A delightful “whole” fried chicken (actually a than soggy with sauce. Classics like pad Thai generous pile of white and dark meat chunks) are delicious, but less-common dishes such as is close in style to a Southern fried chicken if Sukothai noodle soup—made with sliced and you order it plain; if you order it with Korean ground pork in a tangy, chili-lime broth—make sauce, it’s sweet, sticky and gently spicy. The Moo Dang stand out. I’m not sure how they do half-and-half option is ideal. It’s that hard to it, but the blue-crab fried rice is somehow light choose. —KV
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
and delicate, making it surprisingly crushable for what can sometimes be a heavy dish. —MK Edelweiss Pizza, Pub & Pastries 13979 S. Virginia St., Suite 505, www.edelweisspub.com Among the chain eateries at Shayden Summit mall, there are also a few locally owned independents. Behind one beige mall storefront, Edelweiss Pizza, Pub and Pastries is a cozy wonderland of elegant, fun décor—think antler chandeliers and the kind of dark, flowery wallpaper you’d see in an architecture magazine. The menu features fantastic versions of European classics like schnitzel, spaetzle and strudels, while the draft-beer list showcases imports and local brews. And if you get to the dessert menu and wonder, “Do chocolate ganache and apricots really go together?” this chocoholic says yes to the Sacher torte every time. —KV
Meaty classics like the meatball sandwich and the “Italian Stallion” are house staples, but the roasted eggplant, pepper and provolone can hold its own as a hearty veggie sandwich. Paolo’s is also a go-to when I don’t feel like cooking, featuring an entrée case stocked with lasagna with meat or marinara sauce, and eggplant Parmigiana. A small grocery area includes specialty Italian pastas, sauces and sodas. Don’t forget a tiramisu on your way out—you won’t regret it. —MK
When enjoying the vegetable soft tofu soup at Tofu House, crack in the egg; stir to cook it; and you have a silky, hearty El Rincón soup that’s spicy, 668 Greenbrae Drive, sweet and smoky. Sparks This cheery, casual Sal-
Paolo’s Deli 900 W. Moana Lane, No. 101, follow Paolo’s Deli Reno on Facebook Paolo’s Deli sits on the corner of Moana Lane and Warren Way and has been supporting my mortadella addiction for a few years now— this family-owned deli sells it by the pound.
Jacqueline Bourne serves up tacos at Los 4 Vientos. Photo/David Robert
vadoran eatery is tucked away in the nondescript Greenbrae Commons shopping center, just north of downtown Sparks. It’s easy to miss—but, really, don’t miss it. The fresh, pillowy pupusas are my pick as the best in town. Choose from a list of fillings including cheese, beans and loroco, an edible flower native to El Salvador. You can order a plate of three, topped with curtido (a lightly fermented cabbage condiment) or a combo that comes with fried yucca or plantains. —KV Palais de Jade 960 W. Moana Lane, www.palaisdejadereno.net This Chinese restaurant has long been on my family’s list of regular dining spots. When I was a kid, the plush booths and low lighting made it our go-to for a fancy night for egg drop soup and honey glazed walnut shrimp. Now that I am an adult, I appreciate the full bar—it’s a great spot to order takeout and have a drink while you wait and catch up on end-ofthe-day emails. Our cabinets are full of quart containers from to-go orders of the wor wonton soup—a tasty mix of pork wontons, chicken, beef, shrimp and veggies. —MK The Alibi Lounge and Los 4 Vientos 125 Casazza Drive, 145 Casazza Drive, www.los4vientosnv.com We can’t leave out this strip-mall duo—a bar and a taco place next to each other behind Reno Public Market. The Alibi Lounge is open 24 hours, so it’s long been a favorite spot for bartenders (myself included once upon a time) and casino workers for after-shifters. The Alibi, one of Reno’s only still-smoking bars, has an old-school dive vibe with a bar staff who, if you give them the chance, will soon know your name. For whiskey enthusiasts, there’s a damn good selection. And when you need a snack, you can grab some tacos quesabirria or a burrito de pastor at Los 4 Vientos, two doors down and open until 10 p.m. on weekends. —MK
Founding partner
Sarah Hardy-Cooper Voted Best Attorney by RN&R readers
505 Ridge Street Reno • (775) 785-9116 hcpfamilylaw.com
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
7
FOOD & DRINK
| BY KRIS VAGNER
What’s the deal with all-you-can-eat sushi?
FIRST PLACE 26
We kid you not, new residents; this will seem normal one day
Thank you for voting us “the best” year after year! (Since 2010) 777 S. Center St. #100 775.323.1494 noblepieparlor.com
All-you-can-eat sushi is ubiquitous in Reno. One transplant from San Francisco called it “weird and confounding,” but for long-term locals, it’s sushi à la carte that seems novel. Here, we’re accustomed to chowing down on course upon course of rolls, nigiri and apps for a flat price of around $30 for lunch, or $40 for dinner.
Miyuki Wong, a salesperson and purchaser for Sierra Meat and Seafood, has been selling fish to local sushi places for 27 years. She said the all-you-can-eat trend started in 1995, when Sushi Club opened on Moana Lane. (It eventually closed after a 20-year run.) She figures the idea sprang from the casino industry’s allyou-can-eat buffets; maybe Reno was ready for all-you-can-eat meals outside of casinos, too. “It just spread like wildfire, really,” Wong said. “People loved it. It was so accessible. It was really yummy. … Sushi Pier became all-
you-can-eat, and then everybody became allyou-can-eat. … The quality’s great. The chefs are great. The presentation’s really good. It’s not inferior sushi—but it is, you know, made for the masses.” The AYCE trend made sushi, formerly a special-occasion splurge, an easy option for young people on a date and families with kids. To this day, Wong pointed out, AYCE places are usually packed. How can restaurateurs afford to let us stuff our faces like this? They rely largely on good-quality frozen fish, Wong said. She sells frozen hamachi in the $9 per pound range; fresh hamachi is in the $20 range. With the exception of salmon, which is always fresh, and fare from a handful of higher-end places, most of the sushi fish you eat in Reno was once frozen. Wong has seen a few sushi places opt for lower-quality frozen fish over the years. “I’ve seen them not last,” she said. Heejin Polon, owner of Sushi Pier, has seen the all-you-can-eat sushi scene evolve during her quarter-century tenure. “When we first started, our sushi chefs were from Micronesia,” she said. Micronesians brought family members to Reno to work in the industry. Their children were more inclined
toward college tracks than kitchen jobs, and Latino chefs then rose to prominence in local sushi kitchens. “They started bringing in different flavors like the jalapeños and the spices and the limes and the fruit, the mangoes and things like that,” Polon said. So, is AYCE sushi as quintessentially Reno as we think it is? Said Wong: “I’ve never heard of all-you-can-eat in L.A. or San Francisco.” While she has heard of a few AYCE places opening in Las Vegas, she thinks it’s still safe to call it a Reno thing. Reno currently has a few sushi places that don’t serve AYCE. Miyabe Japanese Cuisine opened in 2021 in Shayden Summit mall, 13967 S. Virginia St., Suite 910, and Yuzu Sushi & Bar opened in 2026 at 440 N. Virginia St., in downtown Reno. Wong does not believe this means the end of AYCE. “People love it. I think there’ll be room for both,” she said. “All-you-can-eat is just so popular, and I think it always will be.” Polon’s forecast: “I think it’s going to sustain, because really, with sushi, there’s no substitute. If you are jonesing for sushi, there’s really nothing else that you can eat that’s going to satisfy that craving.”
Food trends come and go, but local experts say that all-you-can-eat sushi—which made sushi affordable and accessible in Reno starting in the ’90s—is here to stay. Rosario Cormier is the general manager of Sushi Pier, one of the early pioneers of all-you-can-eat. Photo/David Robert 8
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
Reno’s best bagel for 10 years running! FIRST PLACE 26
A woman owned, veteran owned small business!
Voted best thai restaurant by RN&R Readers!
1565 S. Virginia St. 775-420-4267 moodang.com
Truckee Bagel Company 18130 Wedge Pkwy, Reno www.truckeebagelcompany.com
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
9
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
| BY MARK EARNEST
Essential music venues
Where to catch a show—with some insider tips regarding the area’s music scene
East Fourth Street has seen a renaissance of music venues. The Alpine, with its eclectic mix of local and national acts—like Seattle band The Darts—is a big part of that evolution. Photo/Eric Marks
From larger casino theaters to tiny but lively rooms, the Reno area has options for many different musical tastes and experiences. “Each venue here is unique in some way,
shape or form, and I love the fact that uniqueness is something I can look forward to at every show,” said Steve Wolfgang, a Sparks resident who is a frequent show-goer in both smaller nightclubs and larger venues. “Live music is my mental health therapy. I’ll catch it
Small town, big parties
Virginia City is a must-see music-scene side quest By Mark Earnest
With a genuine ’60s-hippie pedigree, Virginia City—one of the West’s most prominent mining towns in the 1870s—promises a good time in a distinctively Western setting. The mountain town, 25 miles south of Reno up the winding Geiger Grade (aka State Route 341), has two consistently lively spots for music and several venues that host occasional shows. First, there’s the Red Dog Saloon. This was the place where, in 1965, The Charlatans, one of the earliest San Francisco psychedelic-rock bands, played, eventually joined by Bay Area contemporaries including Big Brother and the Holding Company and its singer Janis Joplin. These days, the bar includes neo-psychedelic bands, folk, 10
|
RN&R
|
contemporary rock and country/bluegrass; reddogvc.rocks. Another active spot in Virginia City is the Bucket of Blood Saloon, which features its longtime house band, David John and the Comstock Cowboys, playing traditional country music on many weekends. Other acts from the region play roots rock or varied country/ bluegrass styles; bucketofbloodsaloon.com. Other Virginia City music spots include the historic Piper’s Opera House, which has hosted national names in modern folk, alternative music and country in the past, and the Ponderosa Saloon, which features karaoke nights and the occasional live rock or country artist; pipersoperahouse.com; facebook.com/ponderosasaloon.
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
wherever I can get it.” Here is a far-from-comprehensive primer on the local places that host live music.
The larger rooms
One of the busiest venues is the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. With a capacity of 2,900, it features everything from legacy pop, rock and hip-hop acts to emerging alternative rockers and contemporary country groups. There are also live orchestral shows, tribute acts, comedians and the occasional musical stage show (which used to be more prevalent in Reno); grandsierraresort.com. The Grande Exposition Hall at Silver Legacy Resort and Casino has a capacity of 2,000 and a similarly wide booking policy that includes both new and classic artists in rock, country and R&B; silverlegacyreno.com. The J Resort Festival Grounds opened in July 2025, and now we have an outdoor venue downtown that fits 15,000. The range is eclectic—hip-hop, reggae, Latin and more; jresortent.com/festival-grounds. The Reno Events Center, which is owned by the city of Reno and run by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, has a capacity of 7,000 but has booked fewer shows in recent years. The acts are often popular comedians, Mexican music artists or louder rock bands; visitrenotahoe.com/event-venues.
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
In Sparks, there’s the Nugget Casino Resort which has an 8,500-seat, open-air Event Center and a 1,500-seat Grand Ballroom, each of which hosts big-name acts. Country is popular at both venues, although there are also classic rockers and soul stars as part of the mix; www. cnty.com/nugget/entertainment. Stateline, on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, is home to Lake Tahoe Amphitheater at Caesars Republic, which seats up to 9,300 and often books some of the more popular country and rock performers in the summer months; caesars.com/lake-tahoe. The South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, an 800-seat venue, mostly sticks to winter through spring for its shows and features newcomers and veteran artists in multiple genres, along with touring cover bands and tribute bands. caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe
Bigger rooms that are still cozy
Reno and Tahoe have a lot of options between 400 and 1,500 in capacity, and most are either in downtown Reno or along Fourth Street, close to downtown’s center. Cargo, inside the non-gaming Whitney Peak Hotel downtown, used to emphasize EDM genres like techno and dubstep, but it has since diversified into hip-hop, alternative rock and metal; cargoreno.com. continued on Page 12
ADVICE F ROM T HE EXPER T S
SPONSORED CONTENT
Amplified: Finding the rhythm of balance in a high-tech world By Rick Winfield, Owner at School of Rock Reno
Growing up, I found myself through music. Long before I was running a music school or raising two kids here in Reno, I was a teenager in a garage with an electric guitar, a Marshall amp and a few friends trying to figure out how to make enough noise to sound like the records we loved. That garage wasn’t just where we learned chords; it was where we figured out who we were. We learned how to listen, how to handle a mistake, brush it off and lock into a groove together. Fast forward to today, and I’m watching my own two kids navigate a world filled with endless screens, gadgets and streaming “shorts.” Look, technology isn’t the enemy. Every generation panics about the new thing; our parents were convinced the Atari 2600 and MTV were going to turn our brains to mush. Tech brings incredible tools and creative possibilities. But as with anything in life, it’s all about balance. The goal isn’t to banish screens or force every kid to become a concert musician; it’s about making sure our kids have rich, tangible, real-world counterweights in their lives. About School of Rock Reno At School of Rock Reno, we believe the stage is the ultimate teacher. Forget boring drills and isolated bedroom practice; our performance-based music education gets kids out of their heads and playing in real bands from day one. Founded and run by working musicians and parents right here in Northern Nevada, we combine private 1-on-1 lessons in guitar, bass, drums, keys and vocals with weekly group rehearsals. Our students don’t just learn scales; they master classic and modern rock anthems, collaborate with bandmates, and perform live shows at authentic local venues like The Alpine, Reno Public Market and Cypress. Whether your child is picking up an instrument for the very first time or is an advanced player ready to step onto a real stage, School of Rock provides a high-energy, inclusive environment tailored to every skill level. We offer programs for ages 6 to 18 (plus programs for adults!), creating a supportive space where students build lifelong friendships, real-world confidence and a passion for music that lasts a lifetime. Ready to add a little live rhythm to your family’s routine? Contact School of Rock Reno today to schedule a free trial lesson and see how we put music in motion. Address: 5890 S. Virginia St., Suite 4B, Reno, NV 89502 Phone: 775-862-ROCK (7625) Website: reno.schoolofrock.com
The real social network: a concentrated human experience
We live in an age of hyper-connection, yet genuine human connection takes practice. Screen time, whether gaming, scrolling or creating digital art, offers great entertainment, but it’s largely a solo, asynchronous experience. Making music with others offers something entirely different. In fact, playing in a band provides a remarkably condensed, high-density dose of key life skills all at once. When a young musician plugs in an electric guitar, sits behind a drum kit, or steps up to a vocal mic with a band, they are instantly grounded in the present moment. Neuroscientists often call playing music the ultimate full-brain workout because it fires up the motor, visual and auditory systems at once. In plain English? It requires total presence. You can’t multitask or scroll while keeping time on a drum kit. In a rehearsal room, social connection isn’t measured in likes or followers; it’s measured in tempo, eye contact, dynamic shifts, and mutual trust. When a group of kids counts off “1, 2, 3, 4” and drops into a song together, they are experiencing live, real-time collaboration. It’s a condensed masterclass in communication, active listening, and teamwork.
Finding your fit: complementing sports and modern outlets
Organized sports remain a wonderful tradition for millions of kids, teaching discipline, physical health and camaraderie. But as youth athletics have grown increasingly specialized and high-stakes at earlier ages, not every kid finds their natural stride on the field or court. For kids looking for an alternative, or for young athletes seeking a creative counterbalance, ensemble music delivers all the proven team-building benefits of sports in a non-competitive, highly inclusive setting. In a band, there are no benchwarmers. The bass player holding down the low end is just as vital as the lead singer, and the drummer keeping time is the backbone of the entire song. If one person drops the tempo, everyone adjusts together; when the chorus hits just right, everyone shares the rush. Music offers a unique environment where extroverts, introverts, athletes, and artists can gather on equal footing. It isn’t about being “better” than other hobbies; it’s about offering a creative harbor where every role matters equally. RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
Stage-tested confidence for everyday life
Every week at our school in Reno, I see kids walk in carrying the quiet pressures of modern adolescence. They come in a bit guarded, maybe hiding behind a hoodie or looking at their shoes. Then something clicks. They learn a riff. They join a group rehearsal. They realize their bandmates are counting on them to hold down their part. A few months later, that same quiet kid steps onto a real stage at a local venue, turns up their amp and plays live in front of a cheering crowd. You don’t need a kid to pursue a career in the music industry for this to matter. Overcoming stage fright and performing live teaches young people that they can conquer intimidating moments in any walk of life, whether that’s giving a high school presentation, going for a job interview, or stepping into a new social setting. As Northern Nevada grows, our kids don’t need us to eliminate modern tech; they just need us to help them build a balanced toolkit for life. Pluggedin ensemble music happens to pack empathy, focus, confidence and community into one powerful, noise-making package.
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
11
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
Essential music venues
Revenant Music Hall opened in October 2026 in the former home of the Virginia St. Brewhouse, which closed in January 2026. Revenant as of this writing features mostly EDM, but there are plans to expand into diverse rock music; revenantmusichall.com. Also downtown is the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, featuring some folk and rock artists along with dance shows, classical concerts and traveling Broadway presentations; pioneercenter.com. The major venues along Fourth Street are part of an overall renaissance of music venues
Music in a mid-sized city
Which acts come to town, and why? By Mark Earnest
There’s an old adage that Reno is a place for musical artists on the way up—or on the way down. That’s not strictly true, but scan the list of who’s playing every weekend, and you’ll notice several artists either past their commercial prime (legendary as they may be) or just starting a career for themselves. So what is it about Reno that dictates which artists play here or skip over it? Here are some key factors. Tour routing: We often get bands and artists who are either going to or coming from Salt Lake City. As tour bookers work through the schedule and try to get the most profitable shows each night for their bands, this is often a reason why bigger bands play here—often on weeknights. Venues size gap: Other than the aging Lawlor Events Center (which does not host very many concerts anymore), there’s not an indoor 10,000-seater in Reno for the most popular acts—but that will soon change, if all goes according to plan with the Grand Sierra Resort’s arena project. Said a GSR spokesperson in October 2026: “Construction on the Grand Sierra Resort Arena continues to make significant progress, with foundation and underground infrastructure work largely complete and vertical construction under way.” There are also few options for bands in the 2,000 to 9,000 range, apart from the largest casino venues. The importance of pre-sales: Sales before showtime for ticketed shows can be thinner here than in other cities, and that can create a bad impression for booking agents and tour managers. “Low pre-sales don’t give the bands or bookers much confidence that you’ll get a turnout here, so they decide to skip us,” said Nicky Clark, venue manager for The Alpine. 12
|
RN&R
|
on that street, which is also home to the large, annual Off Beat Music Festival, usually during the first weekend in October. The Alpine often has all-local shows, as well as mixes of national and Reno bands in a variety of styles, from metal and punk to country and hip-hop. There’s also a restaurant, Lake Tahoe AleWorX, attached to the venue. Club Underground has a similarly open taste in music, largely with headliners from punk, metal, alternative music, hip-hop and country; offbeatreno.com; thealpine-reno.com; clubundergroundreno.com. In Crystal Bay, on the north shore of Tahoe, the Crystal Bay Club has long been an outpost for progressive and jam-band music, but also books roots rock, acoustic music and tribute/cover bands; crystalbaycasino.com.
Places for more intimate shows
Whether you want a smaller, all-ages venue or a classic Nevada dive bar, Reno has you more than covered. These rooms range between less than 100 to about 300 in capacity, so you’ll get to see bands up-close and personal—and often very loud. Holland Project is the main all-ages hub, featuring no alcohol and a diverse mix of musical styles with local and emerging bands. There’s a lot of indie rock here, but the extreme end of punk and metal are also well represented on its calendar; hollandreno.org. Midnight Coffee Roasting in Midtown has also become a venue featuring local artists and the occasional touring act. You’ll find the louder ends of alternative rock and punk here, although there are sometimes acoustic-only shows; midnightcoffeeroasting.com. As for drinking establishments, there’s the Cellar Stage at Alturas Bar, which has long been the place to see national and local metal and hard rock bands. The calendar also includes punk, alternative and acoustic acts, along with comedy shows; facebook.com/AlturasNV. Dead Ringer Analog Bar has become a goto venue for emerging national and local DJ/ producers, with all styles of EDM represented and a popular goth/rock/dance night called Ritual on the first Saturday of every month; deadringernv.com. For music fans who like to see shows in places you might not even classify as music venues, there is Pele Utu, a tiki bar that hosts regular surf- and island-music shows with both locals and national acts, and Corrigan’s Lost Highway, a longtime dive bar that hosts occasional punk, metal or alternative rock shows with an emphasis on out-of-town bands and local openers; peleutu.com; instagram.com/ corrigans_losthighway.
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
Capital idea
Carson City’s music scene is well worth the commute By Kris Vagner Nevada’s capital, Carson City, with just less than 60,000 residents, has a music scene that punches above its weight—enough so that a lot of Reno concert-goers happily make the half-hour trip for a show there at the drop of a hat. Did you see our article about strip mall restaurants? Well, Carson City has a strip mall nightclub—and that is 100% not what it sounds like. Nashville Social Club is an intimate, elegant black-box theater of a music hall that’s attached to a Southern-food restaurant. Most nights, it’s a reasonably chill place for seated shows by folk, jazz, rock, souls, blues, Americana or singer-songwriter acts, both local and national. Some nights, there’s line dancing. The Young Dubliners have a made a habit of dropping by for a show every March for the past few years; thenashvilleclub.com. Shoe Tree Brewing Co. has a great little outdoor stage that is a total vibe when the weather is right. Expect solo performers and the occasional punk or rock festival. This casual, snug venue shares a parking lot with
Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint and Carson Hot Springs, so there are a few different reasons to make a daytrip of it. Shoe Tree also has a Minden location—a cozy storefront that hosts some of Northern Nevada’s bestknown acoustic performers. One music fan called it “easily the liveliest place in town”; www.shoetreebrewing.com. Come summertime, the Brewery Arts Center hosts the crème de la crème of Carson’s music offerings, the Levitt AMP Series. On 10 Saturday nights in June, July and August, big-name bands from near and far play world, rock, America and country on a stage in the parking lot with a fantastic sound system. This event strikes a right-on balance of community vibe, party vibe and family vibe, and has pretty much everything you could want in an outdoor concert including easy parking, free admission, great sightlines, convenient food trucks and an immensely reliable lineup or world, folk, funk and other genres. Seriously—no notes; breweryarts.org/levittamp.
SambaDá, the lively Afro-Brazilian band based in Santa Cruz, Calif., is often in the lineup for the Brewery Arts Center’s outdoor summer concert series, which combines a party vibe with a family vibe. Photo/Tony Dellacioppa, courtesy of the Brewery Arts Center
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Casinos for locals The gambling establishments aren’t just for tourists! All of the info you could want about casino gambling, steakhouses and spa services is out in the open and easy to find—just check casinos’ websites.
But what brings longtime locals to which casinos, and why? Our first tip: Many casinos offer locals’ discounts; for example, the Peppermill offers 20 percent off pretty much everything, all of the time. Check with the players’ club folks at your casino of choice for details. Here are a few more tips from the RN&R team. The Oyster Bar at The Nugget, open since 1959, feels like a portal to a far-away, long-ago world you didn’t even know you were nostalgic for. This is where to indulge in special-occasion seafood classics like oysters or cioppino when you don’t want to break the bank. —Kris Vagner Some of the more interesting bands that play in casinos—like Huckleberry Road from Reno, and Paige and the Overtones from Las Vegas— play original songs in the Terrace Lounge at the Peppermill. —Mark Earnest
side up for me); and perfectly cooked hash browns and toast, all for less than $20. This is a protein-heavy meal with a quality steak that you would pay a lot more for anywhere else. —David Rodriguez Spa Toscana in the Peppermill is lush sanctuary from the daily grind. Thanks to the huge windows flanking the indoor pool, it’s a treat to lounge poolside or in the hot tubs—especially when it’s snowing. —Susan Winters One of Reno’s best happy hours is at Bistro Napa in the Atlantis—although here, they call it “Social Hour,” and it lasts for an amazing two hours (from 4 to 6 p.m.), during which all of the small plates, flatbreads and beverages on the special lounge menu are half-price. Yes, this includes Bistro Napa’s delicious Hibiscus Manhattan. (Be sure to tip the servers on the full price before the 50 percent discount. They work very hard during social hour!) —Jimmy Boegle
At La Strada in the Eldorado, the mushroom ravioli in porcini cream sauce are next to impossible to resist. —Kris Vagner
I’ve shot a lot of concerts over the years, and the Grand Theatre in the Grand Sierra Resort is the best place to see one—with topnotch acts, easy parking and a friendly staff, plus great stage lighting and tasty after-show sandwiches at the Second St. Marketplace cafe. —David Robert
The New York steak and eggs at the DC Cafe at the Tamarack Casino is an incredible value—a 10-ounce (!) New York steak cooked the way you like it; two eggs (sunny
The Italian meatball sandwich at Manhattan Deli in the Atlantis is the real deal—just like the one Italian mom-and-pops have been making back East since time immemorial. —Kris Vagner
“For Service You Can Trust” GregsGarageInc.com
The Grand Theatre in the Grand Sierra Resort has a lot going for it—national acts (like Devo, seen here), easy parking, great stage lighting, the list goes on. Photo/David Robert RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
13
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
| BY KELLEY LANG
Events 101
Reno’s calendar is jam-packed year-round; start with these iconic happenings Welcome to Reno! Whether you’re completely new to the area or a regular visitor who finally settled down in the Biggest Little City, you’re likely wondering what locals do for fun around these parts.
Depending on the season, many residents like to hit the slopes, walk the trails in the foothills and mountains surrounding our city, or head into the desert for some off-road adventures. If it’s special events you’re talking about, we’ve got plenty of those, too. We have big festivals that draw people from across the West (and even from around the world), but we also have smaller community events that highlight some of the things that make our area a great place to live. There are really too many to list, so we’ve settled on a handful of longstanding events that either give newcomers a taste of local flavor, or are such a big deal that you couldn’t avoid them if you tried. Here, in alphabetical order, are some annual happenings that you should add to your digital-calendar app. For up-to-the-moment recommendations for the region’s many festivals and other events, sign up for our free weekly 11 Days a Week email newsletter. There’s a signup field on our homepage.
Artown
Every July, Reno becomes Artown. This citywide celebration of the arts offers residents and visitors a low-cost opportunity to sample the variety of homegrown talent in our area. More than 100 local arts organizations and businesses produce an abundance of free or ticketed events—including art exhibitions, children’s arts programs, cultural festivals, movie screenings and stage performances—at art galleries, libraries, museums, theaters, music/performing arts venues and parks throughout the month. Parents appreciate having a lot of free, fun things to do with their kids, and child-free adults get a great number of choices for meetups with friends. Each year’s Artown calendar is posted in the late spring/early summer, but you can always visit artown.org for details on Artown Encore Series performances and other events.
Food Truck WTF
Many locals stop by for an afterwork meal at this summertime food-truck event with the 14
|
RN&R
|
If you’re thinking of checking out the Reno Rodeo, our best advice is to get early-access, locals-only tickets as soon as they go on sale. This wildly popular events sells out quickly. Photo/Ben Kramer double-entendre name. Formerly known as Food Truck Fridays, the once-weekly foodtruck gathering has expanded to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at three main locations: the original spot at Idlewild Park near downtown Reno (Fridays), Cyan Park in south Reno (Wednesdays) and North Valleys Regional Park in Stead (Thursdays). Each location features a rotating lineup of food, dessert and drink vendors along with live music by local bands. The season typically runs from June through August. Check renofoodtruckevents.com for details and updates.
The Great Reno Balloon Race
For one week in early September, locals and visitors gather before sunrise to watch hot-air balloons lift off from the fields at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park during the annual race and exhibition. The spectacle occurs during that transitional period between summer and
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
fall—when the days are still sunny and warm, but there’s a noticeable autumnal chill in the morning air. The most enthusiastic attendees forgo a few winks so that they can arrive early enough to find parking and to see the Super Glow Show and Dawn Patrol, followed by the mass ascension of about 100 colorful hot air balloons as the sun rises above the horizon. But even if you don’t make it down to the park, you can still see a whimsical aerial display against the backdrop of the Reno skyline as the balloons bob up and down throughout the morning. Admission is free. Parking can be tight, so research your options in advance. The next event is Sept. 9-12, 2027. Go to renoballoon.com to learn more about the festival.
Hot August Nights
If you plan to live in Reno for more than a few years, prepare yourself for the month of August. Not only do you have to endure the
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
occasional 100-degree heat wave and the threat of wildfires; you’ll be dealing with an influx of mechanical masterpieces of chrome and horsepower arriving in town in early August to participate in the largest classic-car event in the nation. For 40 years, Hot August Nights has taken car enthusiasts and music fans on a nostalgia-inducing ride through the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s with show ’n’ shines, nightly cruises, drag races and burnouts, competitions, a car auction and a parade, as well as concerts by tribute bands and living legends who still have some gas left in the tank. It’s one of those huge events that locals either love or love to hate. But when the car festival almost moved to Long Beach, Calif., in 2012, residents and city leaders rallied to keep Reno’s biggest special event—which attracts thousands of tourists to the area and helps fuel the local economy— parked in the Biggest Little City. HAN has hit some bumps in the road over the years (the
WHAT HEALTHCARE SHOULD FEEL LIKE
A place where you're welcomed. A team that listens. Care that treats the whole person.
After-work food-truck gatherings take place all summer long in the North Valleys, south Reno and Idlewild Park. 1998 riot in downtown Reno; the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of 2020), but for now, the classic-car celebration remains a big deal. Visit hotaugustnights.net for more information.
bands, floats, Burning Man art cars and other parade entries moving through downtown Carson City. Read more about the Nevada Day Parade at www.nevadaday.com.
Nevada Day Parade
OffBeat Music Festival
This event is an annual tradition that’s near and dear to many native-born and longtime residents. Nevadans gather in Carson City (Nevada’s capital city, about 30 miles south of Reno) to experience this statehood party that honors the history, people and cultural diversity of the Battle Born State. Nevada was admitted to the union on Oct. 31, 1864, but the state holiday is officially observed on the last Friday of October, with the parade taking place on Saturday. The all-day festivities include a hot-air balloon launch, live entertainment, competitions and other fun activities, but the main attraction is the procession of marching
Those with adventurous musical tastes should check out this annual festival, which boasts an impressive lineup of local, regional and national acts spanning multiple musical genres. Past events have featured local favorites Elephant Rifle, Greg Gilmore and the Fever Dreams, Moondog Matinee and Spitting Image, and acts from across the United States including Death Valley Girls, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, Of Montreal, Roselit Bone and Tropa Magica. The festival takes place in early October at several venues along East Fourth Street in the downtown Reno Brewery District. Go to www. offbeatreno.com for more info.
Northern Nevada HOPES provides medical care, mental health care, addiction medicine, pediatrics, maternal health, senior care, an onsite pharmacy, and more.
best food truck in reno ! voted
Reno Rodeo
The Nevada Day Parade, near and dear to many Nevadans, takes place in Carson City each year on the Saturday after the last Friday of October. Photo/Mary Claire Boucher
Reno has changed a lot since its early years as a frontier settlement and railroad town, but it hasn’t forgotten its Old West roots. Every June, the city celebrates cowboy culture and Western lifestyle at the Reno Rodeo. Dubbed the “wildest, richest rodeo in the West,” the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned sporting event includes a cattle drive, Xtreme Bulls pro bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and other competitions, as well as a carnival, kick-off concert, kids’ rodeo and Western marketplace. Tickets for the most popular events sell out well in advance. Early access tickets— for Northern Nevadans and Truckee/Tahoe residents only—usually go on sale sometime in November the year before. If you miss the window of opportunity to purchase them, you can still see a lot of the rodeo action on a giant screen located inside the indoor arena at the Nevada State Fairgrounds, and enjoy the various related events. Take a look at renorodeo. com for the latest updates.
Silver State Pie Co. Est. 2023
Personal Pot Pies, Hand Pies, and Sweet Pies! Contact us today to book us for your next event! Weddings | Corporate Events | Private Parties
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
www.SilverStatePieCo.com (775) 444-2710 ThePieDaddies@gmail.com @silverstatepieco
facebook.com/silverstatepieco
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
15
ARTS & CULTURE
Where to see art
| BY KRIS VAGNER
And how to stay in the loop once you find your new favorite venues
The shape of the Nevada Museum of Art’s building is inspired by a geological monolith in the Black Rock Desert. In 2025, the museum added 50,000 square feet of gallery, library, classroom and rooftop garden space. Photo courtesy of the Nevada Museum of Art
If you’re new to the local art scene, I have some bad news and some good news.
The bad: Because there’s not a dedicated arts district or gallery neighborhood to stroll, finding your favorite art spots is going to take some legwork. The good: If you know where to look, Reno’s art scene is thriving. Here are a few spots that might just become your favorites. I enthusiastically recommend that you follow these organizations on social media and sign up for their newsletters, so their events and news stay on your radar. The Nevada Museum of Art, at 160 W. Liberty St., in Reno, brings us the world. It’s our largest, most-visible arts institution—and also one of our oldest. It was started in 1931 as the Nevada Art Gallery. It’s undergone a couple of name changes since then, and in 2003, it expanded into its current building, the shape of which is inspired by a geological monolith in the Black Rock Desert. In 2025, the museum added 50,000 square feet of gallery, library, 16
|
RN&R
|
classroom and rooftop garden space. This institution serves up a huge range of exhibitions and programs. You’ll often see contemporary works of all kinds, including art by Indigenous creatives from our region and around the world. There’s also a strong emphasis on artwork having to do with the land and the landscape—the museum’s Institute for Art + Environment collects it, studies it and archives it, and you’ll often see it on display in various configurations. A robust events calendar includes concerts, films, classes for adults and kids, and talks on art, books, science and other topics. To learn more, go to www. nevadaart.org. The Holland Project, at 140 Vesta St., in Reno, is the area’s premiere all-ages music venue. This Midtown institution also has two small gallery spaces, a huge heart and a far-reaching curatorial mission. HP started out as a grassroots youth art institution in 2006. It still fills that niche with a biannual Young Blood exhibition for artists younger than 21; art, craft and game summer camps for elementary and middle schoolers; and many other offerings.
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
HP also showcases artworks by some of the region’s most accomplished adult artists; brings in out-of-towners we’d never see otherwise; and offers workshops in writing, photography and other mediums. This institution does an amazing job of being both inclusive and professional. The staff and artists here bring a constant buzz of experimental energy; as soon as you memorize this list of offerings, they will think of something new. Head to hollandreno.org. The University of Nevada, Reno’s art-venue offerings, while consistently excellent, have a bit of a reputation for being cloistered off from the rest of town, but this scene is actually quite welcoming. Don’t let the word “student” keep you from visiting Student Galleries South in the Jot Travis Building. The bar here is always high, and the shows look polished and professional. At the Lilley Museum of Art in the University Arts Building, expert curating translates deep thoughts and big ideas to fascinating, approachable exhibitions. The Sheppard Contemporary gallery in the adjoining Church Fire Arts building hosts artists from near and far. If you’ve never been to an art event at UNR,
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
consider the biennial Valentine Art Auction. It’s a great place to “speed-date” the local art scene—you’ll get to know dozens of artists and their works, all in one shot. The excitement runs high as viewers race to purchase works at price points low and high in a rush to start or beef up their home collections. We’re told the next Valentine Auction is slated for Friday, Feb. 12, 2027. A few tips: Study a campus map before you go to find the building you’re seeking. Park in the Whelan Garage, and note that visitor parking is tight during the day—but much easier to access on weekends and at night, when all three galleries usually hold their receptions. Join the email lists at www.unr.edu/art/university-galleries and www.unr.edu/lilley. Reno is the gateway to Burning Man, where much of artwork has characteristics that don’t usually fly in a gallery. It can be big, fiery, blinky, kinetic, climbable—or sometimes all of the above. In the 37 years the event has been held in our own backyard in the Black Rock Desert, its exuberant approach to giant-sized art has left its mark on the region’s creative scene.
The best in local culture Here’s what ‘RN&R’ readers deemed top-notch Each year, RN&R readers vote for their favorite people, places, things and events in our Best of Northern Nevada poll. To see the complete list of winners and finalists, head to RenoNR.com and peruse the Best of Northern Nevada section. Here’s what they deemed cream of the crop in 2026. Best Radio Station Alt 92.1 Best Nonprofit Group Eddy House (homeless youth shelter) Best Local Dance Company Reno Dance Company Best Charity Race or Walk Moms on the Run (benefitting women with breast or gynecological cancer) The Student Galleries South, in the Jot Travis Building at UNR, is one of several on-campus galleries worth checking out. Photo/Kris Vagner The influence is most visible at The Generator, at 2450 Oddie Blvd., in Sparks. It’s a huge makerspace where members pay a modest monthly
The Generator is a huge makerspace where members pay a modest monthly fee for access to shops, or a larger monthly fee to take up residence in their own space for building, painting, screen printing, etc. A lot of Burning Man art is created here.
fee for access to welding, metal, textile, wood and tech shops (think 3-D printers and the like), or a larger monthly fee to take up residence in their own space for building, painting, screen printing, etc. Some resident artists here build big projects to take to the Burn, and some Burner artists from out of town stop here in the summer to build, finish or test their projects before they set them up in the desert. The Generator is not exclusive to Burner artists, though. It offers instruction, starting at entry level, in industrial (and other) arts; kid-friendly sessions; and sales, shows and other events year-round—most of them with a definite Burner ethos and style. At www. therenogenerator.com, there’s complete information and an email-signup field. There’s a neighborhood close to downtown Reno, along a mixed residential/light-industrial stretch of Dickerson Road, with an off-the-beaten path feel and a concentration of art establishments, each with its own unique vibe. The Wedge Ceramics Studio, at 2095 Dickerson Road, offers pottery classes, and its occasional sales events are great places to shop for mugs and other housewares made by studio members. The annual Mother’s Day sale features flowers in handmade vases, and at the Chili Cash and Carry holiday sale (scheduled in 2026 on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13), the highlight is handmade bowls with chili and cornbread by Bone Appetit BBQ. Go to www.thewedgeceramics.com to learn more. Nearby, Atelier in Reno at 2135 Dickerson Road, sells yarn for knitters and supplies for
crafters, and also offers frequent workshops where you can learn crocheting, soapmaking, sourdough baking or one of many seasonal or holiday crafts. Learn more at www. atelierinreno.com. Reno doesn’t have a strollable gallery district, and we don’t have a fully formed gallery ecosystem, either: We don’t have a lot of what art-world folks call “midrange galleries.” That means that if you’re an artist just starting out your career, there are plenty of starter venues that will exhibit your work, and if you’ve made it to the national stage, there’s a chance your work could end up in one of Reno’s museums. But for everyone in between, there aren’t enough walls and pedestals. A couple of organizations that may not immediately come to mind as hosts for the city’s best and brightest artists have stepped in to fill this gap. The city of Reno’s Arts and Culture department curates displays in spaces around town, most notably at McKinley Arts and Culture Center, at 925 Riverside Drive, and in the Metro Gallery, also known as the lobby of City Hall, at 1 E. First St. The Washoe County Library System hosts art shows—often by bigger-name artists—in several branches, most notably in a spacious, window-lit corridor at Northwest Reno Library, at 2325 Robb Drive. Follow @renobigartslittlecity on Instagram. The library’s Explorer publication is a good source for info about the gallery shows and copious other library goings-on. Pick one up at a branch or view it at www.washoecountylibrary. us/events/explorer.php.
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
Best Monthly/Regularly Scheduled Event First Thursday at Nevada Museum of Art Best Dog Park Rancho San Rafael Regional Park Best Special Event at Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Best Local Band New Wave Crave Best Animal Shelter Nevada Humane Society Best Special Event in Downtown Reno Artown Best Art Gallery Nevada Museum of Art Best Movie Theater Galaxy Theatres Legends Best Special Event in Carson City Nevada Day Parade Best Local Theater Company Reno Little Theater Best Local Podcast Worst Little Podcast Best Local TV News KOLO 8 News Now Best Special Event in Downtown Sparks Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook Off Best Special Event in Minden/Gardnerville Genoa Candy Dance
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
17
ADVICE F ROM T HE EXPER T S
SPONSORED CONTENT
Reno Improv: Celebrating the art of improv comedy Reno Improv is Northern Nevada’s only theater dedicated to performing, teaching and celebrating the art of improv comedy. As an educational nonprofit, we are devoted to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming community where performers of all experience levels can hone their craft and play an active role in the comedy scene in Reno. From introductory and advanced musical improv classes to weekly drop-in workshops and performances, there are many ways to be part of the Reno Improv community.
Beat burnout
In adulthood, it can be challenging to make time for play and human connection. We can find ourselves in a cycle of cognitive burnout that leaves us feeling simultaneously overstimulated and completely drained. After consuming an endless stream of digital noise, we desperately crave real-world interactions and play. Improv comedy exercises allow participants to improve their speaking and listening skills, collaborate and connect with others, and improve self-confidence in a fun, low-pressure environment. In this About Reno Improv Reno Improv is Northern Nevada’s only theater dedicated to performing, teaching, and celebrating the art of improv comedy. As an educational nonprofit, we are devoted to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming community where performers of all experience levels can hone their craft and play an active role in the comedy scene in Reno. From introductory and advanced musical improv classes to weekly drop-in workshops and performances, there are many ways to be part of the Reno Improv community. Improv comedy classes allow participants to improve their speaking and listening skills, collaborate and connect with others, and improve self-confidence in a fun, low-pressure environment. In this art form, mistakes are treated as gifts and a cause for celebration. Above all else, improv encourages (and rewards) curiosity. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your presentation skills, conquer social anxiety, or connect with new people, the solution might just be waiting for you at the corner of Wells Avenue and Willow Street. No experience is required, just a willingness to show up, say “yes,” and see what happens next. For more information and event tickets or to enroll in our next Level 1: Intro to Short Form class that starts in January 2027, visit renoimprov.org. Follow us at www.facebook.com/renoimprov and www.instagram. com/renoimprov. 18
|
RN&R
|
art form, mistakes are treated as gifts and a cause for celebration. Above all else, improv encourages (and rewards) curiosity. If you’ve been experiencing burnout, the solution may be improv comedy training.
Reclaiming the art of play
“Everything in daily adult life is so serious, but signing up for classes at Reno Improv helped me be a kid again and find a group of like-minded adults who were in search of the same thing,” says Monique Vieras, local business owner and musician. Folks like Monique are part of a growing community of people of all backgrounds rediscovering play at Reno Improv. “Despite what some assume, improv classes aren’t designed to teach you how to be funny or craft a joke,” says Tim Mahoney, performer and instructor at Reno Improv. “Instead, they operate more like a gym for mindfulness, silliness and genuine human connection. The result of that just happens to be some amazing things. Sometimes it’s a spontaneous moment that takes you somewhere else; sometimes it’s a lifelong friend or partner, and sometimes it’s simply a funny improv show. “One of the very first concepts you learn is ‘Yes, And,’” continues Mahoney. “But it’s so much more than saying yes. It’s about accepting the reality your scene partner established and exploring that idea by building on it and watching it grow. For me, it is the one of the most collaborative art forms there is. It takes confidence, but that confidence comes from the support of the team and the community at large pushing you to do the thing, to commit, and to be fully present.”
A judgment-free zone
The appeal of improv comedy lies in its humanity and its connection to something real, yet ephemeral. In classes, workshops and performances, there are no metrics, no performance reviews, and no wrong answers. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re treated as opportunities for exploration and discovery. There are many benefits to improv classes. Structured play for adults decreases stress, sharpens active listening skills, and builds deep social bonds. Because improv requires total concentration in the present moment, it promotes a state of mindfulness. Tomorrow’s presentation has to wait when you’re actively creating a spontaneous scene about detectives, dragons, or whatever the collective consciousness comes up with. The joys and benefits of improv are different for every person who comes through our door, but the community aspect is what keeps people coming
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
back. Participants range from tech transplants and teachers to college students and entrepreneurs. It bridges the gap between Reno’s diverse populations, creating an authentic social network that doesn’t rely on coffee meetings or business cards.
Get involved!
If the thought of jumping straight into a multiweek class gives you pause, Reno Improv offers a low-stakes alternative to experience the energy firsthand. The Playground is a no-experience-necessary, all-experience-welcome weekly workshop that introduces the basics of improv. The workshop happens every Saturday at 6 p.m. and costs $6. Not interested in being onstage? Every weekend, the theater hosts affordable live shows featuring local improv teams that take simple audience suggestions and spin them into entirely unscripted comedy magic. Catching a weekend performance like The Bargain Bin Improv Show, with a $1 ticket price, or Biggest Little Broadway, a fully improvised Broadway-style musical, lets you see the theater’s artistic philosophy in action while enjoying a night out. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your presentation skills, conquer social anxiety, or connect with new people, the solution might just be waiting for you at the corner of Wells Avenue and Willow Street. No experience is required—just a willingness to show up, say “yes,” and see what happens next. For more information and event tickets, visit renoimprov.org.
COMMUNITY
| BY KRIS VAGNER AND JASON SARNA
People to know: Insights from across our community In the RN&R’s interview column—named “15 Minutes” for Andy Warhol’s famous quote, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”—we speak with people in a wide range of fields about what they’re thinking and doing. Here’s what we’ve heard recently from an artist, a biologist, a teen-writing advocate and other locals.
An artist on making drawings that mix joy and melancholy
Each year, we contract a local artist to illustrate our Best of Northern Nevada issue. In 2026, University of Nevada, Reno, graduate Kaija MacKinnon drew up some beautiful pictures of circus performers, with a mood that’s celebratory and plaintive at the same time. A lot of my work outside of commercial illustration is very mental-health-related. I also love children’s books very much. That combination of having a softer character going through things that are a little heavier has always been interesting to me.
A Sparks mom on her group’s efforts to help curb smartphone overuse among kids
A group that has been asking families to pledge to hold off kids’ smartphone use until the end of middle school has been gaining traction for about a year. Brandi Vesco is a co-leader of Wait Until 8th Reno-Sparks. The first thing I say (to parents) is that we’re a group of parents who are banding together to say “not yet” to the smartphone together, until at least the end of eighth-grade, to crush that social pressure on kids to have one. And usually they’re like, “Oh God, yeah.” They feel kind of helpless. Some of them are like, “That ship sailed,” and I’m like, “Well, here are some things you can do if you want to dial it back, if it doesn’t feel good. No. 1, keep it out of their bedroom at night.”
A scientist on the concept of ‘lost species’
There’s a somewhat new concept in the field of biology—a separate category for species
that scientists can’t find, as opposed to ones that are formally deemed extinct. There’s a new scientific journal to keep track of all of these critters and plants, and its editor is UNR biology professor Matthew Forister. Recently, this concept of (species) being “lost” has come about. We can talk about species as being lost if we can’t find them. It doesn’t mean they’re extinct. It means we don’t know where they are. … It takes the scientific community decades to agree that something is extinct—because that means there isn’t a single individual alive anywhere in the world. … If you can’t give me a record for something within the last 10 years, then we can agree it’s lost. And then, it’ll take a long time beyond that to understand what’s going on.
The founder of a publishing platform for kids in grades 4 to 8 on why writing is important
Students at the Davidson Academy, a free public school for gifted middle and high school students, write in on occasion to let us know about ambitious projects they’ve launched. One of them is 17-year-old Ishan Panda,
who, at age 15, founded the Young Author’s Anthology of Northern Nevada, a program to motivate young writers to write and publish. Panda shared an insight that resonated loud and clear with us news folks. People who are able to write really well have a lot more opportunities available to them solely because they can write. It’s something that you can control. The opportunities that open as a result of it are incredible, much better than any sort of privilege or locker status can give you.
The director of a film about Nevada’s state cocktail, on how viewers near and far reacted
Surely, Northern Nevada’s most beloved “when in Rome” practice is drinking a picon punch. Some call the bitter taste an acquired one, but we like them nonetheless, and we love to talk about them. Mark Maynard is the director of Piconland: The Quest for the Perfect Picon Punch. We get a lot of people who want to talk after
screenings, which is always a great feeling. In Nevada, people want to tell you their best picon story, and usually, the picon is centered around a big night that they remember—or don’t remember. And in places where people aren’t familiar with it, they have all kinds of questions: What does it taste like? What’s in it? How do you make it? How can I get that liquor? Can I buy that here in New York or Montana?
A nonprofit director on Nevada’s literacy problem
Courtney Vogt, the Northern Nevada director for the statewide literacy group Spread the Word Nevada, works hard to get books to children. Right now, only about 28% of students in fourth-grade are reading at grade level statewide. Washoe County—we’re a little bit higher. We’re at about 42%. What happens is, when the students can’t read at grade level, they’re unable to complete their homework. They’re unable to do the things that they need to do in order to grow and be successful in the future. It’s really impactful, even on their adult life, when they are behind.
Party lines: Where to find your political allies By Kris Vagner
A month before the 2026 elections, the Nevada secretary of state reported this breakdown of Nevada voters: 809,764 are nonpartisan (38.85%); 575,465 are Democrats (27.61%); and 571,078 are Republicans (27.40%).The remaining 6.15% are members of the Independent American Party, Libertarian Party of Nevada or other minor parties. These numbers are consistent with long-term trends. Nonpartisans are always the largest group in Nevada, and the two major parties are usually neck and neck. If you’re looking to join one of them, here’s what their local leaders think you should know. org. Follow Washoe County Republican Party sign up and come to meetings Connect with the GOP on Facebook or @RealWashoeGOP on X. four times a year.” “Anybody is free to come by our headquarWashoe County Republican Party For people who want to ters,” said Bruce Parks, chairman of the 3652 S. Virginia St., Suite C-8 participate in a less-formal Washoe County Republican Par775-827-1900 way, there’s the Washoe Dems ty. “You can fill out a paper apsecretary@washoegop.org precinct organizer program. plication if you’d like, and you It aims to build Democratic bases within can ask questions of the people Connect with the Dems neighborhoods. “I think that’s fun for people that work there. … Anybody For Democrats who want to meet like-minded who maybe don’t like sitting in on meetings who wants to stop by to see how people in their own neighborhoods, the Demor going to fundraisers,” said Downey. Washoe County Republican Party conducts ocratic Party of Washoe County has affiliate Visitors to the Dems’ office are always their business, they’re welcome to do so.” groups including North Tahoe Dems, North welcome. The party holds a Lincoln Day Dinner each Washoe Dems, South Washoe Dems, a Black To learn more, go to washodems.org. Find @ spring. Said Parks: “It’s our big fundraiser Caucus, Democratic Women of Washoe and washoedems on Instagram, Democratic Party of and celebration event, to celebrate all things Heart of Reno. Washoe County on Facebook, @WashoeDEMS Republican—of course, in recognition of “If you want to be super-involved, you can on X, @washoedems.bsky.social on BlueSky, Abraham Lincoln, the founder of the Repubhelp lead the direction that the county party and Washoe Dems on Substack. lican Party.” is going in and govern our board by joining Washoe County Democratic Party To learn about the party’s policies, bylaws, our central committee,” said Rosey Downey, 1465 Terminal Way, No. 1 leadership and monthly central committee the party’s executive director. “It’s super-easy. 775-323-8683 meetings, or to apply for membership or sign You just have to be a registered Democrat and washoedems@washoedems.org up for email newsletters, go to washoegop. RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
19
ADVICE F ROM T HE EXPER T S
SPONSORED CONTENT
Nevada cannabis: the good the bad and the ugly In 2016, voters in Nevada cast their ballots—and as a result, on July 1, 2017, the first adult use (recreational) cannabis sale was made. A lot has changed in the past nine years, some things for the better—and others, not so much. The price of cannabis has dramatically changed, which has meant great deals for consumers, and a very challenging landscape for the 353 businesses currently licensed in Nevada (down from 659 in 2018). While the landscape and products offered have changed, so, too, have the demand for cannabis and the taxes collected. Tax revenue peaked in 2021, partially as a result of many of us being locked indoors during the pandemic. Since that time, cannabis tax revenue has decreased by almost 40%. One significant factor is the ongoing decline in Las Vegas tourism, which accounts for more than 75% of all statewide sales. While recent blame for the Las Vegas slowdown has gone toward tariffs and a lack of foreign visitors, a closer look points to overpriced accommodations and a general sense that Vegas is no longer an affordable place to visit. Unfortunately for many of the state’s licensed operators, the decline in visitors, along with both the illicit market and the loopholes in hemp regulations, have led to almost 40% of licensed operators closing their doors. Cannabis remains federally prohibited in the United States, which has led to opportunities for Canadian companies to acquire a growing stake in the domestic cannabis market, with between 30%
20
|
RN&R
|
and 50% of Nevada’s cannabis revenue now belonging to Canadian companies. While many view recent acquisitions as an evolution of the industry, others wonder if we are headed into a time and place where mega-corporations own the overwhelming majority of the offerings that consumers can access. On a brighter note, consolidation means that consumers, now more than ever, have the ability to vote with their hard-earned dollars. If you want to see locally owned and operated businesses continue to operate, then show your support. You as a consumer are now legally allowed to possess 70 grams of regulated cannabis flower, or 7 grams of concentrated cannabis. All regulated cannabis isn’t held to the same standards, with many dispensaries operating on tribal land and, as a result, not being subjected to the same levels of scrutiny. The tribal compacts that allow these sales also include language which makes the enforcement of state compliance infinitely more difficult. In addition, the taxes collected at these locations go directly to the tribes to provide services that are vital to these communities. Several of the largest brands within the state of Nevada are produced at tribal facilities—perhaps in an effort to take advantage of some of the tax or other loopholes that result from different tribal standards. Consumers now have the ability to access a huge variety of products ranging from traditional pre-rolls and flower (bud) to sublingual tinctures, tablets, gummies and beverages. Whether you are a casual
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
user or medical patient using this plant for medical reasons, please do so with caution. Please purchase your cannabis from a licensed regulated source—just like sushi, it shouldn’t be purchased at a gas station. The industry is constantly evolving; be mindful as you spend your hard-earned dollars. A product that is gaining popularity is all-in-one or disposable vape rigs. While these products are convenient, billions of lithium-ion batteries that power these devices are being thrown away annually in the United States. While vaping has become increasingly popular, please think twice and perhaps purchase a battery that can be reused instead of these single use disposables. Gummies are the fastest-growing segment for new consumers, as they provide an easy way to ingest cannabis. Please remember that less is more; go slow; and remember that overconsumption can be scary, so proceed with caution and ask for advice at your favorite dispensary. CBD is growing in popularity due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and calming characteristics. CBD is also a very effective tool in offsetting the effects of overconsumption of THC. While it won’t instantly bring you down, it will significantly lessen the psychoactive (high) effects. With many dispensaries offering deep discounts on volume purchases, it has never been easier to access regulated, taxed and laboratory-tested products. So sit back— and enjoy some of Nevada’s finest.
SPONSORED CONTENT About SoL Cannabis SoL is better—but why? SoL Cannabis was founded in 2018 by a group of Nevadans with a simple vision to bring consumers the safest organically grown cannabis and cannabis products, at a fair price, in a one-of-a-kind facility. But why is SoL better? SoL occupies five acres in beautiful Washoe Valley, Nevada, at 275 S. U.S. 395-ALT, with onsite cultivation and production, and a dispensary. It’s Nevada’s only sunlit facility with production and retail under a single roof. Cannabis grown under the sun is considered by many to be superior, while others prefer warehouse-grown cannabis. We choose the sun for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s free and plentiful in Nevada. A similar-sized warehouse uses 10 times the power of our facility; we are an environmentally conscious company. We also believe that soil and sun are how this and all plants are intended to be grown, and many growers were forced into a warehouse due to prohibition. We believe that it’s our responsibility to provide you, the consumer, with products that protect not only you, but mother Earth. It is for this reason that we do not sell disposable vape pens. We only sell .5 gram cartridges. We feel that when you heat larger multi-gram cartridges up to 500 times, the taste and physical properties of the oil are degraded, causing a burnt taste and perhaps failed hardware. We package as much of our flower as possible into recyclable glass so that no micro-plastics or excessive waste are produced. Our in-house edibles are strain- and effect-specific, not a distillate based “vanilla” experience. We want our indica (night time) Berry Coconut gummies to lull you to sleep and our sativa Pineapple Jalapeno (energetic) gummies to motivate you. We offer a whole host of options for specific experiences, and like all of our products, they originate from our sunlit greenhouse. SoL was awarded the only cannabis consumption lounge license in Northern Nevada. We take great pride in remaining 100% locally owned and operated, with our owner onsite most days to greet you with a smile and probably some questionable humor. We appreciate you and your continued support and remind you that everything we do—from food, coat, sock and toy drives, to our free concert series—is made possible through you and your continued support. Please consider SoL when making cannabis purchasing decisions, and remember that without U, there would be no US. Grounded in gratitude, Team SoL
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
21
LIFE IN THE HIGH DESERT
Reno by the seasons
Expert tips for making the most of life in the Truckee Meadows year-round
Spring
Wait it out in the great indoors By Kelley Lang Spring is a merciless tease, with beautiful 75-degree days—and then hail that will trash your seedlings or blossoming trees, and wind that will make you question your decision to live here. You’ll need a time out from the incorrigible storm clouds that have dampened your spirits when the weather doesn’t behave. Here’s an abbreviated guide to Reno’s great indoors—from arcades to museums—to help you bide your time until summer. Families have been coming to the Coconut Bowl at Wild Island, at 1855 E. Lincoln Way, in Sparks, since 2003 to blow off some steam when the weather doesn’t play nice. The fun center offers bowling, mini golf, go karts, laser tag, arcade games and other options to keep you occupied any time of the year. Visit wildisland. com/coconut-bowl for more details. You can while away the hours reading a good book surrounded by lush indoor plants and trees in the award-winning atrium at the Downtown Reno Library, at 301 S. Center St. Designed by architect Hewitt C. Wells, the multi-level facility also has public wi-fi, computers with internet access, an art gallery, a makerspace and an auditorium for meetings, presentations and performances. Check out www.washoecountylibrary.us/libraries/downtown-reno.php. Standing kitty-corner from the Downtown Reno Library, the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery), at 490 S. Center St., features a collection of permanent
but regularly updated STEAM-based exhibitions, hands-on learning labs and installations, as well as touring exhibitions throughout the year. Discover more at nvdm.org. Take a visual cruise through automobile history at the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection), at 1 Museum Drive, in Reno. Visitors can explore four galleries linked by themed street scenes featuring more than 240 cars, including antique models, hot rods and iconic vehicles that appeared in Hollywood films. The museum also hosts concerts, film screenings and special events for kids during school breaks. Steer your way to automuseum. org for more information. Starting with its distinctive building inspired by the geological formations of the Black Rock Desert, the Nevada Museum of Art, at 160 W. Liberty St., aims to broaden the public’s understanding of the role of art and its relationship to the environment. The art museum’s recent expansion added 50,000 square feet to the original space, allowing for a new entrance, a research library, more gallery space and a rooftop garden. You can view more information at www.nevadaart.org. Pinball wizards and arcade rats can take an electronic trip down memory lane at Press Start Arcade, at 600 S. Center St. The midtown Reno location features a well-maintained collection of retro and contemporary pinball and arcade video games, along with a nice selection of beers and craft cocktails. Press renopressstart.com to learn more. Generations of locals have spent countless afternoons and evenings roller-skating to ’70s disco tunes, ’80s pop songs and current hits at Roller Kingdom Family Fun Center, at 515 E. Seventh
At the Discovery Museum—one of many great places in town to take cover from fickle spring weather—the Cloud Climber is a kid-approved favorite. Photo/Jessi Janusee 22
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
In the summer, locals love to enjoy adventure spots in the nearby mountain ranges. Among them is Golden Quartz, near the small town of Washington, Calif. Photo/Sarah Russell Mayberry Park, Reno: Head to the this west St., in Reno. Whether you’re 7 or 87, it’s the place Reno park, at 101 Woodland Ave., for picnics, to go when you want to unleash your inner roller paved walking and biking paths, and wading in disco queen. Roll on over to www.rollerkingdom. the Truckee River—or cross the bridge to find org for session times and other info. Finally, you can explore the life and legacy of the short, steep Tom Cooke Trail and the long, flat Steamboat Ditch Trail. a local adventurer, world traveler, pilot, rancher, Thomas Creek and Jones-Whites Creek: artist and philanthropist when you step inside These interconnected trails off Timberline Drive the Wilbur D. May Museum at Rancho San follow forested creeks on Mount Rose. You can Rafael Regional Park, at 1595 N. Sierra St. The opt for a short out-and-back (with creek crosscenter hosts interactive, touring exhibitions in ings for pups and kids to splash) or a longer its events space from January through April and loop hike. features monthly art shows in its gallery. Start Summit Lake: This three-mile out-and-back your journey at www.washoecounty.gov/parks/ trail starts at the Interstate 80 Eastbound Rest maycenterhome/index.php. Area in Soda Springs, Calif., near Donner Lake, and quickly ascends over creeks and up granite steps through forest and meadow, with abundant wildflowers. The trail connects to the Pacific Bask in the great outdoors Crest Trail and the under-development Donner Lake Rim Trail. By Sarah Russell Wino Beach at Pyramid Lake: This is on You can find a perfect summer day in any diNevada Highway 446 near Nixon—and Pyramid rection. Stay in town, or take a trip, and you can Lake’s slightly saline water makes it a dream find hiking and swimming that will rejuvenate for swimming. While the lake is famous for its you and fill you with memories to keep you fishing, it’s also a prime destination for a beach warm all winter. day. Bring a picnic, floaties, a shade structure and Here are just a few of our local summertime perhaps a barbecue. Consider staying for sunset adventure hubs that avoid Tahoe traffic. and a bonfire. Day use permits are required. Brewer’s Cabinet Production Facility: Quick trips (15- to 40-minute When your adventure is done, but you’re not quite ready to head indoors, the taproom at the drive from downtown Reno) Tahoe Meadows: This 1.3-mile loop trail on the Brewer’s Cabinet Production facility is the perfect last stop. Next to Mayberry Park, at 8565 summit of Mount Rose Highway near Incline White Fir St., in Reno, it features a spacious Village is an ideal introduction to the outdoors for youngsters and a great place to bring visiting beer garden, tasty beers, games and rotating food trucks. family for a stroll. The trail is wheelchair- and Check out the Truckee Meadows Trails stroller-accessible and wanders through granite, guide to explore more local trails. pines, meadows and creeks.
Summer
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
In late September each year, an estimated 50,000 motorcyclists convene for Street Vibrations. There will be noise. Photo/David Robert primo! The chilly nights and snow-dusted Longer Trips (60- to 90-minute peaks are a nice reprieve from summer heat. drive from downtown Reno) The afternoon weather swings from sleeveless Nothing says summer like a daytrip! to sweater and back, and they’re both perfect. Carson Pass (south of South Lake Tahoe, Hiking among the golden aspens along Hunter southwest of Gardnerville) has hikes featuring Creek is really something special, and so is an wildflowers, creeks and lakes. Check out hikes ordinary stroll in the city, where the tree canopy to Winnemucca Lake and Round Top Lake has a whole new palette. from Woods Lake, or the Thornburg Canyon But I have to bring this ode to a screeching or Charity Valley trails from Blue Lakes Road. halt, because there’s something else we need For swimming in a unique setting, spend a day to discuss. at Potholes on California State Route 88, six If you’re guessing that fall means it’s time miles South of Kirkwood Ski Resort—a series for our wonderful, lively festival season to of swimming holes carved into the granite by wind down … well, it does eventually, but first, the Silver Fork of the American River. it revs up. Two big events will bring crowds of For more swimming, head to the South Yuba tourists and noise to places where you might River. Near the tiny town of Washington, Calif., not expect them, and you are going to need to you’ll find the Golden Quartz Picnic Area, a be ready for this. perfect spot for a river day. First, toward the end of August (technically The Lakes Basin Recreation Area near still summer, but if you and/or your kids are Graeagle, Calif., is a gem of the Lost Sierra. in school, your fall routine will already be in The Lakes Basin is full of alpine lakes with progress), the majority of the 60,000 to 80,000 forested trails winding around them. While there people heading to the Black Rock Desert for are hiking trails of every length, the five-mile Burning Man will travel through Reno and the Round Lake and Bear Lakes loop is perhaps a Spanish Springs neighborhood of Sparks. perfect hike. Families looking for a stroller- and First and foremost—and I say this as a devout wheelchair-accessible hike will enjoy the oneCostco shopper—do not go to Costco during mile paved hike to 176-foot Frazier Falls. the week before Burning Man. Or, rather, do go A day in the Lakes Basin isn’t complete to Costco if you might enjoy the spectacle of without a visit to the Brewing Lair, at 67007 people in fun festival wear loading carts high California Highway 70, in Blairsden, Calif. with booze, food and camping supplies, and you Situated in a grove right off the main road, this don’t mind lines. There’s nothing wrong with small brewery serves delicious beers in a pictur- unusually cheerful tourists or booze stacked in esque beer garden. They have games, live music carts; it’s the sheer number of tourists and carts and a food truck during the warmer months, and that will put a wrench in your plans—enough of patrons are free to bring a picnic, too. Bring a them to cause Black Friday-level gridlock in the growler so you can bring a sip of this heaven aisles. If you simply must visit Costco the week home when you go. before the Burn, schedule ample extra time. The same goes for Whole Foods, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and many Midtown restaurants. Said one Sparks resident who often needs Savor the weather—and brace to travel on Pyramid Way, “At Winco in both yourself for the crowds Sparks locations, in particular, the lines are long the weekend before. And traffic on Pyramid is By Kris Vagner awful, in my opinion.” You might be expecting an ode to Reno’s Burning Man 2027 is slated for Aug. 29 beautiful fall here. Goodness knows it deserves through Sept. 6. Get it on your calendar now, one—fall outdooring in this region is simply
and when the time comes, plan to do your grocery stock-ups and back-to-school errands a couple of weeks beforehand. In late September, an estimated 50,000 motorcyclists convene for Street Vibrations. If you’re looking for exciting action that weekend, you are thoroughly covered. It’s a huge festival with events like poker runs, a tattoo expo, scavenger hunts, stunt displays and concerts. (Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined in 2026.) Many of the festivities take place at the J Resort’s Glow Plaza; others take place at venues in Reno, Carson City, Virginia City, the Tahoe area—and, unofficially, on pretty much all of the roads that connect these places. If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep that weekend, you may be out of luck—and not just if you’re near a major venue. The streets get rowdy all over the region. If you live anywhere near a freeway or the McCarran Boulevard loop, you are practically guaranteed to hear groups of riders rumbling and revving during all hours of the day and night. In 2027, Street Vibrations is slated from Thursday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 25. Also expect rumbling and revving for a few days beforehand and a few days afterward. All of this said, sometimes rowdy fun is good fun. If you’d rather opt into these big events than dodge them, go to burningman.org or roadshowsreno.com for more information.
Winter
Harvest your own Christmas trees on Nevada’s public lands By Frank X. Mullen
For those who prefer a bushy, wild-grown Christmas tree over the triangular varieties raised on tree farms, walking into the woods and cutting your own Yule tree is a tradition that’s easily followed in Nevada. Rules apply: To cut a Christmas tree on feder-
al public land in the Silver State, you must buy a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the U.S. Forest Service, and harvest trees only in authorized areas. Permits, which go on sale in late October or November, depending on the agency, cost $5 to $10. The permits allow harvesting of local trees like pinyon pine or juniper. In Northern Nevada, Forest Service permits—which go on sale in October for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest—cost $10 as of this writing, and are available online via Recreation.gov or at local ranger district offices. Cutting is never allowed in designated wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, active project sites or developed campgrounds, nor is it allowed near private and residential property. Once the permit and a map (available online with the permit) of allowable cutting sites are in hand, harvesters will need a saw, a shovel, rope or tie-downs, gloves and sturdy boots. If access roads are snowy, take tire chains along. Dress in layers, and bring plenty of water and food. Let family or friends know exactly where you are going and when you expect to return. Test trees before you reach for the saw: Run a branch through your hand; needles should not strip off easily. Bend a branch to make sure it is pliable and not brittle. Cut the trunk low to the ground, leaving a stump no more than six inches high. Once you get to your vehicle, tie the tree down securely with the butt end facing forward if on a roof rack, and cover it with a tarp to avoid losing needles during the trip. Once you get home, make a fresh cut at the base of the tree, and make sure the tree stand always has water. Use a plastic tarp at the base of the tree to catch sap that drips off the branches as the tree warms up inside. That’s very important—sap can destroy carpeting and is difficult to remove from wood, tile or vinyl flooring. After the holidays, bring the tree to a recycling site, such as the ones made available each year by Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful.
Fall
Cutting your own Christmas tree in nearby forests is a tradition dear to many local families. Photo/Sarah Russell
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
23
LIFE IN THE HIGH DESERT
| BY KRIS VAGNER
Preparing for wildfires Even within the city limits, it’s urgent
Preparing for wildfires used to be something that locals thought was mostly for people who live on the outskirts of town.
Then came August 2026. The Bug Fire, Stallion Fire, Hawk Fire and Bull Fire and burned in and near Reno. The Hawk Fire destroyed dozens of homes in August, and as high winds caused it to behave erratically on Peavine Mountain, “go now” evacuation zones extended to neighborhoods abutting the McCarran Loop, while “get ready” zones stretched to the northwestern border of the University of Nevada, Reno. Now, preparedness is considered a must for just about everyone.
A night away from home
“I went outside and the sky was completely covered with smoke,” said Rachel Lang, a Cold Springs resident. That was on Aug. 8, and that’s how she learned that the Bug Fire was approaching her neighborhood. The “go now” alert from Washoe County came next, and she got ready to evacuate. “I grabbed my computer stuff, a change of
clothes, my toiletries, my dog and her stuff,” said Lang, who lives with her mother, brother and 5-year-old nephew. “My mom already had clothes for (the dog), clothes for the kiddo and water, and we all grabbed our important papers.” The family did not pack up the pig and chickens who live in their yard. They drove to a friend’s farm just across the state line in the Sierra County, Calif. foothills. There, Lang and her family watched the fire approach their house through binoculars and a telescope. “It got really close—it burned the hill right above our house,” she said. Her family was away from their home for a little more than 24 hours. When they returned, the house, pig and chickens were all OK. Lang grew up in a rural area, so she already knew about having a go bag and basic supplies ready in case of approaching fire. The next thing she learned is that real-time data is helpful in an emergency, after her host recommended downloading the Watch Duty app. “We could see information about where the fire was and how far away it was, and how the firefighters are doing with their containment,” Lang said. “After we had that, we felt a lot
The U.S. Fire Administration’s WUI Fire Property Awareness Explorer map shows, in beige, the areas in and near Reno considered to be in the “ember zone.” 24
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
The Bug Fire, as seen from Peavine Peak on Aug. 10, 2026. Photo/Kris Vagner more comfortable. … We’ve been watching the app ever since, anytime a new fire springs up.”
Be ready to evacuate—even if you don’t live next to open space
Looking back months after having evacuated, Lang’s first piece of advice is this: “Make sure your important papers are easy to grab, and have a change of clothes and a little bit of food and a jug of water handy.” Also, if you do need to evacuate, remember your prescription medications, as well as things you’ll need to take care of pets—like, for example, a dog’s leash. So, who would this advice pertain to, exactly? A lot more people than you might think. The U.S. Fire Administration maintains a dashboard called the WUI Property Awareness Explorer (WUI means “wilderness-urban interface”), into which you can enter your address and see a map showing whether you are in an area where embers can blow from a fire to your house. Jenni Burr is the outreach and content coordinator for Living With Fire, a joint effort among federal, state and local agencies managed by University of Nevada Reno, Extension. She said she was shocked the first time she saw the map. “Almost the entirety of the city—essentially Washoe Valley, Reno Sparks, everything, all except for the very urban-most core, radiating out from the airport—has the potential of having embers land on it,” she said. “That
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
definitely was eye-opening to me, because it gave me a different sense of what that wildland urban interface really means in a place where you get big winds. So, I think, generally speaking, it’s really everybody who needs an evacuation plan.” She added: “Thinking about evacuation before you’re in the middle of it is incredibly important.” Here’s where to start: • Visit livingwithfire.org to find evacuation checklists in English and Spanish, learn how to make an evacuation plan, learn about improving defensible space around your home, and access a wealth of other information on preparing for and dealing with fire. • Sign up for warnings during fires and other emergencies, targeted to specific neighborhoods, via Washoe County’s Alerts and Warnings page at www.washoecounty.gov/em/ regional-alerts/index.php. • If you or your loved ones live or travel in other Northern Nevada counties, see the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s list of emergency alert notification systems in other regions at extension.unr.edu/publication. aspx?PubID=3336. • Download the Watch Duty and/or Perimeter Map apps so that, during a fire, you can learn about evacuation zones, containment and other important information as it’s posted. Go to app.watchduty.org or perimetermap.com.
LIFE IN THE HIGH DESERT
| BY JESSI JANUSEE
Family fare
The best places to take your kids (according to one of the most adventuresome moms in town) One of my favorite things about Reno is how easy it is to enjoy a variety of experiences outdoors. We get 250 to 300 days of sun a year, and even some cold days are fantastic for hikes, snowshoeing and general nature shenanigans. One of our favorite places for a quick family jaunt is Davis Creek Regional Park, 25 Davis Creek Road, New Washoe City. This 200-acre park features several trails, a small fishing pond, and fantastic views of Slide Mountain and Washoe Lake. Most of the trails are easy enough for toddlers to navigate, and the pond and picnic area are close enough that hauling the kiddos, the picnic goods and the other ephemera necessary for kid life isn’t too much of a hassle. The tall pines and mountain views allow you to feel like you’re deep in the woods—even though you’re only 10 minutes from the Shayden Summit mall.
Any search for fun family things to do in Reno will inevitably include The Discovery children’s museum, 490 S. Center St.—and for good reason. Reno’s hands-on science museum never disappoints, and even older kids will have a blast building and creating. The Cloud Climber is the central installation, with a jungle gym and a hands-on water feature. It’s a fan favorite and truly a stunning feat of artsy engineering. People-watching is at a premium while all of the parents are stuck below as their kids ascend into the giant climbing structure. Some often overlooked spots in the museum include the Spark!Lab and The Shop, where children can actually build awesome STEAM-focused projects. The museum is always offering events and classes, so be sure to check the calendar and schedule a trip. A hidden-gem recommendation is the Rail City Garden Center, located at 1720 Brierley Way in an industrial area of Sparks. This locally owned plant center has been helping the region’s gardens for decades. It’s a little oasis complete with a kids’ treehouse, swings, a giant
fish pond, the obligatory friendly garden-center cats, and even pond turtles. When parenthood feels overwhelming, the Rail City Garden Center is a peaceful spot for kids to explore while parents can literally stop and smell the roses. The staff is always so sweet, taking the time to talk with the kids and teach them about the plants. The garden store features fun surprises like ladybugs, free popcorn and a somewhat secret freezer full of ice cream sandwiches. The library is one of those places whose constant presence can make you take its magic for granted. Reno is blessed with a stunning downtown library branch that is a true architectural marvel. It features a pond, a fountain and a jungle of plants, making the entire space feel like a fairyland. While the downtown branch deserves mention, my family loves the Sparks Library the most. Located at 1125 12th St., in Sparks, this branch has a wonderful Young People’s Library that includes games, building materials, STEM elements and a tiny courtyard
where kids can read under a tree. My 6-yearold recently enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the library, making new friends, playing board games and learning on the computer with the ABCmouse platform. The library has a cozy and welcoming vibe, and the layout of the space makes it feel extra safe for young literary explorers. Tucked inside San Rafael Regional Park, the Wilbur D. May Museum, 1595 N. Sierra St., has great hands-on touring exhibits that are always family friendly. Some of our past favorites included giant animatronic dinosaurs and games, and the vintage toy exhibit which featured a giant Lite-Brite and Battleship. It’s a smaller museum, which allows you to give the kiddos more freedom. The other portion of the museum has a permanent exhibit of Wilbur D. May’s collection of artifacts, taxidermy and saddlery. When you’re done at the museum, you can check out San Rafael Regional Park, with all of its playgrounds, ponds and fields.
The RN&R has gone glossy!
Get our glossy magazine quarterlies for $9.99 each (mail delivery) or subscribe for a year (four issues, including our newsprint Best of Northern Nevada edition) for $35.99. With easy trails and great views, Davis Creek Regional Park is a sweet spot for families—and it’s close to town, too. Photo/Jesse Janusee RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
RenoNR.com/print | Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
25
LIFE IN THE HIGH DESERT
| BY FRANK X. MULLEN
Legislative update
How do the latest new laws affect life in Nevada?
The biannual Nevada Legislature convenes the first Monday of February in odd-numbered years, with sessions limited to 120 calendar days. In the 2025 session, Democrats held majorities in both chambers, although they did not have a veto-proof majority over Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican.
Lombardo vetoed 87 bills in 2025, breaking his previous record of 75 vetoes in 2023. He signed 531 bills into law in 2025. Here’s how some of them affect the price of insulin, veterans who were discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and other aspects of life in our state.
New LGBTQ+ protections became law; other measures vetoed
Nevada already has some of the strongest LGBTQ+ protections in the nation, and the state added several new protections to the lawbooks during the 2025 legislative session. The Silver State explicitly bans discrimination—in private and public employment, housing and public accommodations—based on sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. In 2022, Nevada voters approved a state Equality of Rights Amendment that prohibits denial of equality under the law based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. New protections passed in 2025 include a law dubbed LGBTQ+ Veterans Support (Senate Bill 117), which requires the state Department of Veterans Services to develop and expand outreach and resources to help veterans upgrade less-than-honorable discharges resulting from the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which was in effect from 1994 through 2011. More than 13,000 service members were discharged under the policy. Those men and women lost their careers and sometimes were barred from receiving veteran benefits. The new law is aimed at helping veterans navigate the federal process needed to change those discharges. Nevada lawmakers also passed, and the governor signed, Assembly Bill 235, allowing repro26
|
RN&R
|
ductive and gender-affirming care providers and their families to shield their personal information in records that would otherwise be public. Gov. Lombardo vetoed several other LGBTQ+ protection bills that made it through the session, including two major transgender-protection bills. Those were SB 171, called the Gender-Affirming Care Shield Law, which would have protected licensed health-care providers offering gender-affirming care, as well as patients traveling from out of state to receive it. The governor also vetoed Senate Bill 141, the Incarcerated Transgender Protections law, which would have established specific policies and training in local jails to secure safety and protections for incarcerated transgender individuals. Lombardo, who has said he will urge the next Legislature to pass a law prohibiting “biological men” in women’s sports, also vetoed SB 352, the Non-Discrimination in the Nevada Affordable Care Act Exchange bill. It would have prohibited public and private health insurance providers, including Medicaid, from discriminating against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, as well as sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. AB 416, Prohibition of Public School and Public Library Book Bans, also fell to Lombardo’s veto. That bill would have prohibited limiting students’ access to library materials through the “removal, moving, labeling, or defacing of library materials” from circulation. It also would have protected library and school staff who displayed or circulated library materials in accordance with the law. Democratic lawmakers and lobbyists pledged to reintroduce various LGBTQ+ protection bills during the 2027 legislative session.
Health care: Law caps insulin costs; Medicare RX prices bill scrapped Nevadans covered by private insurance will pay no more than $35 for insulin (for a 30day supply) under a law passed in 2025, and the state is now forbidden to limit access to contraception. The cap on the cost of insulin (AB 555) will affect about 70,000 Nevadans diagnosed with diabetes and who receive their medications through private insurance. Statewide, an estimated 304,000 Nevada adults (12.2%) have
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
As a Republican governor with both chambers of the Legislature controlled by Democrats, Joe Lombardo vetoed 87 bills in 2025, breaking his previous record of 75 vetoes in 2023. Photo/ Gage Skidmore been diagnosed with the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contraception bill, AB 176, now law, explicitly prohibits state and local governments from restricting access to contraception and family-planning services. The statute allows Nevadans to sue if those rights are violated. Gov. Lombardo vetoed several other healthcare bills, including AB 282, which would have required providers to refund any overpayments in billing to patients within 60 days. He also vetoed AB 259, which would have allowed the state to adopt prescription-drug prices negotiated by Medicare. Lombardo vetoed a similar bill passed by the 2023 Legislature. Other health-care bills vetoed by Lombardo included SB 182, which would have set limits for nurse-to-patient ratios in health care facilities in Washoe and Clark counties; a measure (SB 128) that would have prohibited insurers
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
from solely relying on artificial intelligence to deny or modify a prior authorization request; SB 217, which would have required most private insurers and public insurers, including Medicaid, to cover in vitro fertilization; and AB 388, aimed at vastly expanding paid family and medical leave requirements across Nevada for both public employers and private employers with 50 or more workers. In addition, Lombardo vetoed AB 205, a measure proponents said would have made it easier for Nevada’s children to gain protective health information during sex-education classes. Under existing Nevada law, parents must sign a permission slip to allow their child into sex-education courses. AB 205 would have changed the process into an opt-out system, where students would be automatically enrolled unless parents signed a form refusing authorization. Other bills died before being passed by both
chambers, including a bill that would have legalized medical aid in dying. That bill, AB 346, passed the Assembly but failed to advance in the Senate. When Lombardo vetoed a similar bill in 2023, he said: “Fortunately, expansions in palliative care services and continued improvement in advanced pain management make the end-oflife provisions … unnecessary.” A poll released in 2023 by the advocacy group Compassion and Choices indicated 82% of Nevadans supported medical-aid-in-dying legislation. Another other measure (AB 378) that would have created a pilot program to provide supervised psychedelic-assisted therapy for military veterans and first responders died in committee.
Housing: New laws address affordability, tenants’ rights
The Legislature in 2025 passed—and the governor signed—four prominent bills aimed at addressing Nevada’s housing-affordability crisis and advancing tenant protections. The Clark County Bar Association noted that the 2025 session “marked a significant shift in housing policy,” with lawmakers advancing bills aimed at increasing transparency, expanding development opportunities, protecting tenants from excessive fees, and improving housing access in Nevada. Those four new laws are:
AB 121, which requires landlords to list the amount of rent due as one figure—including the rent and all mandatory fees, such as utilities or trash collection. Landlords must also refund application fees for prospective tenants if they rent to someone else and did not conduct the background screening activity for which the fee was collected. Landlords also must make at least one method available for a tenant to pay the rent without racking up an associated fee. AB 241 mandates that local governments adopt an ordinance to authorize development of multifamily and mixed-use developments on property zoned for commercial use. The law is aimed at streamlining the transition of some commercial properties—such as vacant strip malls—into residential or mixed-use spaces. AB 540, called the Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act, will infuse $133 million to increase housing development, land acquisition, essential-worker home purchase assistance, and local government incentives. The law is aimed at assisting the “missing middle” of prospective home buyers, defined as households earning up to 150% of the area median income. That group that includes teachers, nurses, police officers and other middle-income workers who don’t qualify for help under existing affordability programs. SB 114 requires landlords with developments containing more than 50 units in Clark
County and Washoe County, and more than 30 units in all other counties, to conduct criminal background checks on all employees with access to keys to any dwelling unit. The bill was dubbed “Miya’s Law,” after 19-year-old Miya Marcano, who was murdered in Florida by a maintenance worker with unauthorized master-key access. Gov. Lombardo vetoed several other housing bills, many for the second time, including AB 280, which would have established a temporary pilot program capping rent increases at 5% for “vulnerable tenants”—defined as people 62 or older, or those relying on Social Security. The governor also vetoed AB 283, which would have brought Nevada’s eviction process in line with those of other states. Nevada uses a unique “summary” eviction process requiring tenants to file a court challenge to contest an eviction notice—before a landlord is required to file anything with the court. AB 283 would have required landlords to file a formal complaint and summons with the court before posting an eviction notice on a tenant’s door. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Nevada is the only state with such an expedient and landlord-friendly eviction system. It’s the only jurisdiction where tenants must take the first legal action to avoid eviction.
Education laws address funding, charter schools, K-12 accountability
Lawmakers in 2025 passed a suite of bills related to school funding, charter schools, K-12 accountability and policy overhauls. SB 460, an omnibus K-12 education-reform package, created the Commission on Recruitment and Retention, in an effort to address teacher shortages. It also established the Education Service Center, revised provisions for pre-kindergarten programs and charter schools, and restructured various teacher and administrator evaluation and differential pay guidelines. AB 533, the Open Enrollment and Transportation Bill, standardized the open-enrollment process across the state’s school districts. It directed districts to prioritize transfer applications for students moving out of one- or two-star-rated schools into three-star or better schools. It is backed by $7 million in transportation funding. SB 81 directed the Department of Education to conduct public school-employee surveys, updated reporting requirements, and streamlined some scholarship and grant programs into block grants. Another education bill, SB 252, would have created an Education Savings Account program allowing public funds to cover private school or homeschooling expenses, but the measure failed to pass out of committee.
Your Northern Nevada
Real Estate Expert onnect c o t n a sc
TAMMIE COX REALTOR BS.146553
NORTHERN NV
775.742.5846 tcox@chaseinternational.com tammiecox.chaseinternational.com
Your new favorite spot in southwest Reno Sip • Shop • Snack 6135 Lakeside Drive, Ste. 111 • 775-440-1091 www.blackrockwineco.com
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide
| Insiders' Guide 2026-2027
|
RN&R
|
27
GO PLAY OUTSIDE.
POWERED BY DOLAN
WHEELS | ACCESSORIES | CAMPERS | RVs
28
|
RN&R
|
Insiders' Guide 2026-2027 |
RenoNR.com/insiders-guide