10 things to do in Reno that are off the beaten path

Geocaching, pub crawls, anger rooms, museums, and more—here are 10 things to do in Reno that are off the beaten path.

Are you tired of the same old routine, day after day? Do you want to get out of the house, try something new, and explore the Biggest Little City in the World in the process?

From searching through clothing racks, seeing art, and smashing things to riding a bike, enjoying nature, and “crawling” to a pub by the Truckee River, here are 10 things to do in Reno that are off the beaten path.

1. Go on a modern-day treasure hunt

Channel your inner pirate and search for geocaches hidden throughout parks and other spots in Reno. You don’t need an eye patch or a peg leg, just a Global Positioning System (GPS) and an appetite for adventure.  

The world’s first geocache was placed at the dawn of the 21st Century, and by 2023, over 3 million active caches were hidden around the globe, including Nevada. The Silver State ranks lucky No. 7 in the US for total caches, with nearly 80 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Geocaching is great for all ages and a unique way to explore your city. If you’re new to this hobby, check out the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation’s Geocaching 101 guide. If you’re more experienced, you can find a list of Reno’s hardest-to-find caches on Geocaching.com. Be sure to join the Reno Geocaching group on Facebook to learn about group activities and challenges.

Geocachers are rewarded with glorious scenery at Viper’s View in Reno’s Rattlesnake Mountain. (Bill/CC BY-SA 2.0)

2. Shop ‘til you drop

Instead of hitting up your usual haunts, adventure out into different neighborhoods of Reno to shop at locally owned stores. Shopping locally is good for the economy and a great way to score unique items, everything from new and used rare titles at Dharma Books downtown to locally made pottery at The Wedge Ceramics Studio by the Riverwalk. 

For a modern mall experience, check out The Basement, a marketplace full of locally-owned shops and restaurants in Reno’s historic Post Office Building. To score a cool outfit for Burning Man or find globally-inspired clothing, head to Midtown’s Melting Pot World Emporium. 

If second-hand is your jam, the nearby Junkee Clothing Exchange carries quality second-hand clothes and affordable antiques, while Bad Apple Vintage downtown takes you on a mind trip with its retro styles.

Commemorate your local shopping experience with Silver State swag at Home Means Nevada.

3. Immerse yourself in art

From galleries to public art, even an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited state museum, there’s no shortage of art in Reno. 

See works by nearly 40 local artists at the Artist Co-op Gallery of Reno or an eclectic mix of more than 100 artists at the Richardson Gallery of Fine Art. Reno-focused art is on display at Reno Fine Arts Collective. Or you can peruse wildlife, landscapes, and scenes from the West by artist Fred Boyce at Boyce Fine Art gallery.

The Sierra Arts Council has three free galleries in the Reno area, including The Depot in Sparks. The Metro Art Gallery in Reno City Hall puts on six shows per year by various artists. 

Reno also has public art, including installations, sculptures, and murals in downtown, midtown, and at City Hall. Try the Reno Riverwalk, the Sculpture Garden in Bicentennial Park, or the Sparks Art Walk in downtown Sparks. Visit Reno-Tahoe offers a map of public art.

The AAM-accredited Nevada Museum of Art is interactive, innovative, and extensive. If you’re inspired to make your own art, The Reno Generator is an inclusive maker space with everything you need to set your creativity free. 

Space Whale is one of two public art sculptures in front of City Hall in downtown Reno. (Aleza Freeman)

4. Go to the theater

All the world’s a stage, but sometimes it’s nice to sit in the audience. Reno is home to several local theaters and theater groups, so why not let them entertain you? 

From comedies, mysteries, and drama at The Reno Little Theater to the visually spectacular Magique at The Theatre, there are plenty of standing ovation-worthy stage shows in Reno.

Local theater troupes like Good Luck Macbeth and Brüka Theatre put on innovative shows by local artists. You can also see a Broadway show on tour at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.

5. Ride your bike

Ditch that gas-guzzling car or truck, and break out your bike for Reno Bike Night, open to bicycles, scooters, one wheels, electric skateboards, and even unicycles. 

Bikers meet up at City Plaza, home to the Believe and Space Whale public art sculptures, in front of City Hall in downtown Reno at 7:45 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month before rolling out at 8 p.m. The event is BYOB (bring your own bike). 

For more information, check out the Reno Bike Night Instagram page or Facebook group. If you’re new to biking, the nonprofit Reno Bike Project (RBP) is a great starting point. The community resource and shop has a goal to put more butts in bikes.

6. Walk (or crawl) on the Riverwalk

The Riverwalk District in downtown Reno is a bustling area with public art, restaurants, scenery, wildlife, fishing, and a whitewater rafting park. 

There are various events along the Riverwalk all year long. The Reno Wine Walk, for instance, takes place every third Saturday of the month. Your ticket gets you a branded wine-tasting glass for sips from stops at local businesses along the way. Kids are welcome when supervised by an adult with a valid ID.

Check out the events calendar to see all the walks and crawls, including themed pub crawls for St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas.

The bustling Riverwalk in Reno bustles with public art, restaurants, scenery, wildlife, fishing, and a whitewater rafting park. (Aleza Freeman)

7. Ditch your digital devices

If you’re in need of a digital detox or simply enjoy nature, you’ll find some respite at one of Reno’s parks, trails, and natural attractions.

The 22-acre conservation Oxbow Nature Study area lets you meander along a one-mile-long trail by the Truckee through cottonwoods, willows, grasslands, and possibly even wildlife like black-crowned night herons, red-shouldered hawks, mule deer, beaver, and rainbow trout.

Take a hike at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, home to the gardens and walking trails of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Ice skate in the winter on a pond at Davis Creek Regional Park. For concerts, festivals, and outdoor sports events, hit up Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. Sunsets are spectacular at the Sparks Marina!

8. Have a spa day

Everyone deserves a little pampering, like a relaxing massage, cleansing facial, or dip in a hot tub. Reno’s glitzy hotels may be touristy, but that means they have luxurious spas—and locals can take advantage.

The Spa at Grand Sierra Resort has a 20% discount for locals through April (and 35%-off certain treatments). Locals receive 15%-off at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spa Atlantis at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Other spas worth exploring for serenity include Spa Toscana at the Peppermill Reno, The Refuge Spa in the Renaissance Hotel, and The Spa at Silver Legacy—which has its own rooftop pool.

Not sure if the spa you like has a discount? It never hurts to ask.

9. Go to your room

Sometimes, you can’t fight the urge to smash, crash, splatter, or escape life’s daily stresses. That’s where anger rooms come in. It’s a growing market in the US, thanks to increased awareness of mental health and stress management. Data shows the global anger room market is expected to grow from $16.7 billion in 2023 to $24.1 billion by 2032.

Reno is home to a few regulated anger rooms where you can express your rage safely and physically by destroying objects. At Reno Brainy Actz, you can also shoot arrows, throw an axe, or declare war on your friends with a Nerf gun. For a less violent way to release stress, create your version of a Jackson Pollock on the walls or try an escape room. Your problems will seem much smaller when you’re lost in a jungle or snowy cabin.

Suit up, grab a sledgehammer or crowbar, and unleash your inner Hulk at Smashin’ Good Time in nearby Sparks. There’s also axe throwing and billiards. If you’re the one who wants to get smashed, head to the full bar with more than 70 beers and select whiskeys and bourbons. 

10. Expand your mind 

We already mentioned the Nevada Museum of Art, but Reno is also home to other museums worth your time. You can stargaze in the 60-seat Dome Theater at Fleischmann Planetarium or stick to the streets at The National Automobile Museum. Kids expand their knowledge through play at the Discovery Museum.

If you want to learn more about the land you call home, check out the Nevada Historical Society or Sparks Heritage Museum. For an even deeper dive, drive 30 minutes to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City!

The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno is an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited museum. (Rob Corder/CC BY-SA 2.0)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.