Car Hire Reno - Mini guide to Reno

Reno is nestled in the foothills of the stunning Sierra Nevada, with the lovely Truckee River snaking its way through the city's centre. The city's natural desert beauty is a charming contrast to the neon lights of its world famous casinos. Known as 'the biggest little city in the world', Reno is a somewhat smaller version of Las Vegas.

If you're feeling lucky, brightly-lit casinos with long stretches of poker machines and card tables are available 24 hours a day in the downtown area. Among the casinos is the Silver Legacy, a Victorian gem that contains a mining rig on the casino floor and an interior crafted from mahogany, marble and etched glass.

You can also enjoy vibrant stage productions and cabaret acts that regularly feature big name performers. Additionally, there are some fine dining opportunities. Take time to stroll along the Riverwalk, a three-block plaza with fountains, galleries, shops and native plants overlooking the Truckee River.

Summer dances and concerts are held at the nearby Wingfield Park Amphitheater. Alternatively, head to Rancho San Rafael Park to see the Wilbur D May Museum and Arboretum, and the historical theme park, Great Basin Adventure.

Learn more about the art and life of Nevada communities at the Nevada Museum of Art. Alternatively, the National Automobile Museum has more than 200 vintage cars displayed in period settings. The University of Nevada is home to the Nevada Historical Society, where a museum boasts a good collection of Native American Indian artefacts, as well as displays documenting the Wild West and Nevada's history.

Carson City, the state capital, is 48kms south of Reno. The city features some fine museums and elegant buildings and, of course, plenty of gambling. The mountain resort town of Lake Tahoe is nestled around the nation's largest alpine lake and is home to excellent skiing, hiking, boating, kayaking, swimming and camping, as well as a vibrant arts scene and glittering casinos. Pyramid Lake, 55kms northeast of Reno, is surrounded by rolling mountains and rangeland on the Paiute Indian Reservation.

I-80 is the principal east-west route through Reno, continuing westwards through the vast deserts of Nevada and eastwards through the Sierra Nevada and on to Sacramento and San Francisco. Reno/Tahoe International Airport is situated 6.4kms southeast of downtown Reno and services frequent regional flights. Greyhound offers a daily bus service between Reno and Los Angeles.

The major suburbs in Reno are: Anderson, Lawton, Huffakers, North Valley, Releigh Heights, Spanish Springs, Sparks, Sun Valley and Vista.