World Country Guide

Reno Tahoe Territory

The steep eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada rise up to contain Lake Tahoe. Carson City is only 14.4km (9 miles) away, but is nearly 500m (1500ft) below. The lake not only hangs over the State capital, but also the towns of Minden and Gardnerville, which are almost directly below it. Reno-Tahoe Territory is geographically compact and Carson City, Reno and Sparks all make good bases from which to explore. The area is one of the fastest-growing communities in the West and more then US$1 billion will be channelled into Reno and Sparks. South Lake Tahoe will receive US$250 million for redevelopment and improvement of its downtown.
Lake Tahoe International Airport (TVL) (website: www.laketahoeairport.com) is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains at Lake Taho. Greyhound buses stop at Carson City, with one service to Los Angeles and a second to Reno. K-T Services operate scheduled bus services, while Frontier Tours operates chartered services. Car hire is widely available.
Temperatures range from a high of 89F (32C) in the summer months to 30F (-1C) and below in the winter.
Reno was founded at Lake’s Crossing, where Myron Lake’s bridge crossed the Truckee River. A new whitewater park on the river is a popular attraction with kayakers and thrill seekers; the park also includes an amphitheatre, picnic facilities and river access for boaters. Many gambling casinos are to be found downtown on Virginia Street including Harrah’s, Nevada Club, the Eldorado, the Golden Phoenix, Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, Fitzgerald’s and the Sands Regency.
A River Walk follows the river east past the Hilton and through Sparks, and westwards past an amphitheatre. The Sierra Nevada Museum of Art is located in two sites: the E L Weigand Museum, with a variety of travelling exhibitions and shows by local artists; and the neo-Georgian Hawkins House, which exhibits 19th- and 20th-century US art. The Stremmel Gallery is a thriving showcase for leading artists, as is the University of Nevada Reno campus. The Nevada Historical Society Museum is excellent for those wishing to learn about Nevada’s history. There is also a museum at the Fleischmann Planetarium, which features star shows and SkyDome films. The National Automobile Museum has exhibitions of classic cars throughout the year.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Reno in 2005:
Jan 17 Martin Luther King Celebration, Reno/Sparks. Apr 21-23 Reno International Jazz Festival. May 7-8 Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, Reno. Jun 16-25 27th Annual Reno Rodeo (world-class athletes compete in the ‘Wildest Rodeo in the West’). Jul 1-31 Arttown 2005 (arts festival), Reno. Jul 15-17 Big Easy (Cajun festival), Sparks. Jul 30-Aug 7 Hot August Nights (a celebration of the USA’s love affair with cars and rock ’n’ roll), Reno. Aug 4-11 33rd Annual Concours d’Elegance & Wooden Boat Week, Reno. Aug 17-21 Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Championship (golf tournament), Montreux Golf Country Club. Aug 24-28 Nevada State Fair, Reno. Sep 9-11 The Great Reno Balloon Races; 46th Annual Virginia City Camel Races. Sep 15-18 National Championship Air Races, Reno/ Stead Airport. Sep 24-25 Genoa Candy Dance. Oct 8-9 Great Italian Festival, Reno. Nov-Dec Festival of the Trees and Lights, Reno. Dec 3 Sparks Hometowne Christmas.
The town of Genoa began as a log cabin trading post and was Nevada’s first white settlement: today, it is a village and a State park. The once-wealthy Comstock mining district comprising Dayton, Silver City, Gold Hill and Virginia City was founded by prospectors from California. The period of the Civil War dominates Carson City, the State capital; the silver-domed 1894 Capitol Building, the State library, the Nevada State Museum (all close to each other) and the Nevada State Railroad Museum are well worth a visit. Lake Tahoe is a top-class skiing resort with a vibrant nightlife, and is home to the Shakespeare at Sand Harbor Festival, which takes place in the summer. The spectacular scenery can be seen from the lake’s excursion boats. Another lake, noted for excellent fishing, is the Pyramid Lake north of Reno, part of the Paiute Native American Reservation.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Carson City and surrounds in 2005:
Jan 15 Winter, Wine & All That Jazz, Carson City. Mar 12 12th Annual Cowboy Jubilee & Poetry, Carson City. May 5-8 Spring Fun Fair, Carson City. May 15 10th Annual Multi-Cultural Festival, Carson City. Jun 10-12 Carson City Rendezvous. Jun 24-26 Run What Cha Brung, (rock and roll weekend, with cars and entertainment), Carson City. Jul 1-4 Fourth of July Cavalcade of Spectaculars, Carson City. Jul 29-31 Silver Dollar Car Classic, Carson City. Sep 18 St Theresa’s Basque Festival, Carson City. Oct 1 Oktoberfest, Carson City. Oct 27-30 Nevada Day Celebration (including Nevada Day Parade), Carson City. Dec 1 Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights, Carson City. Dec 11 Victorian Home Christmas Tour (selected homes decorated and open for viewing), Carson City; Holiday Treat Concert, Carson City.