Reno, Nevada “The Biggest Little City in the World” deals out big-time excitement!
There’s a huge arch in downtown Reno, Nevada that reads: “The Biggest Little City in the World.” While offering small town charm, friendliness and accessibility, Reno offers big time excitement at its many casinos, restaurants, breweries and arts district. This hub in Northern Nevada also offers easy access to Lake Tahoe ski and lake district that’s just a 45-minute drive from the city. But it was gambling that put Reno on the map.
“A lot of people don’t realize that gaming really started in Northern Nevada, even before Bugsy Siegel and the New York mobsters moved to Las Vegas,” says Reno Tahoe President and CEO Mike Larragueta. “Reno was really the start of gaming back in the 1930’s and a lot of that was names such as Bill Harrah (Founder of Harrah’s Hotel & Casinos) who transformed a bingo parlour into a casino.”
What inspired the name the Biggest Little City in the World?
“The name came from a competition in 1929, and it was a gentleman from Sacramento who came up with the slogan,” answers Larragueta. “Reno Tahoe is a place of great contrasts. You’ve got the world’s largest alpine lake –Lake Tahoe; then you’ve got this friendly small town feel with all these large-scale amenities. It’s like we are a huge melting pot in Reno because we’ve got a bit of everything. We feel the destination really offers western heritage and hospitality combined with world-class attractions, outdoor urban adventures and annual cultural and outdoor sporting events. From May until October, there is something exciting happening almost every weekend.”
Reno is so much more than casinos.
“Even though gaming is the foundation of our state, it’s almost like an amenity now, especially in Northern Nevada where we really talk about the urban and outdoor experiences in the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe,” says Larragueta. “There’s so much to do—hiking, biking, boating, golf, fishing and skiing in the winter. Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America. Reno Tahoe is a dynamic four-season destination. You have the spectacular natural setting with the mountains at 4,000 feet and in 30 minutes, you can be at the top of Mt. Rose which is 10,000 feet. Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on earth and it’s a short 45 minute from downtown Reno.”
The Biggest Little City in the World has seen substantial growth in recent years, becoming a beacon to the tech industry. Tech giants like Tesla and Panasonic are just a few of the companies that call Northern Nevada home.
“We’ve grown from a business standpoint in the tech industry bringing a lot of new people to the region,” explains Larragueta. “The city has adapted, so you will find a lot of entrepreneur restaurants, and the brewery district and the MidTown District has really blossomed and grown. One thing that is cool is that we have become an arts and culture destination. Tour the downtown and MidTown District where you will see a lot of exterior artwork murals painted on the sides of buildings.”
Burning Man
A taste of Burning Man is evident in Reno where visitors can take a walking tour or a pedicab tour to discover several art installations originating from the annual festival held in Black Rock Desert in Nevada.
“Burning Man is one of the many events we have in the area and through the city and private donations, we have procured some of the Burning Man art on a permanent basis,” explains Larragueta. “Downtown next to city hall you have the 50-foot-tall stained glass Space Whale which is like The Bean in Chicago where people take pictures of themselves in front of it.”
Reno has also become a “foodie city”.
“Like Toronto, we’ve got a bit of everything and restaurants representing many cultures,” states Larragueta. “There’s a significant Basque influence in Reno. A lot of Basque people migrated from Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains years ago and they were sheep herders. There’s a lot of open land in Nevada so they started moving to Northern Nevada in the 1800’s or earlier and established themselves as hardworking businesspeople and established restaurants here. Louis’ Basque Corner in Reno is a family-style restaurant where you dine with other people, family-style. You must try an American Basque drink called The Picon Punch made with picon liquor. What we say is that the first one is awful; the second one is not too bad, and the third one is outstanding!” (I ordered the Lamb Chop dinner which was delicious and tried The Picon Punch. Mike is right—it takes some getting used to!)
Where to stay in Reno
Staying at the luxurious Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is truly a treat. The majestic resort towers against the Reno skyline offering a view of downtown and the mountains. Not only is gambling available 24/7, but the resort also offers a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, beautifully appointed rooms, private elevator access to certain floors and outstanding restaurants including Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno’s only Forbes Four-Star restaurant in Northern Nevada.
Warmly greeted at Atlantis by Ali Sar-Sangi, Fine Dining Manager, he instantly makes you feel welcome, and special. Ali has been the manager for 27 years and it’s evident that he loves his job and knows many of the guests by name. Atlantis Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience under the direction of Hotel General Manager Cheraz Ecker, Executive Chef Dennis Hogue, Assistant Executive Chef David Holman and Room Chef Darren Stanley.
Atlantis Steakhouse
Atlantis Steakhouse exudes elegance with white tablecloths and a fresh pink rose on every table. Their menu and nightly specials have earned the restaurant Four Diamond Award status with AAA. Highlights on the menu (and nightly specials) including a Trio of Wagyu Beef, specialty steaks from Allen Brothers in Chicago, bison tenderloin, lobster, salmon, scallops wrapped in bacon and other seafood dishes. Their specialty is tableside dining experiences.
“What’s old is new again,” says Assistant Executive Chef David Holman. “We keep this classic tableside technique fresh and new by adding our spin on things like Caesar Salad, Steak Diane and our Bananas Foster is a must-try item.”
Holman joined the Atlantis team five years ago after working for the Charlie Palmer group at Michelin star rated restaurants in New York and Las Vegas. “What I love most is that our food is like artistry, and we have the creative freedom to showcase our talents,” says Holman. “We are encouraged to try new items, flavours and seasonal items to perfect our craft and go above and beyond for the enjoyment of our guests. Guests no longer need to go to places like France or New York City to enjoy exceptional food. Instead they can come here to Reno—The Biggest Little City in the World to enjoy four-star, world-class dining.”
Room Chef Darren Stanley stopped by several tables to see how guests were enjoying their dinner. Originally from the Reno area, Stanley is proud to have joined the Atlantis team nine years ago. “People love the tableside dining experience—it’s like dinner and a show all in one.”
The chef’s specialty is soups, and the Shrimp Bisque I enjoyed certainly earned that four-star rating. “We are proud of our four-star rating and are always thinking about what’s next and trying to push the envelope and elevate the guest experience.”
Over 4.6 million visitors per year
With exceptional dining, casinos and proximity to the ski hills of Lake Tahoe, it’s not surprising that the “little city” of Reno has seen an influx of visitors. In 2023, the city welcomed 3.9 million visitors. While most visitors hail from California, 4.6 million passengers flew to Reno.
Mike Larragueta is a proud third generation “Northern Nevadan,” born and raised in the small mining town of Winnemucca. Now living in Reno, there’s no place he’d rather be.
It’s about the people
“It’s the people that make Reno Tahoe unique,” he adds. “There are strong roots in Northern Nevada that are so different to our sister city in the south which is a very transient city. The people are so kind, giving and helpful. And we are growing in a positive way. Not only are people relocating to Northern Nevada, but we are also seeing more visitors. The perception of Reno has changed and it’s now this vibrant, fun and unique sort of ‘out there’ city that offers so much for people to see and do.”
With all this growth, might Reno need to change their slogan from The Biggest Little City? For more information on Reno, Nevada, visit visitrenotahoe.com.
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