I just came back from a business trip to Reno. As usual with biz trips, I went in blind (and blocked the Reno 911 images from my mind). For vacations I research up the wazoo. Many of you know I love travel books (and maps). If I'm going with an entire team on a business trip I love to book all of the places to eat and things to do. That way I can make a tidy little binder of all the trip planning. As the painted face guy said in that old Seinfeld episode: "Gotta support the team!!"
When a trip is last minute I ask the people around me if they have ever been. This time I got "Yes, it's pretty there." and "Make sure you tell Lt. Dangle I say 'hello'." :)
I checked into the Reno Hilton (now owned by someone else just a few days later...it's turning into a 'resort'). I was very surprised at how nice the Hilton was. It had a theater, bowling alley, casino, tons of bars and little cafes, and many places to eat. It also featured an underground shopping mall and um, a wedding chapel. The nice front desk staff gave me a letter welcoming me and 3 free coffee coupons to use during my stay. They also gave me a junior suite for $74/night. I hope the nice people there get to keep their jobs. That's my major concern at this point.
The mountians on all sides had snow on the higher peaks. It was beautiful. It got up to 99 degrees in the day but cooled to 58 or so at night. Yum. I also had a breakfast burrito on my first morning at a Tex Mex place in the lobby named Chevy's. The Garage (a huge bar) had a great fun band my first night too. Even though this hotel is turning into a resort, it's still going to have regular hotel rooms as well as condos. Look into it if you like to ski at Tahoe (only 20-30 minutes away). I'm sure it's really affordable for a ski retreat/gambling hideout.
I thought I grabbed the business card at the place my client took me for dinner but it turns out it was a card for something else. Anyway, it was delightful. The chef even came out to introduce himself and shook our hands. It was a Thursday night and we did not have to wait for a seat, and they served the best garlic bread I've ever had. My Pasta a la Vodka was very good too (mmm, peas).
I was only there for 1 day, and I hope to go back. I think the high desert is just beautiful. I really would like to see the Tahoe area as all the posters at the airport looked really great. The only casino fight I saw was at the airport casino and that does not really count. A woman was screaming: "GIVE ME YOUR KEYS" to her husband/boyfriend/some deadbeat.
So if you live in Nevada, just know that I now see your state in a whole new light. Lt. Dangle and crew do a great job keeping the crime off the streets for sure.
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Comments: 11
I think it's a great idea to gamble and pay for the trip instead of just gamble. :)
I look forward to seeing Tahoe and some of the National Parks out that way (someday)
Well the Hilton is gone now as of last Friday. I just really regret not taking time to go to Tahoe.
Thank you for visiting my article. Yes, I just get in the car...and go. That's the beauty of living where I do. In one day I can do the mountains and the ocean or just drive and see where the road takes me. I think New Englanders are known to have a road trip culture. I remember when me & my husband were just dating (in High School, in fact) and we got in his mom's mini van and just drove. Before we knew it we were exploring parts of Northern VT that we've never seen.
We went off the beaten path on our trip to Iceland & Scotland this past Fall. Talking to the locals was the way to go for sure once we got there. :)
Great article, Leah.
Thanks! I've never been to Vegas and I don't give a rat's ass about slots as we live near the biggest casino in the world (Foxwoods). Lucky you that you got to live in Utah. Or Utah! as the license plate says. :)