Heart of Sparks Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Lake Tahoe area is full of various indoor and outdoor activities including skiing, water sports, and hiking. Explore the delicious restaurants, get moving at Heavenly Village Mini Golf, or have family fun at the Tahoe Bowl.
11 locals recommend
Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe area is full of various indoor and outdoor activities including skiing, water sports, and hiking. Explore the delicious restaurants, get moving at Heavenly Village Mini Golf, or have family fun at the Tahoe Bowl.
This is a 1.7-mile out-and-back moderate trail near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada. At the top of the hike you can feed the wild chickadees if you bring some bird seed. Their favorite is peanuts! Make sure to check on the weather to see if snowshoes or shoe spikes are necessary. These can be rented at local vendors such as Nevada Adventure Rentals.
16 locals recommend
Chickadee Ridge
Tahoe Rim TrailThis is a 1.7-mile out-and-back moderate trail near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada. At the top of the hike you can feed the wild chickadees if you bring some bird seed. Their favorite is peanuts! Make sure to check on the weather to see if snowshoes or shoe spikes are necessary. These can be rented at local vendors such as Nevada Adventure Rentals.
Come see the infamous Old Reno Arch! This is the perfect place for your vacation photos.
32 locals recommend
Old Reno Arch
345 N Virginia StCome see the infamous Old Reno Arch! This is the perfect place for your vacation photos.
Food scene
Check out Gordon Ramsay's famous restaurant, Hell's Kitchen located near Lake Tahoe. To get a taste of this popular American cuisine, make sure to book a reservation ahead of time.
6 locals recommend
Hell's Kitchen - Harveys Resort Hotel & Casino
18 US-50Check out Gordon Ramsay's famous restaurant, Hell's Kitchen located near Lake Tahoe. To get a taste of this popular American cuisine, make sure to book a reservation ahead of time.
This is my personal favorite restaurant in the area, which is found at three locations in Sparks, Reno, and South Reno. They serve a variety of healthy, organic options, vegan friendly, and still cater to someone wanting a big, delicious burger.
Great Full Gardens-Sparks at Legends
1330 Scheels DriveThis is my personal favorite restaurant in the area, which is found at three locations in Sparks, Reno, and South Reno. They serve a variety of healthy, organic options, vegan friendly, and still cater to someone wanting a big, delicious burger.
This is a wonderful small restaurant with a selection of authentic German food. It has a lively atmosphere and very friendly staff.
8 locals recommend
Von Bismarck
805 S Wells AveThis is a wonderful small restaurant with a selection of authentic German food. It has a lively atmosphere and very friendly staff.
City/town information
“The Biggest Little City in the World," is right down the street and full of buzzing life as one of the sunniest cities in the country. You can explore the many stores, restaurants, and entertainment centers. Find lots of fun summer activities along the Truckee River that travels through the city.
75 locals recommend
Reno
“The Biggest Little City in the World," is right down the street and full of buzzing life as one of the sunniest cities in the country. You can explore the many stores, restaurants, and entertainment centers. Find lots of fun summer activities along the Truckee River that travels through the city.
Fun Activities
This places is located next to the Truckee River and serves as the home of the Triple-A Reno Aces in the MiLB Pacific Coast League. Here you can find restaurants, food, several beer gardens, picnic table seating, and a kids play area with a bouncy castle and jungle gym.
33 locals recommend
Greater Nevada Field - Reno Aces & Reno 1868 FC
250 Evans AveThis places is located next to the Truckee River and serves as the home of the Triple-A Reno Aces in the MiLB Pacific Coast League. Here you can find restaurants, food, several beer gardens, picnic table seating, and a kids play area with a bouncy castle and jungle gym.
This is a fun, interactive science center to spend the day with children, but is plenty interesting for adults as well. Check on their website ahead of time for their upcoming events and admissions information.
57 locals recommend
The Discovery - Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
490 S Center StThis is a fun, interactive science center to spend the day with children, but is plenty interesting for adults as well. Check on their website ahead of time for their upcoming events and admissions information.
This beautiful museum is full of a variety of art including both permanent and traveling exhibits. Witness permanent art pieces outside of the museum that are directly from the nearby Burning Man festival. Every third Saturday of the month admission is free!
100 locals recommend
Nevada Museum of Art
160 W Liberty StThis beautiful museum is full of a variety of art including both permanent and traveling exhibits. Witness permanent art pieces outside of the museum that are directly from the nearby Burning Man festival. Every third Saturday of the month admission is free!
Come get some exercise the fun way at a local climbing gym. Inside there is plenty of bouldering for all skill levels, including a children's room. Outside features the world's tallest artificial climbing wall. Complete this climb and you get to take a photo with a Guinness Book of World Records seal!
7 locals recommend
BaseCamp Climbing Gym
255 N Virginia StCome get some exercise the fun way at a local climbing gym. Inside there is plenty of bouldering for all skill levels, including a children's room. Outside features the world's tallest artificial climbing wall. Complete this climb and you get to take a photo with a Guinness Book of World Records seal!
Come see some of the most beautiful and unusual cars you have ever seen. You will feel like you are traveling through time as you see these cars.
57 locals recommend
National Automobile Museum
1 Museum DrCome see some of the most beautiful and unusual cars you have ever seen. You will feel like you are traveling through time as you see these cars.
Walking distance is the Nugget Casino Resort which hosts many events and concerts. Stay up to date on their events on their website.
18 locals recommend
Nugget Casino Resort
1100 Nugget AveWalking distance is the Nugget Casino Resort which hosts many events and concerts. Stay up to date on their events on their website.
Animal Ark is a wildlife sanctuary and acts as a rehabilitation center for animals. Check out their website for event and admission information.
11 locals recommend
Animal Ark
1265 Deerlodge RdAnimal Ark is a wildlife sanctuary and acts as a rehabilitation center for animals. Check out their website for event and admission information.
The University of Reno, Nevada holds this amazing planetarium. It includes a dome theater, an exhibit hall, and a science store.
13 locals recommend
Fleischmann Planetarium
1664 N Virginia StThe University of Reno, Nevada holds this amazing planetarium. It includes a dome theater, an exhibit hall, and a science store.
Local Happenings
This is the world's largest free hot air balloon race! Watch 100 balloons fly in the sky in September at Rancho San Rafael park. There will also be plenty of food and vendors for the day!
11 locals recommend
Great Reno Balloon Race
Rancho ConnectorThis is the world's largest free hot air balloon race! Watch 100 balloons fly in the sky in September at Rancho San Rafael park. There will also be plenty of food and vendors for the day!
Every Saturday the Riverside Farmers Market comes to this cute location next to the Truckee River. I love to go and get fresh produce, listen to live music, partake in activities, eat from food trucks, and explore the locals' arts and crafts. There is no entry fee, but I recommend bringing a bag to carry any purchases.
McKinley Arts And Culture Center
925 Riverside DrEvery Saturday the Riverside Farmers Market comes to this cute location next to the Truckee River. I love to go and get fresh produce, listen to live music, partake in activities, eat from food trucks, and explore the locals' arts and crafts. There is no entry fee, but I recommend bringing a bag to carry any purchases.