If Reno isn’t at the top of your weekend getaway list, it may be worth reconsidering your position. As a recent convert, I can tell you this town will surprise you. I went to Reno for a volleyball tournament being held at the Reno Sparks Convention Center. Given its close proximity to the center (you can walk to it via a sky bridge), we chose the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
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I was there with my 12-year old daughter, so we were interested in more kid-friendly activities in and around the hotel (the slot machines would have to wait). Our room was updated and well laid out. I love a lot of bathroom counter space—and so does my Sephora-loving 12-year old—so we were pleasantly surprised to find a long double sink as well as a walk-in shower.
The hotel has a pretty solid arcade conveniently located on the 2nd floor just to the left of the room elevators, which makes it easy for kids to find without having to wander through a casino. The arcade is a manageable size and rarely got crowded. It also housed a snack bar with options ranging from cheeseburgers to ice cream. We found this to be a good grab-and-go option.
There are quite a few restaurants in the hotel. We had our favorite meal at Red Bloom. This Asian fusion restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with fast service and HUGE portions that are easily enough for two people. And if you are a fan of boba, I recommend the Passion Fruit Exotic Fruit Tea (but don’t feel obligated to share this one). Your other restaurant options include a buffet (brunch & dinner options), a steakhouse, sushi spot, and a 24-hour diner. We didn’t get a chance to try them all, but I can confirm their 24-hour diner —The Purple Parrot—is a good option for a quick breakfast.
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Other amenities include a pool and spa. I didn’t use the spa (see above trip directives), but did wander up there to check it out. It’s upscale and the staff was very friendly. The pool options include an indoor shallow pool that is connected to the spa (but open to all guests of the hotel) and an outdoor, smallish pool and hot tub. The outdoor pool was closed for the season when we were there in late April.
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The Atlantis suited our needs just fine, but I really became a Reno-convert when I left the hotel and found the Reno Public Market, just a few (long) blocks away. During our short weekend stay, we managed three separate trips to the Public Market and found a different vibe each time. Saturday morning was sleepy with no lines for any of the food vendors, but we weren’t there for food!
We had received a recommendation to check out Junkee’s Clothing Exchange, which is housed in the same building as the market. Thrifting is a relatively new concept for my daughter and she wanted to check it out. This place is part thrift store, part antique shop, and part art installation. Even if you aren’t interested in shopping, go to see the amazing sculptures and wall pieces. And if you are interested in thrifting, this place will quickly hold a special place in your heart.
We went back Saturday night to find a live band and dancing—definitely a party vibe. It was a little too much for my 12-year-old, but teenagers and adults would have a blast. Our last trip was for lunch on Sunday. During this excursion, we found a DJ spinning music from country to latin pop. At one point “Cha Cha Slide” came on and the dance floor was full. It felt like a neighborhood block party. There were plenty of tables and many different food vendors to choose from—Mediterranean Bae, Los Cipotes, and Pasta La Vista were our favorites.
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