1. Get wet: The Truckee River, which runs along First Street, has emerged as one of Reno’s greatest resources. The Truckee River Whitewater Park (First Street and Arlington Avenue) features 2,600 feet of class 2 and 3 rapids suitable for kayaks, canoes, inner tubes and other small watercraft. Wingfield Park, which encompasses the whitewater park as well as four other sites along the river, offers picnic shelters, barbecues, basketball courts, an amphitheater, pathways and swimming access. Some nearby shops such as Sierra Adventures) (254 W. First St.) rent and sell water gear and other equipment. Many restaurants and shops also line the so-called riverwalk.

2. Go to a concert: While downtown has been a notoriously tough area for small music venues, bars such as Se7en, the Satellite Cocktail Lounge, (188 California Ave.) and Tonic Lounge (231 W. Second St.) frequently host live music. Several small clubs have managed to hang on near the east end of Fourth Street, too. Most casinos also host live music that ranges from lounge crooners on the gaming floor to national acts in large show rooms. Also, the Reno Events Center (400 N. Center St.) and Lawlor Events Center (1500 N. Virginia St.,) host a variety of concerts and other shows.

3. Watch a game: The Reno Events Center is home to the Reno Bighorns, a National Basketball Association Development League team. Other local teams include the University of Nevada Wolf Pack and the Battle Born Derby Demons, a women’s roller derby team. Reno also is home to the National Bowling Stadium, which hosts the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships every three years, and is in the process of building a Triple-A baseball stadium.

4. Have a drink: Among the scores of neighborhood bars, pubs and dives, several downtown Reno watering holes distinguish themselves. The Sierra Tap House(252 W. First St.) offers riverside seating and a wide selection of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. products in a Chicago-style setting. Jungle Vino (adjoined to the Java Jungle, see No. 2 above) proffers wines and elaborate mixed drinks in a wine bar setting. And the Silver Peak Brewery (124 Wonder St. and 135 N. Sierra St.) makes arguably the best beer in the state.

5. Bring something home: The new West Street Market (West Street is situated between First and Second streets) features several farmers markets and festivals, as well as a permanent bakery, wine bar, gift shops and restaurants. The Chocolate Bar (475 S. Arlington Ave.) sells high-end chocolates, truffles and beverages, as well as “small-plate” meals. Also, general souvenir shops are commonplace on West Street and in casinos, especially near the Reno Arch (Virginia Street between Second and Third streets).

7. Take a walk: Though it is certainly possible to find ugly settings in Reno (visitors are advised not to wander too far east of downtown without a destination in mind), the riverfront is quite an attractive place to walk year-round. In the summer, children splash in the river while their parents lounge in one of the many parks or sip coffee on cafe patios. In the winter, glittering lights are strung from bridges and trees and people crowd the Rink on the River (near First and Virginia streets; varies seasonally). Annual events such as Hot August Nights and Street Vibrations routinely attract thousands of people from across the country.

Nevada is famous for its legalized gambling resorts and casinos and rightly so. There are over 175 casinos in the state of Nevada. However, there are many other things to do in Nevada as well. If you’re not exclusively interested in gambling, Nevada also has a myriad of attractions that don’t involve gambling though many of them are in some way attached to casinos. For those who enjoy the outdoors there are many activities in Nevada that are sure to please. Visitors and residents alike can tour the Hoover Dam, go hiking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, golfing, or visit the many lakes or wildlife refuges in the state. At Lake Tahoe, near the California border, there are many opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in the winter; while the lake itself is popular for water sports in the summer.

In addition, there are many art galleries, museums, zoos, theme parks, aquariums, and even mine tours of local gold and opal mines. For the more adventurous, you can even tour the Nevada Test Site where the US military has performed 928 nuclear tests. Nevada is a state that sees great climatic diversity in its various regions. The state has lowland deserts in the south and cool mountain forests in the North. The principal climatic features are bright sunshine, small annual precipitation and heavy snowfall in the higher mountainous regions. Nevada is indeed a unique state to visit; the diversity of its terrain and attractions make it a fascinating tourist destination as well as a great place to live.