If you're up in the Sierras this winter, staying in Reno just got a little more fun. We've already covered the newest places to eat and drink in the Biggest Little City, now here's how to spend your days and nights off the slopes.
Sip wine and paint the next masterpiece at Crafted Palette in Reno's Art District.photo by Crafted Palette
Mural Tours and Wine Pours
With a nickname like Artown, it's no wonder splashy murals and public sculptures by local Burning Man artists are popping up all over the city. Seek them out with the handy online map by Art Spot Reno or join the docent-led mural tour every second Saturday ($10 per person). If you want to get your hands a little messy, head to Crafted Palette where local artists will teach you how to paint while you sip Napa wines ($35 per person). If you need some guidance in life, Visionary in Midtown offers Drink & Dream Workshops where you can create your own vision board with the help of a full bar ($28 per person). The Nevada Museum of Art offers free docent tours (with a $10 general admission) Thursday at 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm. While you're there, visit the brand new Nightingale Sky Room for some great views of the city and the Sierras.
// Art Spot Reno, (775) 250-1278, artspotreno.com
// Crafted Palette, 130 West Street, craftedpalette.com
// Visionary, 960 South Virginia Street, visionaryreno.com
// Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty Street, nevadaart.org
Play indoors at the Siena Hotel's new indoor bocce court and shuffleboard yard.photo by Mike Van Houten/Downtown Makeover
Work Out Like Ali and Relax With Macbeth
If Reno's winter weather is not cooperating for your outdoor jog, head indoors for your workout instead. Visit the Whitney Peak Hotel to take Soul Space's Superhero Workout: The mix of cardio, strength and agility will make you feel like your favorite Comic-Con protagonist. Learn to dance like a butterfly and sting like a bee at Escape's boxing classes. Located in The Basement, a restored 1930s post office, Escape Reno features punch fests such as "Rumble in the Jungle" and "Unfuckwitable." The Siena Hotel will soon feature the Bundox Bocce Club with several indoor bocce courts, shuffleboard tables and a dapper bar. If you're feeling the lactic acid in your muscles and need to take it easy for the rest of the night, pick up some tickets for the Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company. They feature such hilarious productions as "Silence! The Musical" based on the movie The Silence of the Lambs.
// Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 North Virginia Street, whitneypeakhotel.com
// Escape Reno, 50 South Virginia Street, The Basement, renoesc.com
// Siena Hotel, 1 Lake Street, sienareno.com
// Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, 713 South Virginia Street, goodluckmacbeth.org
Pick up holiday gifts at Sugar Love Chocolates, Tahoe Nevada Love and West Elm in The Basement.photo by Sugar Love Chocolates
Honey and Goldies + Sugar Love Chocolates
Before you head back to the Bay Area, pick up a Nevada souvenir. At Honey and Goldies in the CalAve District, only open on Fridays and Saturdays, pick up Lindsay Jones's handmade turquoise rings and cuffs. Also in CalAve, Salty-Savory-Sweet has jars of spices, sugars, and loose-leaf teas to bring home (try the Earth Goddess rooibos). Located in Downtown's The Basement, Tahoe Nevada Love features sweatshirts and hats proclaiming lust for Big Blue; Sugar Love Chocolates features handmade caramels and chocolates decorated by local artists and available just in time for Valentine's Day.
// Honey and Goldies, 1108 California Avenue, honeyandgoldies.com
// Salty-Savory-Sweet Spices & Teas, 102 California Avenue, salty-savory-sweet.com
// Reno eNVy, 135 N Sierra Street, renoenvy.com
// Tahoe Nevada Love, 50 South Virginia Street, The Basement, Suite #24, tahoenevadalove.com
// Sugar Love Chocolates, 50 South Virginia Street, The Basement, Suite #11, sugarlovechocolates.com
