My first trip to Reno was in the middle of winter and was filled with snow-filled adventures during my road trip along the Cowboy Corridor. Read all about it here. Fast forward to this summer, and I got an invitation to come back for a completely different vibe. This time around, I experienced Reno during the Great Reno Balloon Race and Northern Nevada Pride. I had no idea how lively and fun Reno could be in the warmer months, but this weekend was the perfect mix of adventure and community. Planning a trip to Reno? Be sure to mark your calendars during some of its fun, festival-filled weekends! Here is a weekend guide on what we did, where we stayed, and some of the fantastic places we ate that will help make your Reno travel planning a little easier.
This post was written in partnership with Visit Reno-Tahoe. As always, all opinions are my own. There may be affiliate links in this post, any bookings you make, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
How to Get to Reno, Nevada
Photo by Aleksei Zaitcev on Unsplash
Getting to Reno, Nevada, is pretty easy whether you’re flying or driving. If you’re coming from a nearby city, Reno is just a short drive from places like Sacramento (2 hours) or San Francisco (about 3.5 hours), making it perfect if you want to add on a road trip or stop along the way. For those flying, Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the main airport serving the area, and there are several direct flights from major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver. We flew in from Houston, and while we had a short layover, other travelers might find direct flights from cities like Dallas, Las Vegas, or Phoenix. Once you land, it’s a quick ride into downtown, so you’ll be ready to explore in no time.
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Should I rent a car in Reno?
Whether or not you should rent a car in Reno really depends on what you’re planning to do during your trip. I’ve visited Reno with a rental and without a rental. If you’re sticking around downtown, most attractions, restaurants, and festivals are pretty walkable or a short Uber ride away, so you could easily get by without a car. However, if you’re looking to explore beyond the city—like heading out to Lake Tahoe, the nearby mountains, or other outdoor spots—a rental car would definitely come in handy.
During my recent visit, we opted not to rent a car because most of everything we wanted to do was nearby in Downtown Reno; however, we did venture out to Midtown and beyond, and considering they were only short distances (less than 10 minutes away), the Uber rides added up — $15 here, $17 there. A lot of times, we opted to hop on Bird scooters to get around town — those were $1 per minute.
Where to Stay in Reno, Nevada
photo courtesy of whitneypeakhotel.com
If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Reno, let me put you on to the Whitney Peak Hotel. It’s right in the middle of downtown, but what’s cool is that it’s not your typical casino hotel. The hotel has modern touches and the rooms are comfy, plus they’re big on eco-friendly amenities, which I loved. But here’s what’s really awesome —Whitney Peak has the world’s tallest outdoor climbing wall and an indoor bouldering park! So if you’re feeling adventurous, this is the spot. Plus, you’re just steps away from all the best spots to eat, drink, and explore.
A Festival-Filled Weekend Guide to Reno
Friday
We arrived in Reno late afternoon, checked into the Whitney Peak Hotel, and didn’t waste any time hitting the Reno scene. We decided to have pre-dinner drinks at EP Listening Lounge, a super cool spot serving up coffee by day and handcrafted cocktails by night, plus an amazing vinyl collection. It’s the perfect place to relax, listen to some live music, and get into the Reno vibe. Afterward, we headed back to the hotel for dinner at Café Whitney. The vibe was casual but elevated. It was the perfect way to wind down after our first evening in the city.
EP Listening Lounge
Saturday
Breakfast by the River
We kickstarted our Saturday with breakfast at The Shore, and let me just say, having visited in winter, it’s a whole different (and better) vibe in the summer. The patio overlooks the Truckee river, making it the perfect spot to soak up some sun and enjoy the views. If you go, you’ve got to try the chilaquiles—spicy, flavorful, and just what you need to start the day. The French toast with a side of thick-cut bacon and breakfast potatoes is also a fave.
Northern Nevada Pride Festival & Drag Brunch
After breakfast, we walked just a couple of blocks to the Northern Nevada Pride Parade. The energy was amazing—rainbows, smiles, and a true celebration of love and community. It’s a yearly event that brings people together to support the LGBTQ2IA+ community, and the feeling of joy and inclusivity was contagious. After soaking it all in, we made our way back to Café Whitney for their iconic drag brunch. The queens were on fire, serving up all the sass, comedy, and fierce performances you could ask for. The whole experience was simply fun and fabulous!
Scooters, Pride Festival & Midtown Strolls
Next, we hopped on scooters (which are literally the best way to get around Reno) and cruised over to the Northern Nevada Pride Festival. The festival itself was packed with live performances, tons of vendors, and more food than you could ever eat. It’s a true celebration of diversity and pride, with something for everyone.
Mark your calendars for next year’s Pride festivities in Reno — happening September 6, 2025!
For lunch, we stopped at Sierra St. Kitchen and Cocktails. The food was… okay, nothing to write home about, but it did the job. Afterward, we took a stroll through Midtown, popping into a few local shops, and made a pit stop at Rum Sugar Lime (RSL) for some of the best mocktails I’ve ever had. Seriously, add this place to your itinerary—the patio is a vibe and the drinks are next level.
Dinner at Wild River Grille
We ended the night with dinner at Wild River Grille, and if you’re looking for a spot with a killer patio, even better food, and live music this is it. I highly recommend the braised short ribs—they were melt-in-your-mouth good. And for dessert, you’ve got to try the crème brûlée. It was the perfect end to a day packed with festivals, fun, and lots of flavor.
Sunday
The Great Balloon Race: A Reno Must-Do
One of the biggest highlights of our festival-filled weekend in Reno was the Great Balloon Race. If you’ve never been, imagine tens of dozens of hot air balloons filling the sky with every color imaginable—it’s an unforgettable experience! The Great Reno Balloon Race is located at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and it’s the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the world, attracting more than 120,000 spectators over its three-day run each September. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s a must-see event and again it’s completely free! 
The event takes place early in the morning, so expect a bit of an early wake-up call. Trust me, it’s worth it, especially for the Glow Show, where the balloons light up the dark sky like giant lanterns. But a quick tip: if you’re wondering, “Should I drive or Uber to the Reno Balloon Festival?”, my answer is definitely Uber to the event instead of driving—parking can get crazy, and this will save you the hassle. The Reno Balloon Race Glow Show starts promptly at 5:00 a.m. Plan to arrive early so you don’t miss the magic.
Insider Tips for the Best Balloon Race Experience
If you’re looking to upgrade your experience, I highly recommend springing for the Cloud 9 VIP Club. This gives you access to an exclusive area with the best views, food, drinks, and private restrooms (which are much appreciated when you’ve been up since 3:30 a.m.). For photographers and videographers, heads up—drones are not allowed, but the Insta360 camera is a game-changer for capturing those epic shots from all angles. And don’t forget to bring blankets and layer up! It gets surprisingly chilly before the sun comes up, and you’ll definitely want to stay cozy while you wait for the balloons to launch.
Our Hot Air Balloon Ride with Kiphaven Balloon
The real highlight of the event? Booking a hot air balloon ride! We had the chance to fly with Jim from Kiphaven Balloon, who’s been an airline pilot for over 40 years and also a seasoned hot air balloon pilot. Talk about being in good hands. Floating above Reno, watching the other balloons rise around us, and soaking in the views of the city and surrounding mountains was surreal. If you have the chance, absolutely book a ride—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will make your trip unforgettable.
Next year, the Great Reno Balloon Race will take place September 5–7, 2025
After soaking in the magic of the Great Reno Balloon Race, we decided to visit the Nevada Museum of Art to check out their latest exhibition, Deep Time: Sea Dragons. This fascinating exhibit dives into the prehistoric underwater world, showcasing stunning never-before-seen fossils and illustrations of the sea creatures that once roamed the oceans. Afterward, we headed just steps away to Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs, a Reno staple known for its no-frills, classic diner vibes. We were pleasantly surprised by how good it was! The Joe’s Scramble hit the spot, and the Southwest Burger was perfection!
Post-brunch, you’ve got a few options—head back to the room at Whitney Peak for some much-needed R&R after the early wake-up, or explore more of Reno. You can take a leisurely walk along the picturesque Truckee River and the charming Riverwalk District, or if you’re feeling adventurous, check out some of the local parks and trails like Idlewild Park or Wingfield Park for a dose of nature.
For dinner, we dined at Smith and River, another fantastic riverside spot. The food was on point—definitely try the Boston nectarine salad to start, and for mains, I’d recommend the flat iron steak with mashed potatoes or the flavorful garlic rocky chicken.
A couple of other places we wanted to try, but didn’t get a chance to was Grafted Whiskey & Wine Bar and Cosmo’s Snack Bar. If you try them out, let me know how you like it!
As our fun, festival-filled weekend in Reno wrapped up, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for all the amazing experiences we packed into just a few days. From the jaw-dropping views at the Great Balloon Race to dancing and celebrating at Northern Nevada Pride, every moment was a blast!
Check out my full weekend recap on Instagram!
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soundos
very useful post