by Kathryn Kates, Photos by Kathryn Kates

Reno-Tahoe, is known as America's Adventure Place, and it offers family fun all year round. Although Northstar in the Lake Tahoe region may be the best known family resort due to its excellent snowsports programs and attractive pedestrian village, Reno, Nevada has its own appeal.  Before or after a sojourn at scenic Lake Tahoe, your family can enjoy a stay in what is called "The Biggest Little City in the World." Don’t let the gambling fool you -- there are plenty of family-friendly activities and attractions, ranging from kayaking to museums to cooking classes.

A Family Resort in Tahoe

Let's start with the very appealing Northstar Resort in Lake Tahoe, California, which is a 40-mile scenic drive from the Reno Airport in Nevada and 114 miles from the Sacramento Airport in California. 

During the summer months, Northstar Resort (Truckee, CA 96160, 530/562-2470) activities include horseback riding, golf, and downhill mountain bike riding (families take their bikes up on the lift and ride down what in the winter are the ski runs). Also in summer, the village's crowded ice rink becomes a roller-skating rink.  Hiking down the hills is popular -- the resort is both family and animal friendly -- and during summer, dogs are permitted on the gondola.  Other recreation for the active family with older children include tennis, swimming, fly fishing and cultural events such as live music, free outdoor movies and weekly festivities.

Visitors to Lake Tahoe can also enjoy the Bard at the summertime Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (775/832-1616) whose venue is an amphitheater situated on a white sandy beach.  In 2007, the company's 35th season will run from July 12 to August 19 and include productions of "The Taming of the Shrew," "Romeo & Juliet" and a non-Shakespeare offering called "Greater Tuna."

Tiny Skiers Accommodated With Ease

"Northstar has quite a lot to offer in winter," states Jessica Van Pernis, the resort’s communications director.  "We have alpine and country skiing and telemark skiing where your front toe clicks into the binding of your boot and your heel is loose.  We also have tubing, snowboarding and ice skating."

In winter, cabana sitting areas with firepits are located around the rink, where skate rentals are available.  At surrounding bars and Mine (a children’s store) parents can purchase a s’mores kit to roast while sipping hot drinks from the bar.  Every Sunday afternoon, Mine offers free activities such as crafts for young kids.

In winter, the golf club house becomes the Minors' Camp accepting kids from ages 2 to 6-years-old who are non-skiers.  There's a snow play yard and lots of indoor activities including crafts and dress up.  Parents are outfitted with a pager in case of emergency, and can buy their lift tickets right at the camp, and take a shuttle bus to the village to begin their day of skiing.  The resort offers a special "Parent Predicament Lift Ticket" -- parents purchase one ticket and share it, so they can take turns skiing while the other watches the children.

"In the village we have our new Children's Center ski school facility," adds Ms. Van Pernis. "We offer full day and afternoon half-day lessons.  It is one location where parents can drop off and pick up their kids."

Accommodations range from budget hotel rooms to ski-in/ski-out family-friendly condominiums to five-bedroom homes.  The Stay & Ski Free Package allows you to ski free when you sleep at one of the select accommodations.  In the summer Northstar offers a Stay and Play package.  By 2009, Ritz-Carlton will have luxurious mid-mountain accommodations and a top-notch spa for mom and dad to partake in while the kids are at Minor’s Camp.

There are a number of restaurants up on the hill in the Day Lodge, and in the village dining outlets include The Big Wave Burritos, Earthly Delights, Timbercreek Restaurant a Bar and Starbucks.  Later in 2007, a Japanese sushi restaurant will open.

Don't Miss Reno

When you're ready for a taste of "The Biggest Little City in the World," you'll find that while many of the family hotels are part of the town's neon-lit casinos, much of the recreation is not. The city is working hard to attract non-gambling visitors with many development projects. 

In the heart of the redevelopment of downtown Reno is the Truckee River Whitewater Park.  There is a kayak slalom racing course, a city park surrounds it, and there is an amphitheatre at its banks.  During the month of July, Reno hosts ARTown and many of the cultural events take place in and around the park and the Riverwalk Neighborhood, a fun place for parents pushing strollers.  For more information on this month-long event, contact Sierra Arts Foundation at 775/329-2787. 

Other area attractions include the Wilbur D. May Museum, Arboretum and Botanical Garden and Great Basin Adventure ( Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 89503 775/785-431) located in Rancho San Rafael Park.  The late Wilbur D. May, son of the founders of the retailer May Co., was a renaissance man -- songwriter, aviator and adventurer – and the museum documents his fascinating life including his game hunts in Africa and Alaska.  Kids can embark on a self-guided treasure hunt and parents can join in, too. 

Check out the Nevada Museum of Art (160 West Liberty Street 89501, 775/329-3333) which offers interactive activities for children.  The Reno Events Center (400 N. Center Street 89501, 800/FOR-RENO) is a new facility where you can catch big-name concerts and special events.

Something a little different is Nothing To It! Culinary Center (225 Crummer Lane 89502, 775/826-2628)  If your kids are in grade four or up, you can sign up prior to your holiday for a demo cooking class.  Throughout July, the facility offers four-day cooking camps for kids and, when classes aren’t in session, the cooking area becomes a deli -- great for a tasty family lunch.  At the front of the center is a retail area with cookware and gourmet ingredients so parents and kids can go home with products that will help them emulate the culinary results of their cooking demo.

Details, Details

There are a number of family-friendly accommodations throughout the city.  In neighboring Sparks, you’ll find John Ascuaga's Nugget (1100 Nugget Ave 89432, 800/648-1177).  Like so many properties in the area surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and high desert landscape, it is undergoing major renovations.  Family-friendly activities here include a July 4th celebration and a six-day Rib Festival yearly over the Labor Day Weekend.

The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (800/501-2651) formerly the Reno Hilton, has undergone a major renovation and includes the largest indoor water park in America, along with a 70,000 square-foot luxury spa.  Currently there is an impressive arcade, indoor golf simulator putting green, a bowling center, movie theatre, a go-kart track, an outdoor golf driving range and outdoor tennis courts and swimming pool and health club and spa...plus, plus.

Other family-friendly Reno hotel properties include Harrah's Reno (219 North Center Street Reno 89501, 800-Harrahs) where the large buffet breakfast will fill your tummy right up.  Additionally, you can choose from among the Peppermill Hotel Casino (2707 South Virginia Street 89502, 800/648-6992), Silver Legacy Resort Casino (407 N. Virginia Street 89505, 800-MUST-SEE) a block from the Reno Events Center, and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (3800 S. Virginia Street 89502, 800/723-6500) with a lovely health club/spa and indoor pool under a glass dome. 

The moderately priced Sands Regency Casino & Hotel (345 North Arlington 89501, 866/FUNSTAY) has free summer pool parties with live music for the entire family.  For those wanting a great hamburger among other Americana snacks – there’s a Mel’s Dinner on property.  For more information on Reno-Tahoe call 800/FOR RENO or visit their site at www.vsitRenoTahoe.com.

Nearby Carson City is also a quaint and manageable family friend area. There's a few museums, a casino with bowling alley, bbq, and history...

Posted Thu Apr 3, 2008 3:46pm by finchnyc