Things to do/see by Reno, NV?

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

Hey guys. I'm going to be visiting my son in Carson City, NV the first week in November and am looking for suggestions for things to do/see in that area and time frame. I've been there twice before and drove around Lake Tahoe two or three times, hiked Horsetail falls SW of Tahoe, spent a night in South Lake Tahoe, hiked the beach on the south end of Lake Tahoe, hiked/explored a portion of the east shore of Lake Tahoe (nude beach!) made a couple day jaunt to Yosemite, skiied Heavenly and snowmobiled east of Heavenly for a day. I won't have a lot of time because my wife wants to visit our son, but some day trips from Carson City might happen. I did reserve a night in the calpine fire lookout tower mid week, so I imagine we'll have a day to drive up there and a day to drive back as well as explore along the way. I'll have a compact rental car, so Jeeping is out. Is it worth poking into the Rubicon trail or poking into Fordyce trail? Can a person hike either of those trails and see some of the cool stuff without too much work? Any other hiking or must not miss sites you can suggest? Thanks, Jeff

 

[Letterman]

The Rubicon and Fordyce are not worth going to unless you are going to be wheeling, you can find much better places to hike.

 

[rocknxj]

Hiking in November is dicey with the onset of cold weather and potential for snow. Short day trips might be good, but don't expect to stay on any trail overnight unless fully geared for it. I tend to cut the High Sierra hikes off in early October for fear of freezing my nads off.

Tahoe is a must but you've done much of that already and the Summer months are best unless you are skiing. Heavenly Valley may have their lift open, and once you ride to the top on their lift, you can do their zip line (if it is open) for about 60 bucks.

While in Reno, check out Sheels and grab a bison burger or elk chili at Cabelas.

The real secret for November is the Bay Area if you can drive that far. San Francisco is always best that time of year.

 

[JOSEJALAPENO]

Virginia city is a cool place to see. You also should try to stay over night. The ghost stuff at night is very cool.


http://www.virginiacity-nv.org/

 

[Goatman]

Jeff, if you can make it as far as Bakersfield on the 6th, we're having a big party. Something about a milestone birthday.......someone I know very well is turning 30 (2x).

 

[VET'S XJ]

Check out David Walleys Hot Springs in Genoa, it is like 20 min from carson and in November, a nice soak in some clean well maintained hot tubs that fed with geothermal waters would be nice. It is like $20 for day...they have locker rooms and a pool that is about 85*, and the hot tubs they meter to range from about 99* to 107-8*. There are also some hotsprings just outside of Markleville, which is maybe 45 min from Carson, those are called Grover Hot Springs, not as nice but still hot!

 

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

Virginia city is a cool place to see. You also should try to stay over night. The ghost stuff at night is very cool.


http://www.virginiacity-nv.org/

My son David got married in Virginia City last year and we spent three or four nights in the old hospital there! It is a neat place and I'll bet we visit it again as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

As for David Walley's, I've driven past the place but wasn't sure if it was open to the public or what. I'll have to look into those other hot springs. As for Bakersfield, that sounds like a blast, but I don't think Mary will go for it. I'll have to carefully bring that suggestion up. What if all four of us showed up? Jeff

 

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

Sorry Richard, I looked at a map and Bakersfield is WAY far from Carson City! San Franscisco is closer and I'm sure others in my party would much rather go there than Bakersfield. Have a GREAT Birthday though! Thanks for the invite. Jeff

 

[Boatwrench]

There is a Japanese Tempataki restaurant inside Harrah's Casino called Ichi Ban. It is fantastic. Makes Benny Hana look like a Denny's.

Virgina City is fun, and I like trains and the Nevada Railroad museum is close. Sacramento has the CA state RR museum and it is really nice.

South of Tahoe is Markleville and there are hot springs there, but...you'll be crossing some passes to get there and November in the Sierra is always a hit or miss.

If you think you'll make it to San Francisco there are a few little gems that aren't frequented by tourist. The Walt Disney Museum is one of them, it is located in a former Army Presidio barracks. At the Palace of Fine Arts, the only building left from the 1916 World's Fair is the Exploratorium, a hands on science fair.

On San Francisco Bay,
In Alameda is the USS Hornet Museum a carrier that has some nice exhibits.
In Sausalito is the Bay Model. This is a working model of San Francisco Bay that was develop and is used to determine how various land fills (like airport runway extensions) will effect tdal flow.
Also in Sausalito is the children's discovery museum, another sceince fair for youngsters.

 

[rightseatsis]

In Reno there is the National Auto Museum to see.

 

[Mike1331]

reno, headquarters for summitt racing, couple cool spots to go out at night is rum bullions and brew brothers. Reno also has the river wine walk if your into the vino. If you know anyone close by willing to take you wheeling go to moonrocks.

 

[Glenn B]

There used to be a hella cool auto museum out there. Not sure if it is still there, but I remember seeing my first Red Barchetta in person there.