The Biggest Little City in the World

Reno, the biggest little city in the world ... Last time we have visited, was in the early 1990ies, couldn't remember much with the exception of the casino strip in downtown and the famous arch. This arch marks Reno's downtown with all the large casino resort hotels, which reminded us a bit of Fremont Street in Las Vegas in the 90ies.

Riverwalk, a promenade (now flooded) along the Truckee River, is the place, where the city was founded. The river is framed by a couple of cafés and places to sit outside as well as an open-air stage - must be nice in summer. Though, it was surprisingly warm today: at least 50 deg. F., which is confusing considering the snow-covered mountains so closeby. By chance (or instinct?) we found a really unique boostore, The Radiant - Sundance Books, in a historic mansion on two floors, very cozy and nicely sorted and presented, with vintage furniture to sit and browse.

Spent some time there before heading on to Midtown, a pretty mixed and sort of strange neighborhood, or, rather, a commercial strip along South Virginia Street. Garages and gas stations next to cheap run-down motels and tattoo shops, next to vintage or retro or "green" boutiques and fancy restaurants and (the newest trend) breweries and pubs. The background of this ramrod straight street is made up by the snow-covered mountains. One really unique store here was The Junkie (haven't seen many shops like this before), a combination of vintage/retro clothing, shoes and accessoires on one side and antiques of all kinds on the other. Huge space and not only for hipsters and collectors!

Passing the historic post office, a gorgeous art-déco building, the modern art museum and the representative Washoe County seat, we walked over to the railroad station (no trains arriving or departing still!) and to The Depot, another, historic railroad station, which is now in use as a brewery and distillery. Felt bad about not being able to get a taste, but it was in the middle of a still long day... We saw lots of high-class murals around town, e.g.:



It's easy to gamble and to eat and drink in this city, but it's hard to find a drugstore. It took us a while to get there. Back to the hotel now to get ready for our 5 pm meeting with the fam-tour group. No luck with photo cable or desktop to load down pics so far, so bear with me and excuse few and modest photos.