1. Take a cruise with Pineapple Pedicabs
Pineapple Pedicabs are a unique, environmentally friendly, and adventurous way to explore Reno. With options ranging from booking a guided pedicab to party pedicabs like the brew bike, there are options to fit every type of adventure you’re in the mood for.
2. Hit the water range at the Grand Sierra Resort
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned golfer, you’ll have fun at the Grand Bay Driving Range at the Grand Sierra Resort. Open every day until 10 p.m. and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, this is a must-do as you can laugh with your friends trying to hit golf balls onto the eight floating island greens in the water feature. Club rentals are available.
3. Make memories at the Sparks Marina
Beat the heat by catching the latest feature film at the Galaxy Theaters Legends IMAX, then grab a bite at one of the many restaurants, (we recommend a Wet Woody and delicious food at the Sparks Water Bar). Top off the evening with an escape room from Key & Code Escape Rooms located at the Outlets at the Legends. Then, walk the 1.9-mile loop around the water as the sun sets.
4. Shop the boutiques in Midtown
There’s nothing quite as fun as grabbing an iced coffee and walking around the boutique shops in Midtown Reno with your friends for an afternoon of sightseeing in your own town. Start at the Sticks shopping mall and weave your way down South Virginia Street and the adjacent side streets. You never know quite what you’ll find.
5. Grab a scoop at Black Rock Dessert
Hot summer days call for delicious icy treats to cool off. Black Rock Dessert offers decadent, handcrafted desserts that’ll please your tastebuds and give you a sweet escape. Follow on Instagram to see what specials they are concocting. Or try an ice cream flight.
6. Stargazing at Pyramid Lake
Worth the drive! Head to Pyramid Lake for an unrivaled view of the night sky close to home. The untouched nature of a rare desert lake will take your breath away. A day pass is available from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
7. Dip your toes into the Truckee River downtown
Even if you missed the Reno River Festival in June, there is always good people-watching by the river with swimmers, fishers, and rafters enjoying the natural beauty of the Truckee in downtown Reno.
8. Summer concerts during Artown
Pull up a lawn chair or bring a blanket and take part in the Artown Summer Concert Series. This year there are artists like Jake Shimabukuro, Dionne Warwick, Ann Hampton Callaway, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Steep Canyon Rangers and more. Check online for their full schedule and all the other family-friendly events offered throughout July during Artown.
9. Jam to some music for a good cause
The annual Pops on the River Fundraiser for the Reno Phil will take you on a trip to Nashville from the comfort of Reno with “Nashville to Neon” on July 13 at the Glow Plaza.
10. Float the Truckee
Grab an inflatable river raft or tube, bring some water and sunscreen, and hop into the Truckee River for an afternoon of leisurely floating as you take in the sights waterside. A great place to pop in is from Mayberry Park in Reno to float straight into Downtown.
11. Have a picnic in Oxbow Nature Park
Just a few blocks down the road from local art and unique shopping boutiques on Dickerson Road, you’ll find the peaceful and lush Oxbow Nature Park tucked along the Truckee River. It’s a great place to take a stroll, get fresh air, and listen to the babbling of the river.
12. Art After Dark
A new limited summer art night market and vending fair called “Art After Dark” from the Reno Generator at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center is running this summer. The market will take place on June 14, July 19, and August 16, from 7 to 10 p.m. each night. Art After Dark features over 70 local artists and crafters, showcasing their work in downtown Reno. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, drinks, and all the local art.
13. Cruise to the drive-in movies
It isn’t summer without at least one night of a double feature at the West Wind El Rancho Drive-in Movie Theater. Pack up your blankets, buy your popcorn, and enjoy an open-air flick with friends and family.
14. Watch the PGA TOUR
Catch the Barracuda Championship golf tournament in Truckee, the region’s only PGA TOUR event, at Tahoe Mountain Club’s Old Greenwood, from July 18 to 21. Pro tip: Avoid the parking hassle and bike in. You can park for free in general parking in Truckee and then bike along the designated route through downtown to enjoy $10 off your ticket, a free beer courtesy of 5050 Brewing Co., and a bike valet.
15. Get a taste of the great outdoors at Galena Creek
Located off Mount Rose Highway is a densely forested regional park, Galena Creek. This park offers easy, moderate, and challenging hiking trails, fishing in Marilyn’s Pond, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits, exhibits in the Galena Creek Visitor’s Center, and summer programming including the Galena Campfire Program, every Friday from June 30 to August 4.
16. Catch a show at the Fleischmann Planetarium
The planetarium has a Full-Dome Theater with a calendar of shows to pick from. Special this summer is a collaboration with Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary “Creatures in the Sky: Summer Stargazing at Animal Ark” where you can use high-tech telescopes to stargaze views of night sky creatures and deep sky objects. July 19 will be the final run in the series, so don’t miss it.
17. Sip on a cocktail (or a mocktail)
Downtown and Midtown Reno have many specialty cocktail bars, which makes barhopping in the summer refreshing and exciting. Some of our favorite spots include Chapel Tavern, Rum Sugar Lime (which offers nine different, freshly made mocktail options) the Emerson, and Tequila Catador.
18. Cool off with ice skating at Reno Ice
Public skates are offered weekly and you may even enjoy an evening disco skate session. The schedule is available on RenoIce.com.
19. Learn to line dance
Pure Country Canteen in Sparks features an authentic honky-tonk scene and line-dancing lessons. Beginners can come on Monday nights for $5 and the whole family is welcome on Wednesdays.
20. Get wild at Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary
With discount days and programming events like Summer Stargazing, Ales and Tails, and Ark at Dark, the summer schedule at Northern Nevada’s home for injured or non-releasable wildlife is buzzing.
21. Find your inner artist at the Nevada Museum of Art
Breathtaking exhibits are always available and during the summer there are a number of special events including “Art After Dark: Retro Rewind,” an adults-only, hands-on, immersive experience on July 19, and “An Evening with Cowboy Musicians Brenn Hill and Andy Hedges” on July 27.
22. Splash around at Wild Island Waterpark
For a truly enjoyable day, rent a cabana and kick back in the sun or shade. The lazy river, the wave pool, and multiple water slides … what’s not to love?!
23. Check out the classics during Hot August Nights
A Reno staple, Hot August Nights, held August 6 to 11, is all about enjoying classic cars and rock ‘n roll while mingling with locals and tourists. More than 5,500 classic cars will take center stage during this iconic and nostalgic event.
24. Wake up early for the hot air balloon races
The glow show before dawn is truly spectacular at the Great Reno Balloon Race at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. This year the race will take place September 6-8.
25. Dine well during the Rib Cook-Off
Teams of expert culinary chefs compete to cook up the best BBQ you can find August 28-September 2 in Victorian Square in Sparks. The Best in the West Rib Cook-Off spans six blocks and draws in around 350,000 rib enthusiasts. This year the Ying Yang Twins will perform, plus daily performances by other artists. It’s sure to be a finger-licking good time!