Scalise Realty-Mortgage/devmnt

Virginia Lake Park provides a great place to catch your breath and enjoy some of the simple pleasures of Reno's outdoor environment and natural beauty. Clear, easily accessible walking paths and picnic areas offer you a chance to either take the family out for a nice afternoon in the sun, or spend a little time by yourself and enjoy a brisk walk before heading back to the reality of your day.

Reno's downtown area is rife with historic buildings and architecture; to enjoy it while staying relatively cool, take a walk along the historic The River Walk District. The walkway winds through downtown and is not only scenic in its own right, it highlights the whole downtown area giving it an added touch of natural beauty amid the busy commercial landscape.

If you love cars, then make plans to be in Reno for Hot August Nights, a festival that features hundreds and hundreds of custom hot rods and restored muscle cars. It happens the first week in August every year and entire parking lots across the city turn into car shows. So get revved up and don't forget your camera and a big tube of sun screen to survive the heat.

The Cactus Creek Southwestern Steakhouse is worth the effort it takes to find it, although you might have passed it or may be close to it without even realizing it! The restaurant is in the Bonanza Casino just north of downtown, and both the casino and eatery are local favorites that tourists may not find right away. The steaks are plentiful slabs of beef, and the side dishes are just as delectable. Add in great service, no-hassle parking and a usually short wait for a table and you've found a real jewel of a restaurant.