Vegas too expensive? Discover this Nevada city with casinos, mountains, and a riverwalk

Las Vegas is a spectacle of dazzling lights and unlimited possibilities. It’s also an expensive place to visit. In recent years, Sin City has pursued luxury travelers — the type who don’t mind paying $9 for a Bud Light or $150 for a lounge chair next to the pool. This leaves the ordinary folk who used to head to Vegas for a weekend of gambling and entertainment feeling left behind.

The first part of the year saw 7.3 percent fewer visitors traveling to Las Vegas compared to the same period last year. Many cited high prices as the reasons they were staying away.

Las Vegas will be okay. Throughout the years, the city has constantly reinvented itself, managing to stay relevant by embracing changing tastes, from the days of Rat Pack glamour to themed mega-resorts, celebrity chef dining, world-class entertainment, and most recently, professional sports. In the meantime, travelers have a choice, and my own home city, Reno, is the perfect Vegas alternative.

Reno is small and walkable

Reno is less glitzy than Vegas, in a good way. The city has a laid-back, grounded feeling. It’s the reason it’s affectionately referred to as “The Biggest Little City In The World.”

The Truckee River roars through town, and most of the city’s attractions are walkable from the Riverwalk District. At night, the stained-glass Burning Man sculpture known as Space Whale lights up City Plaza, serving as one of Reno’s most iconic sights.

During the day, don’t miss the National Automobile Museum with 225 gorgeous automobiles, including rare vehicles, champion vehicles, and stars owned by celebrities. Afterward, take a stroll over to the Nevada Art Museum for an immersive journey through art, photography, and rotating exhibits.

Reno has casino resorts, without the high prices and hidden fees

There are two airports in the U.S. with slot machines — Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Reno-Tahoe International Airport. In other words, if you typically head to Vegas for gambling, you won’t miss a beat in Reno.

Although Reno is an artsy, outdoorsy town that doesn’t define itself by gambling, there are still plenty of opportunities here. Some of the names may even sound familiar. If you’re a member of Caesars Rewards, you’ll find options for dining, gambling, entertainment, and lodging at The Row, which features three resorts with 227,000 sq ft of casino space, more than 2,500 slot machines, and 84 table games.

Entertainment at The Row is constantly changing – upcoming performances include Postmodern Jukebox and comedian Iliza.

Unlike most of the accommodations in Las Vegas, rooms at The Row include Keurig coffee makers, so you don’t have to hoof it through the casino for your cup of morning coffee. If you’re staying at a property with a year-round heated pool, you’ll also get free access to a lounge chair. The resorts at The Row also offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.

In other words, Reno is here to show you a good time without nickel-and-diming you every step of the way.

Reno has an exciting food scene

Reno is famous for all-you-can-eat sushi. From strip malls to high-rise casinos, you’ll find dozens of quality establishments scattered around the city. Reno AYCE sushi typically costs between $25 and $45 per person, with the higher end of the scale reserved for the more upscale casino restaurants.

For a touch of nostalgia, make your way to Louis Basque Corner to experience a taste of Nevada’s Basque culture in a restaurant dating back to 1967. If you’re hankering for a cocktail, order the Picon Punch, a 19th-century cocktail still popular in much of the West.

If you usually travel to Vegas for celebrity restaurants, you’ll find that, too. Gordon Ramsay has two restaurants at The Row, including fine dining with a raw bar and iconic dishes like the chef’s signature Beef Wellington at Ramsay’s Kitchen or casual, but delicious bites at Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.

At Grand Sierra Resort, you’ll find Charlie Palmer Steakhouse for prime steaks and fresh seafood curated by the groundbreaking chef.

Reno is home to some of the best festivals in the country

Reno loves to have a good time, and it will use just about any excuse to throw a party. Artown hosts year-round events, as well as a month-long festival every July, featuring big-name headliners that, in past years, have included icons like Keb’ Mo’ and Dionne Warwick.

During Hot August Nights, thousands of classic cars roll into Reno for one of the world’s largest car shows. The 10-day festivities include free concerts, a massive swap meet, and cruises.

The city also hosts the world’s largest free hot air ballooning event in early August. The Great Reno Balloon Race features over 100 colorful balloons taking to the sky, accompanied by food trucks, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

Reno is close to historic mining towns and Lake Tahoe

Many visitors are surprised by how much Reno’s landscape differs from the surroundings of Las Vegas. Reno sits in a high desert valley underneath the towering Sierra Nevada. To the west, the snowcapped Sierra mountains lead toward Lake Tahoe’s alpine forests and clear, blue waters. To the north and east, the smaller but no less striking Virginia and Pah Rah ranges give way to wide-open desert vistas, peppered with sagebrush and rolling hills.

Lake Tahoe is approximately a 45-minute drive from Reno, offering a range of summer activities, including boating, and winter activities such as skiing. Reno is also home to Mount Rose, which offers specials and discounts for skiers almost every day of the week.

Although Virginia City is only a half hour from Reno, the wild horses grazing beside the winding roads curving up the terracotta hills of the Virginia range make the city feel like a distant memory. Shops, museums, and saloons line the wooden sidewalks of the perfectly preserved mining town. You can even take a ride on a vintage railroad.

Sin City is incredible, but so is Reno. More than an affordable alternative to Las Vegas, it’s a city with its own unique personality — and plenty of reasons to return.