by Latricia Good

The City of Reno, Nev., host of the 83rd Congress of Cities and Exposition, held Dec. 5-9 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, is looking forward to greeting NLC?s conference delegates this year.

A world-class tourist destination with a rich arts scene and year-round outdoor activities, the city is known for its small-town friendliness and big-city excitement and is often referred to as the ?Biggest Little City in the World.?

Nonstop excitement at casinos, nightclub revues, outdoor fun and beautiful mountain vistas all combine to make Reno an exciting destination with something for everyone ? from delegates to their spouses or guests.

Its exceptional location allows the city to get over 300 sunny days each year. Winter days are often sunny and crisp, requiring a warm sweater, coat or some layers. Reno gets about 12 inches of precipitation annually, with lots of snow falling at the easily accessible ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area.

Lake Tahoe, famed for its crystal-clear water (a white dinner plate at the depth of 75 ft. would be visible from the surface) and its size (at 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, it?s the largest alpine lake in North America), is one of the nation?s premier ski resorts where, during winter months, average snowfall is 409 inches. The area has 15 downhill resorts, 10 cross-country ski centers and facilities for snowboarding, sledding and snow play as well.

Although skiing and snowboarding drive the majority of visitors to the Reno-Tahoe area each winter, there?s also an interesting selection of non-ski and family-friendly activities to choose from, including sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice skating.

Year-round diversions include fishing, 24-hour Las Vegas-style gaming and big-name entertainment in the casinos, as well as a booming arts and culture district in the heart of downtown Reno. 

For delegates looking to tap into their artistic interests, Reno-Tahoe is the perfect scene with activities ranging from museums, dance, music and theater. Its centers of arts and culture include the Nevada Museum of Art and the Arts District along the Truckee River, all in downtown Reno. Located along the picturesque Riverwalk, the area includes a unique selection of shops, boutiques and galleries featuring contemporary works from local, regional and national artists.

Reno-Tahoe is also a great place for the performing arts such as its philharmonic and chamber orchestras. Its performing arts scene features a rich mix of repertory theater, opera, ballet and Broadway revivals.

Delegates can also learn about the area?s rich history in museums like the Sparks Heritage Museum or the Nevada Historical Society. The Historic Reno Preservation Society offers walking tours to give visitors an up-close and personal look at the city?s many historic areas. Historic sites can also be found in its structures and towns, including schools, opera house, hotels and churches.

While the city has been known for its outdoor recreation, bright lights, scenic outdoor activities and cultural and arts entertainment, delegates may also be pleased with its budding shopping selection, featuring everything from the popular chain department stores to boutiques.

Its newest outdoor shopping attraction is The Summit, northern Nevada?s first outdoor lifestyle center and shopping mall. Opening this past spring, The Summit offers more than 70 retail outlets, with everything from clothing to health and beauty to home furnishings, plus dining and entertainment venues. The center will also be home to several restaurants and specialty eateries, as well as the future site of a Century Theatres movie complex.

Voted ?best shopping? venue year after year by northern Nevadans, Meadowood Mall features more than 125 retailers and unique restaurants such as American Eagle Outfitters, The Sharper Image, Starbucks, Gymboree and Bully?s Sports Bar & Grill, as well as retail powerhouses such as Macy?s, JCPenny and Sears. Meadowood Mall is easily accessed from US-395 and situated at the intersection of Virginia Street and McCarran Boulevard, just minutes south of downtown Reno.

Located just blocks from the casino district in downtown Reno, California Avenue offers a pre-eminent neighborhood retail, restaurant, entertainment and business district. Recently renovated, the area is home to quaint and stylish clothing boutiques as well as popular dining establishments such as The Blue Plate, Blue Moon Pizza, Newman?s Deli, The Cheese Board, My Favorite Muffin and the new and trendy Chocolate Bar. Delegates will also find an array of salons and spas along the avenue, a perfect setting for an afternoon stroll in the heart of the city.

Those strolling along in the Truckee River District in downtown Reno will discover a thriving district for shoppers who like a unique shopping environment. The downtown area is reviving itself with new shops, eateries and entertainment venues, creating a place for visitors to take in and enjoy. Choose a movie at the Riverside Theater, listen to a concert in Wingfield Park, browse through the storefronts or simply relax along the Riverwalk.

After shopping, delegates can take advantage of Reno-Tahoe?s wide array of dining options including everything from casino buffets to specialty restaurants to fine dining and traditional fare.

Getting around the city is convenient with the Citifare bus system, which covers most of Reno?s metropolitan area. The routes generally go to and from downtown. Most routes run Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though others have more restricted hours. For those who prefer to drive, rental cars are readily accessible and navigating Reno?s streets are fairly easy. Cars are often handy for getting between sites around the town.

As host city for the Congress of Cities, Reno-Tahoe, also known as ?America?s Adventure Place,? presents it all ? from unlimited outdoor recreation and 24-hour Nevada-style gaming to top name entertainment and culture district.

Details: To register for the conference and to download a conference brochure, go to www.nlc.org.