Reno, for some folks, is not the place to vacation with kids. Well, that is certainly not true and here's the proof...
FAMILY LODGING
CIRCUS CIRCUS, RENO Topsy the Clown, the symbolic Circus Circus Hotel sign on Virginia St. welcomed us with its great big smile! Check-in was a breeze. The friendly hotel staff were very attentive to our needs and immediately set us up with complimentary drinks upon registering. As a mom, I take my family's safety very seriously. I am impressed with the hotel's security--- no one can get in the elevators up to their rooms without flashing their key cards to the guards on duty. For this stay, we opted for two adjoining rooms so everyone can sleep comfortably (our three boys are getting big and sharing beds can be a struggle!) The rooms are equipped with TV, coffee makers, and mini fridge, which made it convenient for us to bring in food for those late night snacking. With rates as low as $50/night, it sure won't break the family's budget. Want to save even more? Opt in to go green and forego housecleaning during your stay for a $20 house credit per day that can be used for incidentals. We applied our credits to go towards our lunch ticket from the food court.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
SHOWS AND GAMES AT THE MIDWAY At the center of Circus Circus is the the XP Arcade and Carnival Midway featuring dozens of carnival-inspired games, free world-class circus shows daily (every half-hour.) To say that my kids had a blast would be an understatement! My youngest scored big time by winning the Ring Toss game. He went home with the giant cuddly bear! Don't ask how we got it in the car for the trip home.
FLEISCHMANN PLANETARIUM Part of the University of Nevada, Fleischmann Planetarium offers daily digital planetarium shows in its dome theater, hosts field trips and educational outreach in Earth and Space Science. The Redfield Campus of the University also houses an observatory viewing as well. Built in 1963 and originally called the “Fleischmann Atmospherium-Planetarium," it is the first planetarium in the world to project full-dome movies (of time-lapse clouds and weather phenomena). Visit to watch a show and get an immersive, hands-on learning experience in its Exhibit Hall. It's a great way for kids to soak in a fun learning experience while on vacation! Did you know that rare lunar and Martian meteorite rocks may sell for $1000 per gram or more? That's forty times more than gold!
FAMILY DINING
THE BUFFET is an ultimate buffet dining experience located inside the El Dorado Hotel and Casino. More than an all-you-can-eat restaurant, it features live action stations and an exhibition kitchen. We got the chance to watch dishes prepared before our eyes. There's a wide variety of food to choose from: soups and salads, meat galore at the carving station, Asian, Mexican, and Italian offerings as well. The Dessert bar is loaded with cakes, pies, cookies, and other treats. My boys' favorite was the gelato stand, which holds more than a dozen flavors of Italian-style ice cream goodness! Preview a video of The Buffet's dessert bar HERE.
Video credit: Zaiden Around Town on YouTube
FOOD COURT INSIDE CIRCUS CIRCUS Adjacent to the Circus Midway is an open common area, perfectly suited for families looking for fast, delicious food on-the-go featuring top fast food chains: The Habit Burger Grill, Panda Express, and Piezzetta.
YOGURT BEACH Let my children's photos speak for how great this place is! The kids couldn't get enough of it, they feasted on frozen yogurt for three days! Located just across the Circus Midway, make sure to stop by!
CAMPO RENO This low-key restaurant in downtown Reno highlights local ingredients from farms and ranches across the region. It is an authentic farm-to-fork neighborhood restaurant. If you are with the kids, order a Napoletana-style pizza fired in Campo’s wood burning oven that was imported from Italy and built in the restaurant piece by piece. But if you are able to escape the kids for an adults-only dinner, enjoy yourselves and feast on Campo's fancy plated dishes. Don't dare skip the appetizers tho. Order one or try them all! You can't go wrong... they are all incredibly satisfying! With great food and good selection of drinks matched with friendly and attentive staff, we are surely coming back the next time we're in town! Not to forget, it's bar offers $2 beers all day, everyday.
NAAN & KABAB Reno's only authentic Mediterranean restaurant is owned and operated by the incredible, award-winning Chef Maurice. We decided to stop by for early dinner on our way back home because of its great reviews and it certainly did not disappoint! Their Shish Kebab is to die for! Don't forget to start your meal with their Baba Ganoush, made from roasted eggplant, pine nuts, tahini, and lemon juice. It is paired with warm, freshly-baked naan that will leave you asking for more! My son raved about the Marinated Beef Shish Kabab, stating, "It is the best tasting meat he's ever had!" After our delicious meal, the kids were treated to a complimentary home-made dessert, Akbar Mashdi and parents were sent home with free baklava coupons to redeem on our next visit. What a treat!
There you go, folks! Reno, the Biggest Little City in the World, is indeed, a family-friendly and MKEG-approved fun place to visit with kids! If you happen to swing by any of the places we featured in this article, let them know you've read about them here. Want to see more of what we did in Reno? Check 'em out on our Facebook page!
Yolanda Garcia is the Publisher of Macaroni Kid Elk Grove.
This travel guide is intended for readers of Macaroni Kid Elk Grove. Opinions expressed in this article are based on the publisher's family's trip experience.
