Dont want to spend all your time in the casinos. Try this instead. The Truckee River provides natural areas for family walks, music in the park, and delightful bistros and coffee shops on the way. First Street in downtown Reno follows the river East and West. Park your car in the downtown district, and head for First and Sierra Streets.
Walking towards the hills along the river (West), the Truckee River should be on your left hand side to begin the tour. On the third Saturday of each month during the Summer, this is a tourist zoo due to the Downtown Reno Wine Walk. As you pass the large church, you will see Java Jungle, a great place for coffee, snacks, and free Wireless Internet Connections.
Walking past Java Jungle, Cross Sierra Street, and you will follow the river West. In the summer there are hundreds of "river rats" floating down the Truckee River, shooting the rapids, and just hanging out. This trail continues for several miles up the Truckee river, through parks and subdivisions.
If you're taking Amtrak, arrive a little early and walk the river, and watch the waterfoul landing in the river. No one ever has seen a fish snagged, but with all the fisherman on the banks, someone thinks there are fish in the Truckee River.
Three and a half miles later, it's back to the train station, and off to your destination
