Reno, Nevada: The Biggest Little City in the World Self-Guided Walking Tour
Places: 18 POIs
Distance: 2.13 mi
Duration: 1h:18m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #2740
Reno, Nevada: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of the Biggest Little City in the World incl. the Reno Arch & the Truckee River Walk
About this English self-guided 1h:18m walking tour in Reno
Welcome to Reno, Nevada, affectionately known as "The Biggest Little City in the World." I'm delighted you'll be joining me as we explore the heart of this fascinating city on foot.
Many people know Reno for its casinos and bright neon lights, but there's much more to discover. During our walk, we'll stroll along the beautiful Truckee River, admire impressive public art, visit historic landmarks, and uncover the stories of the pioneers, entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries who helped shape this city into what it is today.
Before we begin, have you ever wondered why this city is called Reno?
The city was founded in 1868 during the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad and was named after Major General Jesse Lee Reno, a Union Army officer who fought in the American Civil War. General Reno never actually visited the city that bears his name. He was killed in the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland in 1862, becoming one of the highest-ranking Union officers to die during the war. When the railroad established a new town here several years later, it chose to honor his service by naming it Reno.
Long before the railroad arrived, however, this valley served as an important crossing along the Truckee River. Native American tribes, including the Washoe people, lived in the region for thousands of years, and later, pioneers traveling west crossed the river on their journey to California. In many ways, Reno owes its existence to this river, which remains the lifeblood of the city today.
Reno has reinvented itself several times throughout its history. It became famous in the early twentieth century for quick divorces and legalized gambling, earning an international reputation as a place where people came for a fresh start. Legendary entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. performed here, while celebrities ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Johnny Cash spent time in the city. In more recent decades, Reno has evolved once again, embracing outdoor recreation, public art, technology, and a thriving local food and craft beer scene.
As we explore together, you'll discover that Reno is a city of surprising contrasts, where historic architecture stands alongside modern art, where rushing whitewater flows through the center of downtown, and where the spirit of the Old West meets a city that's constantly reinventing itself.
So, put on your walking shoes, keep your camera handy, and let's discover the real Reno together.
Top landmarks on this tour
The Iconic Reno Arch- National Automobile Museum
- Scenic Truckee River Walk
- Space Whale
- Silver Legacy Casino
- Eldorado Resort Casino
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
- Category
- Language
- Mode
- Region
- Country
- City
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.06mi
, Attraction : Performing Arts Venue (Recommended selfie spot).
100 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501, USA
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts & Historic Courthouse
On your right is the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, one of Reno's most recognizable landmarks. Its shimmering silver geodesic dome has been a fixture of the city's skyline since 1968, when it was built to commemorate Nevada's centennial. Designed with exceptional acoustics, the Pioneer Center has welcomed generations of visitors to Broadway productions, concerts, ballet, opera, comedy performances, and shows by the Reno Philharmonic, making it the cultural heart of Northern Nevada.
Now look directly across the street. The impressive stone building is the historic Washoe County Courthouse, completed in 1911 in the elegant Classical Revival style. For decades, it served as the center of local government and justice, witnessing some of the region's most significant legal cases during Reno's famous divorce era, when thousands traveled here seeking Nevada's quick divorce laws.
Notice the contrast between the two buildings. On one side stands a grand courthouse reflecting Reno's early twentieth-century prosperity and civic pride. On the other is a bold, futuristic performing arts center that symbolizes the city's cultural ambitions and continued growth. Together, they represent more than a century of Reno's evolution, where history and the arts stand side by side in the heart of downtown.
Now look directly across the street. The impressive stone building is the historic Washoe County Courthouse, completed in 1911 in the elegant Classical Revival style. For decades, it served as the center of local government and justice, witnessing some of the region's most significant legal cases during Reno's famous divorce era, when thousands traveled here seeking Nevada's quick divorce laws.
Notice the contrast between the two buildings. On one side stands a grand courthouse reflecting Reno's early twentieth-century prosperity and civic pride. On the other is a bold, futuristic performing arts center that symbolizes the city's cultural ambitions and continued growth. Together, they represent more than a century of Reno's evolution, where history and the arts stand side by side in the heart of downtown.
Read More
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.05mi
, Attraction : Historic Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
8 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501, USA
Historic Virginia Street Bridge – Where Reno Began
You are now standing at one of the most historic locations in Reno.
The Virginia Street Bridge has connected the north and south sides of the Truckee River for well over a century, but the story of this crossing began even before Reno existed. The first bridge here was built in 1860 by pioneer Charles Fuller, creating an important route for travelers, miners, and freight moving between California and Nevada's booming mining camps. Around this crossing, a small settlement gradually grew, eventually becoming the city of Reno in 1868.
The elegant bridge that stood here for more than 100 years was completed in 1905. Designed by renowned engineer John B. Leonard, it was one of Nevada's earliest reinforced concrete bridges. Its graceful twin arches, decorative railings, and classical styling quickly made it one of Reno's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the growing city.
The bridge also became famous for an unusual local tradition. During much of the twentieth century, Reno was known as the "Divorce Capital of the World," thanks to Nevada's short residency requirement for obtaining a divorce. According to local legend, newly divorced couples would leave the courthouse, walk to this bridge, and toss their wedding rings into the Truckee River below as a symbolic fresh start. Whether fact or folklore, the story became so well known that the bridge earned the nicknames "Wedding Ring Bridge" and "Bridge of Sighs." The tradition was even immortalized in the 1961 film The Misfits, starring Marilyn Monroe.
By the early 2000s, however, the aging structure could no longer meet modern safety and flood-control requirements. The original bridge was carefully documented before being replaced in 2015. The bridge you see today opened the following year and was designed to honor its predecessor, incorporating graceful arches and historic design elements that preserve the spirit of the original landmark.
As you look over the Truckee River, you're standing at the very place where Reno began. For more than 160 years, this crossing has welcomed pioneers, railroad workers, tourists, newlyweds, and even the occasional newly divorced visitor, making it one of the city's most enduring and beloved landmarks.
The Virginia Street Bridge has connected the north and south sides of the Truckee River for well over a century, but the story of this crossing began even before Reno existed. The first bridge here was built in 1860 by pioneer Charles Fuller, creating an important route for travelers, miners, and freight moving between California and Nevada's booming mining camps. Around this crossing, a small settlement gradually grew, eventually becoming the city of Reno in 1868.
The elegant bridge that stood here for more than 100 years was completed in 1905. Designed by renowned engineer John B. Leonard, it was one of Nevada's earliest reinforced concrete bridges. Its graceful twin arches, decorative railings, and classical styling quickly made it one of Reno's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the growing city.
The bridge also became famous for an unusual local tradition. During much of the twentieth century, Reno was known as the "Divorce Capital of the World," thanks to Nevada's short residency requirement for obtaining a divorce. According to local legend, newly divorced couples would leave the courthouse, walk to this bridge, and toss their wedding rings into the Truckee River below as a symbolic fresh start. Whether fact or folklore, the story became so well known that the bridge earned the nicknames "Wedding Ring Bridge" and "Bridge of Sighs." The tradition was even immortalized in the 1961 film The Misfits, starring Marilyn Monroe.
By the early 2000s, however, the aging structure could no longer meet modern safety and flood-control requirements. The original bridge was carefully documented before being replaced in 2015. The bridge you see today opened the following year and was designed to honor its predecessor, incorporating graceful arches and historic design elements that preserve the spirit of the original landmark.
As you look over the Truckee River, you're standing at the very place where Reno began. For more than 160 years, this crossing has welcomed pioneers, railroad workers, tourists, newlyweds, and even the occasional newly divorced visitor, making it one of the city's most enduring and beloved landmarks.
Read More
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts & Historic Courthouse
Place 2
Historic Virginia Street Bridge – Where Reno Began
Place 3
Space Whale – Reno's Giant Flying Whale
Place 4
City Plaza & the Iconic Believe Sculpture
Place 5
Scenic Truckee River Walk – Reno's Riverside Promenade
Place 6
National Automobile Museum
Place 7
Greater Nevada Field (Reno Aces)
Place 8
National Bowling Stadium – The Taj Mahal of Tenpins
Place 9
The Iconic Reno Arch – "The Biggest Little City in the World"
Place 10
Eldorado Resort Casino
Place 11
Silver Legacy Casino – The Iconic White Dome
Place 12
Silver Legacy Resort & Casino – Reno's Iconic Silver Tower
Place 13
St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral – Reno's Historic Gothic Landmark
Place 14
Truckee River Whitewater Park – Surfing in the Heart of Reno
Place 15
Wingfield Park – Reno's Island in the Truckee River
Place 16
Back to Scenic Truckee River Walk - Farewell
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 18 stops, covering top attractions such as Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts & Historic Courthouse, Historic Virginia Street Bridge – Where Reno Began, Space Whale – Reno's Giant Flying Whale, City Plaza & the Iconic Believe Sculpture, Scenic Truckee River Walk – Reno's Riverside Promenade.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts & Historic Courthouse (Address: 100 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ What known landmarks and main sites does this tour have?
The top landmarks and main sites on this tour include The Iconic Reno Arch, National Automobile Museum, Scenic Truckee River Walk, Space Whale, Silver Legacy Casino and Eldorado Resort Casino. In total, the tour has 18 points of interest along the route.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!