Reno-Tahoe

The crack of the bat, a hotdog and a cool beer under the warm sun in Reno-Tahoe … the first season for the Reno Aces is finally under way with a new ballpark on the banks of the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Triple A baseball’s newest team will take to the field tonight with a home opener that promises to be a spectacle for both locals and visitors. And it’s a long time coming. Residents, investors and fans of the sport have long pursued the dream of building a world-class baseball stadium in the Reno-Sparks region, to take advantage of the region’s growing population, great weather and tourism base. The stadium, located in the heart of downtown Reno’s redevelopment district, offers another reason to head downtown – the Aces will offer 73 home games, playing in the exciting Pacific Coast League.

The stadium is just another in a long line of improvements to the visitor experience in Reno. The city’s “Renaissance” has included construction of a riverwalk district complete with boutiques, pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, a movie complex and public areas, including an outdoor amphitheater. Within the last couple years, train tracks through downtown Reno were rerouted through a trench to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, while part of the trench was covered, allowing for a new public space, a boon for the many special events held throughout the spring, summer and fall months.

Last fall saw the opening of the West Street Market, a rehabilitated commercial area that now houses a wine bar, a teahouse, coffee shops and stores. It also plays host to farmers and craft markets, as well as live performances.

Several city-style condominium projects in downtown have also enlivened the culture of the area, creating a new market for everything for everything from the arts to commerce. Downtown hotel-casinos have also undergone first-class remodels.

If you haven’t planned to attend a Reno Aces game yet, log on and get your tickets. Baseball is finally here and you’re going to love it.

Reno-Tahoe is a family-friendly getaway, offering tons of fun for kids and adults alike. Add some of these Top 10 attractions to your travel itinerary:

1. Catch a ballgame: Downtown Reno is home to a new ballpark and the Reno Aces, a Triple A team. The boys of summer are playing in Reno-Tahoe.
2. Hit the slopes: Reno-Tahoe offers the largest concentration of ski and board resorts in North America — 18 within an hour drive of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
3. Shop till you drop: The shopping is great in Reno-Tahoe, including the new Legends at Sparks Marina in Sparks, Nev., which boasts more than 70 stores and restaurants, including Scheel’s, the World’s Largest All Sports Store at almost 300,000 square feet.
4. A river runs through it: The Truckee River winds through downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, offering great opportunities for recreation and relaxation during the warm months. Whitewater enthusiasts can paddle to their heart’s content in the two whitewater parks.
5. Nevada-style casino action: In Reno-Tahoe the action goes 24-7, with deluxe, modern resort casinos that offer fun gaming action without the Vegas crowds.
6. The Jewel of the Sierra: Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and downtown Reno — a great day trip whether it is summer or winter.
7. The Comstock Lode: Step back to Wild West times in Virginia City. The preserved epicenter of the Comstock Lode features classic buildings, old saloons and a cast of characters that is always entertaining.
8. V&T Railroad: Ride the rails of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Carson City, Nevada’s capitol. Working steam engines hearken back to the golden age of rail travel.
9. Wine and dine: Reno-Tahoe is known for adventure and Nevada-style gaming, but hundreds of restaurants serving everything from casual to five-star fare also make it a great destination for culinary enthusiasts.
10. Culture connection: Reno-Tahoe is home to 31 museums, including the Nevada Museum of Art, the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada State Museum – live Nevada’s rich culture.

Reno’s Rink on the River recently started service, just in time for visitors looking for some High Sierra holiday spirit.

The rink is open to the public and is located at the Mapes Plaza in downtown Reno, right along the resort-casino corridor and adjacent to the Reno Christmas tree.

Skate rentals are available and there is plenty of hot chocolate to keep warm between laps.

View a larger map of the Rink on the River

Though there are some hart core paddlers who get out in the at night in the dead of winter storms, the good stuff is coming this spring. The above average snow pack and full reservoirs up-stream are going to make for an awesome Kayaking season. Maybe this will be the year I finally get into it.

This video from X-Terra Planet should get your blood moving as the days get longer and and the snow starts melting…

-MTB