Editors’ choices
Best family outing
Animal Ark
1265 Deerlodge Road, 970-3111
For a fun-for-the-whole-crew family outing, going to the zoo is kinda a no-brainer. Because who doesn’t want to watch a bear eat her lunch? And Animal Ark is better than an average zoo because it’s a not a zoo; it’s a non-profit animal sanctuary. All of the animals are rescues—orphans, abandoned pets, domesticated animals that probably couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. The enclosures are spacious, and the setting—30 minutes north of Reno—is distinctly Great Basin. It’s like going to a Nevada ranch, but with cheetahs.
Most kid-friendly restaurant
Scoopers Drive-in
1356 Prater Way, Sparks, 331-6221
Once an A&W, this drive-in has been locally owned for 30 years. It’s always jammed during Hot August Nights, but there’s no reason to wait for that event to come around. And this is a good place to bring children and fill their ears with your experiences with places like this when you were younger. Children like to hear that kind of thing. While it still has the trappings like intercoms and trays next to the cars, you’ll actually have to get out and walk to the window to order.
Readers’ choices
Best arcade games
1. Coconut Bowl at Wild Island
1855 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks, 359-2927
2. Fun Quest
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., 789-1127
3. Press Start Bar & Arcade
1413 S. Virginia St., 786-2550
Best elementary school
1. Mount Rose School
915 Lander St., 333-5030
2. Roy Gomm Elementary School
4000 Mayberry Drive, 333-5000
3. Brown Elementary School
13815 Spelling Court, 851-5600
Best family outing
1. Lake Tahoe
2. Wild Island Family Adventure Park
250 Wild Island Court, Sparks, 359-2927
3. Food Truck Fridays
Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive
Best high school
1. Reno High School
395 Booth St., 333-5050
2. Robert McQueen High School
6055 Lancer St., 746-5880
3. Edward C. Reed High School
1350 Baring Blvd., Sparks, 353-5700
Best indoor activity for kids
1. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
490 S. Center St., 786-1000
2. Coconut Bowl at Wild Island
1855 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks, 359-2927
3. Fly High Trampoline Park
10 Greg St., Sparks, 856-8131
Best local library
1. Downtown Reno Library
301 S. Center St., 327-8300
2. Spanish Springs Library
7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 424-1800
3. South Valleys Library
15650 Wedge Pkwy., 851-5190
Best middle school
1. Kendyl Depoali Middle School
9300 Wilbur May Pkwy., 852-6700
2. B.D. Billinghurst Middle School
6685 Chesterfield Lane, 746-5870
3. Mendive Middle School
1900 Whitewood Drive, Sparks, 353-5990
Best park
1. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
1595 N. Sierra St., 785-4512
2. Idlewild Park
2055 Idlewild Drive, 334-2270
3. Pah Rah Mountain Park
175 Shadow Lane, Sparks, 353-2376
Best toy store
1. Learning Express Toys
197 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., 853-7884
2. Target
Best weekend activity
1. Lake Tahoe
2. Hiking
3. Food Truck Fridays
Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive
Best weeknight activity
1. Aces Baseball
Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., 334-4700
2. Food Truck Fridays
Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive
3. The Clay Canvas
550 Plumb Lane, 828-4118
Most kid-friendly restaurant
1. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
4999 Kietzke Lane, 825-7246
2. Chuck E. Cheese
5000 Smithridge Dr., 827-5100
3. Laughing Planet Cafe
650 Tahoe St., 360-2592