Welcome to Reno for Real, the RN&R’s new annual guide, with insider advice on life in and around the Biggest Little City!
If you’re new to the region, welcome! We’re here to help get you living like a local in no time, with advice on where to eat and drink; how to navigate the local arts and culture scene; where to find your political allies; and a lot more.
If you’re a longtime resident, this guide is for you, too, with sections on how to thrive here in every season, and details on how the latest laws passed (or not passed) by the Legislature are affecting life in Nevada. And after the rash of wildfires in the summer of 2026 destroyed numerous homes—and threatened many, many others—learning how to prepare for the next fires is front and center on our minds, so we compiled some helpful info on that topic as well.
We call this guide Reno for Real for a reason. While you’ll hear a lot of local pride in our writers’ voices—we do love it here!—we are not sugarcoating things. Life in Reno has its share of problems, grittiness and annoyances, just like anywhere, so you’ll find a little tough love in these pages, too.
Here’s what else is “real”: This guide is not in any way influenced by tourism boards, realty associations or anyone who may be trying to entice you to come or go, buy or sell. These are our honest assessments of what life here is like, and why you should care.
This guide is full of observations and insights from RN&R writers who’ve been writing about the nooks and crannies of life in Reno for years—and in some cases, decades. Our advice on great outings for kids comes straight from Jesse Janusee, artist and adventure mom extraordinaire. Our legislative rundown comes from Frank X. Mullen, a longtime investigative reporter and a Nevada Newspaper Hall of Famer. Our tips on getting to know the bar scene come from Michael Moberly, a longtime beverage-industry manager, consultant and columnist. You get the idea.
Enjoy the new guide!