Day 4

Virginia City + Reno

8:30 am breakfast The Roasting House
Just across street from Silver Queen Hotel. Convenient coffee shop serves several quiches, bagels & fixings, juices and great coffee. The day is clear so view of the valley from the back window is breathtaking.

9:30 am checkout + tour Virginia City Cemetery (aka The Silver Terrace Cemeteries)
Back to the hotel, check out, then off for a bit of cemetery/history. Breezy and cold as we walk through a series of open terraces on this steep, snowy windswept hillside cemetery. All of Virginia City, off in the distance, can be seen from here. Some history: As boomtown Virginia City became more permanent, a cemetery was needed. Beginning in 1860s, many fraternal, civic and religious groups buried their own here. Because of its historical significance, ongoing restoration is under way funded by a National Park Service grant to “Save America’s Treasures”. Typical of Victorian Period, cemetery plots are fenced or bordered. Burial places reflect breadth of styles and designs popular during their long history. Grave markers range from wood to metal to cut stone. Few adults buried here were born in Nevada. The birthplaces inscribed provide a glimpse of the scope of immigration and makeup of the settlement supporting the Comstock mining industry. “Virginia City’s Adventurous Souls Rest in Peace, but Their Stories Live Forever.”

10:30 am depart for Reno
Lovely scenic downhill ride displays the valley vista as we head for old fabled downtown Reno. Sure enough, we arrive and drive under the iconic “The Biggest Little City in the World” Reno Arch.

11 am visit + lunch Nevada Museum of Art
Time to get our art on! Very special. Museum is only American Alliance of Museums accredited art museum in Nevada. Founded 1931, it is oldest established cultural center in the state; in 2001 underwent $22 million move and renovation. Standing at southern end of Truckee Riverwalk, it is fantastic example of modern architecture – inspired by landscape and geological formations of Black Rock Desert – its torqued exterior wall, suspended atrium staircase, and stunning views of Reno skyline and Sierra Nevada from the top floor! Interior just as fascinating with 4 thematic permanent collections, temporary exhibits, 2 outdoor sculpture gardens, Center for Art + Environment  (research center studies creative interactions between people and their environments), vista viewing deck and café. A museum trip is a refreshing break from casino action. Small in size – 60,000 square feet across 4 levels, art layout and quality makes stop here worthwhile. Trained docent tours Thursdays 6 pm; Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm. We lunch in charming chez louie in-house cafe, which is fun, modern, and features a menu with seasonal ingredients. Very good food and service.

66 miles

2 pm driving tour downtown Reno
We car sightsee, gawking at the old time casino/hotels, old buildings, sprawling University of Nevada Reno campus, and popular Riverwalk District, alongside the Truckee River which runs through town.

3 pm check in and sample Atlantis Casino Resort Spa offerings
This big, upscale hotel casino has it all. Upscale, mountain views, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, exercise room, 11 dining options, very lively casino. There are Classic rooms (some with mountain views), Club rooms and suites, access to butler service and lounge with complimentary breakfast and snacks. Resort fee includes use of indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub and exercise room. Pools from our window look very inviting so we head down to refresh/rejuvenate. Good decision!

6 pm dinner Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille at Atlantis
Tough to choose from all the dining options but this is a good choice. Huge all you can eat buffet with anything you could want. We probably overeat, but more exercise is ahead. We’re going bowling.

8 pm bowling National Bowling Stadium
Bowling kind of a big deal in Reno. Most cities have bowling centers, Reno has a stadium. That’s right – a stadium. Only facility of its kind in the world, the National Bowling Stadium (referred to as “Taj Mahal of Tenpins” by LA Times) is dedicated to the classic sport of bowling. Elegantly designed with tournament bowler in mind – bowlers and visitors enter on Center Street, greeted by impressive 4 story lobby. Inside bronze sculpture depicts a family on way to bowling – a favorite picture for visitor selfies. Two glass elevators and escalator provide easy access to 4th floor Tournament Level. 78 championship lanes beckon competitors to try their luck. Stadium features: Lane 81 Pro Shop – latest and most sophisticated bowling equipment for purchase; Computer Aided Tracking System Lane that evaluates a bowlers game and recommends improvements; Stadium Club, wood and copper decorated turn-of-the-century room with full service bar, large screen TV, pool table and spectacular view of downtown corridor. On 5th floor: 172 seat I-WERKS theater with 4 story screen, 6 channel digital surround sound audio system. Our bowling is fun, music loud, pizza and beer just right!

overnight Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Been a very full day so we hit the sheets and drop right off.

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