Discover the Top 12 Unexpected and Entertaining Fun Facts About Reno, Nevada

1. Cool College Kid Reno

If Reno, Nevada were a college student, it would be the cool kid with a small-town upbringing but a secret city-life swagger: The University of Nevada, Reno, founded in 1874, not only overlooks the city from a hill like a vigilant guardian, but it also played a key role in earning Reno its iconic nickname, "The Biggest Little City in the World," thanks to the unexpected range of cosmopolitan amenities it offers despite its relatively diminutive size.
Source => reno.gov

2. Secret Valley Flora

Who knew Reno was planting secrets in its valley? There's more to this little city than neon lights and slot machines: the Truckee Meadows valley in Reno, Nevada is a hidden treasure trove of unique flora, including Great Basin wild rye, tule, black cottonwood, and silver buffaloberry, all found along the Steamboat Creek. And don't forget to pay your respects to the classic sagebrush-grass zone on elevated valley margins, featuring big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and Indian ricegrass. Surprise, surprise – Reno's got a lush green side!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Nevada's rich history and culture can be seen through its unique state symbols like the Desert Bighorn Sheep, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Virgin Valley black fire opal, Ichthyosaur, and Sagebrush? Dive into these fascinating facts and more!

=> Fun Facts about Nevada

3. Renolantis: Lake Tahoe

Who needs Atlantis when you've got Renolantis nearby?: Reno, Nevada boasts proximity to Lake Tahoe, one of the world's largest freshwater lakes known for its breathtakingly clear waters and awe-inspiring picturesque vistas.
Source => feelingvegas.com

4. Hollywood Meets Bowling

If it's one thing that flicks our strikes and bowls us over, it's the perfect mash-up of Hollywood and bowling, all served in a "Taj Mahal of tenpins" platter: The National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, is not only a haven for bowling aficionados but also a star in its own right, boasting appearances in movies like "Kingpin" (1996) and "Greedy" featuring Michael J. Fox and Kirk Douglas. Adorned with an 80 feet aluminum geodesic dome mimicking a gargantuan bowling ball, this $47.5 million, 363,000-square-foot behemoth flaunts 78 lanes and seats for up to 1,100 awestruck spectators since its grand opening on February 3, 1995.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Muggle School Galore

Ever wondered if Reno was just a mini Hogwarts with a school for every magical creature? Think again: The Washoe County School District serving Reno comprises over 80 schools for muggle children from kindergarten to eighth grade, from Alyce Savage Taylor Elementary School to Yvonne Shaw Middle School!
Source => usnews.com

6. Iron-Pressed Nevada Special

Here's an idea to be steamed about, Jesse Reno - city namesake and revolutionary inventor - should have designed an Iron-Pressed Nevada Special suit: Nevada holds the second highest electrical generation capacity from geothermal plants in the US, with a whopping 26 plants in 17 locations that can churn out 827 megawatts of power per hour! This eco-friendly powerhouse isn't just for electricity; it also heats homes, businesses, and aids in agricultural and mining processing across the state. Next time you're in Nevada, give your soul some solace but keep your clothes pressed with geothermal energy!
Source => minerals.nv.gov

7. Sister Act's Reno Connection

Whoopi doo, Reno, we have a confession to make: Iconic scenes from the hit comedy "Sister Act" were filmed in Reno, Nevada, showcasing locations like Deloris' childhood school, St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, and her apartment, while the film primarily features San Francisco, Reno helped narrate the backstory and sparked the journey to the convent.
Source => giggster.com

8. Big Entertainment, Little City

In a world where size matters, one little city dared to go big in entertainment while maintaining its small-town charm: Reno, Nevada, also known as the "Biggest Little City in the World," got its catchy nickname due to its impressive gambling and entertainment scene squeezed into a more compact space than most major US cities, and interestingly enough, got its name from American Army officer Jesse L. Reno, who met his untimely demise in the Civil War without ever having the chance to experience the city named in his honor.
Source => kids.britannica.com

9. Soaring September Skies

If you're tired of being "up in the air" about your September plans, Reno, Nevada has the perfect solution for your altitude adjustment: The Great Reno Balloon Race, held from September 8-10, 2023, is the world's largest free hot-air ballooning event, having grown since its humble beginnings in 1982 with just 20 balloons to its current magnificence of up to 100 balloons soaring through the skies annually.
Source => renoballoon.com

10. Burning Man Art Oasis

In a town where you can find flaming sculptures next to neon-lit casinos, you'd think everyone was playing a blazing game of slots: Reno, Nevada houses several permanent Burning Man art installations, including the iconic "BELIEVE" and "Space Whale" in City Plaza, bringing Burners a taste of the desert all year round.
Source => newtoreno.com

11. Betting on Fish Survival

In Reno, Nevada, folks might be used to gambling on cards and dice, but they're also betting on fish survival: The Truckee River, flowing through Reno, is crucial for power generation, household use, industry, and agriculture, but it also helps sustain Pyramid Lake, abode of the endangered cui-ui lakesucker and the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout. The lake's water levels have seen drops and fluctuations due to ongoing conflicts over water rights, rendering a precarious situation for our fishy friends.
Source => usgs.gov

12. Trust Issues: Newlands Project

Who knew that old Nevada had trust issues and needed some dams to divert its love life – I mean, river life: The Newlands Project, established in 1903, became one of the first projects endorsed by the United States Reclamation Service, which constructed a diversion dam and canal on the Truckee River and another on the Carson River, irrigating over 400,000 acres of land under the guidance of USGS hydrographer Leon H. Taylor.
Source => cityoffernley.org