Reno Pictures

No trip to Reno is complete without taking a picture of the iconic arch, which features the city's nickname, The Biggest Little City in the World. Reno Tahoe Flickr

If you're itching to get on the slopes, but don't want to make the trek to Lake Tahoe, consider heading to Mount Rose. Plus, there's a bus that shuttles skiers from downtown Reno to the mountain, making it easy to access. Reno Tahoe Flickr

Every September, more than 120,000 spectators grab their lawn chairs and head north of downtown Reno to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park for the annual Great Reno Balloon Race. reno tahoe media RSCVA & VisitRenoTahoe.com

Reno's Riverwalk offers plenty of scenic outdoor dining options and a Wine Walk is held every third Saturday of the month. Getty Images

Though visitors admit Animal Ark is a bit of a drive from downtown Reno (25 miles), reviewers said it was worth the extra effort, especially if you're traveling with young kids. Courtesy of Animal Ark

Home to more than 200 vehicles ranging from horseless carriages to race cars to celebrity rides, the National Automobile Museum covers a lot of ground.  Watanabe_K NAM 18 Flickr

The Truckee River runs through downtown Reno and draws water sports enthusiasts with its excellent rafting and kayaking conditions. reno tahoe media RSCVA & VisitRenoTahoe.com

The annual Great Reno Balloon Race — held every September — is the largest free hot air ballooning event in the world.  Getty Images

Sitting about 40 miles south of Reno, Lake Tahoe makes a great day (or overnight) trip from the Biggest Little City. reno tahoe media RSCVA & VisitRenoTahoe.com

Founded in 1931, the Nevada Museum of Art is the oldest established cultural center in the state. Courtesy of the Nevada Museum of Art

The National Championship Air Races are held every September at the Reno Stead Airport. The event includes six racing classes, a display of static aircraft, and several military and civil flight demonstrations.  reno tahoe media RSCVA & VisitRenoTahoe.com

Reno's skyline may not glow quite as brightly as Sin City's, but it's still a sight to see. Getty Images

Mount Rose is the closest ski resort to Reno, just a 30-minute drive south of the downtown area. rocor Flickr

The Reno Aces are the city's minor league team and are a Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Recent visitors especially loved the team's clean ballpark. reno tahoe media VisitRenoTahoe.com

Every December, thousands of Santas descend on downtown Reno for the annual Reno Santa Crawl — the largest Santa pub crawl in the country. reno tahoe media VisitRenoTahoe.com

Among the hands-on exhibits housed within the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, visitors will find a working representation of the Truckee River in the "Truckee Connects" exhibit.  The Discovery

If you're attending the Great Reno Balloon Race, consider waking up early for the Glow Patrol (5 a.m.) and the Dawn Patrol (5:30 a.m.). During these early morning hours, balloons that have been certified for flying in the dark (thanks to their onboard lights) take to the skies, glowing against the dark landscape. Christopher Chan Getty Images