When the railroad came through, Reno and nearby Sparks became major centers of industry, a role which they continues to play for the state to this day. As time has gone by, the two cities have grown together to make up one large metropolitan area.

It wouldn’t be Nevada without gambling, and Reno has ten major casinos to choose from. On the flipside, for those looking to spend their time outdoors, the city is within an hour of several major recreation destinations such as Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and the eastern Sierra Nevada range.

Reno-Sparks can be accessed from a variety of ways, but perhaps the most popular is via car on I-80. For more detailed information on the Reno area, please select an item of interest from the links on the left.

Choices include fine women’s clothing, a garden center, a bath shop, gourmet foods and an interior design studio. Managed by the Reno Junior League. After working up an appetite, try the Country Garden Restaurant.

In its center, visitors will find an information booth manned by long-time Reno residents who offer a wealth of information about the surrounding area. Mall doors open daily at 7am for mall walkers.

Also offers a wide array of Harley collectibles, souvenirs, as well as the largest parts and accessories inventory in northern Nevada.

Designers represented here include Chanel, Mondi, Escada, Ralph Lauren and DKNY. Boutique also displays a nice selection of jewelry and accessories.

You can even watch bees make their honey in a glass hive right before your eyes. This is a great place to get everything you need for lunch or dinner with just one stop. The kids will also enjoy coming along.

You have a choice of seafood, including lobster and prawns or the famous Kobe beef, which literally melts in your mouth. An extensive assortment of sushi has been added to the menu with prices ranging from $3.50 to $8.95. This is a great dining experience to share with someone who has never been here.

The decor is homey, clean and uncluttered, with lots of windows for people watchers. Dine outside when the weather is agreeable. Coffee, juice, tea, milk and soda are your drink choices; no alcohol is served here.

If you want to break the routine other restaurants offer, try the cuisine at LuLou’s. LuLou’s changes its menu each week, offering what the “creative American” cuisine to the Reno dining community.

The inside of the restaurant is dimly lit with an open kitchen, so the diners can watch as the chef tosses a salad or decorates an entree plate. The servers move in a rhythm that connects them with diners and their food. The menu looked great. The menu had no particular theme. It was just a list of dishes made with a creative flair and an obvious attention to detail.

Seven tables sit in the enclosed shaded garden with big, white umbrellas to mask the sun. It is a nice, cool place to relax with wine and food as the sun melts into the horizon. The service at LuLou’s is excellent. The diners are never left with an empty water glass or dirty dish in front of them. The bus people clean the specks of food that remain after diners are finished with their meals.

The menu has some interesting selections including Veal Bratwurst and Munchner Schnitzel at. If you are very hungry, try the Jagerschnitzel. There is a full-service bar serving wine and mixed drinks as well as beer.