2.5 day Reno itinerary

Question

Posting here since I didn't get a response on the Reno forum. Please help review this itinerary!

I will be visiting between April 21 and 23. Driving in from SF.

I like shiny stuff, quiet parks, water (can't swim), and trails in the city, not hiking in the woods. I don't gamble. I sleep late, wake up late.

April 21

- Arrive around 3pm

- Checkout Downtown Murals

- Do the river walk

- Explore The Basement

- Visit The Row

- Checkout casinos: Silvery Legacy, Eldorado

April 22

- 3hour half day trip to Virginia City

- National Automobile Museum

- 2 hours: checkout casinos: Grand Sierra, Atlantis [incl. Sky Terrace], Peppermill

April 23

- Sparks Marina Park

- Sheels @ Spark

- River walk

- Checkout

- 2 hours at South Lake Tahoe

- Break at Sacramento

- Back to SF

Some selfie spots:

- Reno Arch

- Believe sign

- Pioneer center

- National Bowling Stadium

Answer

Your Reno itinerary looks well thought out for a 2.5-day visit, especially given your preferences for city trails, parks, and “shiny” attractions rather than hiking or gambling. Since you sleep late and wake up late, your timing should work well for afternoon and evening activities.

Day 1 – April 21:

Arrive around 3 PM, check into your hotel.
Downtown murals – good start, very accessible and offers plenty of photo opportunities.
Reno Riverwalk – enjoyable for a relaxed stroll along the Truckee River, fits your interest in city trails and water views.
The Basement – art space with local exhibits, good if you want an indoor creative experience.
The Row – a lively area with casinos, shops, and restaurants. Even if you don’t gamble, it’s worth walking through for the atmosphere and architecture.
Casinos: Silver Legacy and Eldorado – both have visually striking interiors and can be fun to explore, especially for selfies.

Selfie spots on Day 1:

Reno Arch – classic photo opportunity.
Believe sign – located downtown.

Day 2 – April 22:

Half-day trip to Virginia City – roughly 3 hours is perfect. Historic mining town with interesting streets, shops, and old buildings.
National Automobile Museum – excellent for your “shiny stuff” interest, showcasing classic cars and interactive exhibits.
Casinos: Grand Sierra, Atlantis (including Sky Terrace), and Peppermill – visually impressive interiors. The Sky Terrace at Atlantis gives a good overview for photos.

Additional selfie spots for Day 2:

Pioneer Center – visually distinctive architecture.
National Bowling Stadium – unique exterior, fun photo spot.

Day 3 – April 23:

Sparks Marina Park – scenic, easy stroll, great for a relaxing morning with views of the water.
Sheels @ Sparks – shopping stop if you like sports or outdoor gear.
Reno Riverwalk – revisit if you missed anything, or just enjoy a morning walk.
Checkout and head toward South Lake Tahoe – plan about 2 hours for a scenic drive and a short stop. Even if you don’t swim, the lake offers great photo opportunities.
Stop in Sacramento for a break before returning to San Francisco.

Tips and adjustments:

The itinerary is packed but feasible. Be mindful of travel times, especially to Virginia City and South Lake Tahoe. Traffic can add extra time.
Focus on a few casinos rather than all of them to save energy and avoid feeling rushed.
For selfies, make sure to time visits for natural light, especially around outdoor attractions like the Reno Arch, Believe sign, and Pioneer Center.
Since you sleep late, afternoon starts work in your favor for museums and scenic walks.

Overall, this itinerary balances your interests: urban trails, city parks, shiny and historical sites, and scenic water spots. Including both Reno and Sparks gives a variety of landscapes and urban experiences, with a nice bonus stop at Lake Tahoe on the way back.