[SuperAkuma]

Thanks to my wife I will be going to Reno, NV for a mini vacation. She got two nights for free on the Grand Sierra Hotel.
I live about 2 1/2 hours away from Reno, NV. The last time that I've been there was about 10 years ago when Reno, NV was still something worth going to.

I will be going with my wife and my 16 month old baby boy. Since this is my first time going there as a family, I have NO idea what to do. I know Reno is not the best place to take a little baby but we just couldn't pass up on the free stay.

So any suggestion on where to go? Remember this will be in the winter and we have a 4x4 SUV as well.
I want a place that is safe and easy to get to by walking.
Any nice scenic area? Going to leave my D700 at home this time and take my K100D with the kit lens.
Good cheap place to eat and is baby friendly?

Thanks in advance!

[Phil1]

Well you will have a casino in the hotel and there is various entertainment acts at the Reno resorts. I have not been there in a while but you may have enough snow up on the hill (Lake Tahoe) for snow sports and of course the lake too. You also have old historical Virginia City nearby and some lesser old western towns on the back loop from VC. If you are driving over from the west you have Donner Pass and Lake that are interesting and historical. Tons of mountain vistas around Lake Tahoe. I believe there remains some of Harrah's car collection left somewhere in town if old cars are of interest too. I believe the old Carson City mint is also open for tours. If you are south of Sacto you might consider taking a mountain route back. The passes go through some very nice mountain country at high altitude. Be sure the weather is in your favor as they close some of the roads all winter long. Weather can change at 9,000' in 10 minutes.

[SuperAkuma]

Thanks for the tips. I will check out some of the areas that you said.

We live in Sacramento and will be taking 80 all the way up. I hope there will be some fresh snow when we get up there so my son can play in it.

[Phil1]

Snow at Tahoe Mon, Tues & Wens. Temps are high at mid 40s so it may not stay long depending. Should be nice for pics, December is a ways off yet so there should be more snow by then easily. There is a nice state park just north of Tahoe, Plumas Eureka SP, nice camping and hiking, historical mining area. great in summer. For winter you cannot beat Yosemite, not crowded and beatiful in weather. Enjoy.