Beyond Reno: A Travel Writer Discovers the Territory’s Small-Town Escapes

A visit to Reno can be just the beginning of a much bigger Northern Nevada adventure.

In 2025, Reno-Tahoe Territory welcomed Las Vegas-based travel writer Aleza Freeman for a firsthand look at the communities, landscapes and experiences surrounding the Biggest Little City. Her travels later inspired a feature for The Nevadan highlighting five small-town escapes that are well suited for a day trip—or a longer stay.

Her journey took her from the historic streets and spirited stories of Virginia City to Carson City and Carson Valley. Along the way, she explored Genoa, Nevada’s oldest permanent settlement, and discovered the scenic ranchlands, locally owned businesses, cultural attractions and outdoor recreation found throughout Minden and Gardnerville.

Freeman also spent time at places that help tell the region’s story. In Virginia City, she highlighted Piper’s Opera House, the historic performing arts venue with roots in the Comstock era. In Carson Valley, her travels included the Genoa Courthouse Museum and Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, operated by the Douglas County Historical Society. And in Carson City, she visited Brewery Arts Center, where performing and visual arts bring new energy to a historic setting.

The resulting article demonstrates one of the qualities that makes Reno-Tahoe Territory so distinctive: an incredible variety of experiences located within a surprisingly compact region. Travelers can begin the day surrounded by Reno’s urban energy, step into Nevada’s Old West history by lunchtime and finish the afternoon beneath the Sierra Nevada in one of the region’s inviting small towns.

Freeman’s experience also shows that these communities offer much more than a quick stop. Local restaurants, museums, trails, historic sites, shops and memorable places to stay make it easy to slow down, stay awhile and turn a day trip into a multi-day exploration of the territory.

Read Freeman’s full article, “These 5 Small Towns Make Perfect Day Trips from Reno,” in The Nevadan, and start planning your own journey beyond Reno.