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Changing Reno
Reno Travel Tale
by Lorry Patton
When we want a few days of
excitement, we choose Reno as a
destination. Reno is small enough to be
friendly and big enough to attract big
name performers. One year, we sat
next to Bill Cosby at a 7-card stud game
in Harrah's. My husband Bob was
already seated when Mr. Cosby arrived.
I came later. We had attended Mr.
Cosby's show earlier and Bob, who
should have been a comedian, said "Well, had we known we'd have the
pleasure of your company, we could have saved the price of a ticket." The
ensuing exchange between the two of them had the table in stitches the
entire night. At one point Mr. Cosby turned to me, put his hand on my arm
and said (like a million others before him and since) " How do you put up
with him?"
It was a fun evening and I can say without hesitation that Bill Cosby is
great company and a good loser. In fact, he folded often even when he
showed a winning hand.
Until the last few years we've seen little
changes in Reno, particularly on Virginia
Street downtown. Even today, most of
the low rise businesses (gift shops,
liqueur stores, tee-shirts shops) still look
in need of a good facelift, a few
pawnshops look tacky and several of the
smaller casinos need refurbishing.
However, a change is taking place. On the south side of downtown, where
the Truckee River cuts across the street, work has begun along the bank
and a river walk is under development.
Center Street, just east of Virginia
Street is where the new National
Bowling Center is located. It's a huge
building with a domed rooftop and rows
of lanes in the most technological
setting. To make the game even more
exciting, while players play an
attendant walks around with a video
camera taking shots which immediately
appear bigger than life on screens above the pins. I'm not a bowler (is that
what they call someone who bowls?), and I've never ever picked up a 10
pin ball. These balls are very heavy. But what fun. Much to my surprise, and
everyone else on the team, I got a strike ( after throwing ball after ball in
the gutter). Another surprise was the disco-style bar below the bowling
alley where we later boogied to the rock and roll sounds of Paul Revere
and the Raiders.
Other changes on the south side of Truckee River, involve the Atlantis
Casino Resort. This giant complex has been transformed into a one-stop
destination with something for everyone -- entertainment for the kids,
convention facilities for the business community, and gambling for the
adults. all wrapped in a tropical package tied with pink flamingo ribbon. The
food and service in their steak house, by the way, is superb, and there's
plenty of parking in the huge parking lot for RV's.
More evidence of new development is seen on the north side of the famous
neon banner that boldly displays the words "The Biggest Little City in the
World". Three elegant casinos: the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus
Circus are now connected to one another with elaborate overhead
arcades. These arcades are furnished with pinball machines and computer
generated games for children, gift shops and a variety of restaurants from
ice-cream parlours to sit-down fine dining for the adults. Circus acts and
laser shows dangle from the ceiling offering free entertainment to all who
pause.
We stayed at the Eldorado Casino, on
the 25th floor. The view was fabulous
and dizzying. Our room was comfortable
and spacious and I especially
appreciated the ironing board and iron.
I also liked the fact that the bathroom
was in a separate room. That way,
those showering didn't tie up the sink or steam up the mirror. The security
box came in handy, too. I only had one complaint. I don't like hangers that
are attached to the rod. They are awkward to remove and furthermore, I
like to hang clothes on the shower curtain bar when I shower. That way,
any minor wrinkles disappear.
Buffets are not my favorite dining experiences, however, the buffet was
exceptionally good at the Eldorado. The choices were extensive and
included freshly-baked pizza and Mongolian dishes cooked on the spot.
My visit coincided with the annual Governor's Conference on Travel &
Tourism put on by Nevada State Commission December 4-6. One of the
speakers, Mr David S. Cordish, chairman of the Cordish Company from
Baltimore, spoke at great length about a beautification program his
company proposed to Reno's city planners. He gave us examples of other
cities where such programs made a big difference, like in Houston and
Charleston. I've been to Houston so I know the affect of attractive plants,
brick-paved sidewalks, good restaurants, fancy shopping malls, and
attractions such as interactive museums, live theater and family
entertainment within walking distance of one another. In my humble
opinion, if Reno accepts Mr. Cordish's ideas on how to make the rest of
Virginia Street vibrant and bustling, Las Vegas and Laughlin will have some
real competition.
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