DebInTN

We've never been to either Reno or Vegas or Tahoe(our trip is actually to Tahoe). We have friends who have been to Vegas & talk about how amazing the hotels are and how entertaining it is to just walk through the lobbies. We aren't casino-loving folks (will be hiking most days), but will probably end up at one some evening. My question: How do the hotels/casinos in Tahoe or Reno compare as far as the wow-factor goes?

RBCal

The mountains and water of Lake Tahoe have much more wow factor than any casino in Vegas.

Your friends must be mesmerized by blinking lights and garish fake replicas of Paris, Venice, New York, etc.

frank_and_beans

Honestly, they don't compare at all.

Most (with a few exceptions) remind me of downtown Las Vegas where the casinos are older and don't have any "wow".

The Silver Legacy in Reno is probably the most "wow" but that is not saying much.

TahitiTams

Tahoe is gorgeous and the casinos are no big deal..Harvey's & Harrah's
Tahoe is a huge 'wow' for its shear beauty.
Reno..it's a dump..I do like the Silver Legacy and the El Dorado which are joined and the nicest thing in downtown Reno..go to Roxy's at the El Dorado..great french food.
Vegas..it's a completely different animal..super 'wow' factor!

DebInTN

Thanks to those who answered my question and didn't give me a mini-lecture regarding the beauty of the mountains & lakes. Like I said, we'll be in Tahoe hiking, but I was curious as to whether it's worth the drive into Reno to take a look one evening. Sounds like we won't waste my time looking for glitz, which is just fine with us.

RBCal

Actually the one casino-hotel in Tahoe that I think is far nicer than the monstrosities in Vegas is the CalNeva Lodge which was owned by Sinatra.
You can stil rent Marilyn Monroe's, JFKs and Sinatras cabins. I stayed in JFKs and won $1000 in the casino. The casino-hotel is quaint but the setting is spectacular.

ltt

just stay in tahoe.
vegas is very cool to see in my opinion and i love walking around there but i wouldn't drive all the way there unless you wanted to do the gambling or take in some shows (which are very expensive). if you decide to go, depending what time of year you are going, you could consider a stop in death valley which has some interesting hikes.

FainaAgain

What if my post will be like a lecture, and I get a snappy remark? Being a sensitive person as I am, I'd rather refrain from any remarks!

JJ5

With relatives in Lake Tahoe, I've been in all three.

TahitiTams, has it just about exactly what I was going to post.

I'm going to Lake Tahoe in Dec. - NOT to stay in a relatives' lodging. LOL! I've been to RBCal's post casino several times and it is cool. But not at all a big casino.

Reno is where we land (airport) to get to Lake Tahoe- to ski etc. as well. We shuttle or drive from there, and in the past once we had a day's delay in Reno. It's closer comparison to Laughlin, NV than to Vegas.

Vegas is Vegas. It's totally different.

DebInTN

Actually, I have no desire to go to Vegas and I couldn't get my husband there no way, no how (which is why our friends have been & we haven't!) Vegas was used as a comparison since we would never attempt to drive there from Tahoe - I was just seeking a comparison since I have never been to any of the 3 places.
Our vacations are almost exclusively hiking trips and I thought that it would be something different to do some evening.
Faina - you're right my reply was kind of snippy! The remark about my friends & the assumption that I am not wow'd by nature just rubbed me the wrong way. I apologize. But as annoyed as I was, RBCal was correct in that I would be going to see the lights & fake replicas since my $10 gambling budget wouldn't last very long, would it?

FainaAgain

My gambling budget is more like $5 LOL. I play pennies to try out the new machines, after 1/2 hour I'm done!

Gimme shopping instead! If I toss my money away, at least I have something to show for it

DebInTN

You're my kinda gal. The few times I've been to casinos I have played the cheapest slots they have. I'd much rather have a piece of pottery or jewelry or even a fancy drink than pump quarters into no-mans-land!

chepar

I'm not a gambler at all, but I really like Vegas. I was just there for 4 days and probably spent less than $10 the entire time gambling. This is the weird thing - I like to play video poker, but only the penny and nickel machines. I think for me part of the fun is seeing how far that dollar can go.

I spent most of my money shopping, seeing shows and eating. And seeing IMAX movies at the Luxor - I love that.

Reno and Tahoe are nothing like Vegas (which really can't be compared to anything else). I like Tahoe better than Reno - Tahoe has a fancier, more resort type feel, if that makes sense. Reno seems grittier.

smartcookie

I wouldn't go to Reno if you're looking for nightlife or great restaurants in your spare time from Tahoe. It's mostly a dump. I would just stay in and around Tahoe.

Many people go to Vegas for restaurants, shows, pools, side trips to the desert etc, not just to gamble. I wouldn't rule it out even if you don't like gambling. The hotels there are definitely one-of-a-kind and the type of thing you'd want to see just once.

Norden1

Do check out Virginia City it is a quaint old western town that has a lot of history, even before the Cartwrights made it home.