What sort of advice or direction can any of you folks that have stayed there give me/us?
My wife (years ago) worked at Reno, Carson City, Virginia City, and Tahoe. We were married there many moons ago, somewhere around thirty? We haven't been back since and decided it was time to look at all the places that are now maybe gone?
Harrahs is where we are staying since they have asked us to after our Harrahs trip to Laughlin last month. I did not care for Harrahs in Laughlin but the price is right so we took it. Any advice on what to see, do, and ask for, would be appreciated....

Irish, I only did the Harrah's Reno casino thing for an hour or so, so I can't give you too much info on the hotel rooms or the restaurants; but my past Harrah's experience in other locations has been noteworthy, so I have to assume that Harrah's Reno would be the same.

I personally think Harrah's Tahoe is the best on the Lake and the Summit restaurant at the top is over the top.

While you are in Reno I strongly suggest that you visit Peppermill Hotel and Casino a short drive south for about five minutes and then check out the Atlantis which in in the area about a mile away.

The Peppermill is known for its excellent meals and the casino is one of those neon lit colorful places with real live entertainment behind the bar - just like in the old days in Las Vegas.

I had a great Seafood Loui at the Oceana in the Pepermill and I hear that the Peppermill Steak house is darn good too.

The one thing that I really enjoyed at the Atlantis is the casino area that is built over the highway with the glass ceiling - a slot arena with a great sea food, fast food counter.

With the room rates and meals and table minimums rising so swiftly in Las Vegas, I am enjoying Reno more nowadays. Las Vegas is definitely not the bargain it used to be and I have a haunting suspecion that Reno may get back on its feet providing that they fill the void that Las Vegas is apparently creating to "raise the rates and the botom dollar."

I do suggest that you check out Carson City and have breakfast in the Nuggat coffee shop before heading over to VIrginia City.

Then the next day drive up 80 or Mt Rose Highway and do that 72 mile tour around the lake.

Kind of amazing how its all grown up!

Harrah's used to be my hotel of choice in Reno; it has nice rooms, a decent coffee shop and buffet and a darn good (expensive) steakhouse .. and the good downtown location. You might be able to request an upgrade to either one of their balconey rooms or corner mini-suites since you're their invited guest ... both are quite nice.

By all means, visit both the Peppermill and Atlantis (about 2 miles south on Virginia St), especially if you're video poker players<g>.... and walk across the street to a trio of joined casinos (El Dorado-Silver Legacy-Circus Circus); there's a pleasant walkway up on the second floor that joins all three.

If you're going in the next month, I'd suggest you see "Balagan" at the El Dorado .. it's an excellent "Cirque-like" show at a very non-cirque like price (vip seats $34). Other than that, Harrah's always has a production type show going, El Dorado has a Comedy Club, and there are decent acts down at Circus. Most of the other casinos in Reno only have weekend entertainment, often oldies groups or country western.

One thing I haven't done in a long time is walk around downtown at night. There used to be lots of crowds (ie, safety in numbers), but Reno's business has dropped off, and it can be rather deserted just walking across the street between casinos. I just got back from two days at the Peppermill, which had a fair amount of people around, but my brother stayed downtown at Fitzgeralds and said there were very few folks downtown.