If you’re looking for excellent accessible travel experiences in the Silver State beyond casinos, Reno-Sparks has some wonderful choices.
Here are our top picks for where to sightsee, stay, and spin your wheels in “The Biggest Little City in the World”:
Where to sightsee
National Automobile Museum
What I look forward to most on any vacation is the WOW experience I do not expect. While in Reno, the National Automobile Museum was that WOW experience, plus a few OMGs! This highly accessible and highly recommended museum is more than an impressive collection of cars; it’s a look at history, our film and television culture, and where travel technology is presently taking us. And you should know I’m not even remotely “into cars” – until now.
Casino tycoon Bill Harrah (1911 – 1978) collected cars, over 1400 vehicular beauties, many rare, others historic models of gleaming chrome and leather, and some previously owned by celebrities. Upon news of his estate being auctioned, conscientious Nevadans, dedicated car historians, and the generosity of Holiday Inns (which acquired Harrah’s businesses and car collection) ensured that 175 of Harrah’s automobiles remained perfectly preserved and proudly displayed in the museum’s The Harrah Collection. Lucky for us!
Together with other historic automobile acquisitions, including a 1907 racing car called the Thomas Flyer, the National Automobile Museum’s showrooms take you back in time in a way that no movie can. I appreciate every period drama with vintage vehicles that I have ever seen now. The evolving technology and architecture of one of the world’s most significant inventions combined with really great accessibility to take it all in may have taken me by surprise, but it will not be soon forgotten.
National Automobile Museum
Phone: (775) 333-9300
Email: info@automuseum.org
Address: 10 Lake St, Reno, NV 89501
Where to stay
Residence Inn Reno Sparks
Residence Inn Reno Sparks offers absolutely superb ADA accommodations, some of the best we’ve encountered in fact.
Our ground floor room (#104) was easily accessed from ADA parking on the back lot and faced the lake. It was also very near the heated indoor pool that had a mobility lift.
The room itself was spacious and tasteful, completely furnished with a super comfortable King bed, sofa bed (upon which our caregiver slept comfortably,) and full kitchenette.
Best yet was the bathroom layout: the roll-in shower, toilet with well-placed grab bars, and straight access to the main sleeping area made for easy, safe maneuvering. Super nice shower toiletries and real glasses were appreciated touches.
Breakfast was above average; the service was warm and helpful.
Our stay was so good that we purposely booked the same room on our return trip home, and stayed an extra night. Kudos to whoever designed this hotel’s ADA rooms!
Located at 300 Legends Bay Drive, 89434, Sparks, NV, directly adjacent to the Sparks Marina Park and a short drive from downtown Reno.
Where to spin
Sparks Marina Park
Take a spin around Sparks Marina Park. The relatively flat, 2-mile path circumnavigates the pretty 77-acre lake, making for a lovely outdoor outing. Park amenities include an ADA restroom.
Parking is available at Sparks Marina Park located at 300 Howard Drive (download map). Or if staying at one of the lakeside hotels on Legends Bay Drive, (Residence Inn or Hampton Inn and Suites,) use the convenient connector from back parking lot as we did.
Making Accessibility Happen
Accessible travel for people with disabilities is becoming big business. Speak with your dollars, your vote, and your voice to let commerce know what’s working, and what’s not.
The above post was emailed to: Residence Inn Reno Sparks; City of Sparks; and the National Automobile Museum.