Downtown · Boutique
Whitney Peak Hotel
A non-gaming hotel downtown with a climbing wall outside.
Official details for Whitney Peak HotelNevada · Couples · Two nights
Reno & Virginia City
A river town and a silver boomtown.
Reno has a riverwalk downtown, a strong food scene and the Sierra on its doorstep. Forty minutes away, Virginia City is the 1860s Comstock Lode boomtown, with wooden sidewalks, saloons and mine tours. Land at Reno-Tahoe International, stay downtown or at a resort, eat family-style at Louis’ Basque Corner, see the Nevada Museum of Art and ride the Virginia & Truckee steam train.
Historic boomtownFoodMountain views
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KRNO
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~1982 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~13 hr 28 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car
Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.
01 / Aviation & getting around
Land at Reno-Tahoe International.
KRNO, Reno-Tahoe International, is a towered airport at 4,415 feet with an 11,001-foot main runway, about 10 minutes from downtown. Reno/Stead (KRTS) and Carson City (KCXP) are general-aviation alternatives.
The FBO
Atlantic Aviation Reno
775-858-7300Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno, NV
Strong westerly winds and mountain wave off the Sierra; turbulence is common in the afternoon. Summer density altitude is high. No live fuel price is shown.
Great Basin flying: high elevations, strong westerly winds and mountain wave over the ranges, summer thunderstorms and smoke, cold winters, and long empty stretches between airports. About 1980 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.
02 / Where to stay
Downtown or resort.
Rates and availability need travel dates. Special-event weekends book early.
South Reno · Resort
Peppermill Resort
A large resort with a spa and many restaurants.
Official details for Peppermill ResortSouth Reno · Resort
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
A resort with a spa and a well-known steakhouse.
Official details for Atlantis Casino Resort Spa03 / Where to eat
Basque tradition.
Reserve weekend dinners.
Friday dinner · Basque
Louis’ Basque Corner
Family-style Basque dinners and Picon punch since 1967.
Official details for Louis’ Basque CornerSaturday dinner · Resort dining
Atlantis restaurants
Steakhouse and other dining at the Atlantis.
Official details for Atlantis restaurants04 / Things to do
Silver, art and steam.
Virginia City is busiest on summer weekends.
05 / What’s happening
Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.
This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.
Early September
Great Reno Balloon Race
Hundreds of balloons at dawn.
Visit Reno Tahoe for Great Reno Balloon RaceSeptember
Virginia City camel races and events
Small-town festivals in Virginia City.
Virginia City for Virginia City camel races and eventsSummer
Truckee River season
Tubing and the riverwalk downtown.
Visit Reno Tahoe for Truckee River seasonConcerts, festivals & local happenings
Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.
06 / Suggested itinerary
Friday in. Sunday home.
A sample weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.
Day trip version
Just for the day
- Arrive
Land at KRNO mid-morning.
- Midday
Virginia City.
- Afternoon
The steam train, then back to the airport.
DAY 1
Arrive
- Arrival
Land at KRNO, subject to weather, density altitude and your actual flight plan.
- Afternoon
The Truckee River walk.
- Evening
Dinner at Louis’ Basque Corner.
DAY 2
Explore
- Morning
Virginia City.
- Afternoon
The V&T steam train.
- Evening
Dinner at the Atlantis.
DAY 3
Morning & home
- Morning
The Nevada Museum of Art.
- Before leaving
Compute takeoff performance for the temperature and allow time at the FBO.
- Fly home
Sierra winds build by afternoon; leave in the morning.
Longer stay · Add a day
With an extra day
- Morning
The Nevada Museum of Art.
- Afternoon
Lake Tahoe's north shore.
- Evening
Dinner at Louis' Basque Corner.
07 / Good to know
Keep the weekend easy to change.
These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.
Book in this order
Hotel and a car first.
Very long flight
About 1,980 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way.
Wind
Expect turbulence off the Sierra.
Best seasons
May to October.
Reviewed · Destination 215
Reviewed November 6, 2026.
Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking. Spotted something out of date, or have a favorite we missed? Email us at [email protected].
WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.