[5String43]

Second the motions for Lake Tahoe, about an hour away, and Virginia City, also probably an hour away - it's a good bit south of town and then east over a small mountain range, and is perched on the side of Mt. Davidson, I think it is, which is pretty much a hollow shell now, having miles upon miles of tunnels bored into it. It's an interesting place with lots to see.

As for Tahoe, well, I prefer the north shore Nevada side, but the action is on the south shore. From Reno, one good way to get there is south out of town and then west up the Mt. Rose Highway. The drive around the lake is beautiful. On the California side there's a visitor's center and walk where you can see, during the correct season, salmon spawning up a small stream. There's an underground viewing chamber to give you a close look. Pretty cool.

There's also Truckee, on Interstate 80, which can serve as a gateway to Tahoe. Nice little town for a quick walk but not a lot to do.