Reno Arch, Reno, NV 89501, US

The Reno Arch is probably one of the most defining characteristics of "The Biggest Little City in the World." The arch, with its 2,076 incandescent LED bulbs, spans Highway 395/Virginia Street that runs through downtown Reno. The arch has been featured in various movies including "Waking Up in Reno" with Charlize Theron and Patrick Swayze, "Pink Cadillac" with Clint Eastwood and "Sister Act" with Whoopi Goldberg. It has also been in several shows including the improv cop show, "Reno 911."How to get to the Reno ArchYou can access the Reno Arch best by parking in a local casino parking lot (Harrah's, the Eldorado Hotel & Casino or the Silver Legacy) and walking to the corner of Virginia Street and East Commercial Row.Best and worst time go to the Reno ArchThe best time to view the arch is at night, especially during a Friday or Saturday night or during a special event like the popular Hot August Nights in August or the Eldorado Hotel & Casino's Great Italian Festival in October. The worst time to view the arch is during the day — the lights are not on and the arch is not as impressive.Admission to the Reno ArchVisiting the Reno Arch is free, however, if you want to see the Reno Arch from high above, visit the Whitney Peak Hotel, just west of the arch. The hotel is home to BaseCamp, a 7,000 square foot climbing and bouldering playground with the world's tallest climbing wall. If you are brave enough to tackle the 164 foot wall, you will get a prime view of the Reno Arch below you.Must see/do at the Reno ArchMake sure to get a selfie at the Reno Arch, this can be done during light traffic on either the north or south side of the arch. Night is best for both viewing and photographing the Reno Arch.Other places to visit near the Reno ArchContrary to popular belief, there are actually two Reno arches in the city. The main arch was placed in 1987 on Virginia Street and East Commercial Row, and the original sign from 1926 is just a few blocks east on Lake Street. The original arch is located next to the National Automobile Museum, home to hundreds of classic and antique automobiles.Insider tip for visitors to the Reno ArchReno has become known as a city of numerous bar crawls and many begin or culminate below the arch. If you are visiting Reno during Halloween, a crowd of thousands of zombies, ghosts and other horrors will dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" underneath the arch during the Zombie Crawl.Author's bio: Christina Nellemann has been living in the Reno area for over 30 years, and she has danced the "Thriller" under the Reno Arch.