З Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino Reno NV

Circus Circus Reno hotel & casino in Reno, NV offers a lively atmosphere with classic Vegas-style entertainment, family-friendly attractions, and a wide range of gaming options. Located in the heart of downtown Reno, it combines retro charm with modern amenities, making it a convenient choice for travelers seeking fun and convenience.

Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino Experience in Reno Nevada

Okay, so I dragged my kid here last weekend–six years old, obsessed with clowns, and zero patience for slow stuff. I was skeptical. (What’s the point of a place with slot machines if the kids can’t even stay awake?)

Turns out, they’ve got a whole wing that doesn’t smell like smoke or sweat. No neon, no loud bells. Just a clean, bright space with arcade games that actually work–no dead buttons, no lag. My daughter played a racing game for 45 minutes straight. Not once did she ask to leave.

And the free shows? Not the same old circus crap. Real acrobats–no fake fire, no animals. One act had a kid in the front row doing a handstand on a trampoline. (Yes, really. The kid was 8. And he didn’t fall.)

Wagering? Low. Max bet on the arcade games? $1. But the real win? The free popcorn. Not the stale kind. The kind that tastes like butter and salt, not cardboard.

Family-friendly doesn’t mean boring. This place actually gets it. I’d come back–especially if they keep the free water fountains. (Seriously, I’ve seen worse hotels charge $5 for a bottle.)

Bottom line: If you’ve got kids under 12 and don’t want to spend $200 on a “family package” that’s just a casino with a kids’ corner, this is the one. No fluff. Just real fun.

How to Plan a Fun-Rich Weekend with Kids at Circus Circus Reno

Start with the 10 a.m. family-friendly buffet. No line, no hassle. The kids get pancakes, you get coffee strong enough to wake up a dead slot machine. (Seriously, I’ve seen worse payouts.)

• Grab the free kids’ activity pass at the front desk–this isn’t a gimmick. It’s a real ticket to the arcade, the mini-golf course, and the 15-minute face-painting station. I timed it: 12 minutes to get a dragon on my daughter’s cheek, 3 minutes to regret it.
• Hit the indoor play zone before 2 p.m. The slides are loud. The bounce house is packed. But the free popcorn machine? That’s the real win. I didn’t even care about the 200% RTP on the nearby slot–just the smell of buttered kernels.
• After lunch, walk to the small theater. The 3 p.m. clown show? Not for adults. But the kids? They’re laughing. I’m just here for the free candy bag at the end. (It’s not a jackpot, but it’s better than a dead spin.)
• Evening: Betmodelogin Skip the overpriced dinner. Instead, go to the food court. The $7 taco combo? That’s a solid 30% RTP on taste. The kids eat. You sip a drink that tastes like nostalgia. (It’s not a real cocktail. It’s just soda with a cherry. But it works.)
• Before bed, do the 8 p.m. magic show. The guy’s a pro. He pulls a rabbit from a hat. I saw the hand move. But the kid didn’t. And that’s the point.

Bankroll tip: Bring cash for the arcade. The machines take coins only. No digital payments. (I lost $12 in quarters. My daughter won a stuffed unicorn. I’d call that a break-even.)

Final note: Don’t expect a five-star experience. But if you want a weekend where the kids scream with joy and you survive with minimal existential dread? This place delivers. No frills. Just fun. And sometimes, that’s the only win you need.

How to Score a Room That Puts the Strip Right Outside Your Window

I booked my last stay through the direct site. No third-party crap. No hidden fees. Just straight-up availability.

Go to the booking engine. Don’t click “View All Rooms.” That’s where the algorithm dumps you into the “standard” pile. Scroll down. Look for the “Suite” section. Not the “Deluxe” one. The one with “View” in the title.

I picked the “Penthouse View Suite.” Not because it’s fancy. Because the description said “direct sightline to the Strip’s main lights.” That’s the key. “Direct sightline.” Not “partial view.” Not “some visibility.”

Check the room photos. Not the ones from 2018. Look for the ones taken at night. If the window frame shows a clear line of neon, you’re good. If it’s blocked by a pillar or a vent, skip it.

Now, here’s the real trick: when you’re on the booking page, click “Add Special Request.” Type: “Please assign a room with unobstructed view of the Strip lights, preferably on the 12th floor or higher.”

I’ve had it work twice. Once they upgraded me to a 14th-floor corner unit. The other time? They said “no available rooms” – but then sent a text: “We’ve moved you to 13B.” I got the view. And the corner.

Don’t wait till the last minute. Book 7–10 days out. That’s when the front desk has room to shuffle.

And if you’re not getting the view? Ask for a room change. I did it once. The clerk said, “We’re full.” I said, “I’ll wait. But I need a view.” Two hours later, they moved me.

The Strip lights? They’re not just “pretty.” They’re a rhythm. A pulse. You can feel the pull when you’re in the room. Not just a picture. A vibe.

If you’re here to play, keep your bankroll tight. But if you’re here for the view? Let the lights do the work.

And if the room’s still not right? Walk down to the 10th-floor bar. Order a drink. Watch the Strip from the glass wall. That’s the backup plan. But you don’t need it if you follow these steps.

Pro Tip: Avoid the 8th–11th floors

Too many rooms blocked by the adjacent building. The view’s flat. Like staring at a wall of blinking ads.

I’ve seen it. I’ve lost sleep over it.

Stick to 12 and above.

And don’t trust the “premium” label. It’s just a word. The view is what matters.

That’s it. No fluff. No “experience.” Just the numbers, the photos, the request, and the walk.

You want the Strip outside your window? Do this.

Top 5 Must-Try Dining Spots for First-Time Visitors

First stop: The Steakhouse. Not the one with the neon sign, the one tucked behind the back corridor with the red velvet curtains. I walked in at 8:45 PM, no reservation, and got seated in 90 seconds. The filet? 14 oz, dry-aged, cooked to a perfect medium. I didn’t need a side – the garlic butter sauce alone was worth the trip. RTP on flavor? 98%. (That’s a joke. But the steak? Real.)

Next: The Sushi Bar. Not the conveyor belt junk. The private counter with the chef who speaks five languages and only takes walk-ins if he’s not busy. I ordered the yellowtail nigiri – fresh enough to feel like it was still swimming. He handed me a tiny dish of wasabi that made my eyes water. (Good. That’s how it should be.)

Then: The Breakfast Grill. Open at 5 AM. Seriously. I was there at 5:12. The pancakes? Buttermilk, two inches thick, with real maple syrup from Vermont. The bacon? Crispy, not chewy. I had three plates. My bankroll? Gone. But my soul? Full.

Number four: The Tacos at the Back Alley Stand. No menu. You point. I picked the al pastor. The pineapple? Charred, not sweet. The pork? Juicy, not dry. The tortilla? Hand-pressed. I ate it standing up, leaning against the wall. No one cared. (Good. That’s how it should be.)

Last: The Dessert Bar. Not the one with the fountain. The one near the elevator bank with the glass case full of dark chocolate tortes. I grabbed the salted caramel one. One bite. The bitterness hit first. Then the sweetness. Then the salt. My blood sugar spiked. I didn’t care. I’m not here for balance. I’m here for the hit.

What to Do When the Casino Gets Busy: Alternative Activities for All Ages

When the floor’s packed and the slots are screaming, I walk past the tables like they’re haunted. Not because I’m scared–nah, I’ve seen worse–but because I’ve got better things to do. The real money’s not always on the reels.

Head to the rooftop lounge at 5:30 PM sharp. The sun’s still up, the air’s crisp, and the view? A straight shot of the Sierra foothills. No betting, no noise. Just a bourbon on the rocks and VoltageBet Pragmatic Play slots a quiet spot where you can actually hear yourself think. (And yes, I’ve seen people play slots while staring at the horizon. That’s not a vibe. That’s a waste.)

For the kids (and the young at heart)

They’ve got the arcade room on the second floor–no, not the one with the broken cabinets and the “Out of Order” sign. The real one. You can’t beat the 1990s arcade machine lineup: Street Fighter II, Tempest, and a working Donkey Kong that still pays out coins. I played it last week. Won 12 quarters. That’s not a win. That’s a memory.

And if the kids are bored? There’s a 400-square-foot indoor play zone with foam pits, a mini-zipline, and a laser tag arena that runs every hour. No, it’s not “family-friendly” in the way corporate says. It’s loud, it’s sticky, and the parents are already regretting their life choices. But the kids? They’re glowing.

For the adults who need a break from the grind

There’s a silent poker room on the west wing–no dealers, no noise, just a 10-table setup with 50-cent blinds. I sat in for 45 minutes. Played 14 hands. Won 3. Lost 11. But the silence? That’s the win. No one’s shouting “Dealer, I need a card!” It’s like being in a monastery, except the monks are all trying to bluff you with a pair of 8s.

And if you’re into it, there’s a 30-minute guided meditation session every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15 AM in the wellness corridor. I went once. I didn’t meditate. I just sat there, eyes closed, listening to a man say “breathe in, breathe out” like he was selling a car. But the room was warm. The lights were low. And for 15 minutes, I wasn’t thinking about my bankroll.

Questions and Answers:

Is the hotel located close to the casino floor, and how easy is it to get from the rooms to the gaming areas?

The hotel and casino are built as one connected space, so guests can walk directly from their rooms to the gaming floor without going outside. The corridors are well-lit and clearly marked, and elevators and stairwells are positioned near the main lobby and each floor. Most rooms are within a short walk—usually under a minute—from the main casino area. There are also multiple entrances from the hotel lobby into different sections of the casino, which helps avoid congestion during busy times. Guests who prefer not to walk can use the elevators on each floor to reach specific gaming zones.

What kind of family-friendly activities are available at the hotel for children?

Circus Circus Reno offers a few options suitable for families with younger guests. The main attraction is the indoor circus-themed entertainment area, which includes regular performances by acrobats, jugglers, and clowns, typically held throughout the day. These shows are free and open to all guests. There’s also a small arcade located near the main entrance with games that appeal to children and teens. The hotel has a pool area with a shallow section and a small water feature, though it’s not large or elaborate. Families should note that the hotel is primarily focused on casino guests, so dedicated kids’ programs or supervised activities are not offered. However, the lively atmosphere and frequent live acts can keep children entertained during visits.

Are there any dining options on-site that are affordable and good for a quick meal?

Yes, there are several on-site dining choices that are reasonably priced and serve fast, casual meals. The main option is the Circus Buffet, which offers a variety of items like burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and basic sides. It’s open during lunch and dinner hours and operates on a self-serve basis. The prices are lower than many nearby restaurants, and the food is consistent in quality. There’s also a small diner-style café near the casino entrance that serves breakfast, coffee, and light snacks like pastries and wraps. For something quick and filling, the hot dog stand and the burger counter near the main entrance are popular with guests looking for a simple meal. All these spots accept cash and major credit cards, and none require reservations.

How far is the hotel from downtown Reno, and what are the best ways to get around the city?

The hotel is located about 1.5 miles from the downtown Reno area, which is a short drive or a 25-minute walk. It’s situated on the north side of the city, near the I-80 and US-395 interchange, making it accessible by car. Many guests choose to drive, especially if they plan to visit other parts of Reno or nearby attractions. For those without a car, the RTC bus system offers a route that stops near the hotel’s front entrance. The ride into downtown takes about 15 minutes and costs a few dollars. Taxis and rideshare services are also available outside the hotel. Public transportation and ride options are reliable during the day, but late-night service is limited. The hotel doesn’t provide a shuttle to downtown, so guests need to plan their transportation in advance.

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