Spanish Springs

Day Trips

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café near Spanish Springs Plaza, sampling freshly baked pastries and strong coffee. Take a leisurely stroll around the plaza to get oriented and chat with friendly locals about hidden gems. Capture photos of the Sierra Nevada foothills bathed in morning light before heading to your next adventure.

Head to Hidden Valley Regional Park for a guided nature walk through rolling hills and wildflower meadows. Bring plenty of water and a packed picnic lunch to enjoy lakeside views. Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as mule deer and a variety of bird species.

Return to town and dine at a family-run trattoria offering farm-to-table ingredients and regional wines. As the sun sets, relax on an outdoor patio and enjoy live acoustic music. End the night stargazing under the clear high-desert sky.

Start at the Spanish Springs Veterans Memorial to learn about the area’s pioneer and agricultural heritage. Follow that with a visit to Tiberti Golf Course’s small history exhibit, showcasing local ranching roots. Enjoy coffee and a light snack from the course’s clubhouse cafe.

Explore the nearby Sparks Heritage Museum for interactive exhibits on early settlers and the development of the railroad. Stop at a local deli for a deli-style sandwich and fresh salad. Take a self-guided walking tour through the historic downtown district of Sparks, admiring restored buildings.

Dine at a riverside restaurant along the Truckee River in Sparks, savoring seasonal dishes. After dinner, stroll the riverwalk lit with decorative lanterns. If you’re up for it, catch a community theater performance at the Sparks Fringe Festival venue.

Pack breakfast burritos and head out early to Washoe Lake State Park for sunrise over the water. Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards and explore the shoreline, soaking in panoramic mountain views. Keep your camera handy for marshland birds feeding at dawn.

Cycle or hike one of the park’s scenic trails, such as the Washoe Valley Trail, which offers moderate elevation gain and wildflower sightings. Stop at a shaded picnic table for a lunch of fresh fruit, sandwiches, and local cheese. Spend time fishing or simply relaxing on the lakeshore.

Return to Spanish Springs for BBQ at a local smokehouse, sampling various smoked meats and house-made sides. Enjoy craft beers brewed on site or choose from regional wine selections. Cap the evening with s’mores around a communal fire pit.

Drive to nearby Steamboat Hot Springs for an early-morning soak in mineral-rich pools. Follow up with a restorative yoga session overlooking the Carson Range. Enjoy herbal tea and light breakfast bites prepared by the spa.

Indulge in a full-body massage and mud wrap at the hot springs facility’s wellness center. Recline in a heated outdoor lounge area while reading a book or simply gazing at the surrounding aspen trees. Treat yourself to a fresh-pressed juice before heading back.

Dine at a farm-to-fork restaurant in town featuring locally sourced produce and artisan cheeses. Savor a seasonal dessert like lavender panna cotta. Unwind with a sunset stroll around a neighborhood park.

Visit a working cattle ranch for a hands-on cowboy breakfast and learn basic roping techniques. Groom horses for a guided equestrian trail ride through sagebrush flats and pine forests. Hear stories from the ranch hands about cowboy life and local heritage.

Participate in a cattle sorting demonstration and try your hand at branding (using a safe simulated iron). Share a hearty ranch-style lunch of chili, cornbread, and fresh salad in an open-air barn. Swap tales with fellow guests before returning to the stables for an afternoon ride.

Return to Spanish Springs for dinner at a hotel steakhouse featuring desert-aged beef. Pair your meal with a robust red wine from a nearby vineyard. Afterward, relax on a lounge patio by the firepit under a sky full of stars.

Tee off early at Incline Village Championship Golf Course for a round of golf amidst panoramic lake and mountain vistas. Fuel up with breakfast burritos and coffee at the course club house. Enjoy the crisp morning air on the first tee.

Head back to Spanish Springs for a spa afternoon at a luxury day spa, indulging in a signature facial, body scrub, and hot stone massage. Between treatments, relax in a eucalyptus steam room and whirlpool. Savor a light lunch of fresh salad and soup at the spa café.

Elevate your evening with a chef’s tasting menu at a fine-dining bistro in town. Each course features locally foraged ingredients and artful plating. Finish with a decadent chocolate dessert paired with port or dessert wine.

Drive into nearby Reno and start at the Nevada Museum of Art to admire regional and international exhibitions. Grab a coffee and pastry at the museum café overlooking the Truckee River. Take time to sketch or photograph your favorite artwork.

Walk across the iconic Virginia Street Bridge and explore the Riverwalk District’s public art and sculpture displays. Enjoy lunch at a trendy waterfront gastropub, sampling craft beers. Shop for locally made crafts and souvenirs at artisan boutiques downtown.

Catch a live performance at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, whether it’s a Broadway touring show or local production. Pre-show, dine at a riverfront sushi bar offering fresh seafood. After the show, stroll the brightly lit streets and maybe try your luck at one of Reno’s classic casinos.

Rent a raft or kayak and embark on a guided trip down the Truckee River, weaving through rapids and calm stretches. Bring packed breakfast sandwiches and fresh fruit for a riverside picnic. Observe river otters and waterfowl along the banks.

Stop at several fishing spots to try catch-and-release trout fishing with an experienced guide. Break for a riverside lunch provided by your outfitter, featuring gourmet sandwiches and local snacks. Learn about river ecology and conservation efforts as you paddle downstream.

Return to Spanish Springs and dine on wood-fired pizza at a family-owned pizzeria. Try locally made ice cream for dessert in flavors like sage honey or huckleberry. End with a moonlit walk along a quiet neighborhood trail.

Start at a popular bakery for fresh croissants and lattes before browsing the weekly farmers market in Spanish Springs Plaza. Sample local honey, baked goods, and seasonally grown produce from area farms. Talk to producers about farm-to-table practices.

Take a hands-on cooking class at a local culinary school, learning to prepare Nevada-inspired dishes like trout almondine or squash blossom fritters. Share your creations over a communal lunch with classmates. After class, explore nearby boutique shops featuring handmade jewelry and home goods.

Enjoy a progressive dinner, starting with appetizers at a tapas lounge, moving on to a seafood-centric main course at a coastal-themed eatery, and finishing with artisanal desserts at a dessert bar. Pair each course with a different Nevada wine or craft cocktail. Conclude the night at a cozy jazz lounge for live music.

Begin with sunrise yoga on a hilltop overlooking Spanish Springs, followed by fresh fruit and muesli at the studio’s café. Pack up and check out of your accommodations with plenty of time for last-minute souvenirs. Capture final photos of the mountain vistas.

Enjoy a farewell lunch at a scenic patio restaurant, ordering regional specialties like bison burgers or green chile stew. Share highlights of your trip with fellow travelers over iced tea or locally brewed soda. Take a final stroll through Spanish Springs Plaza for any last purchases.

Gather for a casual farewell barbecue at a community pavilion, complete with live folk music and dancing. Toast with sparkling cider or regional beer as the sun dips behind the mountains. End the evening with a group photo under string lights, commemorating your immersive ten days in Spanish Springs.