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With more than 40 world-class casinos, bountiful outdoor recreation and spectacular natural beauty, the Reno-Lake Tahoe area is America's ultimate playground. No matter what the age or interest, Reno-Tahoe has it all. Like the National Bowling Stadium -- 80 championship lanes, state-of-the-art video scoring system, replay monitors and a 44 foot-tall ceiling make the world's only sports stadium for keglers a must-see attraction.

Lighted by a world-famous arch, Reno is a gateway to fun and excitement on a 24-hour basis. Nearly 60 gaming venues offer exciting chances to win at blackjack, craps, roulette, pai gow and slots. Take in one of the world's largest casino floors at the Reno Hilton. Circus Circus adds the flavor of big top entertainment and a midway filled with carnival games. Learning how to play is easy. Lessons are provided at most of the area's casinos and the Reno-Tahoe Gaming Academy can teach almost any novice winning strategies. Dining, dancing and fabulous entertainment are trademarks of the Reno-Tahoe area. Big name entertainers such as Rich Little, Phyllis Diller and Ray Charles can be seen during peak seasons of the year. In addition, there are cabaret shows, comedy clubs and dazzling Broadway-style entertainment extravaganzas; plus opportunities to catch some of America's brightest rising stars.

And there's a lot more to do because Reno-area attractions offer fun for the entire family. The National Automobile Museum chronicles the history of the automobile and its impact on society. The exhibits bring back scenes from each quarter of the 20th century and feature more than 200 classic vehicles. Creative exhibits such as life-sized street scenes representing each quarter of the 20th century and a state-of-the-art multi-media presentation describe America's love affair with the automobile. In nearby Rancho San Rafael park, the Wilbur D. May Museum features a collection of rare T'Ang Dynasty Horses, exotic animal trophies and 18th century sterling silver sets from England and Russia. Wild Island in Sparks is a family recreation park that features Wild Waters theme park (open Memorial Day through the summer), Adventure Golf, and Formula K raceways featuring race cars for every size of driver. Across the street from Wild Island, Factory Outlets of Nevada offers brand-name outlet shopping.

The Lake Tahoe basin hosts myriad recreational possibilities. In winter, choose from the nation's largest concentration of alpine ski resorts, all within an hour's drive of one another and downtown. The Sierra Nevada mountains offer spectacular downhill and cross-country skiing in addition to hiking, boating, fishing, camping, bicycling and river rafting on Lake Tahoe's only outlet, the Truckee River. Golf enthusiasts may choose from one of seven courses in Reno and 19 within an hour's drive. There are scenic drives in every direction within minutes of downtown Reno. The diverse landscape ranges from the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains to the rugged high desert terrain.

The wild west comes alive 20 miles southeast of Reno. Virginia City, site of the famed Comstock Lode, brandishes saloons, wooden sidewalks, historic mansions, a steam train and mine tours. If television's view of the old west is more appealing, visit the Ponderosa Ranch set for the television series "Bonanza." The ranch, a 40-minute drive from Reno, is near the shores of pristine Lake Tahoe, haven for outdoor enthusiasts young and old. Adding to Reno's variety are a score of unusual, beautiful and fun events. In September events focus on speed and precision: The National Championship Air Races is the world's longest continuously running airplane competition; the Virginia City International Camel Races attract jockeys from Australia and the United States in this annual event which started out as a hoax; and the Great Reno Balloon Race fields more than 100 colorful hot air balloons which ascend just north of downtown.

Other annual events include the Reno Rodeo in June, one of the nation's richest rodeos; Sports Cars and All That Jazz brings together the hottest cars and coolest jazz around in July; and Hot August Nights, a revival of 1950s and '60s clothes, cars, music and fun.

Reno is an easily accessible destination. Two major interstate highways bisect the city, Interstates 80 and US 395. The Reno-Cannon International Airport services 222 daily flights from such gateway cities as San Francisco (a 40-minute flight), Los Angeles (a little over an hour), Seattle (one hour and 30 minutes) and Chicago (a 3 hour flight). Major rental car companies and hotel chains are represented in the area. Approximately 25,000 rooms, from budget motel to luxurious hotel accommodations, are available in the Reno area at a reasonable price -- the average hotel room rate for 1993 was in the $40 range.