Virginia City, NV
The best-preserved Wild West mining town in America, with a steam train and a mine tour.
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Reno, NV with kids
Reno, NV is a 4h 17m drive from Dublin, CA (219 miles) and rates 3.8 out of 5 for families with young kids. Cheap rooms, a good children's museum and a wildlife sanctuary - a casino town used sideways. Good for 1–2 days. Budget roughly $1,000–2,500 against a fixed yardstick of 2 nights, family of four. Best months: August.
Reno Downtown Arch & Truckee River Walk
Drive from Dublin, CA
4h 17m
Recommended stay
1–2 days
Best for ages
4-11
Distance
219 mi
Cost, 2 nights, family of four
$1,000–2,500
Kid score
3.8/5
Grown-up score
3.0/5
Best window
August
Route: I-80 E
Written 2026-07 · drive time routed · prices checked 2026-08.
Written 2026-07 · drive time routed · prices checked 2026-08.
What to do with kids in Reno, NV
- Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary See site
Cheetahs, bears, wolves 30 min north of Reno. - Nevada Discovery Museum $14–18
Interactive hands-on science museum for ages 2–10.
Prices link to the operator, last checked 2026-08. They change - check before you go.
Where to eat
- Pai Gow Chinese — Dim sum
- Casino Buffets — $15–25 family buffets
How it scores
Weighted for families with kids aged roughly 3-8.
Things kids enjoy3
Logistics & naps5
Food4
Drive ease2.6
Value5
The same destination, scored for a trip without the kids.
Dining3
Romance2
Scenery3
Walkable3
Nightlife5
Weather by season
| Month | High / Low |
|---|---|
| Apr | 65/39°F |
| Aug | 93/58°F |
| Dec | 47/26°F |
Common questions
- How long is the drive from Dublin, CA?
About 4h 17m - roughly 219 miles. - What does it cost for a family of four?
Around $1,000–2,500 for 2 nights, family of four, including lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend. - When is the best time to go?
August.
This trip appears in
What we checked, and when
| Fact | Where it comes from | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Drive time | routed from Dublin, CA | |
| Attractions still open | operator sites and park agencies | not yet |
| Attraction prices | operator sites, linked above | |
| Opening hours | we do not publish opening hours | - |
| Restaurants | from the guide | not yet |
| Watch-out notes | we found nothing to flag | - |
| Trip cost | our own estimate | not yet |
True on the dates above. Prices and opening hours change without notice - check with the operator before you drive.
Other trips near here
Carson City, NV
A cheap, central base for Tahoe and Virginia City, with two state museums and a replica mine.
Lake Tahoe (North & South)
An alpine lake with shallow turquoise coves in summer and snow play in winter.
Nevada City / Grass Valley
Victorian streets, a hard-rock mine you can go down, and swimming holes on the Yuba.
Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.