Things to Do in Reno

High above the rink at Roller Kingdom sits a DJ booth where record spinners select new hits and 80s-night tracks to send through the thunderous sound system. The melodies fill the rink and sync up with lighting effects that glisten on the sleek surface of the skating floor. During roller-derby bouts, the announcer's voice booms through the speakers to call out point tallies or impressive hits. Roller Kingdom keeps its vinyl rotating and music libraries whirring throughout the week, with special events such as haunted attractions during Halloween and extra-spooky Armistice Days.

The Ballroom of Reno champions dance as the art of human connection rather than the art of winning medals. As a nonprofit organization, its lessons and proceeds aim to benefit the community rather than training competitors. Its focus on choreography's social side has led to a schedule rife with free beginner's seminars, fundraisers, and weekly themed parties, during which the 3,400-square-foot studio boasts an ethereal display of mini lights.

While cavorting on the springy floor, pupils who range from novices to experts might rehearse moves from a variety of Latin, ballroom, and contemporary styles, including swing, tango, rumba, and foxtrot. Private sessions hone in on specific techniques, whereas group classes enable guests to twirl, jive, and stare awkwardly without ceasing with various partners. The staff encourages regulars to combine both types of education during the Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday parties designed to help them reap maximum enjoyment and poise from their practice.

Fishing guru Chris Wharton has fly-fished on America's glassy lakes for more than 35 years, part of which he has spent passing on his extensive knowledge of the sport as the guide and instructor at Stillwater Guide Service. He regularly takes groups out to fly-fish on the calm, trout-filled waters of nearby Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake, among others.

Chris knows that fly-fishing is infinitely more rewarding once one has attained the proper skill set. That's why his lessons focus on precision casting and hook-setting techniques that help students reliably net trout of up to 7 pounds. He also teaches groups how to read the waters for clues that help determine where trout are most likely to hunt for food, shelter, and the sharks that ate their wives. When he isn't leading three-hour lessons, Chris organizes full-day trips and overnight adventures to numerous aquatic destinations.

As a new mother, Tanya Rose Bordner found herself suffering from the severe headaches, hormonal imbalances, and emotional lows that often accompany motherhood. She knew she needed to take better care of herself and decided to try Bikram yoga. Though skeptical at first, she found herself hooked after one class when she discovered that she felt better physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and she eventually decided to become a Bikram-yoga instructor.

Now, Tanya and her team of certified instructors—all of whom have trained for several hundred hours—strive to share the benefits that Tanya felt in that first class with others. Using two breathing exercises designed to circulate oxygenated blood, these instructors lead students through 26 postures that carve out toned muscles and pump up flexibility. The classes take place in a 105-degree room with a recently renovated rubber floor, and after each session, staff members encourage students to press an ice-cream cone or the provided frozen lavender towels against their heated brows.

Located inside of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Atlantis Family Fun Center is stocked to the gills with games and entertainment suitable for players of all ages. Games such as Fruit Ninja, Super Bikes 2, and Big Bass Wheel come to life with vivid graphics and sound effects, and air hockey tables invite twosomes to pick up a mallet and battle for placement of a floating puck. The center also features classic arcade games such as Galaga and Ms. Pacman, which imbue thumb-twiddling fun with a vintage retro aesthetic.

Currently ranked as the 14th best hang glider in the United States, 23 year-old Alex Cuddy flies, competes, and teaches around the globe. But each summer, Cuddy returns to the familiar air of the Sierra Nevada, where he heads up Thermal Sky Sports, sharing his passion for engine-free aviation with illuminating lessons and tandem hang-gliding sessions. Before unleashing worthy pupils on their first solo flight with radio assistance, he'll teach them how to soar with the grace and majesty of an eagle-shaped helium balloon during low-flying ground towing sessions, tandem flights, and training-hill lessons. In his free time, Cuddy travels to various competitions and strives to break personal records, recently completing a 198-mile hang-gliding journey in 5 hours and 47 minutes.