An icon since 1955, this family-owned resort composed of a pair of 29-story towers is in downtown Sparks, 3 miles from downtown Reno and a 10-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe airport. John Ascuaga's Nugget offers a large arcade with video and carnival games, an 85,000-square-foot casino, an indoor pool, and a ballroom and showroom hosting headline performers. During warm weather, sliding-glass roof panels allow fresh air into the sun-drenched fifth floor, which houses the large atrium pool.
An outdoor sun decks offers unobstructed mountain views. Eight, one-person spas flank one side and a 16-person spa tub is at the end of the pool. Padded chairs and lounges line the surrounding deck. A tent permits private massage. Wireless Internet access is available in the rooms, lobby and restaurants (surcharge). Right outside the casino is Victorian Square, the center of downtown Sparks. It offers interactive fountains, gazebos, and live music on some summer evenings. Victorian Square also is home to many nationally-recognized events, including The Big Easy, Hometown Christmas Parade, West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, July 4th Fireworks Festival, and Hot August Nights.
