As varied as traveler’s needs and interests are, so are the towns and cities of Nevada. Each of them offers unique opportunities, whether it’s a poolside retreat at a luxury resort or a day in the mountain backcountry. Depending on what you want out of your Nevada vacation, you should decide carefully which destination best fits your needs and interests. The two most popular destinations in Nevada are Las Vegas and Reno. You probably know what to expect from each city—namely world class gambling and entertainment. But there are significant differences between the two that may influence your decision on where to go.

So let’s begin a comparison. Vegas has many more large resorts and a wider range of entertainment options. For instance, Reno currently has one Cirque Du Soleil production, and Vegas has seven. If you plan to do a lot of shopping, Las Vegas has at least at least 15 shopping districts on the Strip alone, several of them are extravagant with high end retailers—malls that are built in to themed mega resorts. Reno has a few shopping malls and some charming areas such as the Riverwalk District, but high end shopping is still in development. Overall, Vegas is much larger, much more extravagant, and your choices on where to stay and how to be entertained are much greater. I mean, what can else can you say, it’s Vegas.

But this doesn’t mean you should choose Las Vegas. Reno has several advantages that need mentioning. For one, Reno fully embraces its title as “The Biggest Little City in the World.” One of its appeals over Vegas is that it is a smaller city. It may be more manageable than Vegas is because of this. You will still find world class casinos, hotels, and nightlife in Reno, but with less crowds. Because of its size, downtown Reno is easier to navigate than the Las Vegas Strip. And here is where Reno offers something that Vegas does not. If you are interested in the outdoors, Reno is less than an hours’ drive from Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevadas—some of the most spectacular nature you will ever see. Opportunities for world class skiing, boating, hiking, biking, and everything else outdoors are all at your fingertips in Reno. That’s the kind of Nevada vacation Las Vegas does not have to offer.