Updated November 15, 2026 · 10 local picks
Sparks is Reno's next-door neighbor to the east, a city in its own right that grew up around the railroad. Its downtown centers on Victorian Square along Victorian Avenue, where the city holds many of its big street festivals and summer events. A couple of miles east, the Sparks Marina is a lake surrounded by a park and walking path, a favorite for an easy loop on a nice day.
This guide collects things to do in Sparks from our listings: outdoor spots, museums, entertainment and a few places to eat and drink nearby. Each entry links to its listing for the address, map and listed hours. Event schedules change from year to year, so check the City of Sparks and each venue for current dates.
Things to do in Sparks
- 1
Park · Sparks
The Sparks Marina park on Howard Drive surrounds a large lake with a walking path around it. It's a popular spot for walks, picnics and time by the water.
300 Howard Drive, SparksView listing - 2
Museum · Sparks
A local history museum on Victorian Avenue in the Victorian Square area. Its listed hours are Tuesday through Saturday.
814 Victorian Avenue, SparksView listing - 3
Park · Sparks
A small park on Victorian Avenue in the middle of Victorian Square.
1519 Victorian Avenue, SparksView listing - 4
Hotel · Sparks
A hotel and casino resort on Nugget Avenue, next to Victorian Square.
1100 Nugget Avenue, SparksView listing - 5
Attraction · Sparks
A live illusion show at the Celebrity Showroom inside the Nugget Casino Resort.
1100 Nugget Avenue, SparksView listing - 6
Cinema · Sparks
A drive-in movie theater on El Rancho Drive. Few cities still have one, and it makes for a fun summer night.
555 El Rancho Drive, SparksView listing - 7
Park · Spanish Springs
A large regional park on Vista Boulevard in Spanish Springs, on the northern edge of Sparks.
6400 Vista Boulevard, SparksView listing - 8
Brewery · Sparks
A brewery on South Rock Boulevard, open afternoons and evenings per its listing.
380 South Rock Boulevard, SparksView listing - 9
Game store · Sparks
A game store on Victorian Plaza Circle, right by Victorian Square.
1188 Victorian Plaza Circle, SparksView listing - 10
Attraction · Spanish Springs
A family farm and attraction on Pyramid Way in Spanish Springs. Check its own site for seasonal events and open dates.
8100 Pyramid Way, SparksView listing
A day in Sparks
A simple plan: start with a walk around the Marina in the morning, head to Victorian Square for lunch and the Heritage Museum, then catch a show at the Nugget or a movie at the drive-in in the evening. Sparks is compact, and most of these spots are within a 10 to 15 minute drive of each other.
Families heading north toward Spanish Springs will find Golden Eagle Regional Park and Andelin Family Farm along the Vista and Pyramid corridors. For more outdoor options, see our parks and open spaces guide.
Eat and shop in Sparks
Sparks has a large share of the restaurants, shops and services in our directory, especially along Prater Way, Disc Drive and Vista Boulevard. Browse the Sparks neighborhood page to see everything by category.
Business details come from our listings, compiled from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and businesses' own websites. Hours and offerings change; confirm with the business before you go. Places are chosen editorially and are not ranked or paid for, except listings marked Featured, which are paid placements.