The Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center is located on the University of Nevada campus near downtown Reno. The Planetarium has numerous free science exhibits, a gift shop, a full dome theater that shows star shows and documentaries and some very unusual architecture.
Best and worst time to go to the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
The museum is open every day, but some weekdays can be full of school classes. Some of the best times to go are when the various shows are showing in the full dome theater or during a special star viewing or telescope night.
Must see/do at the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
The shows at the Planetarium are really great, sit in the back rows for the best viewing of shows on space, science and nature. The free exhibits that feature a 6 foot rotating moon are interactive and fun for all ages.
Admission to the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
The admission cost for the exhibits are free. The shows are $7 for adults and teens, $5 for children under 12, seniors 60 and over.
Parking and public transportation to the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
There is space for about 15 cars in the Planetarium parking lot. There is also parking at the nearby Nevada Historical Society. Be sure not to park outside these lots—the University owns these spots and they will ticket if you do not have a permit. The Sierra Spirit bus costs only 25 cents and stops near the museum.
Food at the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
There are no restaurants at the Planetarium, but the University of Nevada Joe Crowley Student Union has several restaurants including Cantina Del Lobo and Starbucks.
Insider tip for visitors to the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
The gift shop also has some great gift ideas like freeze-dried ice cream and other NASA toys.
Author's bio: Christina Nellemann is a writer and designer living in Reno who really enjoys the star shows (and viewing Saturn through a telescope) at the Planetarium.
The National Automobile Museum in Reno is ranked as one of the top five automobile museums in the world and contains many of the 1,400 vehicles from the Bill Harrah collection. The museum also features the 1907 Thomas Flyer from the 1908 New York to Paris race and the Martin T car from the hot and steamy love scene in "Titanic."
Best and worst time to go to the National Automobile Museum
The museum is open from Monday to Saturday and the best times to visit are during the weekdays. The weekends attract more people, but the museum never gets crowded.
Must see/do at National Automobile Museum
Some of the most famous automobiles in the museum are Elvis's white 1973 Eldorado, the Mercury Series 9CM Coupe driven by James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause", a 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, several experimental steam powered cars and the original Batmobile. The jewel of the museum is the silver 1936 Mercedes-Benz. This is the only one available for viewing in the U.S.
Admission to National Automobile Museum
The museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for children 6 to 18 years. Children under the age of 5 are free. The Route 1 RTC public bus stops right at the museum.
Parking and public transportation to the National Automobile Museum
There is a parking lot with plenty of free parking behind the museum. The Route 1 RTC public bus stops right in front of the museum.
Food at the National Automobile Museum
There is no restaurant at the National Automobile Museum, but the museum is located downtown and about two blocks from the casinos and restaurants along the river. Visit Campo or Reef Sushi & Sake on the Truckee River for both lunch and dinner.
Insider tip for visitors to the National Automobile Museum
Vehicles are placed into their appropriate eras which makes you feel like you're walking through an old movie, from gangster films to a street from the 1950s. You can even dress up as Bonnie and Clyde and "drive" a getaway car.
Christina Nellemann is a writer and designer from Reno who has seriously fallen in love with that silver 1936 Mercedes-Benz.
The Nevada Museum of Art is located close to downtown Reno and features both traditional and contemporary art, a gift shop, restaurant, event space and the Center for Art + Environment, an internationally recognized research center to study creative interactions between people and their environments. The museum is small, but contains some dynamic exhibits.
Best and worst time to go to the Nevada Museum of Art
One of the best times to go to the Museum is when they are offering their guided tours of the exhibits. In addition, the second Saturday of every month is free to the public. There are really no bad times to visit the Museum, but it does tend to be more crowded during free Saturdays and during special events.
Must see/do at the Nevada Museum of Art
The top things to see at the museum are the traveling events in the Feature Gallery South; the exhibit designs and layouts are exemplary. The Feature Gallery North usually has some unusual and interesting contemporary art, and be sure to check out the roof gallery. You can see all of Reno and the mountains from the top floor.
Admission to the Nevada Museum of Art
Admission to the museum is free every second Saturday and during some special events. Adult ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, $1 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 are free.
Parking and public transportation at the Nevada Museum of Art
Since the museum is downtown, parking is limited. There are about 25 free spots in front of the museum, but parking around the museum is metered or free for the first two hours. The Sierra Spirit, the area's reduced fare bus runs right by the museum from areas around downtown for only $.25.
Food at the Nevada Museum of Art
There is only one restaurant at the museum, Chez Louie is a French-inspired lunch and dinner restaurant run by several of the top chefs in Reno. The lunch specials (various salads and sandwiches) are a good deal and feature local ingredients.
Insider tip for visitors to the Nevada Museum of Art
The beautiful Museum Store features not only reproductions of the various exhibits, but also artwork made by local artists, jewelry designers and sculptors. The children's section of the store features wonderful picture books and educational toys.
Christina Nellemann is a Reno writer and designer who loves to visit the museum for their special events, exhibits and that great view from the roof.
The Animal Ark, just north of Reno, NV, is a wildlife sanctuary and education center located on 38 acres in the high desert. The Ark is home to dozens of injured, abandoned or non-releasable wild animals including mountain lions, bears, foxes and Khan, a white tiger.
Best and worst time to go to the Animal Ark
One of the best times to go to the Animal Ark is when they are having a special event such as the cheetah run or wolf howl. The sanctuary will let one of their cheetahs run in a large open area; participants can view from a safe, but intimate distance. Since the Ark is located in the desert, July and August can be very hot mid-day and the walking paths are exposed to the sun.
Must see/do at the Animal Ark
The must see animals at the Ark are the big cats. Because of the space they have to roam and the accessibility, this might be one of the best places to see them up close. Other wonderful animals are the birds of prey like owls and hawks - catch them in early morning before their naps. Another nice thing to do is have a picnic at the sanctuary's covered and playground area.
Admission to the Animal Ark
Admission to the Ark is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors. $6.50 for children under 3 years and free for children 2 and under.
Parking and public transportation at the Animal Ark
The sanctuary is outside of Reno, so there is plenty of parking. However, there is a dirt road to get out to the sanctuary that might be muddy in the winter. Unfortunately, the public bus system does not go out to the Ark. The Ark does supply golf carts for a donation to visitors who have difficulty walking on dirt trails.
Food at the Animal Ark
There are no restaurants at the Animal Ark, but the store does sell snacks, drinks and ice cream. Bring a picnic or visit one of the restaurants in nearby Lemmon Valley.
Insider tip for visitors to the Animal Ark
The Animal Ark is actually run by solar and wind power and they also have a water recycling system. Ask any of the Ark guides for more information on these environmental features of the Animal Ark.
Author's bio: Christina Nellemann is a Reno-based writer who loves not only the beautiful big cats at the Animal Ark, but also the beautiful location.
