15 Reno Landmarks You Should Visit
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Located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Reno is an exciting destination with something for everyone. Along with being home to multiple casinos, Reno has cultural attractions, top restaurants, and beautiful outdoor spaces. The city also hosts world-renowned events, like the Reno Air Races and Great Reno Balloon Race.
If you're planning a visit, it may be overwhelming to decide what to see; that's where this list of top Reno landmarks comes in helpful! From museums to parks and sports venues, keep reading to discover which places of interest have to be on your Reno itinerary.
Are you on your way to Reno last-minute?
When visiting Reno, book your entrance tickets and tours before you go. Below are some top recommendations to get you started.
Top tours and experiences in Reno
- Experience Raptors & Falconry in Reno (rated highly)
- Downtown Reno Tour (rated highly)
- One Hour Distillery Tour & Tasting Flight
- 15 Reno landmarks
15 Reno, Nevada, Landmarks
- Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
- Idlewild Park
- National Automobile Museum
- Nevada Historical Society
- Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
- Nevada Museum of Art
- Greater Nevada Field
- The Discovery - Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
- Reno Arch
- National Bowling Stadium
- Truckee River
- Virginia Street Bridge
- The Space Whale
- Riverwalk District
- Fleischmann Planetarium
Reno Landmarks Map
A map of Reno landmarks. Use the map to explore all of the points of interest.
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
On a nice day, locals and visitors alike flock to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. The 570-acre park, which sits on the site of a former ranch, features amenities like scenic trails, picnic areas, and a dog park.
The park also houses the Wilbur D. May Museum and Wilbur D. May Arboretum. Additionally, the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the world, the Great Reno Balloon Race, is held at the park in September.
Idlewild Park
Covering 49 acres, Idlewild Park is a much-loved local attraction. Along with being a tranquil place to enjoy the fresh air, you can find attractions here like playgrounds, a cute duck pond, and a pretty rose garden.
Idlewild Park is also one of the most popular places for a date in Reno; you can have a romantic picnic, go for a scenic walk together through the Rose Garden, and more!
National Automobile Museum
There are many specialty museums located in Reno, like the National Automobile Museum. Founded in 1989, the attraction houses a collection of over 200 vehicles.
Things to see range from vintage cars by renowned car manufacturers to vehicles owned by celebrities, like Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac Eldorado. This museum is so popular that it has consistently been ranked as one of the best museums in Northern Nevada by Nevada Magazine.
Nevada Historical Society
If you want to learn more about the state's history, the Nevada Historical Society is the place to be. It's also one of the most famous Reno historical sites as it's the oldest museum in Nevada, having been founded in 1904.
Exhibits cover important events and life in the state during different eras. You can also see artifacts and are sure to leave knowing lots of new facts about Nevada!
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most distinctive structures in Reno. The building opened in 1967 and features a large geodesic gold dome roof. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
At the venue, you can see various performances, including Broadway shows, dance productions, and plays for children. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra also performs here.
Nevada Museum of Art
The Nevada Museum of Art is one of the most famous cultural landmarks in Nevada and is the state's only American Alliance of Museums accredited art museum.
This attraction was founded in 1931 and houses a vast collection of 19th, 20th, and 21st-century works. Along with the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions and even holds art classes for all levels and ages.
Greater Nevada Field
Sports fans won't want to miss out on visiting this landmark when in the city! Also known as the Reno Aces Ballpark (which was its official name until 2015), Greater Nevada Field is home to the Reno Aces Minor League Baseball team.
The stadium opened in 2009 and can seat around 9,000 fans per game. An entertainment complex, the Freight House District, also sits next to the stadium.
The Discovery - Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, often called The Discovery, is a science museum with exhibits to appeal to all ages. This cultural landmark opened in 2011 and welcomes around 182,000 visitors annually.
A range of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics are covered, and many exhibits are interactive and include hands-on activities.
Reno Arch
The Reno Arch is undoubtedly one of the most renowned points of interest in Reno, Nevada. Originally constructed in 1926 to promote the Nevada Transcontinental Highway Exposition, the arch you see today is actually the third version of the iconic landmark. The arch features the city's nickname, the Biggest Little City in the World, and is found in Downtown Reno.
National Bowling Stadium
As the only facility of its kind in the world, the National Bowling Stadium has to be included on a list of top landmarks in Reno! The venue opened in 1995 and is recognizable by its facade, designed to resemble a bowling ball. The stadium is dedicated to ten-pin bowling and hosts various events and competitions relating to the sport.
Truckee River
One of the famous natural landmarks to see in Reno is the Truckee River. Stretching for 121 miles, the river flows through California and Nevada, including Reno. The river's source is Lake Tahoe, CA, and it ends at Pyramid Lake, NV. You can see the Truckee River from various places in the city, including downtown, and can enjoy water sports on it.
Virginia Street Bridge
When walking along the Truckee River downtown, you'll come across the Virginia Street Bridge. The concrete double arch bridge was built in 1905 and added to the National Register of Historic Places 75 years later in 1980. The bridge was renovated in 2016 due to structural issues.
A legend connected to the bridge says that newly divorced women would leave the nearby Washoe County Courthouse and throw their wedding rings off the bridge. While unconfirmed if true, some rings have been found in the riverbed around the bridge!
The Space Whale
The Space Whale is one of the most photographed attractions in Reno, Nevada. Located in City Plaza, this stained glass sculpture is actually of two whales, a mother, and her calf.
The artwork was created by Matt Schultz in 2016 for Burning Man and was later moved to Reno. When in City Plaza, also check out the Believe Sculpture and the Historic Street Clock of Reno.
Riverwalk District
The Riverwalk District is one of Reno's most famous and popular areas. This bustling neighborhood is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and bars, among many other attractions. As the name suggests, the area also has a Riverwalk, which runs along the Truckee River.
Fleischmann Planetarium
Located at the University of Nevada, Reno, the Fleischmann Planetarium is one of the city's most interesting landmarks. The attraction has exhibits, plus a full-dome theater, and offers views of the galaxies!
Constructed in 1963 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the planetarium was notably the first in the US to have a 360-degree projector that could show horizon-to-horizon images and use time-lapse photography to show a full day's weather in minutes.
In Conclusion
After reading this list of 15 top sites in Reno, you should have an idea of all the great places there are to visit in the Biggest Little City in the World. From one-of-a-kind museums to beautiful outdoor spaces and unique art installations, Reno has a landmark for all interests!
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Written by Alli Sewell
allisewell WRITER Currently based in Canada, Alli has also lived and worked in the UK and Brazil and traveled in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She loves finding the best photo-ops and food and drink locations wherever she goes.
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