5 things to do in Reno, Nevada when you get tired of Vegas
Las Vegas draws in millions of visitors every year. But sometimes, even the staunchest fans of Sin City get tired of what it has to offer. That’s where Reno comes in, another option in Nevada for people looking for gambling, shows, and more.
The Biggest Little City in the World might be significantly smaller than Las Vegas but it still offers big fun. That might sound a little cliched but it’s at least accurate. And there are more than a few fun things to do if you pop by outside of the casinos.
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
People often talk about the marvelous National and State Parks in this part of the United States when planning their vacations. But there are also a lot of superb Regional Parks out there, waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is a great example of this. It houses the Wilbur D. May Museum and the Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden as well as a variety of monuments, activities, and more. It’s a great spot to spend the day.
National Bowling Stadium
When you think about sports being played in stadiums, your mind naturally goes to football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more. But the one sport you wouldn’t expect to be played in a stadium is ten-pin bowling. Well, Reno is here to prove you wrong.
The National Bowling Stadium in downtown Reno is over 360 thousand square feet and has 78 bowling lanes in it. On top of that, it hosts part of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame headquartered in Arlington, Texas. Whether you like bowling or not, it’s pretty impressive.
Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
No trip is complete without a stop at a local zoo. Well, for some people at least. Just north of Reno is the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park. Formerly known as the Sierra Safari Zoo, it has grown to be one of the best experiences of its kind in the state.
The zoo has a wide range of animals from more local species to the exotic portions of their collection. It might not be the biggest zoo in the country, but it’s actually a solid mid-sized experience and a great way to get away from the casinos to do something outdoors.
Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
Built in 1963, the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center is one of the most unique buildings in the city. Designed by Reno architect Raymond M. Hellmann, this hyperbolic paraboloid structure is actually on the National Register of Historic Places.
It rests on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, which is an interesting stop in and of itself. The planetarium is fantastic as is the rest of the science center. Just plan your visit carefully as it isn’t open to public viewing every day of the week.
Nevada Museum of Art in Reno
When guessing where the Nevada Museum of Art would be located, Reno might not be on the top of everyone’s list. Some would pick Las Vegas because of the city’s size while others would go with Carson City because it’s the capital of Nevada. All of them would be wrong.
Its permanent collection consists of more than 2000 works devoted to the interaction between humans and the environment. But their other collections are also expanding. The Nevada Museum of Art is quickly becoming a premier artistic destination in the United States.