Reno is truly a fantastic city for families looking to explore art, history, and science! With a wonderful mix of popular kid-friendly museums, iconic public art, and unique historical sites, Reno offers cultural outings that are both educational and fun for you and your little ones. Whether you’re looking to escape the heat or find a new weekend adventure, there is something for everyone!
I’m sharing my favorite must-visit museums, galleries, and historical sites in Reno, complete with updated admission costs and essential tips for visiting with your kiddos.
Museums & Galleries in Reno
There are a handful of museums and galleries in the Reno area that are kid-friendly to check out. Here is a list based off of type depending on what you are interested in learning about.
Fine Art & Architecture
Nevada Museum of Art
Cost:
- Members: FREE
- General Admission: $15
- Students and Seniors: $13
- Free Student Admission Programs
- Nevada High School Students with Student ID: FREE
- Students from TMCC, WNC and UNR with Student ID: FREE
- Children (6 to 12 years): $3
- Children (5 and under): FREE
As the only accredited art museum in Nevada, this museum has high quality and seasonal exhibits plus wonderful programs for kids and the community. The building is designed to resemble an abstract version of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert geography. The artwork collections are valuable so you will need to prepare your child to view objects on display that they can’t touch. (see tips at the end of this article!)
Hands ON! Second Saturdays offer free admission once a month to families; my two-year-old loves it! They have crafts, music and a friendly atmosphere. Don’t miss the Sky Room (top floor) and outdoor space, offering some of the best panoramic views in Reno.
I would recommend becoming a member if you plan on visiting more than once a month. You’ll gain free admission for your family and enjoy many discounts on classes, events, and performances.
Stremmel Gallery
Cost: Free
This gorgeous contemporary gallery in Midtown is an award-winning architectural space with finely curated artwork. The building is designed to resemble an abstract version of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with a playful cluster of colorful cubes. You will find paintings, drawings, and sculptures by mid-career and established American and European artists.
The artwork is extremely valuable so you will need to prepare your child to view objects on display that they can’t touch. (see tips at the end of this article!) This gallery is also dog-friendly for your well-behaved pup!
McKinley Arts & Cultural Center
Cost: Free
This ornate and historical building (built in 1909) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It houses many of Reno’s local non-profit arts organizations (the Reno Phil, Reno Chamber Orchestra, City of Reno Cultural Affairs Division among others) Inquire within the offices at the front entrance to be admitted into the two small side galleries that house community art.
Historic U.S. Post Office and The Basement
Cost: Free
This historical building (completed in 1934) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No longer a post office, but a retail space, it has been carefully renovated to preserve period details.
To find more local craft, follow a stairway leading downstairs to the “Basement” Marketplace. This stairway is accessible from inside (or a stairway on the loading dock side of S. Center St.). You can visit this building easily with your child, it is spacious and there is a lot of open space to explore. You can learn about and support local entrepreneurs that have set up shop!
History and Engineering
Battle Born Hall
Cost: Free
The Battle Born Hall is 2,000 square feet and the new exhibit is presented in five exhibit areas that lead visitors on a tour from prehistory, to the mining boom, to statehood, to early Carson City through the 20th Century and looks ahead to the new Nevada of the 21st Century. It includes panels on many of the people and events that defined Nevada in its history.
National Automobile Museum
Cost:
- General Admission: $16
- Senior (65 and older): $15
- Active Military, Veterans, First Responders (with ID): $14
- Youth (6 – 17 years old): $13
- Children (5 and younger): $3
This museum is one of the most surprising on my list because I am not a car enthusiast, however, I love this museum! You will find a fleet of meticulously restored cars (200+ in count), some owned previously by celebrities, spread over four galleries. Cars exhibited are built from the 1890s to the 1950s and onward. You will be surprised by not only the number of cars on display but the incredible detail. Galleries are linked by historic themed streets and faux shop fronts with displays of vintage advertising and fashion.
This museum requires a lot of walking, so bring the stroller. You will need to encourage your child to stay out of the roped off areas and prepare your child to view objects on display that they can’t touch. (see tips at the end of this article!)
Nature and Science
Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Cost: Free
If you haven’t visited Rancho San Rafael Regional Park gardens, best described as a living plant museum, you must go! With over 4000 native and adaptive plant species growing among 13 acres of winding paths, these gardens are not only beautiful, but they are also educational. There are 94 small gardens, groves and water features.
There are many educational programs, including Little Sprouts nature programs for toddlers, bird walks, tree talks and weekend family nature walks. You can celebrate Arbor Day at the gardens.
Note: the gardens are not dog-friendly.
Fleischmann Planetarium (at UNR)
Cost:
- General Admission: $15
- Student/Senior 60+/Service Member: $10
- Child Ages 3-12: $10
Fleischmann Planetarium is part of University of Nevada, Reno. It is open to the public and offers a small exhibit hall, store and educational planetarium shows. This historical building (opened in 1963) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Its Populuxe style of architecture depicts motion (reminiscent of boomerangs, flying saucers, and atoms.) It’s fun to introduce your child to different types of architecture and this building is memorable.
The exhibit hall itself is quite small, but you can walk your child through the different stations that focus on learning about our solar system, deep space, the earth, and the moon. Note that Planetarium shows are for ages 3 and up.
The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum)
Cost:
- Child (ages 1-5): $11
- Youth (ages 6-17): $14
- Adult: $16
- Senior (ages 65+): $15
- Under age 1: Free
- UNR & TMCC students: Free
- Discovery Members: Free
The Discovery is a landmark in Reno for learning and all things science and tech for your child! There are exhibit rooms, workshop and activity areas, party rooms, a picnic area, and a museum store. Toddlers will love permanent exhibits. My son was obsessed with climbing through the cave, a natural history display.
Also for toddler age, you can visit the museum on Wednesday mornings between 9-10am for Small Wonder Wednesday when the museum is open to ages 5 and under only.
For ages 5 and up, you will be able to participate in much more the museum has to offer. A lot of the exhibits are designed for school-age children.
A popular draw is The Cloud Climber, a three-story jungle-gym, netted for safety. The selection of exhibitions and events is vast, you’ll want to explore their website in depth.
Tips for Preparing your Child to Visit a Museum or Gallery
Visiting a museum, art gallery, arboretum or historical building can be a fun-filled learning experience for your child. It’s a way to get to know your city and learn and explore along the way.
Research shows the starting your child early with these experiences can help promote their interest in the arts. I’ve shared some easy tips for planning cultural outings with your child.
- Prepare ahead of time. Read up on location, parking, fees, hours, current and permanent exhibits. Decide what you want to see ahead of time. Look for special family and kid-friendly days that have hands-on activities.
- Talk with your child about behavior that is expected and being considerate to others. The items on display are valuable and cannot be replaced, rules to be followed (like not touching artwork or not drinking liquids in the galleries) are for adults as well. Most places encourage photography but it’s always good to ask. Adjust expectations and praise often!
- Have fun. Talk about design concepts your child will recognize, like color, shape, and pattern.
- You can go at your own pace, make your visit short, take breaks, go outside when possible and know when to head home!