15 Reasons to Visit The National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada

1 Museum Dr, 
Reno, NV 89501

*Website

*Instagram

Fasten your seatbelts and take a ride in a DeLorean time machine back to the past at the National Automobile Museum.

At this cleverly designed museum, walk down the "streets" and hop from gallery to gallery laid out in chronological order and marvel at a collection of cars dating to the 1800s to present day, watching the most impactful human creation evolve, with each collection advancing and transforming. 

The story of the National Automobile Museum all started when Bill Harrah, a pioneer in the gaming industry known for his casinos and hotels, passed away and left a collection of some 1,400 vehicles behind.  

Holiday Inn jumped at the opportunity to take over Harrah's collection, and before having the chance to auction the cars off, the city of Reno stepped in with a proposal - use part of the collection to start a museum and preserve the history and beauty of Bill's legacy.  That vision came to life, and today, it's known as the National Automobile Museum.  

The museum’s thoughtful layout, informative plaques, immersive themed displays, and pristine, beautifully restored classic vehicles create the perfect environment for wonder, nostalgia, and appreciation to flourish.

Not to mention all of the events that that bring the community together and keep the spirit of the museum alive. 

I’ve been taking my family to this museum for years, and it’s been such a joy watching them grow, learn, and have fun with every visit. Over the years, I’ve run into the museum’s president several times.  He’s always so cheerful and kind, and such an easy guy to talk to. 

One time, during an event, he noticed how fascinated I was by the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future and offered me a chance to step behind the ropes for a photo right next to it. Folks, that’s like snapping a picture with your favorite celebrity! I’ll never forget the day Phil helped make one of my Back to the Future dreams come true.

HOT TIP: Purchase an annual family membership to help keep this incredible museum thriving, and to have an amazing place to retreat to year round - rain, shine, or snow. Follow the museum on Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter (located all the way at the bottom of their homepage) to take advantage of great membership deals.

16 Reasons to Visit the National Automobile Museum

1.  Immersive Displays - Thoughtfully designed exhibits bring history to life.
2.  Experience Automotive History - Learn in the perfect setting while having fun.
3.  See iconic cars from Back to the Future, Titanic, Rebel Without a Cause, and more.
4.  Daily Bill Harrah Presentation - Discover the museum’s origins in a 25-minute film.

5.  Gift Shop - Find rare, out-of-print car books, antique toy cars, unique souvenirs, T-shirts, a penny press, and more.

6.  Sit Inside a Model T - Costumes provided for fun photoshoots.
7.  Spot a well-crafted figurine of Yoda.

8.  Amazing Volunteers & Staff - Passionate, knowledgeable, and always kind.
9.  Visitor Resources - Tourists can find helpful pamphlets near the restrooms.
10.  Year-Round Special Events
11.  Traveling Exhibits - Past displays include the history of motorcycles and Cars featuring Lightning McQueen and Mater.

12.  Free Photo Booth - Snap a picture and send it to your phone or email.
13.  Halloween Fun Every Year - A safe and exciting trick-or-treat experience with carnival games, entertainment, and treats for a small fee.
14.  Networking Events - Connect with like-minded people in a unique setting.

15.  E.L. Wiegand Children's Education Center - 3,000 sq. ft. of educational and hands-on activities: simulated car wash, auto maintenance shop, auto design studio, Reno International Speedway Interactive, build a race car, jr. engineering workshop.

How to Support Our Amazing Museum
*Visit and explore the exhibits
*Attend special events throughout the year
*Shop at the gift store 

*Become a member
*Follow on Instagram & Facebook
*Host your special events here - weddings, banquets, seminars, and more (accommodates 60 to 1,200 guests, with catering available)
*Make a donation

*Volunteer

Notes
*Free Parking 

*Vending machine for beverages available

*Ice cream, snacks, and candy available at gift shop

*Website frequently updated 
*Docent Tours Available - Enhance your visit with guided insights. 
*Tourist Pamphlets - Find info on Reno & nearby attractions near the restroom.

*Members get access to most of their special events & 20% off all items at the gift shop.

*Watch out for free museum days and holiday events on the museum  

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized Under "Museums and Zoos"

Witness A Millionaire's Creation During the Comstock Load Mining Boom and Enjoy Beautiful Grounds at Bowers Mansion Regional Park

4005 Bowers Mansion Rd

New Washoe City, NV 89704

775-849-0201

Website

Pavilion Reservations

Pool Info.

Facebook

Upcoming Event: Bowers Bluegrass Festival (August 24-27, 2023)

Purchase Tickets

Nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is Bowers Mansion Regional Park, only 15 minutes away from South Reno on the way to Carson City. For 100+ years, people have been visiting this park for its scenic views, swimming pool, mansion, beautiful grounds, history, events, outdoor recreational activities, and more. *Experience a pleasant picnic under towering shade trees *Swim in a secluded pool in the middle of nature *Rent out one of the pavilions for life's special occasions *Take in a piece of history through educational plaques and tours in the most elegant building of its time *Let the children run wild and free while exploring, swinging, sliding, and climbing at the playground I'm so thankful to have such a special and beautiful park nearby, a place that has served and continues to be the perfect spot to learn, have fun, grow, live life to the fullest, and create precious moments.

Friends, can you imagine spending time in a place that once belonged to a millionaire? It honestly feels like a dream. Am I crazy to feel this lucky? This spot is stunning, and it holds so many memories. It’s where my kids learned to ride their bikes. It will always be a special place for us.

2020 hours of operation.  Opening + closing dates are around the same time every year.

Bower's Mansion Tours

Take a trip back in history and walk in the shoes of past millionaires Eilley & Sandy Bowers with a guided tour offered seasonally, usually from Memorial Day through Nevada Day. 

I have yet to take it, but from what I've researched, it's popular and led by people who tell the story of the mansion in an entertaining manner (such as the person in the walk-through video tour below).

The park usually hosts special events like Programs on the Porch (free live music), a Civil War event, & more.

Notes

-49-acre park  

-No pets allowed due to historical significance, except for service animals  

-Plenty of day-use picnic tables with BBQ grills available on a first-come, first-served basis

-Two pavilions, Comstock Picnic Pavilion and Washoe Picnic Pavilion, are located at each end of the park, ideal for special events like weddings. Horseshoe pits and volleyball courts are next to each pavilion

-Two partially shaded play structures are situated at each end of the park

-Plenty of grassy areas available 

-A trail behind the mansion leads to stunning views of Washoe Lake and the Bower family cemetery, accessible via a short dirt trail with stairs (less than 5 minutes)  

-The swimming pool keeps a lane open for lap swimmers, and there’s a new gated splash pad for toddlers with easy entry ladders and a hydraulic lift 

-The park features many trees that change color in the fall, making it an amazing spot for photos  

-Great shade during summer

-Davis Creek Regional Park is just a couple of minutes away, offering family-friendly trails (ranging from easy to difficult), camping grounds, picnic areas, and fishing spots when water levels permit 

-I love taking my kids to the Chocolate Nugget Factory for ice cream sundaes and treats after a fun-filled day, only about 5 minutes down the street

-The park is surrounded by farmlands, making it easy to drive around Washoe Lake and spot various farm animals

-Flushable toilets available 

-Huge parking lots are located on each side of the park

 

Photography 

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own. 

Categorized under "Parks and Playgrounds, Picnic Spots & Birthday/Event Venues"

Family Fun & Global Discoveries Await at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Reno Nevada

Wilbur D. May Center

1595 N Sierra Street

Reno, NV 89503

HOURS:

Wednesday - Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00pm
Monday & Tuesday: Closed

Museum: (775) 785-5961

Arboretum: (775) 785-4153

Park Ranger Office: (775) 785-4512

Website

Instagram

Volunteer Opportunities

Facebook 

Museum Event Space Rental Information

Garden Wedding Rentals

Pavilion Rental Information

The Wilbur D. May Museum offers plenty of themed exhibitions, which tend to run January through April or May every year.  The Hall of Heroes was just one of the many that made its way into the museum, letting everyone test their super human abilities.

This exhibit was packed with impressive figurines and hands on activities that were interesting, fun, and a blast for kids and adults. The kids were amazed from start to finish and kept getting more excited for whatever came next. They were able to test their speed, get blasted by a giant fan that made them feel like they were flying, try out their hanging strength, and solve puzzles that required a little super human brain power. Just like all the other exhibits here, you can always expect a good time with these themed displays.

One of the biggest reasons this museum stands out is because it holds the personal collection of Wilbur D. May, a rancher, pilot, artist, world traveler, and all around adventure seeker. Over his lifetime he traveled all over the world and brought home treasures from almost every corner of the globe. The museum holds these artifacts and displays them in a way that makes you feel like you are walking through the story of his life.

You will find cultural pieces from Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and Europe. There are tribal masks, carved figures, pottery, ceramics from ancient dynasties, beautiful glasswork, and all kinds of decorative art. You will also see antique weapons and historic firearms that reflect both his world travels and his ranching lifestyle.

One of the most unforgettable parts of the museum is the recreation of his trophy room from his Double Diamond Ranch. It is filled with almost two hundred taxidermy animals along with some of the most unusual items you will ever see, like lamp bases made from zebra legs and furniture made from horns. There are also rare curiosities like a shrunken head, Egyptian scarabs, Inuit carvings, and relics from ancient civilizations.

The museum also includes recreated rooms from his actual home, which lets you step right into the life he lived. His own paintings are displayed as well, showing his talent and love for landscapes inspired by both Nevada and his travels. You even get a glimpse of his ranching life with saddles, gear, and western equipment that remind you he was just as grounded at home as he was adventurous abroad.

This is the only museum in Nevada where you will find a collection like this. Everything is well preserved and displayed in a clean and organized way, grouped so visitors can explore different cultures, stories, and time periods all in one place.

Museums inspire curiosity, preserve history, help us understand how we came to be, and let us travel the world without ever getting on a plane. The Wilbur D. May Museum is open to the public and is rarely crowded, which makes the entire experience relaxed and enjoyable.

You can find the museum inside Rancho San Rafael Park, Renos biggest and most dynamic park. You can find more information about the park in my other post HERE.

NOTES

-There is a lovely gift shop in the museum and it is one of the best in town for gifts. During the holidays it becomes a real gem for unique finds.

-Admission to a traveling exhibit includes access to the permanent May Collection and gallery.

-There is a free age appropriate scavenger hunt for both kids & adults to enjoy while exploring the museum.

-Group rates are available for groups of fifteen or more for both special exhibits and guided tours.

-Every year the Dragon Lights Festival is held in Rancho San Rafael Park which is the same park where the museum is located. It is a festive and magical community event that features tons of handmade lanterns, interactive displays, food trucks, photo ops, and is always worth seeing.

-Right next to the museum is a beautiful arboretum. Do not pass up the chance to walk through because it offers peaceful paths, lovely trees, and a relaxing way to extend your visit.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.***

© Photography 

Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

 Categorized under "Museums"