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RENO ATTRACTIONS
National Automobile Museum
The National Automobile Museum, located in Reno, Nevada, displays historic
automobiles from the late 19th Century up to the 1960s and in some cases
later. Most of the vehicles displayed are from the collection of the late
William F. Harrah, a casino owner. The collection includes a V-16 Cadillac,
a Dusenburg, and numerous air-cooled Franklin automobiles in addition
to other early or notable automobiles. Interested persons can "adopt"
a car, and assume responsibility for regular cleaning and appearance preservation.
Also of note is the "Jerarri." This is a full-size Jeep SUV
fitted with a V-12 Ferrari engine and formerly used by William F. Harrah.
Nevada Museum of Art
The Nevada Museum of Art, located at 160 West Liberty Street in Reno,
Nevada, is the only American Association of Museums (AAM) accredited art
museum in the state of Nevada. The museum is thematic, focusing on the
growing interest in the protection of the land. The Museum moved into
a larger, four-story structure in 2003, designed by architect Will Bruder.
The Museum participates in the Scholastic Art Awards program by providing
secondary school students from northern Nevada a place to exhibit their
works. A Museum school provides various art classes to help develop art
related skills for artists and teachers.
Mt. Rose
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is only 25 minutes from Reno, nestled in the Sierras
at the highest altitude of any ski resort at the lake, some 8250 feet
above sea level. Almost 1000 acres with nearly 1500 vertical feet of bowls,
trees, and glades complementing the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and
the opposing Nevada desert.
National Bowling Stadium
This $43 million facility is the world’s only bowling stadium of
its kind, operates 80 championship lanes and is the site of major tournaments.
A pro-shop and several restaurants make this a facility that can easily
host conventions when not being used for tournaments. But the main attraction
for visitors to Reno is the I-MAX theater and its regular venue of adventure
films.
Casinos
Reno's casinos offer a chance to make some money and lose even more -
all inside some of the gaudiest rooms on earth. They're mostly located
in the downtown area around North Virginia, North Center, and South Virginia
streets.
The casinos here are of a more traditional kind, less like theme-parks
than those in Las Vegas. But you'll still find plenty of cartoon-like
places built in the style of Wild West mining towns, Tuscan villages,
etc. The most enormous and improbable are Circus Circus, Silver Legacy,
Harrah's, Siena, Atlantis, and the Reno Hilton.
Animal Ark
The Ark is open daily from 10 - 4:30 April 1 - October 31. Admission charged
Animal Ark is a wildlife sanctuary and nature center that shelters animals
that don't have the skills to survive on their own. Disabled and orphaned
animals such as gray wolves, bobcats, bears, snow leopards and Arctic
foxes live in natural surroundings at the Ark. Aside from the animals,
the educational displays scattered around the grounds make it an especially
appealing learning experience for children.
Although most people can't own a wild animal as a pet, you can do the
next thing by adopting one at the Ark. Through their adoption program,
you can help pay for the care and feeding of such residents as Mignon,
the kit fox, or Shere Khan, the tiger, or Whoopi, the peregrine falcon.
Circus Circus Midway Stage
When Circus Circus Hotel/Casino opened in Reno in 1978, casino patrons
were astonished to see trapeze artists and high-wire walkers performing
right above their heads as they placed their table bets and pulled the
handles of slot machines. The age of the total entertainment concept had
been born, complete with an enormous clown as a logo and a pink-and-white-striped
circus tent enveloping portions of the building.
Although structural changes during the years have made the circus acts
less visible from the casino floor, they can be optimally viewed from
the Midway section of the casino. Young and old alike are drawn to the
carnival-style arcade at the Midway where they can win stuffed toy animals
and other prizes at the more than 30 games available. The circus acts
are free and can be seen daily throughout the year from 11 AM to midnight.
Fleischmann Planetarium
the telescope of the public observatory is available on clear Friday nights
throughout the year from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.
Admission to the museum, gift shop and observatory is free. Theater prices
are $6 for persons ages 13 through 59 and $4 for children younger than
13 and persons 60 and older. The building is open Monday through Friday,
except holidays, from 8 - 8 . call for listings and schedule.
Located on a knoll overlooking the campus of the University of Nevada,
Reno, Fleischmann Planetarium looks like a saucer-shaped spaceship that
has just touched down. Its curious shape is actually a hyperbolic paraboloid
canopy that covers the elliptical interior of the building.
Inside you can see all three meteorites found within Nevada, or find out
what your real weight would be on the planet Venus, or see how a black
hole acts in space. These and many other exhibits are on display in the
Astronomical Museum. For many visitors, the real space experience takes
place in the domed theater on the lower level where you can see spectacular
films about nature and the universe. Lean back and relax in the reclining
loge chairs while the show unfolds all around you on the Skydome 8/70
screen
Wilbur May Center
Wilbur May, who was born at the turn of the century, was a wealthy traveller,
adventurer, pilot, rancher and philanthropist who spent the latter half
of his life in Reno. Wilbur is immortalised by the centre, which includes
a museum, arboretum and a kiddies' fun park. The museum has exhibits on
May's life, including stuff he picked up on his world travels, as well
as a bunch of animals he shot during his time on earth. If you don't mind
a spot of taxidermy and you like your museums eclectic, it can be a fun
spot.
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