Things to Do in Reno

Oh, my gosh, I just spent about 45 minutes writing you a huge letter, and the computer dumped it all. So here's the shortened version:

Libraries offer story time, craft days and free movies. The Museum of Art and university also offer free movies occasionally. The National Automobile Museum is fun even if you aren't a huge car fan. Almost next door, the Siena has horse and buggy rides, $20 for a full carriage.

The Parks and Rec dept. offers programs at the local parks. Bartley Ranch has a Thursday night program all year long. In the summer, there's a ranger led walk and/or activity at a different park every week. We love Davis Creek and Galena Creek parks, because they feel far away and aren't. Bower's Mansion park has an outdoor pool and offers mansion tours. There are 2 museums at UNR, the Keck museum off the quad and the Historical Society museum by the Planetarium. Rancho San Rafael has the Wilbur May Museum. Alf Sorenson and Moana pools are indoor and year round.

At Tahoe, try the Gatekeeper's Museum, rafting and Commons Beach in Tahoe City (Commons Beach has free movies & plays during the summer). In Incline Village, the college has displays and activities open to the public. Taylor Creek has the stream profile chamber, and is GREAT in the fall when the salmon are spawning. The paddlewheel ships are fun, too, and of course there's beaches!

Truckee has a children's museum. Just outside Truckee, at Alder Creek, is the Donner Party camp. Donner Lake has a museum, trail and movie about the Donners (plus great beaches.)

Virginia City has fun museums, shops where you watch them make candy, and mines you can tour, including one right on main street (it's only $5).

Fallon has the biggest museum in the area. Outside town are petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) and Hidden Cave (plus, you can watch Navy jets fly by.)

Boomtown's Family Fun Center's Family Pack (wristbands & snacks) is a good deal.

Fort Churchill, between here & Yerington, is the ruins of a Civil War era fort, and stop on the Pony Express Trail.

In Carson City, visit the Nevada State Museum as well as the Children's Museum and the train museum. Plus, the state capitol has free displays on the second floor.

There's 2 indoor bounce places - Jump Man Jump and Bouncing Around. Wild Island has bowling, an arcade, mini golf, race cars... all kinds of stuff for any weather. Idlewild park has some amusement rides and a tiny train to ride. Wingfield Park downtown hosts free lunchtime concerts through the summer, and often has other concerts and performances. During July's ArTown festival, there's stuff all over town for free.

Don't forget to check out Little League or AYSO. The Y and parks dept. have all kinds of classes, sports and even trips. Get used to scouring the local paper and the Reno News & Review. They'll often list all this stuff and more.

Besides what has already been mentioned, Carson also has a Children's Museum that is very interactive and a lot of fun. The planetarium up at the Universuty is fun as well as the Wilbur May Museum at Rancho San Rafael...they have a fun scavenger hunt in the museum which my kids enjoyed. Depending on the season, there are also tons of activities...winter has skating both in Carson and Reno, skiing, sledding, etc... In the warmer months there are pools for swimming, the Sparks Marina, hiking trails and tons of parks. If you visit SierraNevadaKids.com you can also get listing of activities or visit Momslikeme.com for items.

High ballocity is a TON of fun. It's like McDonalds on steroids...in the wild island park. You can go in and play with the kids, so fun. Check it out. Also, Pump it Up is a lot of fun. It is huge bounce houses for kids...so fun. I like Rancho San Rafeal park too and in the summer they have the Great Basin Adventure Park open. In the summer there is a lot more stuff. There is a small zoo north of Reno, in the cold springs area. There is also a bigger one out past red rock with larger animals. Virginia City has train rides from VC to Gold Hill. Carson City has a trian meusem that does train rides also. It's not all great big stuff, but it's fun.

Welcome!
All great suggestions! Also for indoor things in the Reno area: The Playroom is awesome, The Clay Canvas, The Animal Ark, Sierra Safari Zoo. Outdoors in Sparks is Lazy 5 Water Park which is fun for all ages that like water play!