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National Automobile Museum, Reno, NV

Photo: Jaydec, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsHistory BuffRainy-Day PickFamily Favorite

National Automobile Museum

1 Museum Dr · Reno, NV

Why you should go…

The National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno grew out of William F. Harrah's collection of historic automobiles and opened in 1989. More than 200 cars fill four galleries that run from the 1890s onward, linked by themed streets with facades such as a hardware store and a movie theatre. Look for Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac Eldorado, John Wayne's 1953 Corvette, a gold-plated DeLorean and the surviving prototype of Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion car.

  • #car museum
  • #classic cars
  • #harrah collection
  • #downtown reno

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to National Automobile Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Local Gem

    Reno Outdoors

    $50+

    Guided luxury-van day tours from Reno to Lake Tahoe and Virginia City.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Reno Riverwalk District

    Free

    Downtown Reno arts and entertainment district along the Truckee River with shops, galleries, and dining.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Reno Arch

    Free

    Stand under the lit sign spanning Virginia Street that reads The Biggest Little City in the World.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Nevada Museum of Art

    Under $25

    Walk rotating exhibitions on art and the environment in a Will Bruder building in downtown Reno.

    0.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

    $50+

    Ski resort near Reno with the highest base elevation in the Lake Tahoe basin.

    9.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Virginia City

    Free

    A historic Comstock Lode silver-mining boomtown with board sidewalks, saloons, mine tours, and museums.

    17 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing