Reno is about an hour from the lake, and its best rainy-day stop is the National Automobile Museum, built around the collection of casino founder Bill Harrah. The galleries walk through the history of the American car decade by decade, with period street scenes, plus famous one-offs such as a 1907 Thomas Flyer. It is a short drive from Tahoe's North Shore down Mount Rose Highway or the I-80 corridor, and pairs well with a Riverwalk stroll. Check the museum's current hours and ticket prices before visiting.
William F. Harrah built a gambling empire from Reno bingo parlors and, with the profits, assembled the largest private car collection ever put together, at one point more than 1,400 vehicles. After his death in 1978, the collection was partly sold and partly preserved, and a core of historically important cars went into a purpose-built museum along the Truckee River in downtown Reno, which opened in 1989. Visitors now walk through galleries arranged by era, with painted street scenes from the 1890s through to the present, so that each car sits in its own world.
The highlights include early horseless carriages, a Duesenberg and other classics, a gleaming Packard, and cars with famous owners and histories. Some are rare, some are spectacular, and some are simply charming, such as the era-appropriate gas stations and storefronts that frame them. Informative labels describe the engineering and the people behind each car. A rotating exhibit and a gift shop round out the visit, and a typical walk-through takes around 90 minutes, longer for car enthusiasts who read every label.
Combine the museum with a stroll along the Truckee River Walk, a few blocks away, and a meal downtown. If you are driving from Tahoe, check road conditions in winter, as Mount Rose Highway can be slow in snow. Hours and ticket prices change, so look at the museum's site before you set out, and consider the museum as a weather backup for ski days that go wrong or a way to break up a drive to or from Reno's airport.
It is a quiet, indoor, family-friendly stop that rewards car lovers and curious visitors alike.
What to expect
The experience
A downtown Reno museum with period street scenes and more than 200 historic automobiles from the Harrah collection.
Best time
Any day; it is an easy rainy-day or snowy-day option. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
How long
About 90 minutes, longer for car enthusiasts.
Tips
Check current hours and ticket prices on the museum's site. Combine with the Truckee River Walk. In winter, check road conditions for the drive from the lake.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Car enthusiasts and families looking for an indoor day-trip stop from the lake.
- Families
- Kids enjoy the street scenes and the unusual cars.
- Couples
- A relaxed museum afternoon followed by dinner by the river.
- Pair with
- The Truckee River Walk and Reno's downtown restaurants.
- Time needed
- Two hours plus travel.
Good questions
Where is it?+
In downtown Reno beside the Truckee River, about an hour's drive from the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
What can I see?+
More than 200 cars from the Harrah collection, arranged by era with period street scenes.
How long does a visit take?+
Around 90 minutes for most visitors, longer for enthusiasts.
Is it good for children?+
Yes. The street scenes and variety of cars keep most children interested.
Is it open every day?+
Check the museum's site for current hours and ticket prices before you go.
