National Automobile Museum, Reno

Harrah's cars, an hour from the lake

⏱ 1.5-2 hours👤 All ages$$

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.