Fleischmann Planetarium

The planetarium was designed by Reno architect Raymond Hellmann and built in 1963. Its signature is that roof, a thin concrete shell in the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid, a saddle curve that soars and dips and is supported at only two points. It is said to be the only planetarium in the world built in that shape, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Originally called the Fleischmann Atmospherium-Planetarium, it opened as the first of its kind in the world, a theater that could project not just the stars but the weather, using time-lapse film to replay a whole day of Nevada sky in minutes. That blend of art, architecture, and science is exactly what makes it a gem rather than just a lecture hall.

The heart of a visit is the domed theater, where full-dome shows fill your entire field of view. Programs range across the night sky, the planets, and the deep universe, from family-friendly star tours to features on space exploration, all projected onto the tilted hemisphere overhead.

The building also holds science exhibits and, over the years, has served generations of Reno schoolchildren as their first encounter with astronomy. It is the kind of place that sparks a lifelong love of the sky.

The planetarium anchors the north end of the University of Nevada, Reno, the state's oldest university, whose historic quad and hilltop campus overlook the city. The university grew alongside Reno's silver-and-railroad boom and remains its intellectual heart.

Reno itself, the self-styled Biggest Little City in the World, sits where the high desert meets the Sierra, a former divorce-and-gaming capital that has reinvented itself around the Truckee River, a lively arts scene, and its position as the gateway to Lake Tahoe.

Reno's location makes it a natural base for the real thing as well as the theater. Within an hour or two you can be under genuinely dark skies in the surrounding desert and mountains, and Lake Tahoe's high country offers superb stargazing on clear nights.

The planetarium is a fine primer, whether you are about to head into the Nevada backcountry or just want to understand what you will see when you look up.

The planetarium is an indoor, all-season stop, ideal on a hot summer afternoon or a cold or stormy day when the outdoors is less inviting. Show schedules change through the year and around university breaks, so plan your visit around a specific program.

It pairs well with the rest of a Reno day, from the riverwalk downtown to a drive up to Tahoe.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, on the University of Nevada campus in Reno, is a beloved planetarium and science center offering immersive star shows, films, and astronomy and science exhibits. The planetarium features a dome theater for star shows and large-format films that transport visitors through the cosmos, along with exhibits on space, astronomy, and science, and it is housed in a distinctive, architecturally notable building. A wonderful destination for stargazers, families, and the science-curious, it brings the wonders of the universe to life. With its star shows and science exhibits, the Fleischmann Planetarium offers an engaging destination in Nevada.

You can watch immersive star shows and large-format films in the dome theater, explore exhibits on space, astronomy, and science, learn about the night sky, and, at times, join special astronomy programs and events. The dome star shows and films, the astronomy exhibits, and the educational programs are the highlights, offering an inspiring and family-friendly journey through the cosmos. It is both entertaining and educational for all ages. With its star shows and exhibits, the Fleischmann Planetarium offers a rewarding experience in Reno, Nevada.

Yes, the Fleischmann Planetarium is a wonderful family destination, with immersive dome star shows and films that captivate children, hands-on astronomy and science exhibits, and special programs that make learning about space fun for all ages. Kids especially love the dome theater experience and the sense of traveling through the universe. Because show schedules vary, checking current showtimes and hours before you go is wise. With its star shows, films, and exhibits, the Fleischmann Planetarium makes an excellent family destination in Reno, Nevada.

As an indoor planetarium and science center, the Fleischmann Planetarium is enjoyable year-round in any weather, making it a great stop in any season. Because star shows and films run on a schedule, checking current showtimes before you go is important to plan around a show. It can be busier on weekends and during school breaks. It pairs well with other Reno attractions. Because it is indoors, the Fleischmann Planetarium makes a rewarding family stop any time of year, planned around show times, in Reno, Nevada.

The Fleischmann Planetarium is on the University of Nevada campus in Reno, within reach of downtown Reno, the National Automobile Museum, Lake Tahoe and its eastern-shore attractions, Carson City, and Virginia City. That makes the Fleischmann Planetarium a fun stop to combine with the National Automobile Museum, Lake Tahoe, and the other attractions of the Reno area on a visit to Nevada.