Every July, Reno transforms into a citywide canvas during Artown —a month-long celebration packed with visual arts, live music, theater, dance, free crafts and community creativity. I brought my neurodivergent family here for an immersive arts experience that appeals to kids, teens and adults alike.
Before I visited Reno, I thought it was all about casinos, but that’s only one feature of the city. For families, Reno offers a convenient combination of museums, public art, live performances, restaurants and outdoor adventure in close proximity. Unlike a typical weekend festival where children must remain silent while adults appreciate the “important” exhibits, Artown invites hands-on participation.
This guide breaks down how to navigate Artown’s 500+ events across 100+ venues with kids, manage sensory needs and build a stress-free summer vacation in the Reno-Tahoe region.
Editor’s note: the writer was partially hosted by Visit Reno/Tahoe.
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Artown Event Overview & Key Facts
- When: July 1 – July 31 (Annual, month-long)
- Where: Citywide across Reno, NV (Downtown, Midtown, Regional Parks)
- Cost: 70%+ free community events; select ticketed performances
- Top Venues: Rancho San Rafael, Wingfield Park, Bartley Ranch, Discovery Museum
- Best For: Families with kids, teens, adults, and neurodivergent travelers
- Transportation: Private car is recommended (events span across town)
Start With The Artown Little Book
You’ll want to pick up the official Artown Little Book – it’s much easier to use than the official website. You can get a free copy at most Artown-sponsored events, at their downtown Reno office or at participating venues.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Give your kids their own Little Books so they can help choose events that resonate most with them. Handing them their own copy gives them agency and gets them excited to participate!
Essential Artown Venues & Family Activities
1. Bartley Ranch Regional Park ( Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater)
Address: 6000 Bartley Ranch Rd | Park Hours: 8AM-9PM Daily; Event Hours Vary | Pricing: Free; Select Artown amphitheatre events are ticketed
- Why Go: Enjoy live, open-air music under the stars with food trucks and flexible lawn seating where kids can stretch out and move freely.
- Family Experience: We started our Artown experience here watching the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the open sky. We enjoyed dinner from the food carts at the venue, but other attendees brought their own picnic spreads. My younger boys loved the flexibility of lawn seating that allowed them to get their wiggles out without feeling restricted.
- Seating Policy: Most outdoor Artown events allow blankets, low-back chairs and a soft-sided cooler for picnicking. Check the website for your specific event/venue permissions.
- Where to Purchase Show Tickets: Tickets are sold on a show-by-show basis through primary ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, or specific event presenters (like Artown).
2. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
Address: 490 S Center St | Hours: Mon–Sat: 10AM–5PM; Sun: 12PM–5PM | Pricing: From $13 PP; Free for Members and Under 1
- Why Go: Climb the massive Cloud Climber, build hands-on engineering projects, and add your own custom tile to Artown’s annual collaborative community collage.
- Family Experience: You won’t want to miss this spot! Every one of our kids, from elementary age to adult, spent time climbing in the Cloud Climber. The exhibits encourage children to touch, move, build and test ideas.
- Artown Highlight: Don’t skip the Artown community art collage! It’s an annual collaborative project where community members decorate individual tiles with various art media to assemble a massive finished picture.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Plan more time than you expect to spend here and bring a change of clothes for younger kids who enjoy water play.
3. Nevada Museum of Art
Address: 160 W Liberty St | Hours: Tue–Sun: 10AM–6PM (Open late Thursdays until 8:00 PM) | Pricing: Adults: $15; Students/Seniors: $13; Youth (6–12): $3; Ages 5 & under: Free
- Why Go: Offers a peaceful, reflective indoor escape for older kids and teens to connect with thought-provoking exhibits, plus an outdoor garden with free pickable fruit and herbs.
- Family Experience: The Nevada Museum of Art provided a quiet space that allowed our teens to engage deeply with the emotional aspects of the art. In connection with Artown’s 2026 emphasis, several exhibitions explored sustainability, environmental impact and green living.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Kids will love the “sharing garden” outside where visitors can help themselves to fresh fruit or herbs.
4. Downtown Reno Library
Address: 301 S Center St | Hours: Mon–Fri: 9AM – 5PM (Closed Sat–Sun) | Pricing: Free
- Why Go: Serves as the ultimate low-volume, sensory reset space featuring multi-level plant sanctuaries, cozy reading nooks, and free drop-in community craft projects.
- Family Experience: For sensory-sensitive kids who need a lower-volume activity between performances, a library stop provides a helpful reset. The Downtown Reno Library supplies exactly that—it has multiple levels filled with plants and cozy reading areas where guests can read quietly.
- 2026 Free Craft Activity: During our 2026 visit, the featured free Artown activity invited participants to decorate puzzle pieces celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. The library also displayed over 100 quilts from the Truckee Meadows Quilters’ Guild throughout the building.
5. Find Reno’s Public Art & Iconic Landmarks
Address: City Plaza: 30 N Virginia St (plus various Midtown/Downtown spots) | Hours: Always Open | Pricing: Free
- Why Go: Walk through giant, larger-than-life Burning Man sculptures, vibrant murals, and historic arches on a budget-friendly self-guided photo tour.
- Family Experience: City Plaza is home to both the stained-glass Space Whale and the giant BELIEVE sculpture, while additional murals appear throughout downtown and Midtown. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Reno without some photos at one of the iconic Reno arches! You’ll also find dozens of art pieces directly relocated from the nearby ‘Burning Man’ events around Reno.
SheBuysTravel Tip: For great photos, plan your photo shoot around sunset when lighting is ideal and after the kids have had dinner.
6. National Automobile Museum
Address: 1 Museum Dr | Hours: Mon–Sat: 9AM – 5PM; Sun: 10AM – 5PM | Pricing: Adults: $15–$16; Seniors (62+): $13–$15; Youth (6–17): $10–$13; Ages 5 & under: Free
- Why Go: Blends history, design, and science across 200+ vintage cars, immersive street scenes, and interactive vehicle testing areas for kids.
- Family Experience: An excellent place to explore art, science, history and design together. You can see over 200 vehicles among reconstructed street scenes and period details like costumes and memorabilia. The interactive children’s area gives kids plenty of opportunities to create and test vehicle designs and racing dynamics.
Sensory-Friendly & Neurodivergent Travel Guide to Reno Artown
Core Philosophy
Navigating Artown with neurodivergent family members requires balancing high-energy performances with intentional downtime. Plan one primary anchor activity per day, prepare sensory tools and use Reno’s low-volume venues for sensory resets.
Essential Neurodivergent Packing List
- Auditory: Noise-reducing headphones or earplugs — Blunts loud venue speakers and chaotic casino floors
- Visual/Thermal: Sunglasses, wide-brim hats, hoodies, weighted blankets — Shields against harsh July high-desert sun and rapid sunset temperature drops
- Regulation: Fidget toys, stuffed animals, portable gaming devices — Helps kids regulate focus during transitions or seated performances
- Comfort: Picnic blankets, safe-food snacks, refillable water bottles — Establishes personal physical boundaries on lawns and avoids hunger meltdowns
4 Rules for Sensory Pacing at Artown
- The “One Main Activity” Rule: For families with special needs, strictly limit your itinerary to one ticketed or timed event per day . Keep all other stops optional so there is zero pressure if a plan needs to change.
- Preview the Itinerary Together: Before leaving your room, walk through the day’s schedule with your kids. Discuss venue environments, transition times and potential sensory challenges.
- Choose Flexible Out-Seating: Seek out lawn seating at regional parks (like Bartley Ranch) or seating near perimeter exits. This allows sensory-seeking kids space to move their bodies without disturbing other attendees.
- Identify Safe “Reset” Spaces: When sensory overload happens downtown, step into the Downtown Reno Library (quiet, multi-level plant haven) or take a break at the hotel pool.
Where to Stay: Grand Sierra Resort
Address: 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595 | Phone: (775) 789-2000 | Pricing: Room rates starting from $59/night (plus resort fees)
The Grand Sierra Resort worked extremely well as our Artown base. It sits outside the busiest section of downtown but close enough to reach most activities within a 10-minute drive. At times when we needed a break from art, crowds and scheduled activities, our children could swim in the pool or read quietly in our rooms. The Grand Sierra Resort also has numerous restaurants, quick-service food options, bowling and an arcade.
SheBuysTravel Tip: As a casino resort, Grand Sierra Resort’s main floor contains bright lights, loud electronic sounds and a bustling atmosphere. Sensory-sensitive kids and teens may find it overwhelming, so choose alternate routes whenever possible and wear noise-canceling headphones.
Where to Eat
- Noble Pie Parlor (Downtown): A casual downtown restaurant that specializes in East Coast-style artisan pizza. My boys ordered their familiar favorite pizza toppings by the slice, while we adults enjoyed creative, grown-up pizza options. Tip: the cinnamon zepps for dessert were fantastic!
- Reno Bar and Grill: Cheerfully welcomed our large family even though we arrived less than an hour before closing. The menu includes American fare, Cajun options, Italian and many other delicious choices.
- Rim Asian Bistro (Grand Sierra Resort): Offers a wide range of Asian dishes, from Thai food to sushi, to familiar orange chicken and teriyaki.
- Second St. Marketplace (Grand Sierra Resort): Saved our sanity when no one wanted a sit-down restaurant meal. We picked up deli sandwiches on fresh bread, baked goods and gorgeous desserts to go or to eat in the cafe.
Best Day Trips From Reno During Artown
1. Virginia City
Address: 165 F St, Virginia City, NV 89440 (V&T Railroad Depot) | Hours: Town shops ~10AM – 5PM; train departure times vary | Pricing: Town walking is free; V&T train tickets ~$12–$25 per person
Virginia City is not officially part of Artown, but it makes an excellent arts-and-history day trip. Riding the Virginia & Truckee Railroad brought history to life as we listened to stories of Virginia City’s famous and infamous citizens.
- Why Go: Travel back in time on a historic steam train ride through a preserved 19th-century silver mining town nestled in the mountains.
2. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
Dates: July-August Annually | Address: Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Hwy 28, Incline Village, NV 89451 | Hours: Performances start near sunset (~7:30 PM); gates open early | Pricing: Town walking is free; V&T train tickets ~$12–$25 per person
The perfect addition to an arts-focused Reno vacation. We attended a Robin Hood production during the sunset hours. Aspiring thespians will love comparing that theatrical experience with the performances and community events at Artown.
- Why Go: Experience world-class outdoor theater set right on the sandy shores of Lake Tahoe with unforgettable sunset backdrop views.
SheBuysTravel Tip: All performances take place at Sand Harbor State Park on the shore of Lake Tahoe. It’s a popular destination, so check entrance requirements for parking and driving details ahead of time.
How to Get Around Reno During Artown
Having a car gave our family the most flexibility. Artown events take place across the city and our itinerary included downtown attractions, museums, our resort and two regional day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, absolutely. Artown isn’t a stuffy arts festival where children have to sit silently while adults appreciate “important” exhibits—it’s hands-on and flexible. With open lawn seating at regional parks, interactive touch-and-build exhibits at The Discovery Museum and quiet reset spots like the Downtown Reno Library, kids can participate enthusiastically at their own pace.
The Little Book is the official printed schedule for Artown, available for free at downtown offices, libraries and venues. It is much easier to navigate on the go than the official website. My top tip for families is to give your kids their own Little Books—handing them their own copy gives them agency to help choose the art projects and performances that resonate most with them!
For families with special needs, young children or teens, I strongly recommend booking only one ticketed or timed event per day . Popular performances can sell out, so reserve your single anchor event first, then build the rest of your day around flexible drop-in workshops, public art walks or poolside regulation breaks.
Reno’s high-desert sun, crowded venues and bustling resort floors require a well-stocked sensory bag. We never leave our hotel without noise-reducing headphones to manage loud casino floors or venue speakers, along with sunglasses, hats and sunscreen for the intense July sun. You’ll also want to pack hoodies or weighted blankets to handle the rapid temperature drops after sunset, picnic blankets to establish clear personal boundaries on festival lawns and plenty of “safe food” snacks and fidgets to keep everyone regulated during transition times.
It worked extremely well as our Artown base because it sits 10 minutes outside busy downtown, offering great pools, bowling and quick-service dining like Second St. Marketplace when no one wants a sit-down meal. However, GSR’s main casino floor features bright lights and loud electronic sounds. Sensory-sensitive kids should wear noise-canceling headphones or use alternate resort hallways to bypass the main floor.
Most outdoor park venues—like Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch—allow you to bring soft-sided coolers, picnic food, blankets and low-backed lawn chairs. Lawn seating is a lifesaver for younger kids because it provides the physical flexibility to get their wiggles out without feeling restricted during a performance.
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