Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Ad

UNR Museum Day Offers Free Admission

UNR Museum Day Offers Free Admission
UNR Museum District. Photo courtesy of UNR School of Education.

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) will host Day at the Museum on Saturday, Oct. 17, opening 20 museums and collections to the public for a free event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking will also be free.

The event will take place at locations on and around campus, with exhibits covering Nevada history, fossils, astronomy, art, natural history and living plants. Visitors can walk through the university’s Museum District, take part in activities and explore collections housed throughout the campus area.

Each stop on the event map will feature a hands-on activity or giveaway. Visitors can collect stamps in an event passport and redeem them for prizes. Photo opportunities with Wolf Pack mascots are also planned.

Participating locations include the Fleischmann Planetarium, W.M. Keck Museum, Museum of Natural History and Lilley Museum of Art. This year’s event will also include food trucks, with the university announcing an expanded lineup of museums and food vendors.

The Keck Museum’s collections focus on Nevada’s geology, paleontology and mining history. The museum has collected and exhibited materials for more than 100 years, preserving specimens and objects related to the state’s natural resources and mining past.

The Museum of Natural History houses research and teaching collections of plants and animals. Its holdings include local and tropical insects, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The Fleischmann Planetarium serves as a community resource for astronomy, Earth science and space science education. Together, these institutions represent several of the scientific subjects visitors can explore during the event.

Art venues on the participant list include the Lilley Museum of Art, Sheppard Contemporary, McNamara Gallery and Galleries South. Black Rock Press, which focuses on the art of books, will also participate, along with the John Bilbao Basque Library and Special Collections and University Archives.

The university’s outdoor collections will be represented by the University Arboretum and Biggest Little Pollinator Garden. The arboretum includes trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental plants and native flora in designated areas around campus, extending the district’s collections beyond its museum buildings.

History and cultural participants include the Nevada Historical Society, Museum of People, Place and Time, Shared History Gallery and Great Basin History of Medicine Museum. The event lineup also lists the Nevada State Museum, Stewart Indian School, The Discovery, Legacy Hall and Nevada Seismological Laboratory.

The range of participating museums and collections brings scientific, cultural and historical subjects together during the same six-hour event. Families and other visitors will be able to explore multiple locations during the day, with activities offered along the walking route.

Additional event information will be available during the week of Oct. 17 through the university’s online campus map. The map will identify event stops and help visitors locate participating collections on and around campus.

Event details and a link to the map are available through UNR’s Day at the Museum event page. 


Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

COMMENTS
Comment author: CH Comment text: I want to start a betting 'pool' for the October, November, and December closures: 1. A dent in the pool slide. 2. A failed breaker. 3. A pebble loose in the water part (replacing all concrete) 4. Hurricane Polo makes a sudden turn and blows off the roof (again). With soft muscles after 7 months of no swimming, the only health left is my sense of humor :) Comment publication date: 10/1/26, 11:18 AM Comment source: Fernley Pool Renovation Moves Forward, One Test at a Time Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation