Nevada Museum of Art

The Nevada Museum of Art occupies a Will Bruder-designed building in downtown Reno — a jagged black-zinc-clad box modelled on the fractured geology of the Black Rock Desert. Founded in 1931 and Nevada's only accredited art museum, it has built a serious reputation for two things: land art (installations in the desert by Michael Heizer, Walter De Maria, Ugo Rondinone's Seven Magic Mountains outside Las Vegas) and depictions of the Great Basin landscape. Reno's cultural anchor and a genuine national-tier collection.

Four floors climb the building via a suspended stair. Level one carries the ticketed rotating exhibitions, often on loan from major museums. Level two holds the Altered Landscape photography collection — Robert Adams, Richard Misrach and the New Topographics generation. Level three is the Center for Art + Environment, a research library and archive of contemporary land art. The rooftop sculpture garden gives 360° views of the Sierra and the Truckee River. The museum shop and Chez Louie café (upscale bistro lunch) are on the ground floor.

Come Thursday evening for extended hours and the free-drop-in art talks. The museum runs bus tours out to Michael Heizer's City in remote Nevada — arguably the greatest earthwork of the 20th century, only accessible via NMA-organised trips ($200+, book a year ahead). Combine with the Riverwalk (2 blocks north), lunch at 4th Street Bistro or drinks at any of the Midtown bars. Skip Monday-Tuesday when it's closed. Free garage parking behind the building on Hill Street.

Hours & entry

First Thursdays 17:00-19:00 free with Reno Culture Card · Free Sundays for Reno residents (bring ID)

Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00 · Thu 10:00-19:00 · Closed Mon-Tue

What to see

• Altered Landscape photography collection — Level 2, Wilbur D May Galleries
• Rooftop sculpture garden with Sierra views — Top floor via the main suspended staircase
• E.L. Wiegand Gallery rotating major exhibition — Level 1, first gallery right of the entry lobby

Tips from the ground

• First Thursday of every month is $5 admission after 5pm with live music in the lobby.
• Book Michael Heizer City tours a year in advance — only 6 tours run per year at 12 people each.
• Chez Louie serves the best museum lunch in the state; the mushroom tart and a glass of rosé for $28.