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All 60 Reno Attractions »

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center

1650 N Virginia St, Mail Stop 272, Reno, NV 89557
775 784 4812
Ranked #23 of 51 attractions in Reno
4.0 of 5 stars 8 Reviews
Type: Observatories/ Planetariums
Owner description: Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center (FPSC), originally built as a public research facility of the Desert Research Institute, has attracted...... more » Owner description: Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center (FPSC), originally built as a public research facility of the Desert Research Institute, has attracted nearly two million visitors since its opening in 1963. The uniquely shaped building, listed on the national register of historic places, was constructed around large panels of an early large-scale solar energy system designed by forward-thinking Reno architect Ray Hellman. Those initial ideas of renewable energy and sustainability have been revived through new solar electric and wind turbine installations on site, as well as updating the original components. FPSC has inspired countless students through field trips, and engaged the public through decades of planetarium programming, free observatory facilities, and exhibits.FPSC is Northern Nevada’s only venue specializing in space, astronomy, and related fields. The building contains three basic components: a newly-renovated 60-seat Star Theater housing a digital planetarium and large-format film system, a 3000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall with both permanent and changing exhibits, and an extensive Science Store, as well as a classroom and fabrication areas. FPSC serves the university, from undergraduate to graduate students and faculty as a technological resource, and it serves the larger community as a public science education nexus. FPSC attracts a high number of visitors to the university campus: up to 15,000 K-12 students per year through field trip programs, 20,000 residents from Northern Nevada, and 20,000 out-of-state tourists. « less
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8 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Lindenhurst, Illinois
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 25, 2012 NEW

Saw the Pink Floyd light show and it was great! It is shown at two times on Friday nights. We also saw the coral reef show which was not as good as the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon show. More

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See 4 more reviews by mydogTasha for Reno
Reno, Nevada
1 review
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2012

Having been to the Griffith Park Observatory in L.A. many times it is hard to get excited about such a small planetarium. It's good to take children to. More

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Calgary, Canada
Top Contributor
88 reviews 88 reviews
Reviews in 35 cities Reviews in 35 cities
46 helpful votes 46 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 25, 2012

My wife and I were tired from all the gambeling, and mountain sight seeing in and around Reno and the Lake Tahoe area when we were coming home in the evening fealing kind of unfulfilled. We stopped in to ask if they were still open, and they said they usualy closed within a half an hour but were willing to... More

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See 2 more reviews by DylanKnell for Reno
Reno, NV
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 20, 2012

Maybe I'm just spoiled because I grew up near Griffith Park, but this planetarium is lacking... Nothing too out of the ordinary; it's an interesting enough stop for a local...not worth going out of your way for, though. Warning: the movies they show on the domed roof gave me TERRIBLE motion sickness, and I'm not inclined to experience that sort... More

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See 5 more reviews by Emerly for Reno
Reno, NV
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 16, 2012

The planetarium itself is small and there's not much for the older kids, but all ages would like the dome theater. The seats are reclined for a perfect viewing of the dome shows. My kids have all been there for fieldtrips and it's one of their favorites. More

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Marysville, California
1 review
3 of 5 stars Reviewed July 24, 2011

There was very little here to look at. There was a handful of exhibits, the most detailed by far had nothing to do with space, but with visual perception. The exhibits they had were very cool, though, and a good way to spend time while waiting for the movie to start. The seats in the viewing room were very small... More

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reno
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 27, 2008
7
people found this review helpful

I love coming here with my family. There are generally 4 or 5 different movies to choose from. Most movies run about 45 minutes long starting at the top of each hour. The stadium is small so it is best to get there about 30 min before the show to get the best seat (very back of the theater). The... More

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See 8 more reviews by only_work_2_travel for Reno
Baveno
Top Contributor
105 reviews 105 reviews
Reviews in 55 cities Reviews in 55 cities
39 helpful votes 39 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 2, 2012
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