Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center

I love the planetarium! The place is well maintained and they have some fun stuff in the gift shop! It's a great way to spend the day! They are fighting to get funding, so ya, the exhibits don't change that often. But the exhibits they have are interesting and informative! The sky dome is really cool! And they always have some awesome films on it! I love themselves of the moon and the model of the earth!

Reno isn't a place for culture and neither is the planetarium. First, instead of nice seats with a padded headrest to support your neck--you get a card chair. No neck rest. Hard to concentrate while uncomfortable. I have been in other cities and the shows were interesting and the seats were comfortable. Once was enough

Fleischmann planetarium has the potential to be more. It has a lot of great information and items to show case however the building is outdated. The show was an additional cost aside from the entry fee. Gift shop and staff were nice

I'm really unsure what to make of our recent visit to the Planetarium. We were all excited to go since we have been doing the library's summer reading program and learned they offer a $5 off adult admission offer with your library card, so that's pretty cool! That being said, it's not a cheap activity to do with your kids...2 kids & 1 adult was $30 with my library discount.

We arrived early for the show, and my kids had a blast exploring the hands-on activities around the theater. The show was supposed to start at 7:30pm, but as the crowd accumulated around the stairs I noticed it was already 7:36, and the guide (who I think was a student, more on that later...) was still giving his spiel, but OK.

By the time everyone was seated in the theater, the guide began his lecture. This is why I assumed he was a student and somehow, this was part of his studies...because he spoke for at least 20 minutes. I'm not sure how long he actually spoke as unfortunately, my son began feeling ill so we decided to leave. On the way out, I asked the other staff member if all the shows included a lengthy "talk" at the beginning, he said "yes, about 30 minutes"!!!

What?!?! So a 30 minute lecture THEN you get to see a 30 minute show? How do they expect younger kids to sit thru a lecture when they came to see a movie about stars? That seems like something a student may have to do to complete their program, maybe?

Oh, and a good few minutes was spent trying to convince people to sign up for a telescope subscription so they could see the stars at home, actually point the telescopes, take photos, download them to their devices...all came across as very pitchy. Seems like you should have a choice whether to stick around for a student lecture and pitch on Slooh membership AFTER the shop you've paid for, not be held captive before.

My kids really want to return and see the movie, but I'm hesitant if we're forced to sit thru another lecture segment. Don't get me wrong, the exhibits and activities are great, the staff was freindly, but 1/2 the "show" time is lecture wasn't what we were expecting or wanted to do.

Just like I remembered as a kid. It's small and quaint but packed full of information. This is definitely an educational experience made fun. My group of age ranging kids loved the movie about time travel. The staff was super friendly and gave a very informative presentation before the movie. We loved learning about the stars, constellations, planets. and mythological astronomy. My children learned a lot of new words and came home with a thirst for learning more. I was thrilled to hear they were able to get new grants to update and add more! We look forward to this in the years to come.

Great destination for kids or the curious adult. A $10 admission fee for seniors and students ($15adult) is well worth it. With your admission you can pick from one of three short video features shown in the 360 degree theater. You will walk away not only entertained but also slightly more knowledgeable of our inter-terrestrial world.

Got to visit the Planetarium while in Reno and watched their Black Hole special. We went at their latest show time and there were only three other parties for a total of 8 people. I guess masks are currently optional as the tour guide didn't wear a mask either.

The show is approximately 1.5 hours long, which included a "documentary" of the Black Hole, talks about the current night sky from Reno's POV, the Planetarium and its involvement ins space. Here are some of my thoughts on the experience:
- I don't think it suites well for kids because the language they use is actually quite scientific and needs quite a bit of brain energy to follow.
- They don't need proof for student discount I believe, so if you forgot your student ID, no worries you can still pay the cheaper price.
- The documentary is pretty amazing, it feels like you are sitting on a ride. Also, I think having it in a 360 POV really does make a big difference.
- Free NASA Calendars which is big plus.
- The biggest reason why I'm giving the Planetarium a 3 stars is because the seats were extremely uncomfortable and my neck had a big knot afterwards.
- The staff are actually so nice and kind and willing to share all that they know.

Overall, I think its a pretty solid experience and would recommend if coming to Reno, but be mentally prepared that the seats might hurt.

Every time I stopped by Reno, Fleischmann Planetarium is always on of my stops. I'm mean doesn't enjoys learning more about the planets, Comets, Sun, Moons , Stars and so on??! Iol! I guess I'm just a geek like that! ;)

I truly enjoy the exhibits and all the models of the planets orbiting and they have videos explaining each planet how they was discovered the list goes on and on. You will definitely, have fun while at the planetarium.

The have shows inside that are pretty cool. I normally, like the shows explaining the bodies off water like The Nile I've watch the last time I was here and it was fantastic! This time around the only showing they have is Pink Floyd...sigh!

Then weather permitting they have late night shows where you can watch the sky from the Planetarium's telescopes, I have tons of fun doing this. If I'm not mistaken they only do this when schools out? I could be wrong, but when I when school was definitely out for summer.

The gift shop is everything I never leave with out buying something and lots of time I go overboard lol. I love the freeze dried Ice Cream, Rock Candy, Lyons mints, Freeze Dried space food, necklaces etc... They also sell board games, Puzzles, Telescopes and so much more. It's something for everyone in this shop!

The customer service is okay. The young man that helped seemed to be possible new to the job and instead of using the register to ring me up he used a calculator instead? He didn't really give much eye contact and after making my purchase never said, Thank you, but did say have a good day! Maybe he's new to customer service lol!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy Fleischmann Planetarium and this will always be my to go spot. It's located on The University of Reno campus. You drive in the parking garage to the 3 floor parking , go inside the planetarium and get a free parking permit or you will be towed!

What a great activity we have right here in town. If you are into stars and the universe then this is the spot for you.

They have a small variety of show and a changing exhibit. Parking is free. All you need to do is go inside and ask for a parking permit. You take it back to your car and stick it in the window. The parking garage is just after the entrance to KNPB Channel 5.

The gift shop has some unique items. My favorite are magnetic rocks. The customer service here is spot on. I think Olivia was the name of the employee who sold us are tickets. She was very nice.

Planetarium show costs $15 per person. You can reserve ahead of time online and pay. Unsure if you have to pay to just see the exhibit.

It felt more like a lecture than a show tbh. We all fell asleep somewhere during the 20 minute showing. The order of the show was odd too; not in the typical chronological order ie Big Bang to present day. Chairs were not very comfortable and we had to arch our heads at an off angle to see the full display of the pictures.

The most interesting part was right before the showing where they logged into a website that allows them to view telescopes and what the telescopes see in real time. You can ask to look for certain things too during this segment ie black holes, distant solar systems, dying stars, etc. Then they go through what you can see in the night sky ie stars that make different constellations with outlines drawn in ie Ryan's belt, Gemini constellation, etc.

Exhibit was small. A whole section about the moon, planets, and astronauts and that was pretty much it. They had displays of gadgets from comics/ movies that referred to space in one way or another.

They seemed proud of the architectural design of the planetarium that follows the path of the sun and also the shape of their dome that is painted as a sun.

My kids and I recently participated in the JUSTin Hope Foundation Sensory night at the Planetarium. The man that was in charge for the evening and the young lady working the register checking people in were very friendly and understanding. It was so cool to get a chance to experience the planetarium and watch the show in the dome theatre with a "sensory friendly" atmosphere. Thank you so much for reaching out to the special needs community. We'll definitely be back again for the next event. Thank you!!