In 1900, the Central Pacific Railroad decided to move the tracks out of Wadsworth, Nevada, and run them closer to the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The land for the new terminal and the rail yards is where Sparks is located today. It took four years to fill the swamp created by the Truckee River. By 1904, the job was completed and Sparks became the busiest terminal between Utah and California. You can see artifacts and learn the history of Sparks at the museum located three blocks from John Ascuaga's Nugget.
If classic cars are your passion, then this museum is an absolute must-see. The massive building houses one of the largest collections of antique automobiles to be found anywhere. The cars are grouped by age in street settings appropriate to their time. These real-life backdrops include everything from Burma Shave signs to old gas pumps. See the cars that were originally a part of the Harrah collection including a Cadillac that belonged to Elvis Presley.
The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum is a great place to bring your family to explore and learn about the history of the state of Nevada among other things. Exhibits deal with nature, wildlife, environmentalism and renewable energy as they pertain to the region. The permanent exhibitions at Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum include Inside Out : an Anatomy Experience, Spark! Lab Smithsonian, Da Vinci's Corner, Nevada Stories and Little Discoveries among others.
This is the place to learn more about wild animals in their natural habitat. There are black bears, wolves, lynx, Arctic foxes, birds of prey and many more fascinating critters. The entire family will enjoy touring this nature center and wildlife sanctuary. You will find plenty to see and do, including animal demonstrations and educational displays. Picnic areas are available, so bring a lunch and spend the day.
This park has something for everyone. You can find several interconnecting lakes in this beautiful, tree-lined park. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than strolling through the City of Reno Municipal Rose Garden. Smell the sweet aroma as you walk through this incredibly beautiful garden that houses 2400 rose plants, representing 560 different varieties. The park offers picnic facilities equipped with benches and barbecues. There is a large playground for the kids with baseball diamonds, a volleyball pit and municipal pool. No admission is charged.
Having traveled around the world more than 40 times, Wilbur May amassed an astounding collection of artifacts. He was a philanthropist and left a marvelous legacy for generations to enjoy. His collection includes T'ang Dynasty pottery, primitive African treasures and Egyptian artifacts and a genuine shrunken head. The trophy room displays big game from around the world; the tack room is loaded with western memorabilia. The arboretum contains hundreds of plants native to the high desert.
Copper Cat Studio is a unique art studio which offers art and yoga lessons in Sparks. The studio specializes in mosaic art and takes custom orders for the same. They also provide lessons and organize workshops on varied art-related topics like Resin Pouring and Alcoholic Ink Art. The studio has yoga and reiki services and offers specialized treatments for various mental and health concerns.