You may know that every July, Reno becomes Artown, a month-long celebration of art in all its forms. But you don’t have to wait until summer for art in the Biggest Little City. Both downtown and Midtown are home to over 100 murals painted by local, national, and even internationally-recognized artists. You can’t miss these large-scale pieces – think several stories high – if you’re in the city center, and you won’t want to. Reno’s street art is truly a sight to see, and there’s an excellent interactive map for a memorable self-guided tour of some of it.

Reno Street Art

Big, little, and everything in between – that’s what you get with the amazing murals in Midtown and downtown Reno. There are realistic portraits, graffiti lettering, illustration, landscape pieces, and more. It’s a varied and eclectic range, and it’s growing all the time. There are also art installations and sculptures dotting the region (have you seen BELIEVE and the space whale?!), some straight from Black Rock City.

For a self-guided tour downtown, check out the downtown Reno mural and public art map. Give yourself roughly two hours to browse Reno’s street art, and you may want to add time to pop into local cafes and shops on the way. You can also join a monthly guided tour or just wander around and see what you find.

Murals are a big part of Reno culture, and the city hosts an annual 24-hour Mural Marathon in which artists compete for the best mural on the side of Circus Circus. For a more comprehensive dive into Reno’s street art scene, check out the Public Art map. It includes sculptures and murals, plus signal boxes and bike racks that have been on the receiving end of a talented artist. 

The Takeaway

There are so many things that make Reno, Nevada, a great place to live. It’s ranked among the top ten cities for quality of life, and locals and tourists alike look forward to a full calendar of events all year long – and a little bit of artwork whenever they head downtown or to Midtown. If you’re considering property in Reno-Tahoe, you know where to find me!