Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, NV - Wilbur D. May Museum, Arboretum, Botanical Garden, & More

Wilbur D. May Center

1595 N Sierra Street

Reno, NV 89503

Helpful Links

Wilbur D. May Museum website

Volunteer Opportunities

Facebook Page for latest updates

Museum Event Space Rental Information

Garden Wedding Rentals

Pavilion Rental Information

Hall of Heroes pictures traveling exhibit

Wilbur D. May Arboretum Brochure 

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is Reno’s largest and most dynamic park. It’s home to the Wilbur D. May Museum, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum, multi-purpose fields (including off-leash dog areas), hiking trails, Herman’s Fish Pond, reservable pavilions, and hosts special events like the Great Reno Balloon Races and the Dragon Lights Festival.

In the park, you can find Wilbur D. May Museum, a pretty neat part of Reno, with it's neat gift shop and permanent collection, and traveling exhibits.  The museum preserves the life of Wilbur D. May, a world traveler who collected thousands of artifacts throughout the span of his life and brought them back to his home here in Reno.  Though small, the museum is packed with so much to see.  The Hall of Heroes, Dragons, and old-fashioned video game-themed traveling exhibits are only a few of the many you can find here, some recurring and some only passing through.

The Arboretum (right next to the museum) is tranquil and beautiful, with lots of labeled trees and plants.  Paved trails and shade in the Arboretum area provide relief from the blazing hot summer sun, allowing for families to enjoy the outdoors for extended amounts of time.  There are many beautiful gazebos in the arboretum area and a beautiful mini waterfall that contribute to it's tranquil atmosphere. 

In the same area, you can travel back in time with the kids and play at the Dinosaur playground with huge dinosaur swings and a slide (next to the restroom area).  Big trees shade the area and make this playground among the top playgrounds on my list.  Also available is a wood playground close by next to the pond and one next to the large open grass field next to the second parking lot, further away from the park entrance on North Sierra Street.

The park's wide-open spaces and amenities make this park ideal for large and small gatherings, events, outdoor sports, and more.   

I always encounter people from all walks of life here- joggers, hikers, nature lovers, dog walkers, couples, families and it's no wonder why.  It has everything one would look for in a park and more.  

Notes

-Stroller and wheelchair friendly  

-Museum features wildlife displays, African primitive art, Ta'an Dynasty pottery, Egyptian artifacts, and European silver  

-Indoor garden includes a centerpiece waterfall, a koi fish pond, and seasonal flower gardens  

-Available for weddings and parties  

-Call the park to reserve outdoor pavilions for events  

-25-acre off-leash dog park (bring a towel on wet days for muddy paws)  

-Rose garden located in the Arboretum  

-Large grassy areas are perfect for kite flying  

-Larger children's playground near the grassy field, another playground next to Herman's Pond, and a dinosaur playground by the museum parking lot  

-Gazebo available for gatherings  

-Exercise course around the grassy area  

-Home to a variety of wildlife  

-No dogs allowed in the Arboretum  

-Shade is mostly found in the Arboretum area  

-Ideal for photo shoots  

-Great for picnicking, with tables and BBQs located next to the playground and the open grassy field.

Categorized under Parks and Playgrounds, Family Friendly Hiking and Picnic Spots

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Miyabi Sushi, South Reno - There's a New Sushi Restaurant in Town and It's Hot Stuff

 They have the BEST nigiri.  Don't take my word for it.  You must try for yourself.

 Can you guess which one is my favorite?  Haha

13967 S Virginia St spc 910

Reno NV 89511

(775) 409-3520

Directions

Website

Menu

Other Reviews and Pictures on Yelp

***They are currently very busy with everyone wanting to try them out.  Getting here a little early and bringing some patience will do you good.  In time, I'm sure they will adjust staff accordingly. 

Miyabi Sushi is on another level with sushi that's so delicious, you won't think twice when figuring out whether you like it or not.  Miyabi is your ticket to Flavortown and is arguably the best sushi in Reno.

Carefully crafted with the best ingredients and in a way that's perfectly balanced, their sushi is out of this world and should not be missed.  I would imagine a restaurant like this in San Francisco so busy, they would always be booked out ahead of time. 

I'm feeling a little spoiled having this restaurant at the tip of my fingers in South Reno, especially right next door to my family's favorite theater, Summit Sierra located in Summit Mall.

I love that their menu isn't busy compared to other restaurants with a limited selection of rolls, but includes enough options that highlights their amazing fresh fish and is more than enough to leave you satisfied and wanting more.  A fellow Yelper got to chat it up with the chef and found out that he will be adding new concocotions in the future.

You'll also find ramen options, well-known hot plates (chicken teriyaki, chicken katsu, pork tonkatsu), appetizers, combination platters (different combinations of rolls+nigiri), and desserts.  I cannot tell you how excited I am for the day I get to try everything else.

I went here yesterday to celebrate my dear dad's birthday and the chef was more than willing to create another delicious vegetarian roll on top of the amazing Vege roll already on the menu to accommodate his dietary needs.

Every single item we ordered was so good.  The nigiri was the best I've had in town, with little toppings on some that highlighted the fish.  I am excited to try their Toro (fatty tuna) and uni (sea urchin) when available. The server, Selena, said they get their food in around Tuesday, so I'll make sure to get there in time to catch them.  The appetizers were nicely presented and were top-notch in quality.  The Fire Ocean and Ryu (dragon) were addictive.  Even my father's vegetarian rolls were the bomb!

Miyabi is unlike all of the other sushi restaurants in town, offering all you can eat.  I am guessing that because they don't offer this option, they can focus on providing the best quality of food without losing profit.  I am a person that lives for food and will sacrifice some new clothing and such to be able to buy some good quality food and Miyabi is the type of restaurant I would do that for. Haha.

Their restaurant was previously Bap cafe (Korean rice bowls), which I will miss dearly, but I'm glad to know they still have a location downtown.

The inside was nice and clean, with four tables that each seat four, a bar area that seats four, two tables outdoors that each seat four-five, and a few random bar tables around the restaurant that seat two-three.  
The ambiance was great, with cool instrumental music of the biggest hits on the radio playing in the background. Outdoor seating is available and service was nice and friendly.  Our server, Selena, was so patient and kind with my three little kids (2, 5, and 6 years old) who were a little rusty with their manners due to covid.  

From start to finish, everything me and my family ordered was outstanding and we are so excited to be coming back for more.  If you're into sushi, do yourself a favor and come on in before the secret gets out.

Parking is plentiful and they close during their transition to dinner at 2pm. I believe they open back at 4pm, but I will need to call to double-check.

*If you're looking for all you can eat sushi that offers amazing sushi, Hinoki is definitely the one.   

Mt. Rose is sushi perfection topped with light tempura fried onions

Dragon Roll (Ryu) was the bomb!

Fire Ocean was FIRE!

One of the best tasting Vege rolls

Categorized under "Good Eats"