5 Must-See Museums in Las Vegas and How to Visit
Las Vegas is not your average city, and its museum selection is no different. Instead of art galleries and other traditional cultural institutions, Vegas boasts museums that highlight the city’s distinctive history. Here are a few of the top Sin City museums to complement your time at the casino or by the pool.
1. Madame Tussauds
For A-list celebrities up close.
At Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, the likenesses of A-list stars provide ample opportunity for Vegas-themed interaction and photo ops. Experiences include Marvel superheroes, Vegas icons such as Elvis and the Rat Pack, and the stars of the Vegas-set movie The Hangover.
How to visit: Prebook your admission to avoid the ticket line when you arrive, and consider a combo option that includes a visit to another top attraction such as a gondola ride at the Venetian.
2. Neon Museum
For neon artifacts.
Despite many changes over the years, one thing is a constant in Las Vegas: the neon. Discover classic signs and other neon artifacts at the Neon Museum, whose outdoor Boneyard houses both restored and unrestored signs from old casinos, hotels, and other locations.
How to visit: Opt for a city tour or museum tour that includes the Neon Museum, or book online admission in advance if you plan to visit independently.
3. Mob Museum
For real stories about organized crime.
Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum has been a favorite Las Vegas attraction since it opened in 2012. Learn about real stories and events through exhibits and interactive displays such as Prohibition,The Crime Lab,The Speakeasy, and The Feds Fight Back.
How to visit: Purchase admission in advance to avoid the ticket line at this popular venue, or join a Las Vegas museum tour (the museums included vary depending on the time of year) to explore with a guide and other travelers.
4. Nevada State Museum
For Nevada's history.
Just a few miles from downtown Las Vegas, the Nevada State Museum is part of Springs Preserve, a 180-acre (70-hectare) complex home to trails, bike paths, archaeological sites, and desert wildlife. The museum features exhibits about Nevada’s cultural history, natural history, and geology, including the state fossil (a complete ichthyosaur) and displays about the Hoover Dam and American Indians.
How to visit: Entry to Springs Preserve includes access to the museum; book admission in advance to avoid waiting in the ticket line.
5. Las Vegas Natural History Museum
For prehistoric fossils, marine life, and more.
Great for those visiting the city with kids or looking for a break from the Strip that’s both entertaining and educational, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum features exhibits such as prehistoric fossils, marine life, and Egyptian treasures. See live sharks and stingrays, replicas of bears and big cats, and even a wooly mammoth tooth.
How to visit: Book admission in advance to visit independently and avoid the ticket line, or join a Las Vegas museum tour (the museums included vary depending on the time of year).
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