I know, the absolute first thing you think of when thinking about Las Vegas is “museums.” Sarcasm or not, there are actually some very amazing museums scattered throughout The Valley offering both insights into rich Las Vegas history and the globe as a whole.
Always one for a good museum (not a joke), I’ve rounded up a variety of picks, all of which I have explored, that hit on a wide variety of interests.
Of course, there are still more options to check out including places like The Mob Museum, Springs Preserve, or even The Punk Rock Museum. Let us know in the comments if you have a favorite Las Vegas museum; we may include it in another round up!
National Atomic Testing Museum
If you know anything about the history of early Las Vegas, chances are you have at least heard a whisper about the warfare testing that took place in the desert starting in the 1950s. The National Atomic Museum serves as a testament to the uncertainty of the times while showcasing both the importance of scientific developments and highlighting one of the most dynamic chapters of American pop culture. On their own, visitors can explore 8,000 square feet of artifacts including things like “personal atomic weapons” and even a piece of the Berlin Wall.
The Atomic Museum, which also happens to be a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a great indoor option for all ages.
The Pinball Hall of Fame
Like a moth to a flame, one of the first things I did after moving to Vegas was check out The Pinball Hall of Fame. This is probably because I am a child of the 90s and a few of my friend’s parents had machines in their basements. I fully lean into the nostalgia feeling that brings so many other visitors through their doors on any given day.
The museum features 25,000 square feet of pinball goodness. All games are in working, playable condition. Just make sure to bring some cash for quarters – there is a change machine that accepts USD currency under $20. Games pre-1990 typically cost 25 cents per round, while the newer titles sit at 50 cents. This place is a great indoor addition to any trip, especially if you are traveling with those under 21, where you can take a break from the gambling action while still getting to play!
Madame Tussauds
If you haven’t been to a wax museum before, Vegas has its own Madame Tussauds located on The Strip (specifically inside Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas). This is more of an interactive museum, allowing for plenty of picture opportunities with the celebrity wax figures and a few “activity areas” like height comparisons. If you are a fan of the movie “The Hangover,” this Madame Tussauds location created an immersive bar modeled after scenes in the movie.
Madame Tussauds wasn’t my favorite museum on this list but that is probably because I am not overly into celebrity culture. With that being said, it is a good option for families or people that more fully appreciate recent pop culture.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Inversely, something I am totally all about is a spooky aesthetic coupled with equally spooky lore. Enter Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum.
I first went to this museum with my Vegas squad (Hi, downtown rats!), for one of our friend’s birthdays. Both me and my friends enjoy the spook so this was the perfect activity for us. We spent about 90 mins at the indoor location, being guided through the dimly lit museum by a tour guide. The tour guide led us through roughly 30 rooms within the 13,000 sq foot building that was originally built in 1938.
While I am a bigger lover of all things spooky, I was not crazy about how the ticket structure worked when I visited. This could have changed since then, but in my opinion, it is definitely worth it to buy the “RIP All Access” ticket type from the start. Otherwise, there are different exhibits and areas you cannot access. Our group was paired with a couple that did not buy that ticket type and they had to watch us explore parts of the museum that were not allowed to – it was pretty awkward and I focused on that more than the exhibits. I did really enjoy the museum, just a word of caution when looking into tickets!
Note: Because I do put some weight into these things, I was actually mildly concerned I could end up bringing a spirit home by accident, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. If you do a quick Google search, you can see some stories about people saying they did bring home energies.
Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is hands down my favorite museum to visit. As the name states, this place is all about the gorgeous neon of yesteryear. The team behind the museum does an incredible job sourcing the pieces, refurbishing them, and then finding them the perfect spot in their impressive collection.
The Neon Museum offers both guided and self guided tours. If it is your first time visiting, you should try the guided tour. That tour offers interesting information about the signs, the city, and mission of the museum. Because this is an outdoor venue, I recommend checking out this spot during the cooler months. I was always partial to going to explore during the winter where you get the double benefit of cooler temperatures and it gets darker sooner to fully take in the neon.
Fun Fact: When I say this is my all-time favorite Vegas museum, I mean it! I’m such a fan of this spot that when I was having a rough time at my last corporate job, I actually applied and got hired to be a tour guide. During the interview I knew a lot of the trivia bits, especially when it came to Downtown, and in a different life, I know that would have been an amazing job.
