Las Vegas is known for the unusual and offbeat. Once you get past all the gambling, buffet-ing, and perhaps living beyond your means, you’ll find that the city boasts an array of quirky and fun museums that you won’t find anywhere else.
You can start by experiencing the unique history of burlesque at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, marveling at the dazzling retro signs at the Neon Museum, or exploring the eerie collections at Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum.
For a touch of nostalgia, visit the Showgirl Museum and see the glamorous costumes of Vegas’ past. If you’re in the mood for something more educational with a hint of pop culture, don’t miss the Titanic Exhibit or the Princess Diana & the Royals Exhibit.
We’ve been to Vegas so many times as grown adults — Papu even lived there for five whole years! — and even still, we’ve barely made a dent in this extensive list.
Discover the rest of your options in Vegas’ eclectic museum scene — you’ll quickly see why Las Vegas is truly one-of-a-kind.
The Neon Museum
Since 1996, Downtown Las Vegas’ Neon Museum has collected, preserved, and exhibited retro Las Vegas signs from the 1930’s onward.
What began as a random storage area of defunct neon signs (aka the Neon Boneyard) has grown into a full-fledged museum with more than 200 rescued historic neon signs — all lit up for the public to enjoy!
You can check out the visitor’s center, view the collection within the museum, partake in one of the many special tours taking place throughout the day, or stroll through the boneyard on your own.
During our latest visit, we saw the Brilliant! Jackpot light show created by artist Craig Winslow. This immersive experience reanimates 40 monumental examples of The Neon Museum’s iconic vintage signs and will take you through the history of Las Vegas through music and lights. It was so much fun!
The Neon Museum is mostly outdoors and is extremely photogenic, so don’t forget your sunscreen (for day visits) and your camera.
The Mob Museum
If you love mob stories and true crime, we think you’re going to like this one. At Downtown Las Vegas’ Mob Museum, you can delve into all kinds of dark and fascinating history of organized crime.
Located in a former federal courthouse, this museum offers an immersive experience with exhibits on infamous mobsters, law enforcement efforts, and the impact of organized crime on America.
Among its most interesting exhibits are the Wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, which is an actual piece of the wall where one of the most notorious mob hits took place, and the interactive Crime Lab, where you can learn all about forensic science and criminal investigations.
Other highlights include the Prohibition-era Speakeasy, where you can enjoy authentic period cocktails, and the Distillery, where you can opt for a drinking tour and taste their very own moonshine made with 100% corn and bottled at a strong 50% ABV.
The Punk Rock Museum
Are you a big punk/alternative music fan? Learn all about the gritty, rebellious world of punk rock at The Punk Rock Museum.
This unique museum showcases the evolution of punk music, culture, and the absurdity of it all with exhibits featuring iconic memorabilia, rare photos, and original artwork from punk legends.
Expect the world’s most expansive, inclusive, and intimate display of artifacts, fliers, photos, clothing, instruments, handwritten lyrics, artwork, and just about everything else donated by the people and bands who were there.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Looking for a disgustingly spooky activity near Downtown Las Vegas? Horror lovers will feel right at home at Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum.
Zak Bagans is the guy that hosts the popular paranormal TV show Ghost Adventures. Yeah, you’ve probably seen it on TV at one point in your life. Known for his fascination with the supernatural, Bagans curated this museum to house his extensive collection of haunted objects and oddities.
There are over 30 rooms filled with haunted artifacts, creepy memorabilia, and spine-chilling exhibits. You can expect to see items like the Dybbuk Box, a supposedly cursed wine cabinet, and Dr. Kevorkian’s death van, among other unsettling relics.
While we would personally never set foot in this place (we are chickens), we think it’s perfect for people who love the idea of ghosts — if these kinds of people are even out there! Well, given how many stellar reviews this museum has, we’ve determined that these people are definitely out there.
Atomic Testing Museum
The Atomic Testing Museum has 8,000 square feet of museum exhibits that tell the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site.
Located just minutes from the Strip, this museum offers fascinating exhibits on the Nevada Test Site, the Cold War, and the science behind nuclear weapons. With interactive displays and rare artifacts, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal era in American history.
I mean, where else can you see a large nuclear reactor that was used in the development of the nuclear rocket and the first air-to-air missile? You’ll also find personal atomic weapons that were developed to use in place of conventional weapons such as ‘The Backpack Nuke’ and the ‘Davy Crockett Weapon System’ (recoilless gun). Fascinating.
PRO TIP: Follow up your museum visit with an atomic-themed cocktail at Las Vegas’ first bar, Atomic Liquors, which once hosted atomic blast viewing parties from their Fremont Street rooftop.
Showgirl Museum
Perhaps the most “uniquely Vegas” of all on this list is the Showgirl Museum, where you can explore the glamorous world of Las Vegas showgirls.
This museum features actual wardrobe pieces, sets, props, film footage, historical documents, and costume designs from the world of showgirls both locally and around the world.
You may even catch live re-enactments of some of Vegas’ most famous production numbers and specialty acts from Hallelujah Hollywood, Splash, Enter the Night, Jubilee!, Les Folies Bergere, and Liberace Show, in addition to famous movies and revues from around the world.
Princess Diana & The Royals: The Exhibition
Calling all The Crown and Princess Diana lovers! Did you know there’s an exhibit dedicated entirely to Princess Diana and the rest of the royal family? It’s hiding in plain sight right on the Strip too.
At the Princess Diana Exhibition (located at The Shops at Crystals), you’ll be transported through 10,000 square feet of space, featuring 12 themed rooms and over 700 personal artifacts of Princess Diana.
Highlights include the largest on-display collection of Diana’s evening gowns, a life-size artistic recreation of her iconic wedding dress, and engagement dresses crafted by a world-renowned paper artist. You’ll also find handwritten notes from Diana to Charles, showcases on her humanitarian efforts, and an extensive collection of royal family memorabilia.
Paradox Museum
Mindbending optical illusions and reality-defying photo opportunities await you at the Paradox Museum.
Inside the museum, you’ll find that nothing makes sense, and yet everything is totally real! It may look like a small place from the outside but upon entering, you’ll find 70+ exhibits, activities, and displays.
Have your expectations turned on its head as you wander through the series of topsy-turvy rooms inside. Enter the Upside Down Room where objects – and you – appear to defy gravity; have your sense of perspective challenged in the Reverse Room; take a walk on the weird side in the Paradox Tunnel; and take a seat on the Paradox Sofa, where you may find you struggle to hold yourself together.
Half the fun of these exhibits is trying to understand how exactly they’re tricking your mind! If that’s too much on the brain, just enjoy the fun and snag yourself some of the coolest selfies in town.
Burlesque Hall Of Fame
Another quintessentially Vegas option is the Burlesque Hall Of Fame. This museum celebrates the art of tease with exhibits featuring glamorous costumes, vintage posters, and photographs of legendary performers.
Learn about the history and evolution of this tantalizing performance art, and see how it has influenced entertainment culture through the decades. From time to time, they rotate out their exhibits.
Previous exhibits include “Built to Bare: The Art of Engineering Clothes Designed to Come Off”, “Let’s Get Loud! The Heritage of Latin Burlesque” and “Spectacular, Erotic, and Slightly Shocking: A Timeline of American Burlesque” — all very fun and intriguing topics!
Erotic Museum
It wouldn’t be Vegas without something as scandalous as the Erotic Heritage Museum! But despite the rather provocative name (made just a tad less provocative with the word “Heritage” in there), this museum offers a tasteful journey through the history of erotic art and culture.
With exhibits ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary works, you’ll gain insight into the ways sexuality has been expressed and celebrated across different cultures and periods.
If you really wanna get immersive, treat yourself to Puppetry of the Penis, a one-of-a-kind comedic stage show where performers create various shapes, objects, and installations using their genitalia, referred to as “genital origami.” Originating from a calendar concept by Simon Morley, the show has toured globally, entertaining audiences with its humor and creativity.
Known for its sell-out performances and celebrity fans, it continues to run five nights a week in Las Vegas and remains a must-see for those seeking an unconventional and hilarious experience.
Wink World at AREA15
Wink World is a psychedelic, visually, and sonically dynamic exhibit created by Chris Wink, co-founder of Blue Man Group. While it’s certainly not your average museum, you’ll still likely be fascinated by all the “exhibits” on display.
At Wink World: Portals Into the Infinite, you’ll journey through six infinity mirror rooms full of mesmerizing lights, colors, sound, and motion. Expect an explosion of black light and bursting colors all around you.
Omega Mart at AREA15
Omega Mart is one that also falls under the category of an immersive exhibit rather than a proper museum, but it’s fun and intriguing nonetheless.
In fact, you might even be hard-pressed to tear yourself away from the glitchiness, campiness, and colorfulness of this place.
In a nutshell, Omega Mart is an immersive art installation masquerading as a surreal supermarket. Created by the artist collective Meow Wolf, this interactive exhibit invites you to explore hidden passages, discover bizarre products, and uncover the story behind this quirky, otherworldly store.
Museum of Illusions
Stick your logic in the closet and let the power of your mind take center stage — at least for the few hours you’re at the Museum of Illusions.
Having gained popularity through its many other installations seen across 25 countries and counting, this museum has impressed museum-goers with its perspective-changing rooms, mind-boggling installations, and optical illusions that challenge your perceptions and your senses.
Hang out with your clones, swap noses with friends, or serve your head on a platter in rooms designed to boggle the mind and spark laughter. You can also stroll through upside-down rooms, experience the thrill of infinity, and play with the concept of size manipulation all in one place.
Museum of Selfies
The Museum of Selfies is an interactive exhibit perfect for teenagers, photo enthusiasts, and the social media obsessed. Nestled in the entertainment hub of the LINQ Promenade, this “museum” offers a ton of playful and quirky backdrops for what will end up being your most memorable pics.
Dive into a shimmering gold bathtub, make waves in an emoji-filled pool, jet-set in a private plane, or flip the world upside down in a gravity-defying room. You’ll definitely want to bring a camera!
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Experience the tragic story of the sinking of the infamous ship at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Featuring over 250 authentic artifacts recovered from the wreckage, the Titanic Exhibit offers a never-before-seen glimpse into the lives of the passengers and crew.
Walk through recreated rooms, view personal belongings, and learn about the ship’s ill-fated voyage through detailed displays and interactive experiences.
Discovering King Tut’s Tomb
Head to Luxor Las Vegas if you want to travel back to ancient Egypt at Discovering King Tut’s Tomb, where you can explore the treasures and history of the boy king, Tutankhamun.
This exhibit features meticulously crafted replicas of his tomb’s contents, including the iconic golden mask and intricately decorated sarcophagus. Learn about the discovery of the tomb and the significance of its artifacts in understanding ancient Egyptian culture.
The experience extends beyond just visual exhibits — they have an optional audio guide for an additional fee. This audio guide provides visitors with Howard Carter’s exact words about his monumental find, enhancing the exploration with historical insights and details.
ARTE MUSEUM
Experience nature and technology coming together at ARTE MUSEUM. The exhibition, called ‘ETERNAL NATURE’, uses different types of digital art to take you on a digitally-immersive journey.
You’ll see flowers that keep blooming thanks to special art technology and you’ll feel the timeless beauty of nature with all of your senses through cool designs and even scents that your nose will get to enjoy.
After exploring the museum for a few hours, you can head to the TEA BAR to enjoy sweet, tea-based mocktails.
Pinball Hall of Fame
In a nutshell, the Pinball Hall of Fame is full of old pinball games, perfect for reliving the glory days of arcade gaming.
If you can think of a game, they probably have it — and then some! This spot carries the world’s largest collection of pinball machines, ranging from vintage classics to modern faves.
Play your way through decades of pinball history and experience the charm of these old-timey games while you’re there. You’ll find rows and rows of machines, all ranging from $0.25 to $0.50 per play.
(Don’t be surprised if you find that 30-40% of the pinball machines don’t work. They ARE old as heck, after all.)
PRO TIP: The Pinball Hall Of Fame is located right across from the famous ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, so if you’ve been dying to get a pic in front of the sign, you can pair it with a visit to the museum.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Wanna get up close and personal with your favorite celebs? Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is a two-story attraction nestled within The Venetian Resort filled with over 80 meticulously crafted wax figures representing iconic celebrities from film, television, and music.
All the figures are crafted with such realism that they might just fool your family into believing you partied with Snoop Dogg, Drake, and Bieber!
Unlike meeting real celebrities, Madame Tussauds offers a unique advantage – you can touch, pose, and take unlimited selfies with uncannily lifelike figures. Bad Bunny, Channing Tatum, Beyoncé, Tupac Shakur, Mike Tyson, Post Malone, Jamie Foxx, and Brad Pitt are just a few of the famous faces you can expect to see here.
Shelby Heritage Center
Ever heard of Caroll Shelby? As one of the most legendary American automotive designers and drivers, one of his most longstanding legacies is his contributions to Ford Motor Company’s development of the AC Cobra and Mustang.
Experience a piece of his legacy at the Shelby Heritage Center, which is a 2-in-1 facility that’s both a Heritage Center and a 150,000-square-foot production facility.
Among the vehicles on display are the Shelby Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, and even the rare GT40, vehicles known for their raw power and timeless appeal. Alongside 25+ Shelby vehicles, the museum also tells a comprehensive history of his automotive designs, racing experiences, and entrepreneurship.
The Shelby Heritage Center is free and open to the public 7 days a week. For a more in-depth experience, you can opt for the VIP Behind-The-Scenes tours that can be purchased on their site.
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