The glitzy neon wonderland of Las Vegas is home to a stellar collection of attractions. Covering everything from games and goons to arts, crafts and celebrities, museums here are as eclectic and as captivating as the city itself. To feed your curiosity and plan your trip, check out our 6 top picks.
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1.Museums in Las Vegas: The Mob Museum
Figure 1 Charting the influence of the Mafia through American history, the Mob Museum is a dynamite day out in Las Vegas
The number one museum in Las Vegas continues to draw the crowds, with its amazing range of artifacts and installations charting the history of Mafia moguls in America. From relics of the Valentine's Day Massacre to Al Capone's Tommy gun, the museum offers a unique insight to the Mob's influence on US history – including the role of organized crime in the gambling capital of the world: Las Vegas.
Address: 300 Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas
Admission: US$29.95 (all-day admission) or $48.95 (including 2x interactive exhibits)
Hours: Every day, 9am-9pm
2.Museums in Las Vegas: The Pinball Hall of Fame
Figure 2 Home to a massive selection of retro games dating back more than 70 years, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a neon nostalgia fest that's not to be missed!
Consistently ranked as one of the best museums in Las Vegas, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a unique, colorful and quirky attraction that's an absolute must if you're visiting the city. Home to a huge collection of antique pinball machines and arcade games, some dating back as far as the 1950s, this enormous pay-per-play funhouse lets you try your luck at old school classics like Asteroids, Last Action Hero, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and many more. Get ready to bash those buttons!
Address: 4925 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
Admission: FREE (pay-to-play)
Hours: Every day, 11am-9pm
3.Museums in Las Vegas: Madame Tussauds
Figure 3 Strike a pose: Madame Tussauds is home to a galaxy of stars, just waiting to be snapped.
Since the selfie craze took off, Madame Tussauds has seen a boom in popularity, as visitors flock to snap their pics with a conveyor belt of compliant stars and celebrities. These waxworks are so convincing that Instagram – and possibly their own mothers – would struggle to tell the difference! From Drake to Elvis and from Sinatra to Siegfried and Roy, all your favorite stars are here. The museum also has a new 4D Marvel movie experience at the end, which is the perfect encore to this celebrity glitz fest!
Address: 3377 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas (at the Venetian)
Admission: $36.99
Hours: Weekdays 11am- 6pm, Weekends 11am- 8pm
4.Museums in Las Vegas: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Figure 4 With more than 250 poignant relics and the largest piece of the ship to be found anywhere on land, the Titanic Artifact Exhibition is a voyage of discovery in Vegas
The exhibition includes more than 250 pieces, ranging from Titanic-branded China and silverware to chandeliers and chefs' hats. There's also the largest piece of the ship itself on show anywhere in the world. Rescued from the world's most famous shipwreck, 2 miles down on the ocean floor, these amazing artifacts are a poignant and personal reminder of the lives lost on that fateful voyage in April 1912.
Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas (inside the Luxor)
Admission: $32
Hours: 11am-6pm (last admission at 5pm)
5.Museums in Las Vegas: The Neon Museum
Figure 5 Explore the bright city lights – and the history behind them – at the Neon Museum on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Picture Las Vegas and you will probably conjure up images of neon signs and dazzling lights. The Neon Museum pays tribute to this tradition, with more than 250 exhibits – known as ‘The Neon Boneyard' – sprawling out over 2.5 acres. There's a fantastic gift shop too, which is ideal if you're looking to pick up a few Vegas souvenirs like casino chips, matchboxes, and postcards.
Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas
Admission: $20 (guided night tour $28, light show $23)
Hours: 9am-9pm (light show from 9pm-11pm)
6.Museums in Las Vegas: Aria Fine Art Collection
Figure 6 The Aria Fine Art Collection is a great way to slow the pace and find some inspiration in Vegas (source: Syolacan / Unsplash)
Featuring artworks and sculptures from world-famous artists such as Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Coosje van Bruggen, Frank Stella, James Turrell, and Richard Long, the enormous Aria complex lets you explore some of the finest works of creation. Best of all, it's totally free!
Address: 3730 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas (at the Aria)
Admission: FREE
Hours: 24 hours a day
Whether snapping selfies with celebrities, rubbing shoulders with the mob, or hitting a high score on Space Invaders, there's a galaxy of stars to explore in Las Vegas. Make your visit even more memorable, with a stay in one of our recommended Las Vegas hotels: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, The Mirage, Mandalay Bay
FAQs about Museums in Las Vegas
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What can you do for free in Las Vegas?
Not everything in Vegas is set up to take your cash. In addition to a bunch of free museums, you can also catch the Bellagio Fountain Show and the Mirage Volcano Show, head over to the Wynn Atrium, visit the Las Vegas sign, or explore the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.
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What exhibits are currently showing in Las Vegas?
Some of the most popular exhibits at the moment are the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Bodies the Exhibition, Immersive Van Gogh, Meo Wolf's Omega Mart, Museum of Dream Space, and the Titanic Artifact Exhibition.
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What are the most popular attractions in Las Vegas?
The top-rated attractions in Vegas are The Strip, Fremont Street Experience, helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon, Venetian hotel and gondola rides, and the Paris Hotel / Eiffel Tower.
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What are some must-visit attractions on The Strip?
Gameworks, Bellagio Fountains, Mandalay Bay Shark Reef and Stratosphere are the top-rated attractions on The Strip, which is Vegas' number one tourist destination.
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Can I take photos in the museums?
Photography is permitted in most Las Vegas museums, except in cases where flash could damage artworks (follow the signs or ask if you're not sure). Some places – such as The Neon Museum – offer scheduled photo shoots as a private experience. All photo/video equipment is permitted (apart from drones) and wardrobe changes are allowed.