Things to do in Las Vegas

Best Museums in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a cultural hot spot. No matter where you look, you're confronted with everything from the awe-inspiring to the downright weird.

Las Vegas isn’t just neon lights and blackjack tables; it’s also home to some of the most unexpected and fascinating museums in the country. Ready to level up your Vegas experience? Here are the nine most popular museums in Las Vegas that prove Sin City has brains to match its flash.

Want a few more options for Las Vegas Attractions? Check out our blog post on things to do in Las Vegas!

1. The Mob Museum

Las Vegas’s Mob Museum is dedicated to enhancing the public's understanding of organized crime, prohibition, and more! It’s a worthy spot for true crime fanatics.

Have you ever wondered about the birth of the mob in the 19th century? The museum follows the mob’s web of influence across major U.S. cities (Vegas included). Take a seat in a historical courtroom, step inside a crime lab simulation or stop for drinks at a true speakeasy tucked away in the basement!

  • Location: 300 Stewart Ave, near Fremont Street
  • Hours: Open daily, 9 AM – 9 PM
  • Cost: Starts at about $30 for general admission.
  • Best time to go: Early in the day to take your time with the exhibits.
  • Family-friendly? Yes, though the content may suit older kids better.

2. The Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is a great place to travel back in time to the strip's earliest heyday through an eclectic gallery of restored signs. You can explore Las Vegas' cultural evolution with guided tours offering historical context and unique perspectives.

These outdoor exhibits provide a nostalgic yet dazzling experience for all ages. Don't miss a visit at sunset for stunning photo opportunities. It’s the perfect spot for a photo op!

  • Location: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, near downtown
  • Hours: Varies seasonally, generally from afternoon into late evening.
  • Cost: Starts around $25; night tours and light shows cost more.
  • Best time to go: After dark for the full neon experience.
  • Family-friendly? Yes — visually fun and welcoming to all ages.
Photographer: Lyle Hastie

3. The Luxor's Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

The Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition in Las Vegas will delight history lovers, maritime enthusiasts, and movie fans alike. This Las Vegas museum was set up inside the massive pyramid-shaped Luxor Hotel & Casino and is a draw for fans of the Titanic story.

The Luxor's exhibition has hundreds of genuine artifacts in its collection. The authentic pieces combined with full-scale reconstructions give you the chance to step back in time to 1912 and behold the ill-fated ship.

Visitors of all ages can glean something from the exhibition. Plus, admission for children under age three is completely free, making it one of many free activities in Las Vegas for children.

  • Location: Luxor Hotel, 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd
  • Hours: Open daily, 11 AM – 6 PM
  • Cost: $39 for adults, $32 for children.
  • Best time to go: Early afternoon to avoid larger groups.
  • Family-friendly? Yes — educational and engaging for all ages.

4. The National Atomic Testing Museum

The National Atomic Testing Museum offers an educational look at America’s nuclear history. Explore a real nuclear reactor, step into a simulated atomic bomb reaction, and learn how things are tested. Exhibits include vintage comics, toys, and media that relate to the atomic age.

  • Location: 755 E Flamingo Rd, east of the Strip
  • Hours: Open daily, 9 AM – 5 PM
  • Cost: Roughly $22 for adults; discounts available.
  • Best time to go: Mornings for a quieter visit.
  • Family-friendly? Yes — most displays are kid-appropriate and informative.

5. The Punk Rock Museum

Relive the glory days of punk on your Las Vegas trip. Drop by The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas is a raw, loud, and unapologetic tribute to nearly 50 years of punk history. Packed with rare memorabilia like handwritten lyrics, stage-worn gear, and gritty fliers, it offers an up-close look at the genre.

Located just past the Vegas Arts District, you'll spot The Punk Rock Museum's in-your-face black and yellow frame from miles away. Inside, it’s more than a museum: there’s a tattoo parlor, a bar, and even a wedding chapel!

  • Location: 1422 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 12–6 PM; Fri 12–8 PM; Sat–Sun 10 AM–8 PM
  • Cost: Adults $39; Kids $19.50; NV Residents $20 (Mon–Thu); Free on birthday.
  • Best time to go: Weekday afternoons.
  • Family-friendly? Yes, best for older kids and teens.

6. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

The first stop in Las Vegas for any art lover should be the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Located within the Bellagio Resort & Casino, the space brings classic architecture and modern artwork together for a unique gallery that blurs the line between old and new.

A regular exhibition rotation keeps the gallery fresh year-round, and past exhibits include "Warhol Out West," "Picasso: Creatures and Creativity," and Yayoi Kusama's famous "Infinity" room.

  • Location: Inside the Bellagio Hotel, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd
  • Hours: Open daily, 10 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM)
  • Cost: Around $18 for adults; discounts for locals, students, and seniors.
  • Best time to go: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds.
  • Family-friendly? Yes, though more appealing to teens and adults.
Photographer: Kenny Eliason

7. Pinball Hall of Fame

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a true blast from the past. Dreamed up by the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club, the Pinball Hall of Fame is their magnum opus: the world's largest pinball collection open for public viewing.

Here, you'll find pinball machines dating back to the 1950s featuring all the nostalgic characters, brands, and franchises you know and love. Every machine in the gallery is restored flawlessly, so you can relive your favorite pinball memories.

  • Location: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, near the Welcome sign
  • Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM (10 PM on weekends)
  • Cost: Free to enter but games cost money.
  • Best time to go: Afternoons or evenings for a livelier vibe.
  • Family-friendly? Fun for all ages and budget-friendly.

8. Nevada State Museum

The Nevada State Museum is just outside of Las Vegas. Whether you're fascinated by history, nature, or cultural phenomena, this museum has something for everyone.

Discover how geology formed the Great Basin, see Nevada's native plant life, and examine ancient fossils discovered nearby. Afterward, you can dive into modern history and explore the industrial growth that propelled Las Vegas to prominence.

Museum staff meticulously curate each artifact to craft an exhibition space that showcases Nevada's vibrant heritage. Through interactive exhibits, visitors of every age will be captivated by the dynamic story of the Silver State.

  • Location: In Springs Preserve, 309 S Valley View Blvd
  • Hours: Open Thursday–Monday, 9 AM – 4 PM
  • Cost: About $19 for adults; lower for children and Nevada residents.
  • Best time to go: Mid-morning to explore at your own pace.
  • Family-friendly? Yes

9. Hollywood Cars Museum

The Hollywood Cars Museum aims to highlight some of the most iconic automobiles in Hollywood history, and it’s inspired by pop culture vehicles. You might even recognize some of them! For example, the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Paul Walker in "The Fast and the Furious."

Other notable showcases include Herbie the Love Bug, Bonnie and Clyde's doomed death car, and the Batmobile. Even cartoon lovers can get in on the fun thanks to pieces like the Flintstones' chaotic family vehicle and the aloof-but-endearing Hudson Hornet from Cars.

  • Location: 5115 Dean Martin Dr, just off the Strip
  • Hours: Open daily, 10 AM – 5 PM
  • Cost: Around $20 for adults; children often free with an adult.
  • Best time to go: Weekdays to avoid tour groups.
  • Family-friendly? Yes, especially for pop culture and car lovers.

Escape Into the Unknown at Las Vegas Museums

Ready to trade slot machines for something with a little more substance? From crime stories to punk anthems, glowing signs to atomic history, Las Vegas museums offer a deeper kind of thrill. Step off the Strip and into a side of Vegas that’s just as wild—but also educational!

And when you're done exploring the past? Step into a world of pure spectacle. Why not check out one of our jaw-dropping shows in Las Vegas? Step into a world of jaw-dropping acrobatics, surreal storytelling, and unforgettable visuals and end your day on a high-flying note?

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