Fantastic museums are probably not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but the secret is finally getting out - Las Vegas has some incredible museums you need to check out!
From learning about the origins of the mafia at the Las Vegas Mob Museum to the origins of burlesque at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Las Vegas' museums have so much to teach you that you might even struggle to fit any partying or gambling in your Las Vegas itinerary.
You're sure to find the perfect museum in this list of the best museums in Las Vegas. Read on to learn more about these museums, what makes them special, and why you need to get yourself to a few of them before you leave Vegas.
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In the heart of downtown Las Vegas, you'll find the Mob Museum, one of the top museums in Las Vegas and certainly one of the most intriguing.
The museum's 20,000 feet of exhibition space explores the early origins of the Mob in the USA, the reasons people joined gangs, the atrocities carried out by mobsters over the years, as well as how the Mob was finally taken down.
In addition to the classic "Italian Mafia", there's also an exhibition on mafias and cartels across the world, how they operate, and how international law enforcement agencies are cooperating in trying to stop organized crime globally.
The museum is full of fascinating artifacts, such as the wall where the victims of the St Valentine's Day Massacre were shot and items that belonged to Al Capone. Grisly, yes, but morbidly fascinating. If it's your first time in Las Vegas, you must visit this museum!
The Mob Museum is open seven days a week from 9am to 9pm, and entry costs $29.95.
Address: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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Founded in 1996, this nonprofit museum was opened to collect and preserve the most iconic neon signs in Las Vegas once they are retired from use.
This fascinating collection paints a vivid picture of Vegas’ history, with the illuminated signs advertising long-gone hotels and casinos that were once some of the best in Las Vegas.
The Neon Museum, as well as being fascinating from a historical perspective, is also one of the top Instagram spots in the city. For the best photos, head to the Neon Museum after dark when all the signs are lit up.
The Neon Museum is open from 2pm-10pm, seven days a week, and entry costs $20. You need to book tickets in advance as this museum often sells out!
Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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The National Atomic Testing Museum is one of the most unusual museums in Las Vegas, and perhaps not what you would expect from a museum in Sin City.
On a visit to the National Atomic Testing Museum, you'll learn all about the Atomic Age, which took place from WW2 until 1992, when an international atomic testing ban was enacted.
Nevada has a very long and interesting history with the US atomic testing programs, and this museum aims to educate visitors about the origins of testing in the area, what happened in Nevada during the Atomic Age, and also emphasizes the complex moral questions which arise whenever the topic of atomic testing is discussed.
The museum is brought to life by countless artifacts and objects involved in the atomic tests. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a simulation of what it is like to witness an atomic test - it's pretty terrifying!
The National Atomic Testing Museum is open daily from 9am-5pm, and admission costs $22.
Address: 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
If you're searching for one of the best museums in Las Vegas for families, look no further.
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum caters to visitors of all ages who are curious to know more about the natural world, from geology and biology to anthropology and paleontology.
One of the highlights of the museum’s collection is its fossils, many of which come from the area surrounding Las Vegas.
Those interested in dinosaurs are in luck - at the museum, you’ll find casts of dinosaur skeletons and exhibitions about the various types of dinosaurs that lived in the Las Vegas area millions of years ago.
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is open from 9am to 4pm every day, and adult tickets cost $12.
Address: 900 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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If you're looking to learn more about the history of Las Vegas, from prehistoric times to the present day, the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas is a must-visit.
Rotating exhibitions educate visitors about different aspects of local and regional history, so you never quite know what you'll get when you visit this museum.
From prehistoric animals to mines to mobsters and showgirls, this museum tells a sweeping tale of Las Vegas history and development.
Entry to the museum includes entry to the Springs Preserve, where you'll find more historical attractions, such as a recreation of an old Western town, complete with wooden houses.
The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, is open 9am-4pm, Thursday-Monday and adult admission costs $9.95.
Address: 309 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107
Of all the museums in Las Vegas, the Discovery Children's Museum is probably the most interactive. It's a museum designed to spark children's imagination and curiosity through interactive educational exhibits.
One of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the "Build It" exhibit, where children are encouraged to use their problem-solving skills to build structures from different materials.
Another popular exhibit teaches children about the importance of water and how to conserve water through interactive, hands-on experiments.
It goes without saying that the Discovery Children’s Museum is one of the best museums in Las Vegas for families!
The Discovery Children’s Museum is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon - 5pm on Sunday, and is closed on Monday. Admission costs $15.50.
Address: 360 Promenade Pl, Las Vegas, NV 89106
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The Burlesque Hall of Fame fits right in with Las Vegas’ history of showgirls and debauchery, but despite what you may expect, a visit here is educational and downright fascinating.
It’s the only museum in the world dedicated to the history and art of burlesque.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame, one of the hidden gem museums in Las Vegas, houses thousands of costumes, photographs, performance props and personal belongings from some of the world's most famous burlesque performers.
The museum describes itself as "a growing testament to the power and social impact of the art of the tease".
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is open from 11am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Admission costs $15.
Address: 1027 S Main St Ste 110, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Head over to the Luxor hotel and find one of the longest-running exhibitions in Las Vegas - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.
This mini-museum sets out the history of the Titanic, from the initial planning and designing of the ship to its sinking.
Whilst visiting the Titanic Exhibition in Las Vegas, you'll get to see over 250 artifacts that have been rescued from the wreck site, 4,000 meters below sea level.
You'll also get to see a few recreations of rooms on the Titanic, including the iconic Titanic Staircase, where Rose and Jack reunite at the end of the "Titanic" movie.
There's a fascinating section of the Exhibition where you can see large pieces of the wreck which have been brought up to the surface, as well as some intriguing information about how the artifacts and wreck parts are preserved once they have been salvaged.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is inside the Luxor Hotel. It's open from 11am to 6pm daily, and tickets cost $32.
Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
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The Pinball Hall of Fame is one of the more kitschy museums in Las Vegas and is a slightly less professional museum than some others on this list. That said, if you're interested in Pinball, this will be a worthwhile museum!
The Pinball Hall of Fame was established in the 1990s as a nonprofit designed to promote the history and enjoyment of pinball, and it now houses over 200 pinball machines and other classic arcade games, most of which you are welcome to play on your visit.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is open from 10am-9pm Sunday-Thursday, and 10am-10pm on Friday and Saturday. It's free to enter; just make sure you bring plenty of quarters to play the games!
Address: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
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Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is one of the most popular museums in Sin City. This renowned wax museum has been delighting visitors for years with its lifelike wax figures of some of the world’s biggest celebrities, from pop stars to presidents.
Step inside, and you'll be able to stand side-by-side with your favorite icons from Hollywood, music, sports, TV and more.
It's a great way to transform yourself into a movie star or world leader for an afternoon.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas also features interactive experiences like its Marvel Superheroes 4D Movie and Alien: Escape ride. Be sure to get your hands on a selfie stick so that you can take lots of fun photos with your favorite figures.
Address: 3377 S Las Vegas Blvd Ste. 2001, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Whether you’re interested in mafia history, playing pinball machines, or just want to know more about how Las Vegas came to be, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to all of the fabulous museums in Las Vegas.
While our entries include info on hours and admission, it's always best to call ahead or visit their website for up-to-date information.
Whether you're a tourist or a local, we hope this list of the best museums in Las Vegas has helped you to expand your list of must-visit attractions in the city.