Las Vegas’s Best Museums
There is no other city in the world like Las Vegas. It is home to many unique attractions, unbelievable dining options, and some of the most fascinating and unusual museums you can find anywhere in the country. Some of the museums are well-known tourist attractions, while others remain relatively unknown to many visitors. Here is a look at some of the best Las Vegas museums.
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum opened in 1996 as a way to collect, preserve, and exhibit iconic Las Vegas signs. The museum campus features some indoor displays and lots of outdoor exhibits, with the Neon Boneyard one of the main attractions. The Main Boneyard has over 200 unrestored signs that the museum illuminates at sunset with ground lighting, and it also has many restored signs that stay lit all the time.
You can also visit the Visitors Center inside the La Concha Motel lobby. The unique architecture of the lobby is inspired by Atomic and Space Age shapes and was saved from demolition in 2005. It now sits on the museum campus and serves as the visitors center.
The North Gallery sits next to the museum and features more unrestored signs. This gallery hosts Brilliant! the sight and sound program that magically makes the signs come to life. The museum makes this area available for weddings and other events, including photo shoots.
General admission to the museum is free for members and $20 for nonmembers. Guided tours are also available for $28 for nonmembers and $24 for members.
The Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame features over 200 pinball machines. This is the perfect place for visitors who remember and love the sounds and sights of pinball. The games are all hands-on, so you can play, and they are all in perfect condition. This museum draws visitors of all ages, and all of the machines, some of which date back to the 1950s, are owned by Tim Arnold. He was once an arcade operator. All you need to enjoy this museum is a handful of quarters and some time to test your skills.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum features animals, dinosaurs, and marine creatures native to the Nevada Mojave Desert along with many African animals. The family-friendly museum offers interactive exhibits and educational programs to teach visitors about the ecosystem and preservation.
Some of the many exhibits include:
Treasures of Egypt
This display allows visitors to explore how archeologists unearthed some of Egypt’s treasures. You can see the tomb of Tukankhamun with a walk through the realistic replica of the entrance in Tut’s tomb. Take a look at the Golden Throne, get a closer look at Egypt’s chariots, and even see a replica of the Golden Throne.
The Engelstad Family Prehistoric Life Gallery
This prehistoric life gallery features a 35-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex that can lower its head and let out a loud roar. The exhibit also includes a Triceratops, a raptor, an Ankylosaur, and a huge Ichthyosaur. The Ichthyosaur was a marine animal that lived in the waters around Nevada during the time of the dinosaurs.
Marine Life Gallery
Don’t miss the Marine Life Gallery during your trim to the museum. It features special effects to give visitors an ocean experience. You’ll see live sharks and stingrays in a 3,000-gallon tank and other marine creatures in additional, smaller tanks around the exhibit. Along with these displays, you’ll also find life-size recreations of some shark species and many fish hanging from the ceiling.
The Gary & Matthew Primm African Savanna Gallery
Experience the beauty of southern Africa in this gallery. It features a watering hole scene and showcases some of the predator and prey relationships from the area.
Discovery Children’s Museum
Make sure you bring the kids to the Discovery Children’s Museum. This interactive museum offers families with a one-of-a-kind experience where kids and adults can explore, play, and learn. There are all kinds of things to do during a visit to the museum. The Discovery Lab has a unique workspace that stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration using a hands-on approach. The kids can use technology such as a laser cutter, 3D printers, and a kiln to create their own pieces.
The Summit is a 70-foot tower that covers 2,200 square feet and has 12 different levels. The kids can climb and explore to their heart’s content. There’s a giant lever at the bottom, where the kids can actually lift a car, and when they reach the top, they get to experience beautiful views of Las Vegas.
Eco City is another exhibit that encourages imagination and exploration. The interconnected city has a variety of businesses, such as the Las Vegas Airport and a miniature Allegiant Stadium. Visitors can learn about green living and get information about how they can help to make the world cleaner and more eco-friendly.
You can buy tickets to the Discovery Children’s Museum online or at the door. Admission is $12.50 for Nevada residents and $14.50 for non-Nevada residents.
The Chuck Jones Experience
Don’t miss The Chuck Jones Experience, where cartoons come to life. This engaging museum celebrates animation director Chuck Jones, creator of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, and Pepe Le Pew. The museum features interactive experiences and activities along with screenings of animated movies. Explore the museum and its over 250 displays of art, and make sure you check out the Acme Workshop. This is where visitors can create their own sound effects and do voice-overs for a Chuck Jones cartoon.
You’ll find the Chuck Jones Experience at 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S. It is open seven days a week, and admission is $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for students.
At De Castroverde Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, we love these local Las Vegas Museums. The area has so many it’s hard to make a list of all of them, though. If you know of any other attractions that should make it on the list, let us know so we can check it out.