Las Vegas has so much more to offer, especially to families, than just casinos and shows. Whether you live in town or are just here to visit, definitely take advantage of the many excellent museums in Las Vegas. You’ll be amazed by the range of topics and level of interactivity at many of these attractions. Interested in learning more? Read on to see our list of the top eight museums to visit in Las Vegas.
The Mob Museum
Mob culture and lore are endlessly fascinating. Las Vegas has an excellent collection of mob-related paraphernalia and artifacts to explore. The Mob Museum, besides providing a thorough and fascinating overview of mob activity in the 1900s, also offers several interactive exhibits, like the Crime Lab, and a distillery and speak-easy to relax in after exploring four floors of mob-related exhibitions.
- Location: 300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
The Neon Museum
One of the coolest and most “Las Vegas” museums you can visit is the famous Neon Museum. This incredible “neon boneyard” features enormous neon signs and pieces (some from famous movies or events), plugged in and ready for viewing. The museum is pretty expansive, so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes so you can explore every corner. Besides the regular pieces in the collection, the Neon Museum does offer some rotating pieces and a variety of seasonal programming.
- Location: 770 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101
- Hours: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. September through October, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. November through February, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. March through April, and 4 p.m. to midnight May through August
Shelby Heritage Center
For car enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than the Shelby Heritage Center. Visitors can view over 30 Shelby vehicles all while learning the history of Shelby founder Carroll Shelby and his company. The museum is connected to the actual manufacturing center, making it a fascinating stop for anyone with an interest in sports cars. You can take a self-guided tour or a VIP tour, with a bag of Shelby merchandise to take home.
- Location: 6405 Ensworth St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is a worldwide sensation, with locations in multiple countries. The Las Vegas location is worth a visit with its rotating cast of wax figures, photo opportunities, and immersive experiences. Besides seeing your favorite celebrities and historical figures in life-sized wax, you can also visit Las Vegas-specific musicians and artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Celine Dion. Bring the whole family and take pictures with your favorite celebrities throughout the museum.
- Location: 3377 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Pinball Hall of Fame
Do you have a gamer in the family? The Pinball Hall of Fame may be the perfect museum to check out. This nonprofit features an impressive collection of pinball machines, dating back from the 1950s up until the 1990s. Visitors are welcome to play the pinball machines for 25 or 50 cents, depending on the game. The museum is run by passionate pinball aficionados who are happy to pass on their arcade expertise to the next generation.
- Location: 4925 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
If you’re looking for a museum that will appeal to everyone in the family, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum is the perfect spot. This expansive museum has a wide range of exhibits, hands-on experiences, and special programming on various topics to engage every visitor. From ancient Egypt to dinosaurs to the deep ocean to the African savanna, you can view thousands of fascinating artifacts. Look at the calendar as the museum puts on several great events for kids and adults alike.
- Location: 900 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Origen Museum at Springs Preserve
Learn about the fascinating geological history of Las Vegas with a visit to the Origen Museum at Springs Preserve. This museum offers visitors over 75 permanent exhibits, an indoor theater, and a rotating special exhibit space. Many exhibits, like the ever-popular flash flood exhibit, are hands-on and allow you to immerse yourself in the environment. You can also visit several animal exhibits, featuring furry friends, such as gray foxes and desert cottontails, and fascinating reptiles like Gila monsters and lizards.
- Location: 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89107
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday
Discovery Children’s Museum
The Discovery Children’s Museum is an absolute must-visit if you have kids. The three-floor attraction offers a huge selection of hands-on activities for kids of all ages. If you have toddlers, there’s a desert-themed toddler play area perfect for little hands. If you have a climber in the family, they’ll love the 70-foot tower exhibit, named the Summit, that spans all three floors of the museum. The museum also offers special programs like At Home Discoveries and camps for school breaks.
- Location: 360 Promenade Place, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
We hope you’re as excited to visit these amazing museums as we were curating this list. Have you been to any of these before? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks for taking little ones to the museum. The staff at Crème de la Crème of Las Vegas (Farm Rd.) hopes you have a wonderful time at all the exhibitions you choose to visit.