It’s all right here in Vegas – the chance to learn about anything your mind desires. From mobsters to eroticism and a whole lot in between, there’s something here to keep anybody’s mind busy, young or old. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy some culture in Las Vegas and in terms of variety and quantity, this city could not be a better spot to experience fantastic exhibitions.
1. The Mob Museum
Take a peek into the world of organized crime at the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. This former federal courthouse houses intriguing exhibitions detailing the ways in which criminal organizations have interacted with law enforcement and some of it is pretty shocking. There you can see personal items, weapons, clothing, and other things belonging to notorious mobsters learn about the Prohibition Era, and even try your hand at a firearms training simulator. A ticket costs $29.95 but you’ll pay a little more on top for the interactive experiences.
2. ARTE Museum
Step away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip and into a serene, multi-sensory escape at the Arte Museum Las Vegas. Now open in Sin City, the first U.S. location, is a 30,000-square-foot dreamy art experience that has already captivated 8.5 million visitors across South Korea and Dubai. Some of the standout spaces at this enriching art museum include ‘WATERFALL INFINITE,’ a 22-foot-high waterfall that surrounds you and the ‘STAR RAINDROPS’ which feature oversized lanterns that change color and mimic colorful raindrops. Get your tickets here!
3. The Neon Museum
Las Vegas’ bright lights draw tourists like moths to a flame and many of those lights are of the neon variety. These charming neon lights have been around for a long time and they’ve become an important part of the city’s history so The Neon Museum has been preserving those lights for the public to view. The museum is outdoor – a ‘neon boneyard’ and my god is it fascinating.
With over 200 vintage neon signs on display with different fonts, designs, and messages, you can literally see the history of the city’s nightlife. You can buy daytime tickets but it’s worth paying the extra money to see the place illuminated at night. Tickets will set you back anything between $22 – $45.
4. The Titanic Exhibition
TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition takes you on an immersive journey through the ship’s tragic 1912 voyage. You’ll marvel over 350 real artifacts and full-scale recreations. Expect to see the famous Grand Staircase, and walk along the Promenade Deck. This exhibit truly brings history to life, with a 15-ton piece of the hull and a recently unveiled stoking transmitter recovered in 1994. You’ll even get a perfect replica of the ticket when you board the ship. Grab your tickets here.
5. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
In The Bellagio Hotel and Casino, you’ll find the incredible Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. It’s a cultural haven, featuring a rotating collection of fine art in various styles from a wide range of periods. There are no permanent exhibitions, so you’ll find something new every time you visit. At the time of writing, for example, you’ll find the ‘In Bloom’ exhibition which celebrates the coming of spring, featuring artwork from Salvador Dali, Martine Gutierrez, and many more artists. Entrance fees vary but you can expect to pay about $20.00.
6. The Erotic Heritage Museum
The Erotic Heritage Museum is a pretty unconventional place, exploring human sexuality and how ideas around sexuality have developed over the course of human history. There you’ll find artifacts, artworks, and loads of other exhibitions delving into the erotic world. You might want to skip bringing the kids to this one, but they also run lectures and talks on human sexuality to educate and empower people. Ticket prices vary so it’s best to consult the website or call ahead.
7. The Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
The Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is super fun. It’s an immersive exhibition that has travelled the world and it’s now here in Las Vegas! There you can step into the Marvel universe and see life-size replicas of characters like The Hulk, Iron Man, and Captain America. There’s also a focus on explaining the terms used in sci-fi like ‘gamma radiation’. You can even test your strength against The Hulk or Iron Man’s armor so it’s time to gulp down a protein shake, hit the gym, and get yourself to this Marvel paradise, which is literally in Paradise by the way. Tickets for adults are $59.95.
8. Madame Tussauds
On the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll findMadame Tussauds , and this worldwide phenomenon features wax sculptures of historical figures, icons, and celebrities. There are figures from politics, sports, Hollywood, and other fields of life too. There are loads of themed zones and you can pose alongside your celebrity of choice too! The lowest-priced tickets are $43.99 but you can buy access to all kinds of other stuff there too.
9. Shark Reef Aquarium
The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is home to a large aquarium that is well worth visiting. There you will find a variety of marine life exhibitions, including sharks, of course. but also stingrays and horseshoe crabs. You can view them all from within an acrylic tunnel and feel as though you’re within the deepest depths of the ocean.
There’s also a sunken shipwreck. Well, a recreation of one, which makes this place perfect for a day out with kids. Check out the interactive experiences like the ‘dive with sharks’ opportunity which gives you the chance to get up close and personal with these incredible creatures. Tickets are around $29.00 per person but it’s best to book online in advance.
10. Discovery Children’s Museum
Another fantastic place for a day out with children is, of course, the Discovery Children’s Museum which is designed to enrich and encourage young minds but is also a whole lot of fun for adults too. There are tons of hands-on exhibitions because we all know that staring at something behind a perspex screen is not exactly entertaining for the little ones. Water World teaches them about physics (sneakily) while The Summit aims to teach them how to climb – perfect for developing hand-to-eye coordination. There are many more exhibits besides and if you have Nevada ID, it’s only a $13.50 entrance fee online.
11. Meow Wolf Omega Mart
The trippiest grocery store in Las Vegas is Meow Wolf: Omega Mart, where you can explore an immersive art world made by local and international installation artists. The installations are also immersive made for you to interact with, crawl through, walk beside, and more. You can get tickets here.
12. Bellagio Conservatory
Every season, the Bellagio Conservatory puts on an amazing floral exhibit dedicated to spring, fall, summer, and winter. Currently, their summer exhibition is on, called Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer. Here, you can escape into a dreamy world, inspired by the beauty of European marble and the over-the-top style of Baroque design. This experience brings wild, imaginative art to life.
So there you have it – the best exhibitions to check out in Las Vegas. From literal humans dissected to figures of them made from wax and sharks to mobsters, this city certainly has a lot to offer. Besides the bright lights, we mean, and there is an exhibition on those too if you’re interested.