There are many entertainment opportunities available during a trip to the amazing city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The city, in its wish to not turn any potential visitor away, has a great deal of attractions designed to appeal to a wide spectrum of people. Because of this, the city welcomes people will all sorts of different interests, and then proves that it is capable of entertaining them.
Those wishing to gamble will find more than enough options for them to risk their finances on. Visitors looking to see famous entertainers or elaborately staged shows have the option of viewing any of the many high quality live shows held in the various casinos around the city. Travelers looking to enjoy the outdoors can head to places like Hoover Dam and Lake Mead or the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and enjoy relaxing by the water or participating in outdoor recreational opportunities. People that come to Las Vegas with shopping on their mind will not leave disappointed either, whether they choose to spend their time and money in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, The Miracle Mile, The Fashion Show Mall, or any of the other many shopping malls and centers. Even vacationers just looking to be pampered and enjoy the finer things will be catered to by a number of the luxury resorts in the area.
But, what about those looking to learn something that they didn’t know? What about people that have a burning desire to learn the history of the area or the culture that surrounds the city and its inhabitants? For that kind of satisfaction, those visitors simply need to seek out and frequent any of the many museums located in and around the city of Las Vegas.
The Museums of the Las Vegas Area:
The Neon Museum
One of the more unique museums in Las Vegas, The Neon Museum is a specialty museum that is dedicated to preserving the many neon signs from the city’s past that have been cast off as older casinos have either been demolished or remodeled. The Neon Museum is in the process of restoring the many signs that have come into their possession recently and once they are back in good condition, they are being mounted and dsplayed in different locations around the Fremont Stree Experience.
Pinball Hall of Fame
A visit to the Pinball Hall of Fame is a great walk down memory lane for anyone who loves or loved the predecessors of today’s video games. The museum is a non-profit facility and displays popular and well remembered pinball games right alongside rare machines that have not been seen for quite some time.
Atomic Testing Museum
Detailing a part of the local history that many people aren’t aware of, the Atomic Testing Museum catalogs the United States government’s extensive testing of atomic weapons in the Nevada desert. One of the key exhibits is what is called a Ground Zero Theater which is meant to simulate the experience of observing an atmospheric nuclear test.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Though not an official museum, there is a great deal of history in the form of photographs and artifacts displayed in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that relates to the formative years of rock and roll music. See the famous guitars of some of the best rockers in history.
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum
One of the best wax museums in the world, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in Las Vegas features wax replicas of many great stars including several closely associated with the city of Las Vegas like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The wax museum features figures from many walks of life including Britney Spears, Diana Ross, Cher, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdink, James Brown, Jessica Simpson, Judy Garland, Lenny Kravitz, Liza Minnelli, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tim McGraw, Wayne Newton, Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brad Pitt, The Rock, George Clooney, Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Lopez, Marilyn Monroe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sylvester Stalone, Zac Efron, Al Roker, Blue Man Group, Bugsy Siegel, Buzz Aldrin, Don King, Elle MacPherson, Hugh Hefner, Jenna Jameson, Jerry Springer, Martin Luther King, Oprah Winfrey, Neil Armstrong, Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Benjamin Franklin, Jackie O, Abraham Lincoln, and George W. Bush,.
Liberace Museum
A very interesting museum that satisfies even those that don’t think they’d enjoy there time there, the Liberace Museum was built to house the showman’s jewelry, pianos, costumes, and cars. Liberace accumulated a great number of outlandish possessions during his lifetime, and they are a true wonder to look at.
Imperial Palace Auto Collection
Part rare automobile museum and part automotive dealership, the Imperial Palace Auto Collection is a unique display of some of the most unusual and sought after vehicles in the world. Most of the vehicles in the collection, and there are usually well over 800 of them, are for sale to the general public, although based on their rarity the price may be prohibitive for some.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
A great time for the whole family can be had at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Most people don’t realize that while they are enjoying themselves they are also learning about dinosaurs, local geology, and even wildlife from both the area’s past and present.
Nevada Test Site History Center
The entire history of the USA’s nuclear weapons development program is researched, analyzed, and put on display at the Nevada Test Site History Center. The Center primarily focuses on the controversial nuclear testing done in Nevada during the Manhattan Project of the early to mid-1900s.
Nevada State Museum & Historical Society
The history of the entire southern Nevada area is covered by the Nevada State Museum & Historical Society. The museum covers both the pre-historic side of Nevada as well as the more standard history of the state.
Las Vegas Art Museum
The artwork of both local and national artists has been displayed for decades at the Las Vegas Art Museum. With a higher focus placed on western art, the museum is a great attraction for anyone interested in the cowboy culture of the American west.
Guiness World of Records Museum
Kids especially enjoy this wonderful interactive museum dedicated to preserving the firsts, bests, biggest, longest, tallest, heaviest, shortest, and smallest accomplishments in the history of mankind.
Casino Legends Hall of Fame
Anyone interested in the history Las Vegas itself, especially from the gambling perspective, will have a great time learning about the early casinos and the involvement of the Mafia in the growth of the city.
Gambler’s Museum & Shop
Another wonderful opportunity to find out some of the more interesting tidbits in the history of Las Vegas can be found with a visit to the Gambler’s Museum & Shop.
Lied Discovery Children’s Museum
One of the best stops for kids in the city of Las Vegas is the Discovery Children’s Museum. Kids will be overwhelmed with the amount of hands-on interactive exhibits that they can participate in. The best part is that they’ll be having so much fun that they won’t even know they are learning about the arts, sciences, and humanities.
King Tut’s Tomb and Museum
One of the more interesting museums in Las Vegas is a small specialty museum that contains an authentic reproduction of King Tut’s tomb.
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History
One of the better natural history museums in the United States, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History is fun for the whole family. Adults and children alike will love the animated dinosaur exhibit, the 300-gallon aquarium, and wildlife sculptures.
Walker African-American Museum
One of the few museums in the west dedicated to the history of the African-American in the United States, the Walker African-American Museum is an experience that will both captivate and inform anyone with even a minor interest in the subject.
Evel Knievel Museum
One of the most fascinating characters in American history, the accomplishments and life of Evel Knievel has entralled kids and adults alike for decades. See exhibits detailing his greatest successes and even his sometime failures at the Evel Knievel Museum.
Gambling, relaxing, and live entertainment are ever-present in the city of Las Vegas and many people enjoy these entertainment opportunities whether they’ve been to Las Vegas just the one time or if they are repeat vacationers to “Sin City.” For truly unique experiences though, families and individuals can enjoy themselves and learn something too by patronizing any of the local museums. Many of the museums are focused on a specific niche segment of history or society and are a special place to visit for any traveler who also shows a more than passing interest in that subject matter. The museums of Las Vegas are a great change of pace for the visitor who may need a break from the bright lights and excitement of the casinos. They truly do present a whole side of Las Vegas that most people don’t know exists.
