Check Out These 7 Magnificent Museums on the Strip (Plus 12 off the Strip)

The energy required to complete a successful weekend in Sin City can be palpable. Between sampling the nightlife, drinking at the shifting list of bars on the Strip, gambling at resort casinos and visiting extreme attractions, it’s easy to pack your schedule tight.

However, when the drinking and merriment starts to become overwhelming, it may be time to take a step back and enjoy a more laid-back pastime. Museums are the perfect place to stroll through and unwind after long days and nights, and Las Vegas has several exhibits to choose from. 

Visit some of the most unique museums on the Strip, or take a break in the action to visit popular museums off the Strip as well. 

Meander About The Museums on the Strip

1. Madame Tussauds at Grand Canal Shoppes

If a celebrity sighting doesn’t happen on your Las Vegas trip, this is the next best thing. Madame Tussauds is a display of wax figures that depict celebrities and famous figures throughout history. This is the perfect opportunity to meet Michael Jackson after his ONE show, Captain America after visiting the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N or Miley Cyrus—just because you can.

Score your ticket for Madame Tussauds, and don’t forget the gondola ride while you’re there.

2. Museum of Dream Space (MODS)

Digital art museums are the decade’s trendy entertainment—and for good reason. MODS is “the first museum mainly exhibiting digital art in the United States.” While it capitalizes on mediums such as paints and fabrics, the near-psychedelic aspects of certain pieces are enough to stay for hours.  

3. Immersive Van Gogh exhibit

Let the timeless works of Van Gogh envelop your mind—and the room. The Immersive Van Gogh exhibit is a floor-to-ceiling wonder that utilizes panoramic projections to create seamless displays of Vincent van Gogh’s creations in a shifting, progressive display. Enjoy the swell of classical compositions as they match the tempo of the images dancing on the walls.

4. ARIA Fine Art Collection

In the mood for something more traditional? Gaze upon the marvels of modern sculptures, paintings and figures at the ARIA Fine Art Collection. Sprinkled throughout the ARIA and its surrounding buildings, a wealth of notable artists such as Maya Lin and Frank Stella have graced the resort with their works.

5. REAL BODIES at Bally’s

REAL BODIES at Bally’s has been a regular fixture on the Strip since 2016, when its opening celebrated the attention given to the human body through 20 cadavers and hundreds of real organs and anatomical structures of, well, the human body.

Looking to get hitched? Skip one of the traditional wedding chapels on the Strip and head to the exhibit. REAL BODIES has their own chapel, for a super unconventional ceremony. 

6. BODIES: The Exhibition at Luxor

Not to be confused with the former exhibit, this Luxor exhibition is more attune to a fine art gallery in its presentation. The cadavers and bodily elements are displayed under spotlights against dark backdrops, making it clear who the real stars of the show are.

7. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

The fascination with the Titanic and its demise long precedes the world-famous romantic tragedy film. Located in the Luxor, real artifacts from “The Unsinkable Ship” are on display. A somber reconstruction of the ship’s interior awaits visitors, as well as films and history noting the specs and details of the giant liner. 

Findings Off the Strip and Beyond

Off the Strip

8. Mob Museum

This is perhaps the most famous museum in Las Vegas. Pause during your Fremont Street escapades and escape into a world of secrecy, organized crime and elusive history. With detailed installations discussing notorious groups in history and the acts they committed, it’s easy to forget you’re learning. 

Here at On The Strip, we love a good speakeasy. In true prohibition fashion, the Mob Museum also has a speakeasy in the basement, serving unique takes on classic cocktails, such as an old-fashioned nestled in a hollow book cover.

9. Las Vegas Natural History Museum

No stone is left unturned (pun intended) when it comes to the exhibits at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Whether you choose to witness a weekly live shark feeding, walk through ancient Egypt or engage with dinosaur bones, all interests will be piqued.

10. National Atomic Testing Museum

History buffs, this is one you can’t miss. Learn all about America’s relationship with nuclear technology in this Smithsonian affiliate. Featuring actual pieces and artifacts from testing sites, including photographs of the process, visitors get an in-depth feel of the involvement of one of the most impactful experiments in American history. 

11. Pinball Hall of Fame

Folks with quick fingers will enjoy this massive collection of pinball machines. The history behind the museum spans back decades, with Tim Arthur lugging his pinball machines all the way from Michigan and growing his collection to nearly 1,000 units, all of which are compiled in an impressive pinball machine master list on the website.

Using your spare change at the Pinball Hall of Fame might not yield any monetary rewards, but it’s an activity that both kids and adults can enjoy. That kind of entertainment is priceless.

It might require some coins, but the Pinball Hall of Fame is one of the more frugal activities to indulge in. Check out more of the cheapest things to do in Las Vegas to get good deals on better thrills.

12. Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum

This creepy manor located in the arts district celebrates Halloween year-round, and is one of the leading attractions for horror in Las Vegas. There’s nothing hokey about the cursed objects here; all of them are rooted in real folklore and alleged haunted happenings and the possibility of ghost adventures is always looming

13. Origen Museum at Springs Preserve

An escape into nature is closer to the Strip than you think. The Origen Museum covers all bases for enjoying the outdoors with live animal exhibits within the grounds. After canvasing the indoors, head outside to wander around the 180 acres of trails, weaving among the botanical garden and the kids’ playground.

For adults looking for a safari-like experience, check out the Divine Cafe, with a scenic overlook of the desert foliage and wildlife below. 

14. Neon Museum

The Las Vegas sign is the trademark welcome of the city. Take a drive into the weirdest wilderness in Nevada. The Neon Museum is home to many of the retired neon signs and decorations that remain a part of Las Vegas’ iconic ambiance. This is another place for history lovers to enjoy, as the signage and donated items stem from the citizens and business of Las Vegas spanning back decades. 

The Neon Museum is also one of the can’t-miss items for a Las Vegas photo checklist, along with other signature attractions that make the city unique.

15. Discovery Children’s Museum

Let the little ones burn off all of that excess energy. Kids can explore a 58,000 square foot venue with water structures, excavation activities and other educational services for children of all ages. 

Locals can take in the wonders of the Discovery Children’s Museum on the road. Field trips and outings are a featured service for kids in Las Vegas counties. If your little one has a birthday, the museum also offers cool birthday packages for curious minds.

16. Liberace

This isn’t a traditional museum, per se, but a collection of pieces and items from a previous museum’s existence. Pay tribute to one of America’s great entertainers by stopping into this amalgamation of costumes, props and pieces from Liberace’s life just off the Strip. 

17. Erotic Heritage Museum

You might want to leave the kids at home for this one. Learn about the history of all things erotic at this evoking collection of works meant to entertain and educate a mature crowd. With interactive activities, merch, and endless things to see, you won’t be regretting a visit.

Boulder City

18. Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum

At first glance, this haunting outpost in Boulder City might seem cheesy, but the opposite is true. The origins of this place are nothing short of fascinating. SFX master Tom Devlin has taken his passion for movie makeup and all things scary and turned it into a collection of frightening frivolities that celebrate the horror industry. 

19. Hoover Dam Museum

Staying at a historic landmark can be spooky, but in a place as lovely as the Boulder Dam Hotel, all haunting thoughts are dismissed in favor of the setup there. Take a walk through a lifelike exhibition of the Hoover Dam’s creation, down to the tools and materials used during construction. Audio information projected through speakers around the room make it immersive.

More Museums on the Las Vegas Strip

Entertainment comes in many forms on the Las Vegas Strip. For more relaxed leisure, see one of the phenomenal shows on the Strip or some chill lounges on the Strip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Museums on the Strip