Vegas, a Museum Mecca?

When one thinks of Las Vegas, museums are probably not the first things that pop into one's mind, however the city is actually home to some amazing and quirky museums that offer a great break from the gambling, dining, shopping and other vices that beckon to you while in Sin City.

My husband and I usually take an annual trip to Las Vegas, and over the last few years or so we've made a point to do at least one sort of random, obscure thing during our stay, be it going to the world's largest gift shop, the pawn store where Pawn Stars is filmed, or, as we've done on the last several trips, visit a wacky museum. In this post, I'm highlighting my three favorite museums of Las Vegas, all of which I highly recommend for guests of all ages, as there's truly something for everyone at each!

The Neon Museum - This one's my favorite, because it's pure eye candy! Plus, there's a lot of great history about Vegas' past as told through these beautiful neon signs. What this museum essentially offers is an outdoor space called "The Boneyard" that features over 200 vintage neon signs that once graced the casinos, restaurants, hotels and other hot spots from the city.

My tip for this museum is to make sure you book a tour in advance, as they often sell out quickly and you can't take a self-guided tour through "The Boneyard". Also, make sure you have your camera ready. I took what seemed like a million pictures and I could still go back and take a million more. Plus, the tour moves rather quickly, so you'll be snapping photos and trying to soak up the history simultaneously! Check out my original post, Knee Deep in Neon for more on the Neon Museum.

The Clark County Museum - This one truly has something for everyone because it covers the history of Nevada from prehistoric times to the present, so there's a lot to see. Inside the museum they have information on everything from the native flora and fauna of Nevada to gambling paraphernalia.

My favorite part of this museum, aside from the Beard of Knowledge (of Pawn Stars fame) strolling around, is Heritage Street, which is a collection of restored historical homes depicting life from various decades in Nevada. When we went over the holidays, they had not only decorated, but they also offered a cool recipe at each historical home. In the second picture below, you'll see me posing as a 1950s housewife. Now that I think about it, I still need to make the recipe for shrimp cocktail that I picked up there! For some more pictures of the Clark County Museum, see Stripes off the Strip.

The Mob Museum - This is the museum that we went to on our most recent visit to Las Vegas. One tip I have about this place is that it does get pretty crowded, or should I say "mobbed" during late morning through early afternoon, so probably the best time to visit is late afternoon when most people have moseyed on back to the strip. This museum highlights the history of organized crime, not just in Las Vegas, but nationwide. One of the highlights that you'll see in the museum is the actual wall where the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre occurred. They also had a pretty cool exhibit on women's fashion in the 1920s, which really didn't have any clear connection to the mob, but it was about fashion so I was happy!

So next time you're in Las Vegas and you've seen one too many blackjack tables or had your fill of the buffets, check out what these amazing museums have to offer. You'll definitely have a unique experience, learn something, and probably have some fun stories to tell about the adventure!