Museums may not be everyone’s pick when it comes to visiting the City of Sin, but these museums are just as unique as Las Vegas itself. The museums you find in this city are far cooler compared to other museums. Las Vegas museums educate you about atomic bombs, casinos, the mafia, and sex. Best of all, most of these museums are free, or they offer discounts on admission as well. Here are some of the weirdest yet impressive Las Vegas museums you need to visit.
1. The Mob Museum
During the early days of Las Vegas, the city was under the control of the mob. Of course, the mob lost its influence when the government and police force cracked down on them. Now, the only gangsters you’ll see are the ones at the Mob Museum, which occupies the former Downtown courthouse where these dangerous criminals were prosecuted. The exhibit focuses on some of the most famous figures in crime history, such as Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Tony “The Ant” Spilotro. The exhibition even has well-known mafia kingpins like Lucky Luciano and Al Capone.
The museum is filled with all sorts of fascinating tidbits, such as how the FBI wiretapped phones, weapons of choice, and how they managed to skim money. They even have a hunk of a wall riddled with bullets from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and a vintage gas change, and an electric chair. In 2018, the Mob Museum expanded its basement area to create a Prohibition-era attraction that has a working distillery and speakeasy.
2. Burlesque Hall of Fame
The Burlesque Hall of Fame has a massive collection dedicated to the seductive art of risque dancing. The museum was founded by Dixie Evans after having taken over for a fellow burlesque performer’s establishment known as Exotic World. Dixie Evans has worked hard to uphold the historic collection documenting the history of this risque period. It has an extensive collection of old costumes, intricate pasties, fliers for various shows, and playbills shouting out some of the most famous burlesque names in history.
Over the years, the Burlesque Hall of Fame has managed to collect several thousand costumes, stage props, photos, and personal effects documenting the lives and careers of the dancers, comics, and producers from almost a century of performances. The Burlesque Hall of Fame is located at the center of the Las Vegas Arts District and prefers visitors that are over the age of 18, but those under the age of 18 may still enter.
3. Hollywood Cars Museum
For those of you who are fans of some of the cars you’ve seen in your favorite movies or television shows, then you need to visit the Hollywood Cars Museum. The collection is held in a massive warehouse and features nearly 100 vehicles from films, television shows, and pop culture. Most of them are authentic originals, but some of them are finely crafted replicas built by the in-house auto shop. You’ll easily recognize most of the cars on display, such as General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard, Fast and the Furious, and even the only remaining drivable Batmobile from Batman Returns.
Cars from classic shows like The A-Team, Knight Riders, and Starsky and Hutch are featured at the museum. The museum also has all of the cars from James Bond, which was curated by the real estate mogul Michael Dezer, a well-known James Bond fan. You can see the flying car from The Spy Who Loved Me and the micro-jet from Octopussy. The museum added another wing in recent years, which is dedicated to cars and memorabilia of Liberace.
4. Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Are you a fan of the paranormal? Or maybe you’re a fan of the television show Ghost adventures? If so, then the Zak Bagans The Haunted Museum is a place you should visit while you are here. The museum contains some of the strangest, unusual and haunted artifacts you will ever lay your eyes on. In 2017, Zak Bagans decided to open up his Haunted Museum in one of Las Vegas’ historical landmarks and Oldest Residence. The house was built in 1938 as a mansion for bank Cyril Wengert and his family. It has several strange urban legends surrounding it and is rumored to have connections with satanic rituals.
While there is no proof that the house has been used for satanic rituals, it contains some of the strangest and most unsettling relics, thanks to Zak Bagans. The museum has blended historical artifacts with haunted objects, making it a spooky place to visit. An area has been remodeled as a funeral parlor, and it has hand-painted glass windows from the 1800s. Another room has been transformed into a whole circus-themed puppet theatre.
Another room features memorabilia and personal items related to some of the most famous serial killers around, such as John Wayne Gacy, Richard Remiraze, Charles Manson, and much more. Fans of Ghost Adventure will also see glimpses of the infamous doll “Peggy,” along with the original staircase from the Indiana “Demon House.”
5. Erotic Heritage Museum
The Erotic Heritage Museum is one of the most X-rated museums you will ever see in your entire life. The place is dedicated to some of the most raunchy acts on the plant and approaches it educationally. The exhibits range from somewhat serious topics such as the evolution of the peep show to playful ones like the possibility of having sex on other planets. They even permit you to get on top of a massive device known as the world’s largest sex bike, which can be pedaled by multiple people at the same time, causing the seats to vibrate.
While the museum is focused on graphic imagery, such as international artworks to straight-up pornography playing on nearby screens, there is a good amount of text for people to read on the walls, with all sorts of educational topics. The topics range from the G-spot, presidential sex scandals, and Darwin. The place also has a theater where they host a show called Puppetry of the Penis.
6. Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame is heaven for anyone who’s a fan of these exciting machines. The museum is located close to the Strip in an unassuming building. It’s a must-see location that is well-loved by locals and tourists alike. The warehouse holds over 200 games, mostly consisting of pinball. However, there are some sports-themed games, ranging from as early as the 1940s to the modern day. Some of these games will cost you ten cents each round, but most of them tend to cost 25 cents, with the newer pinballs costing $1. The museum operates as a nonprofit, so any revenue leftover from gameplay or restoration services is donated to charity.
7. Nevada State Railroad Museum
Trains were of great assistance to government workers who were building the Hoover Dam. The Nevada State Railroad Museum was made to preserve the former Union Pacific branch for historical purposes. Unlike most other museums, this one is outdoors and features a small fleet of vintage locomotives, and is the only location in Southern Nevada where visitors can take a ride on a full-sized passenger train. However, trips are only offered during the weekends, but you can still visit and explore the equipment for free during the weekdays.
If you have dreams of playing engineer and driving an actual locomotive, then it’s possible, but you will need to pay $250 for that chance. The train tracks are over five miles long, and the round-trip journey takes around 40 minutes. While you are here, make sure to check out the Vanderbilt family’s private passenger car, it’s one of the most luxurious travel accommodations from 1894.
8. National Atomic Testing Museum
Las Vegas has an interesting history when it comes to atomic bombs. The city was a spectator to some of the most impressive nuclear bomb explosions in the world. So much so that the massive mushroom clouds would be visible from within city limits. As terrifying as that sounds, the Nevada Test Site for nuclear weapons created an industry that helped create modern-day Las Vegas. The National Atomic Testing Museum is a testament to everything that has to do with these atomic explosions.
Between 1951 and 1992, close to 1,000 atomic bombs were set off in the Nevada dest. Along with the intriguing historical information about the Manhattan Project, WWII, and the Cold War, you will also learn about the impact nuclear weapons had on pop culture, especially in Las Vegas, where the Atomic Age was promoted as tourist material. They even have a piece of the underground tunnel from the test site and an interactive movie theater that allows you to experience what a nuclear bomb test would be like in person. It even has the doomy countdown, flashing lights, win, and shockwave to accompany it all.
Before You Explore!
Las Vegas is the home of some of the most unusual things you will ever see. The experiences you undergo here will last you a lifetime. Before heading off to these fascinating museums, why not visit the Wallflower Cannabis House. Nevada has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, which means you can enhance your experience with a fine selection of cannabis products. You can find all sorts of cannabis goodies, such as edibles, pre-rolls, cartridges, flower, and more. Our cannabis dispensary provides you with an excellent assortment of cannabis that will present you with the high you need to top the rest of the day off. We have a fine selection of concentrates, cartridges, edibles, pre-rolls, and waxes. Looking for marijuana delivery in Las Vegas? You’re in luck. Our cannabis dispensary is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for in-store sales, curbside pickup, and we have officially launched our 24-hour drive-thru! Stop by the best Las Vegas dispensary today!
