Best Museums in Las Vegas

Are you traveling to Las Vegas and looking for something to do outside of gambling and clubbing? Or are you a local looking to learn more about Las Vegas and this city’s crazy history? Well look no further. Las Vegas museums are all about cool stuff like the mob, casinos, atomic bombs, and neon lights. The LV Plug team has curated a list of the Best Museums in Las Vegas for you.

‍

Carroll Shelby Museum

Established in 2013, Shelby Heritage Center is home to over 30 Shelby vehicles and tells the story of Carroll Shelby along with the company he started in 1962. The Heritage Center is constantly revising its vehicle inventory and placement to keep things fresh. Free tours are offered daily. The 15,000 square foot Heritage Center sits adjacent to the 150,000 square-foot production facility.‍

The Carroll Shelby Museum is cool in more ways than one. Everything about this attraction and museum is cool. The cars inside of museum are flawless and spotless. There is so much to see for such a small area. I wish I could drive every single car on display here. After the Ford vs Ferrari movie, there seems to be more and more people visiting the Carroll Shelby Museum

‍

General Information

Name: Carroll Shelby Museum

Website: https://www.shelby.com/en-us/Shelby-Las-Vegas/Shelby-Heritage-Center-Home

Address: 6405 Ensworth St, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Phone: (702) 942-7325

Established: 2013

‍

The Atomic Testing Museum

The National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM) is a national science, history and educational institution that tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. The Museum uses lessons of the past and present to better understand the extent and effect of nuclear testing on worldwide nuclear deterrence and geo-political history. It provides collection-based exhibits and learning activities for greater public understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. Its collections and activities are inseparably linked to serve a diverse public of varied ages, backgrounds and knowledge.

The National Atomic Testing Museum is one of a handful of private national museums and showcases some of the rarest of artifacts relating to the nation’s atomic testing program. Nowhere else can you see a large nuclear reactor that was used in the development of the nuclear rocket and the first air-to-air missile, Genie. Personal atomic weapons that were developed to use in place of conventional weapons such as the Backpack Nuke and the Davy Crockett Weapon System (recoil less gun) are placed throughout the 8,000 square feet of museum exhibits.

From Atomic Age culture to the scientific and technological advances, the Museum highlights 70 years of nuclear testing. The end of the Cold War is depicted through a piece of the Berlin Wall complete with the celebratory graffiti painted by Berliners when the wall came down. Two pieces of the World Trade Center signify the beginning of the Global War on Terror and how the Museum today plays a role in the training of first-responders from across the nation who come to learn about the nuclear materials terrorists might use.

‍

General Information

Name: The Atomic Testing Museum

Website: https://nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/

Address: 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Phone: (702) 794-5151

Established: March 2005

The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum provides a world-class, interactive journey through true stories. From the birth of the Mob, to today’s headlines. Shadows and whispers. G-Men and Made Men. Whether you like it or not, this is American history. Located steps from Fremont Street, the Museum provides an experience unlike any other.

The Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was designed by a world-class team. They are known for other successful museums that serve to reinvigorate communities and neighborhoods, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Mob Museum cost approximately $42 million to construct and was funded through local, state and federal grants. Approximately $12.4 million came from general fund sources with $8.3 million coming from matching local, state and federal grants that were awarded following the city’s financial commitment from both its general fund and Redevelopment Agency funding source that can only be spent on projects located in the city’s redevelopment area. General funds were allocated for the Museum in 2004. Grants of note include a Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service, multi-year grants from the Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs and local grants from the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The Mob Museum was awarded accreditation on March 1, 2017. This is the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This distinction means our Museum meets National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. museums and we join a select community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to these standards and best practices.

‍

‍

General Information

Name: The Mob Museum

Website: https://themobmuseum.org/

Address: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Phone: (702) 229-2734

Established: February 14, 2012

The Neon Museum

Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. The Neon Museum campus includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, a visitors’ center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery which houses additional rescued signs and is available for weddings, special events, photo shoots and educational programs.

Dedicated individuals from the private sector, as well as corporate and government entities, worked collaboratively to promote the preservation of these national treasures as significant pieces of artistic and historical importance. Each sign in The Neon Museum’s collection offers a unique story about the personalities who created it, what inspired it, where and when it was made, and the role it played in Las Vegas’ distinctive history.

In addition, The Neon Museum collection chronicles changes and trends in sign design and technology through pieces ranging from the 1930s to the present day. Public education, outreach, research, archival preservation and a grant-funded neon sign survey represent a selection of the Museum’s ongoing projects.

‍

The LV Plug team has reviewed the Neon Museum before. We even included The Neon Museum in our Best Locations to Take Selfie in Las Vegas list. The Neon Museum is filled with photo opportunities around every corner. The best time to visit The Neon Museum is in the evening around sunset. You'll be able to get a ton of great pictures, selfies and photo worthy moments.

‍

General Information

Name: The Neon Museum

Website: https://www.neonmuseum.org/

Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Phone: (702) 387-6366

Established: 1996

Conclusion

Las Vegas has some of the coolest museums that you’ll find in the country. If you'd like to view the LV Plug's List of Best Museums in Las Vegas on a map, you can do so here: Best Museums in Las Vegas - LV Plug 🔌 There is a little bit of something for everyone. Once you check these museums off your list, be sure to come back to the LV Plug at a later date and we will hopefully update this list with more details or produce a new piece of content. Do you want more content for Las Vegas Locals? Great! We have a whole section of our website dedicated to Only Las Vegas Locals.