Best Museums in Las Vegas 2026: Mob, Neon, Science & Art

Las Vegas museums are some of the best things to do off the casino floor: the city's own history is unusual, and several museums tell it well. Most of the good ones are downtown or just north of it, so you can combine two or three in a day.

Hours and prices below were checked on each museum's own site in September 2026. Where a museum doesn't publish a price we could read, we say so; check before you go.

At a Glance

The Mob Museum

The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement is the one museum most visitors should see. It is at 300 Stewart Avenue, steps from Fremont Street, in Las Vegas's historic former federal courthouse and post office. The courtroom hosted one of the Kefauver Committee's 1950 hearings on organized crime, and the museum tells the story of the mob and the people who pursued it, from Prohibition to the casino skimming era.

• Hours: daily 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (the museum notes hours can change and it may close early).
• The Underground: a Prohibition-themed speakeasy and distillery in the basement, open 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
• Time: allow at least two hours; history fans can easily spend longer.
• Tickets: buy on the museum's admission site, which lists the current prices and any add-on experiences.

The Mob Museum is also the best place to separate fact from legend in the stories told about Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo. See our haunted Las Vegas guide for more.

The Neon Museum

Where old Las Vegas signs go to rest. The Neon Museum at 770 Las Vegas Blvd North displays retired casino, motel and business signs in its outdoor Neon Boneyard, including the Stardust sign. It is one of the most photographed places in the city.

• Hours: 3–11 p.m. daily, with later summer hours (8 p.m. to midnight, June to August).
• Tickets in 2026: daytime admission (3–5 p.m.) from $25, or evening admission (6–11 p.m.) from $35. The museum says a single "2027 Admission" ticket for 3–11 p.m., from $21, starts in January 2027.
• Tours and shows: 45-minute History and Movies tours, and Brilliant! Jackpot, a 45-minute audiovisual show.
• Free digital guide through the Bloomberg Connects app.

Day or night? Daylight shows the details and colors of signs that no longer light up; after dark, the lit signs are the show. In summer, the evening is also far more comfortable outdoors.

Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum

A short way up the street from the Neon Museum, at 900 Las Vegas Blvd North, this museum has been open since 1991 and is a Smithsonian Affiliate. It covers dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies and artifacts, African wildlife and marine life, with live shark feedings.

• Hours: daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Admission: adults $14; seniors, military and students $12; children $7; 2 and under free. Nevada residents get $1 off with ID.
• Best for: families with school-age children, and an air-conditioned morning in summer.

DISCOVERY Children's Museum

A non-profit museum with three floors of hands-on exhibits for younger children, including Eco City, at 360 Promenade Place downtown. It's open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday noon–5 p.m., and on Mondays during holidays and school breaks. Its climbing tower, The Summit, is being transformed into a new exhibit, "Desert to the Stars", due in spring 2028. Check prices on its ticket page.

Springs Preserve and the Nevada State Museum

Springs Preserve, at 333 S. Valley View Blvd, is 180 acres on the site of the springs that gave Las Vegas its name. It combines trails and a botanical garden with Boomtown 1905, a recreation of early Las Vegas, and the Nevada State Museum, which covers the state's natural and human history. It also runs seasonal events, such as a Haunted Harvest in late October. It is a good half-day away from the Strip. Check the preserve's site for tickets and which areas each ticket includes.

National Atomic Testing Museum

Near UNLV, this museum tells the story of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site during the Cold War, when atomic tests were close enough to Las Vegas to become a tourist attraction. It is a strong choice for history and science fans. We couldn't read its current hours and prices, so check its website before you go.

Art: Free Museums, Galleries and First Friday

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art (UNLV)

UNLV's museum describes itself as the only free art museum in the city of Las Vegas, with contemporary exhibitions reflecting the community. It suggests a voluntary $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors, and is normally open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. It was temporarily closed in September 2026, reopening on October 23, 2026.

The Arts District and First Friday

The Arts District (also called 18b) south of downtown mixes galleries, studios, vintage shops, bars and murals. It is at its liveliest on First Friday, a free monthly art walk from 5 to 11 p.m. with local artists, live music and food trucks. The next one after this update was on October 2, 2026, centered on 1025 South 1st Street. On other days, weekday afternoons are quieter for browsing.

On the Strip

Bellagio's Gallery of Fine Art hosts changing exhibitions; check Bellagio's site for what's on and the price. The Bellagio Conservatory next door is free.

Quirky and Pop-Culture Museums

Pinball Hall of Fame

A big hall of playable pinball machines and vintage arcade games at 4925 Las Vegas Blvd South, near the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Entry is free and you pay per game: 25 cents for older machines and 50 cents for 1990s models. It's a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, and surplus revenue goes to the Salvation Army. Open 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Madame Tussauds

At the Venetian: over 75 wax figures, plus Jumanji 4D and 7D experiences and a Hangover-themed bar. Online tickets start at $29 (Silver), $35 (Gold) and $42 (Platinum); children under 3 are free; open 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Shelby Heritage Center

Car fans can visit Shelby American's heritage center at 6405 Ensworth Street, south of the airport, to see Shelby cars and history. Call 702-942-7325 for current hours and tours.

Planning Your Museum Day

A downtown museum day

• Morning: Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum (opens at 9 a.m.).
• Midday: the Mob Museum, then lunch on or near Fremont Street.
• Late afternoon or evening: the Neon Museum, which opens at 3 p.m. and is at its best after dark.

The museums north of downtown are close together but not a pleasant walk in summer heat; a short rideshare between them saves energy.

Tips

• Book ahead for the Neon Museum's evening slots and any guided tour.
• Ask about local discounts: the Natural History Museum gives Nevada residents $1 off; others may too.
• Plan for heat: the Neon Boneyard and Springs Preserve are largely outdoors.
• Check closures: smaller museums change hours and close for installations (as the Barrick did in 2026).

For more ideas, see our free things to do in Vegas and the downtown hotels guide if you want to stay near the museums.