Las Vegas Museum Guide Tips
Read these 11 Las Vegas Museum Guide Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Las Vegas tips and hundreds of other topics.
Clark County Heritage Museum
Believe it or not, Las Vegas just didn't spring up out of the desert when gambling was legalized in Nevada in the 1930s. The town was incorporated in 1901, and this county Heritage Museum houses artifacts from early Las Vegas, when it was a sleepy little ranching and mining settlement. You can see recreations of historic buildings, and a ghost town, a restored train depot and steam engine, and displays on Nevada's earliest residents -- Native Americans of the area. The Heritage Museum is located in East Las Vegas, so it's a bit of a drive from the Strip, but it's worth the effort. It's not usually crowded, and admission is just $1.50 -- a bargain anywhere! The museum is open daily 9:00am - 4:30pm 7 days a week. Admission is adults $1.50, seniors and children $1.
The Liberace Museum's Upgrade
Even if you've been to the Liberace Museum before, you'll want to check it out again after the 2002 expansion and upgrades. The Museum is bigger now, and the collections have all been thoroughly researched, so you'll find a lot more information on the items and how Liberace may have used them on stage. There's also a new outdoor patio shaped like a giant record (remember those?). The new eye-catching entryway is shaped like a giant rhinestone topped with a massive pink piano. Liberace would be proud. There's also a lot more room for displaying Liberace's many collections, along with a "walk of fame" and even a cafe where you can relax for a few minutes before you move on to the next glitzy exhibit. The upgrade was costly, but Liberace fans will know it was worth the expense when they see what's been added to this legendary star's museum.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
If you'd like to know more about Las Vegas' past, the Natural History Museum is for you. The Museum offers displays on the natural history of the area, including Native Americans, wildlife, and much more. There are even exhibits on dinosaurs, African wildlife, marine life, and hands-on exhibits where the kids can learn more about science and wildlife. Kids can also dig for fossils in the hands-on Young Scientists Center. Top it off with an outdoor area where many of the local residents, such as lizards, snakes, scorpions, and other wildlife can be seen, and the whole family will love it! Admission: $6.00 Adults * $5.00 Seniors, military, and students * $3.00 Children ages 3-11 * FREE Children 2 and under, members * Open daily 9:00am - 4:00pm.
The Neon Museum
When you think of Vegas, what do you think of? (Besides gambling, that is.) If you said "neon" then this museum is for you. Located downtown under the Fremont Street Experience, dedicated museum workers have saved and refurbished some of the most famous and best loved neon signs from Vegas' long past. Some of them include the Hacienda Hotel's legendary horse and rider, the lamp from the once glorious Aladdin Hotel/Casino, and many nostalgic area business signs. The museum is open 24 hours a day, but most people like to visit after dark, when they can view the old signs in all their restored glory. The Museum is non-profit, so the exhibits are free, but they appreciate donations so they can continue to save the old neon of Las Vegas.
Tribute to Heroes
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a spontaneous outpouring of caring and concern happened at the New York, New York resort. Tourists and locals left hundreds of personal mementos, notes, photos, and other remembrances in front of the resort in reaction to the attacks. Instead of disposing of them, the resort handed them over to the Special Collections Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where they are being preserved. The resort also built a permanent memorial at the base of the replica Statue of Liberty, where the items are displayed. The display is changed often to show the variety of items people left to remember the victims of the attack. This is the Tribute to Heroes, and it is one of the most moving displays in Vegas.
The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum
Yes Virginia, there really is a Guggenheim Museum in glitzy Las Vegas. The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum is located in about 7,500 square-feet of space just beside the main lobby of the luxurious Venetian Resort. Visitors can see a variety of paintings by masters such as Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky, Matisse, and others, and they change regularly so one visit is never like another. Even more amazing than fine art in the gambling Mecca of the world is that many of the paintings are on loan from the real Hermitage Museum in Russia. Many of these works have never been seen outside Russia before! The Hermitage is open daily 9:30am to 8:30pm. Admission is $15 adults, $11 students, and $7 ages 6-12.
Elvis-A-Rama
If you can't make it to Elvis' home, Graceland, in Tennessee, then this museum is the next best thing. The Elvis-A-Rama Museum houses the largest Elvis collection outside of Graceland. You can view some of Elvis' costumes, cars, personal documents, Army uniforms, and much more. Visitors can also see Elvis impersonators perform every day. Even better, there's a free shuttle available from Strip hotels. Just phone 702-309-7200 to arrange pick-up. Admission: * Museum only: $12.95 for adults * $9.95 Seniors/ AAA and military * $5.95 for children * Concerts only $17.95 * Concerts and museum $25.00 * Open daily 10am to 7pm.
Atomic Testing Museum
Only a mile or so from the Strip, the Atomic Testing Museum on the grounds of the Desert Research Institute is a testament to the 1950s Cold War and America's increasing nuclear weapon program. For those who don't know, the Nevada Test Site, about 50 miles north of Las Vegas, was the site of nuclear weapons testing for many years during the 1950s and beyond. In fact, the mushroom clouds of the above-ground tests could often be viewed from Vegas. This new museum has been in development since the mid-1990s, but just opened in 2005. Inside, visitors can view literally thousands of items related to the Test Site and the nuclear program -- even a letter from Albert Einstein regarding the program. It's a fascinating look back into a terrifying and mystifying time in the nation's history. Open Monday through Saturday 9am-5pm * Sunday from 1pm-5pm. * Admission prices are $10 adults, * $7 seniors, military, and students with ID, * Children 6 and under free.
The Liberace Museum's Collections
There's no doubt about it, Liberace was a collector. He collected rhinestone-studded Rolls-Royces (they're on display here). He collected outrageous furs, costumes, and jewelry, and they're on display here, too. He collected pianos (yes, those are rhinestone-studded too), and there's even a recreation of his legendary Palm Springs bedroom. An entire gallery houses all the awards he collected during the years, and there's also a changing gallery where the exhibit changes periodically throughout the year. Liberace was a consummate collector, and his passions are all on display in this fascinating museum. Make sure you give yourself at least a couple of hours to really see and experience all there is to view here.
Who was Liberace?
If you don't know who Liberace was, then you probably won't appreciate the kitschy Las Vegas museum dedicated in his honor. Liberace was one of the last real showmen of the stage. An excellent pianist, he fabbed up his act with feathers, rhinestones (LOTS of rhinestones), furs, candelabras, and oh, a piano or two or three. Liberace was over the top and people loved him for it. They loved him so much they packed his Las Vegas shows and now look forward to visiting the Las Vegas museum that houses so much of his collection of furs, cars, pianos, and of course, rhinestones. Liberace died in 1987, but he lives on in this museum that locals say is simply a "must see." Admission is $12.50 per person * $8.50 for students and seniors, * Under 10 free. * Open Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm * Sun. 1-5pm.
Lied Discovery Children's Museum
Kids have plenty to do in Vegas, too! One of the best adventures for the entire family is the Lied Discovery Children's Museum. There are areas of the museum dedicated to all children's age groups, and the museum also offers special tours throughout the year. (Checkout the Neon Boneyard tour just in time for Halloween!). The kids will learn about science in a fun environment, and they can interact with the displays, too. With over 100 exhibits in 25,000 square feet, the kids will be occupied for hours. The Lied is one of the largest children's museums in the country. Admission is $7.00 adults * $6.00 seniors, military, children 1-17 * Free for members and children under 1 * Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm during summer * Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm the rest of the year.
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| Christina Chan |
