When people think of Las Vegas, they usually think of flashing lights, lively casinos, and a destination with luxurious desserts. However, Sin City can also be a fascinating vacation spot for history buffs. Las Vegas has a checkered heritage in the vast state of Nevada, which can be of interest for the traveling history buff. Tourists shouldn't expect to find castles or centuries-old cathedrals next time they find themselves in Las Vegas. However, that doesn't mean the city lacks significant historical landmarks and museums. History buffs may want to check out these fascinating landmarks in the Entertainment Capital of the World!
9 The Neon Museum
- Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Cost: $20 for admission, $28 for Night Boneyard Tour
Tourists can enjoy the flashing neon lights of Las Vegas and learn about them too! The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization that's educated thousands of visitors about Las Vegas' signs' histories and cultural significance. Tourists love visiting the museum's Night Boneyard (especially at night), an exhibit home to countless signs (some of which date back to the 1930s).
8 Nevada State Museum
- Address: 309 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107
- Cost: $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children
Las Vegas is famous for its luxurious casinos and flashing lights. However, Las Vegas and Nevada are home to a fascinating history, heritage, and culture. The Nevada State Museum along Valley View Boulevard fascinates visitors with exhibits showcasing the history and culture of the area, dating back to even millions of years!
7 The Shelby Heritage Center
- Address: 6405 Ensworth St, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Cost: Free!
Free for all, the Shelby Heritage Center fascinates car enthusiasts with its showcasing of over 30 Shelby Vehicles in a 15,000 sq. ft space. Here, visitors can take a self-guided tour and learn about Nevada's only manufacturing automotive plant. It's free to walk around and check out the cars, but for a fee, tourists can learn more about the 'behind-the-scenes' of this Nevada automotive company.
6 Howard W Cannon Aviation Museum
- Address: 25 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Cost: Free!
History buffs who love airplanes will enjoy the Howard W Cannon Aviation Museum inside the Harry Reid International Airport (formerly known as the McCarran International Airport). Open 24 hours a day, visitors can learn about the history of flight and notable peoples related to flying, including Nevada's Senator Howard W. Cannon.
5 Lost City Museum of Archaeology
- Address: 721 S Moapa Valley Blvd, Overton, NV 89040
- Cost: $6 for adults/seniors, free for children (under 17)
Also known as the Boulder Dam Park Museum, this site hosts artifacts that were flooded when the Colorado River was dammed to create Lake Mead. Built in 1935, visitors can view important prehistoric sites belonging to communities in the area. Take a look at their intricate artifacts from their baskets to their pottery. An outdoor exhibit also features a Native American pit house and reconstructed pueblos. Guests who visit this Museum will learn about the transformation of the local Nevada land, which transformed over thousands of years.
4 National Atomic Testing Museum
- Address: 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Cost: $18 to $20 (Free for children under 6)
Also known as the NATM, the National Atomic Testing Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum in Nevada. It is the only one of its kind to educate visitors on America's nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. Thousands of artifacts in scientific documents, photographs, and equipment call this museum home. Upon visiting the NATM, guests will learn about significant events in American history related to the cold war, alongside advances in nuclear and radiological science.
3 Nevada Southern Railway Museum
- Address: 601 Yucca St, Boulder City, NV 89005
- Cost: Free (but $5 to $10 for train fare)
Train fans will love The Nevada Railway Museum. Visitors can experience the rails just as they were in the 1930s, taking a tour of the museum's rail explorers. Tourists can also ride the Nevada Southern Railway, the Museum's Pullman coaches open-air car. The Nevada Railway Museum is located in the heart of Boulder City, the metropolitan that built the world-famous Hoover Dam.
2 Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit
- Address: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Cost: $32 for adults, $24 for children
Thanks to the phenomenal acting of Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslett, the Titanic tragedy is well-known around the world. Now in Las Vegas, tourists can awe at the hundreds of artifacts that slept quietly on the ocean floor of the shipwreck. This exhibit also has a recreation of the Grand Staircase and recreations of the first, third-class rooms. People can even get a feel for how cold the water was that fateful night!
1 Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park
- Address: 500 E Washington Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Cost: $3
Hidden in Downtown Las Vegas, the Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park was a hidden oasis in the former Las Vegas Valley. This settlement was an adobe fort built by Mormon missionaries in 1855. Visitors can check out this historic site which attracted native Paiute, traders, emigrants, and gold seekers on the Old Spanish Trail.