MUSEUMS
Mob Museum
It occupies the former Downtown courthouse where notorious crime figures were prosecuted, and the exhibits focus on the best (or worst, depending how you view it) crime figures in history, from Vegas favorites like Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Tony “The Ant” Spilotro to mafia kingpins like Al Capone and “Lucky” Luciano. Learn about FBI wiretaps, weapons of choice, and how to skim money like the pros, and see a hunk of wall riddled with bullets from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
National Atomic Testing Museum
You’ll learn about the presence of nuclear weapons in popular culture, especially in Vegas where the Atomic Age promoted tourism. Highlights include a piece of the underground tunnel from the test site and an interactive movie theater that simulates what it would be like to watch a nuclear bomb test in person from a few miles away, complete with an ominous countdown, bright lights, wind, and shockwave rumbles.
Neon Museum
The museum is divided into four sections: the Strip, Downtown, motels, and businesses. Tours generally take place in the morning or night, and umbrellas are offered for shade during the hot daylight hours, so take advantage of them. Guides spend about an hour diving into the history behind the signs, like how the Moulin Rouge was the first racially integrated casino and Binion’s Horseshoe changed the game (literally) by adding carpets to the floor and seats in front of slot machines.
Hollywood Cars Museum
This mammoth warehouse collection features nearly 100 vehicles from film, television, and pop culture. Most are the authentic originals but a few well-crafted replicas put together by an in-house auto shop are included. You’ll see beat up stunt cars from the Fast and the Furious movies, the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard, and the only known remaining drivable Batmobile from Batman Returns. Cars from classic action shows like Knight Rider, Starsky and Hutch, The A Team, and Hardcastle and McCormick (remember that one?) are featured in all their macho glory. Everything was curated by real estate mogul Michael Dezer, a James Bond fan who made sure 007 was well represented in the collection, with the flying car from The Spy Who Loved Me and a micro-jet from Octopussy.
Erotic Heritage Museum
Definitely an X-rated attraction, the Erotic Heritage Museum takes a raunchy approach to education. Exhibits range from semi-serious topics like the evolution of the peep show to a playful look at the potential for sex on other planets. You can actually hop on a device billed as the world’s largest sex bike, in which multiple people pedal at the same time while seats vibrate. For a museum hyper-focused on graphic imagery, from international artwork to flat-out pornography playing on video screens, there’s a surprising amount of text on the walls, with topics that include Darwin, the G-Spot, and presidential sex scandals.
Pinball Hall of Fame
One of the few Las Vegas attractions left with both free parking and free admission, the Pinball Hall of Fame features more than 150 machines covering 10,000 square feet of space. The games span from 1947 to 2009, each fully restored, maintained, and playable. The older models are 25 cents to play while the newer ones are 50 cents, with a few vintage arcade games thrown into the mix as well.
Springs Preserve
Just 3 miles west of the Strip lies the Springs Preserve, where 5,000 years of Nevada history is stuffed inside one incredible campus that over-delivers with exhibits and interactive attractions. Hike or bike on 3 miles of trails or ride a train to Boomtown 1905, an authentic recreation of a Vegas streetscape from the city’s initial growth period.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Although promoted as a casino attraction, “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” certainly qualifies as a museum with its deep collection of relics recovered from the doomed ocean liner. Some of the materials stored in leather luggage are in pristine condition, but what really sets this exhibit apart from similar collections is “the big piece” — a chunk of the ship’s wall that is the largest ever recovered.
Nevada State Railroad Museum
The Nevada State Railroad Museum preserves the former Union Pacific branch that supplied the government workers who built the Hoover Dam. The outdoor museum features a small fleet of vintage locomotives and is the only place in Southern Nevada where people can actually take a ride on a full-size passenger train.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort
It’s kind of an unexpected sight. Right in the middle of Downtown sits the remnants of an adobe fort from 1855. (Look for it across the street from a Sinclair gas station.) The site is actually the first settlement in the Las Vegas Valley by non-native Americans and was built by Mormon missionaries, then used by the US Army. The fort is now an official state park with wooden gates straddling brick walls and gravel walkways, old wagons.
MARKETS
Las Vegas Market
The Las Vegas Market originally opened in 2005 and has since become a popular event among convention goers, locals and tourists. They primarily deal in home décor and bedding, but there are many other items available, including jewelry, stationery, and toys. This event takes place at the World Market Center twice a year, a sprawling, five million-square-foot showroom in downtown Las Vegas. If you’re in town during the next show, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Downtown 3rd Farmers Market
The Downtown 3rd Farmers Market is a humble yet hip market to visit in downtown Las Vegas. Located in what used to be a transportation hub, this farmer’s market has been going on every Friday for the past five years. Items for sale vary each week but generally include clothing, honey, bath salts, and fresh produce. Other nearby points of interest include the Mob Museum, Smith Center, and Fremont Street Experience; if you plan it right, you can spend an entire day in the area.
On The Ranch Farmers Market
On The Ranch takes place in North Las Vegas, inside Craig Ranch Regional Park. It’s smaller than other markets you’ll find in the city, but it is still worth visiting if you’re in the area. Besides the produce, there are many activities for the family to engage in together, including face painting, live music, and raffles.
Fresh52 Farmers’ and Artisan Market
Fresh52 is another year-round market that offers produce and crafts from local vendors. Guests can walk the aisles of the pop-up market and find an assortment of items, from crab legs to jewelry. Fresh52 has three locations: two in Henderson and one in Tivoli Village on the west side of town.
Las Vegas Farmers Market
The Las Vegas Farmers Market is a local favorite to attend. With four different locations throughout the city, it’s one of the most convenient to visit. Items for sale include fresh produce, handmade lotions and oils, jewelry, clothing, and more. There’s often live music playing during the markets’ opening hours, providing entertainment for all ages. The closest locations to the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas are Downtown Summerlin or Gardens Park.
Nkem African Market
Nkem African Market is a one-of-a-kind market in Las Vegas. It offers ingredients for almost any Afro-Carribean dish, including yams, roots, custard powder, goat meat, and shito. Nkem is centrally located, just minutes from UNLV and the Boulevard Mall.
Bruce Trent Park Farmers Market
The Bruce Trent Park Farmers Market is a year-round market that serves the northwest area of Las Vegas. The park itself is great to visit if you have kids, but the farmer’s market is fun for the entire family. It often features live music and other food vendors, so you can pick up a snack while you browse the aisles.
Country Fresh Farmers Market
Country Fresh Farmers Market is yet another fun place to go to if you’re in search of fresh produce. Country Fresh has two locations in Henderson: one in “old Henderson” and another down the street from Green Valley Ranch. The market’s selection tends to be a bit smaller than that of other markets, but the quality is unbeatable.
Gilcrease Orchard
The idea of a farm in the middle of the desert may sound like a mirage of sorts, but Gilcrease Orchard is the real thing. This 60-acre farm has been operating since the early 1920s, providing fresh produce to the local community. Gilcrease Orchard is popular with children, so if you prefer to avoid big crowds, it’s better to go early. Before you leave, be sure to buy some of their famous cider; it’s a local favorite and absolutely delicious.
The District at Green Valley Ranch’s Farmer’s Market
Every Thursday in the afternoon, the District at Green Valley hosts its own farmer’s market in its main courtyard. It is seasonal and is only open after the heat of summer has passed. You can find the traditional market items for sale, including produce, herbs, and flowers, and an array of handmade lotions and oils.
PARKS
Secret Garden at The Mirage
Home of Siegfried and Roy’s royal white tigers, the Secret Garden was established not only for visitor entertainment, but as a research and education facility. This home to several rare animal breeds was built to raise awareness of endangered animals. Inside find spotted leopards, bottlenose dolphins, white lions and the white tigers.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area & Back Country Byway
Offering a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and visitor center with exhibit rooms and a book store.
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Located north of Las Vegas, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge boasts a range of recreational and natural opportunities. The park encompasses approximately 1.5 million acres of land and contains many different terrains and animal species. Camping, hiking and horseback riding are a few of the activities allowed at the refuge.
Floyd Lamb State Park
Originally known as Tule Springs, this state park is available for day-use only. Amenities include picnic areas and historic sites.
Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park
Located in downtown Las Vegas, this state park features a remnant of the fort built by the first permanent non-native settlers in Las Vegas Valley. Opens year round, visitors are required to pay a fee to enter the fort.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens showcases exotic plants and flowers that highlight every season and holiday of the year. The conservatory and gardens are located in the Bellagio Las Vegas.
Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park
The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park features a variety of endangered species, including cats, Barbary Apes, chimpanzees, eagles, ostriches, emus, talking parrots, wallabies, flamingos and large exotic reptiles. The Zoo also offers full and half day desert eco tours.
Sunset Park
This large park is located across from the McCarran Airport and is a popular venue for events such as the annual Renaissance Festival. An attractive lake complete with an island is also located in Sunset Park.
Desert Breeze Park
Desert Breeze Park features an on-site water park, ball fields, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds, a community center with open gym, roller hockey and skateboarding areas, playgrounds and picnic areas.
Fountains at Caesars Palace
Roman-themed gardens with statues, benches and, magnificent fountains are found in the front yard at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Erected in 1962, the fountains have attracted daredevils desiring to jump them, including legendary Evil Knievel’s unsuccessful jump in 1967 and his son Robby Knievel’s successful clearance in 1989. This area is open day and night and provides a quiet place on the Las Vegas Strip.
Dog Fanciers Park
Located next to the equestrian facility, Horseman’s Park, Dog Fanciers Park features lots of wide open space for dogs to play and train. The park is also a popular venue for various dog shows and events.
