Overlooked Las Vegas

Las Vegas is big and brash and bold with world renowned attractions that thousands line up daily to see. But there are legions of overlooked places that most visitors don’t even know exist. Here is a list of some of my favorite overlooked attractions and tours in Sin City in no particular order:

1. The Neon Museum – This outdoor museum showcases some of the most iconic neon signs from Las Vegas’ past. Located on Las Vegas Boulevard north of the Downtown area.
2. The Pinball Hall of Fame – Located just south of the Strip, this museum features a massive collection of vintage pinball machines and arcade games. Many of them still work!
3. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts – This state-of-the-art facility hosts a variety of performances, including traveling Broadway shows, concerts, and dance performances.
4. The Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden – This chocolate factory offers free tours, and visitors can also explore the adjacent botanical garden, which features a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
5. The National Atomic Testing Museum – This museum offers a fascinating look at the history of nuclear testing in the United States, with exhibits on the science behind nuclear explosions and the impact of nuclear testing on Nevada.
6. The Erotic Heritage Museum – This museum explores the history of sex and sexuality through exhibits and art installations.
7. The Springs Preserve – This 180-acre nature preserve offers hiking trails, botanical gardens, and interactive exhibits on the history and ecology of the Mojave Desert. Includes seasonal displays like a butterfly habitat. Includes the Nevada Natural History Museum.
8. The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art – This museum, located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, offers a collection of contemporary art from around the world, as well as rotating exhibits and events.
9. The Lion Habitat Ranch – This wildlife sanctuary, located just outside of Las Vegas, is home to a variety of big cats, including lions and tigers. Originally it housed the pride of lions that had been on display at the MGM Grand before the display was closed in 2012. Since then it has become home to rescued exotic animals. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and even have the opportunity to feed the animals.
10. The Aria Fine Art Collection – This collection of contemporary art, located in the Aria hotel, includes works by renowned artists such as Maya Lin, Claes Oldenburg, and Jenny Holzer.

Hi! I am Richard Evans, a travel writer, retired history teacher and a private local tour guide in Las Vegas. Please feel free to ask any question you may have about Las Vegas.

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