Weird Nevada

“Ok, Google. Show me ghost museums in my area.” In Nevada, that actually kinda works. Take Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum in Downtown Las Vegas, 30 rooms jam-packed with some seriously spooky artifacts—like an entire room full of cursed puppets—that are rumored to be the world’s most haunted objects. Of course, Virginia City’s Washoe Club & Haunted Museum couldn’t be a more quintessential qualifier, either. As one of the most haunted places in the West, it’s a mecca to the world’s paranormal elite. Take the tour to hear stories from the Millionaires Club, reported hauntings, and tales of the historic crypt.

Spring for the “R.I.P. Experience” and get chauffeured in a custom hearse to Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum in Boulder City for a personal tour through his massive collection of screen-used props, creature suits, and custom pieces that helped make monster movie history. Does it get any weirder?

Back in the 1950s, Las Vegans used to take a long lunch—first to eat a sandwich, then to watch a bomb explode. Surreal? Yes. Fascinating? Absolutely. With more than 12,000 interactive displays, stories, and videos, the National Atomic Testing Museum educates visitors about Nevada’s explosive Atomic Age history. Swing through Hawthorne—home to America’s largest artillery base—to zero in on the Ordnance Museum’s cluster bombs, historical ammunition, vintage military uniforms and trunks, and some of the first drones in existence.

In the Wild West, where there were cattle, there was bound to be some cattle rustlin’. But few cow thieves were ever clever enough to make off with dozens of head for several months, leaving not even a footprint—that is, a human one—save one man. His secret? Plank shoes fitted with cow hooves, now on display at Elko’s Northeastern Nevada Museum. 

How many other places have an official state element? In Nevada it’s neon, and a trip to the Strip or Downtown Las Vegas will tell you why. Visit the Neon Museum for an incredible collection of neon signs. The visitor’s center is situated in the historic La Concha Motel lobby that flashes visitors back in time with its mid-century, Atomic Age vibe. Plan to spend at least an hour taking the tour and exploring the Boneyard.

Showgirls, showgirls, showgirls! Breaking down the importance of this Nevada icon, one sequin at a time, this Nevada State Museum—Las Vegas exhibit hashes out the beauty, artistry, and of course over-the-top, in-your-face extravagance behind Vegas’ longest running Parisian cabaret-style shows. 

Packing List: Passport, EMF Detector, Tinfoil Hat

Fear Factor: Nevada Edition. Exactly what it sounds like, The Clown Motel in Tonopah boasts what’s got to be the largest private collection of clown figurines and memorabilia under the sun. If the creepy clown theme—which stretches beyond the lobby and into each room—isn’t enough to spook you, the added bonus of some resident ghosts slinking over nightly from the cemetery next door might just be the ticket. Even if you don’t stay the night, drop by the lobby, get drowned in clowns, and snap up some truly unique souvenirs from the mini gift shop in the corner. Oh, and before we forget: free clown noses, anyone?

Pahrump is home to a charming little family-run coffin shop. Nope—not a typo. Read that again. Situated along the Death Valley Rally, a lively husband-and-wife team run Coffinwood, a charismatic coffin-themed business. Initially driven into the old-school, six-point coffin making business to fight the predatory funeral industry, this dynamic duo now offers tours of their macabre, made-to-order, coffin-shaped everything business, including their workshop, hearse collection, and “Church of the Coffin” wedding chapel. 

After savoring samples of Carolina Reaper, Cowboy, and other jerky specialty flavors at Alamo’s E.T. Fresh Jerky, peruse kitschy curios, pose with life-size local out-of-towners in funky murals, and be sure to “drop your toxic waste in the cleanest restrooms in Area 51.” After you’ve snagged a selfie with the alien murals, head for the Alien Research Center—you won’t miss it. Gleaming in the desert sun like an actual spaceship, this silver Quonset hut and its two-story silver alien security guard serve up the latest alien apparel, hats, and far more.

There’s an entire independent micronation in Nevada that we bet you’ve never even heard of. The Republic of Molossia, not far from Dayton, is loaded with crazy quirks, like an official customs station, a national instrument, and even its own postal service. Bring your passport to be stamped, but be sure to leave your incandescent lightbulbs, catfish, and onions at home—those micro-nationally contraband items will be strictly confiscated at customs.