Nevada State Museum—Las Vegas

Located on the beautiful Springs Preserve, the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas features 20,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space and brings the history of Las Vegas to life in all its glory.  Here, visitors will discover how geology shaped the Great Basin, and learn the prehistoric flora and fauna that inhabited the great sea that once covered the state of Nevada. Additionally, at the Nevada State Museum, you can learn about Hoover Dam, the atomic-testing era, and the rise of Las Vegas as an international resort destination.

From ancient geology, human history and the largest silver strike on planet Earth to the building of Hoover Dam, a blinged-out Showgirl wall, the Rat Pack, mobsters, and beyond, there’s no better place to learn all about how Nevada blasted into the history books than the Nevada State Museum—Las Vegas.

Situated minutes from Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip on the flowing, original water source for the Las Vegas Valley, the Nevada State Museum—Las Vegas shares the same property as the tranquil Springs Preserve. Best yet, your admission to the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas includes access to the Springs Preserve—including the Origen Museum, Outdoor Natural Areas, Botanical Gardens, and more.

natural history exhibits
Natural History Exhibits
showgirl wall
Showgirl Wall

Visiting the Nevada State Museum Las Vegas

Founded in 1982, the Nevada State Museum Las Vegas moved into its new home at the Springs Preserve in 2011. In this spacious, modern facility, the museum’s exhibits and research collections detail the social, cultural, and natural history of southern Nevada and the surrounding region. Military history comes alive with original artifacts from the USS Nevada, including the ship’s bell and wheel, from this Pearl Harbor survivor. Meet a few of Nevada’s famous characters, like Howard Hughes, the Rat Pack, Comstock Lode tycoons and miners, and other larger-than-life personalities who helped define Nevada’s own. Visiting the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas is a great way to get a lay of the land before diving into exploring what the area has to offer.

While you’re here, be sure to check out the full library and research center, educational labs, meeting spaces, and a Nevada swag-stocked museum store.

Directions to The Nevada Museum

The Nevada State Museum Las Vegas is located at the intersection of US-95 and Valley View on the campus of the Springs Preserve. Use these driving directions if you are traveling from the Las Vegas Strip:

  • From the Strip (Freeway): Take I-15 North and merge onto US 95 North (toward Reno). Take the Valley View Boulevard exit. Turn left onto South Valley View. Continue south for about one mile to Meadows Lane. Turn left (east) into the Springs Preserve at the Meadows Lane intersection.
  • From the Strip (Surface Streets): From Las Vegas Boulevard, head west on Flamingo Road or Sahara Avenue to Valley View Boulevard. Head north on Valley View past Charleston Boulevard and Alta Drive. The Preserve will be on your right at the Meadows Lane intersection.
  • From Downtown (Freeway): Travel northwest on US 95/93 to the Valley View Boulevard exit. Keep right and exit onto south Valley View. Continue south for about one mile to Meadows Lane. Turn left (east) into the Springs Preserve at the Meadows Lane intersection.
  • From North Las Vegas (Freeway): Travel southeast on US 95/93 to the Valley View Boulevard exit. Keep right and exit onto south Valley View. Continue south for about one mile to Meadows Lane. Turn left (east) into the Springs Preserve at the Meadows Lane intersection.

Hours:

The Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information about planning your visit, get in touch with the museum directly at (702) 486-5205.

Admission:

General admission tickets are $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 3-17. Nevada residents get general admission tickets for $9.95 (adults) and $4.95 (children). Tickets can be purchased online or at the Ticketing Office.

 

Museum members enjoy free admissions to the Nevada State Museum and only need to present their membership ID for entry.

This Location:

Southern Nevada, Nevada

City

Las Vegas

Region

Southern Nevada