As you make plans to attend the International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas next week, you’ll also want to make time to take in a few attractions outside of the show.
We’ve researched and found some lesser-known attractions that go beyond the casinos and nightlife to provide you with a unique list of possibilities to make your time in Las Vegas memorable and fun.
1. The Mob Museum | TheMobMuseum.org
For true crime enthusiasts, this is the place! The Mob Museum takes visitors on an interactive journey through true crime stories – and a segment of our nation’s history. “This eye-opening, authentic view of organized crime’s impact on the world reveals an insider’s look at the events and characters of the continuing battle between the Mob and the law.”
A variety of ticket options are available: single, group, guided tours, audio tours, combinations (with other attractions) and scavenger hunts. Purchase tickets online or at the box office.
Address: 300 Steward Avenue, Las Vegas
Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
2. The Neon Museum | NeonMuseum.org
If walking through massive old neon signs while learning about Las Vegas’ unique history is more your style, you’ll want to visit The Neon Museum. The museum offers guided tours through nearly two acres of exhibit space, called the Boneyard.
Address: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
Hours: The Neon Museum only offers guided tours (day or night), so plan your visit by purchasing tickets online.
3. Bodies … The Exhibition | Luxor Hotel and Casino | Luxor.com
Your chance to see one of the most talked-about and fascinating exhibits in person. Bodies … The Exhibition showcases 13 whole-body specimens and over 260 organs and partial-body specimens that will give you a 3-D perspective of the human body that is rarely seen outside of an anatomy lab. Purchase tickets online or at the box office.
Address: Inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino at 3900 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
4. Big Bus | BigBusTours.com
See the sights of Vegas on a Big Bus Tour. This “open-top tour takes you to all of the famous landmarks on the Las Vegas Strip, through downtown and to the Springs Preserve”. Hop on and hop off along the way as you experience the Las Vegas story through history and facts on this entertaining tour.
For details about the route(s) and destinations, visit the Big Bus Tour website or download the mobile app. A variety of ticket options are available, and you can purchase tickets online.
5. Pinball Hall of Fame | PinballMuseum.org
Attention all Pinball Wizards! We have a spot for you – the Pinball Hall of Fame. With 10,000 square feet of space, this collection is home to machines ranging from the early days of pinball in the 1950s up to the 1990s – all of which are playable. Admission is free so bring a roll of quarters and enjoy a walk back through pinball time.
Address: 1610 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas
Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday – Thursday; 11:00 AM – midnight Friday and Saturday
6. Elvis Museum – Las Vegas | Graceland.com/Vegas
For the first time in over 40 years, Elvis is back in the building! In late April 2015, Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino unveiled “Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition – The Show – The Experience.” This first permanent Graceland exhibition outside of Memphis encompasses over 28,000 square feet that showcase hundreds of Presley artifacts.
“Visitors will experience an unprecedented journey through Elvis’ life and career, beginning with his early days in Tupelo, Miss., through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, life at Graceland, national tours, the Las Vegas years and more.”
Purchase tickets online or at the box office.
Address: Inside the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino at 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
7. The Laundry Room “Speakeasy” Bar | Twitter: @LaundryRoomLV
For those looking for an interesting cocktail experience, the Laundry Room is a semi-secret bar within a bar at the Commonwealth. It features cocktails only (no beer or wine) and has strict rules including no photos and a 2-hour maximum stay.
The Laundry Room is only accessible via a hidden door for those who have reservations, and reservations can only be obtained by asking via text message. The phone number is not readily published either, so if you want to go, ask around. Someone’s bound to have the details.
Address: 525 Fremont Street, Las Vegas
Hours: By reservation only
8. Make Memories | Anywhere
The best must-do attractions in Las Vegas are those that make memories. Whether it’s a helicopter tour of the Strip, riding The High Roller: The World’s Tallest Observation Wheel or immersing yourself in old-time Las Vegas while enjoying authentic Italian food at Battista’s Hole in the Wall, often the most enjoyable “hidden gems” when traveling are those experiences where memories are made.