List of museums in Nevada facts for kids

A museum is a special place where cool stuff from the past, amazing art, scientific discoveries, and important historical items are kept safe and shown to the public. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with stories and wonders! In Nevada, you can find all sorts of museums, from those about ancient history to ones filled with classic cars or even magic tricks. They are great places to learn new things and explore different worlds.

Awesome Museums to Explore

Nevada is home to many exciting museums. Here's a look at some of them:

Science and Discovery Museums

• Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas: This museum tells the story of nuclear testing that happened at the Nevada Test Site. It's a fascinating look into a unique part of history.
• Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center in Reno: Part of the University of Nevada, Reno, this center offers public star shows and exhibits about astronomy and meteorites. You can explore the wonders of space!
• Las Vegas Natural History Museum in Las Vegas: Get ready to see dinosaurs, learn about ancient Egypt, and discover wildlife from around the world and the Nevada desert. They also have cool marine animals and geology exhibits.
• Lied Discovery Children's Museum in Las Vegas: This museum is packed with interactive exhibits about science, arts, and culture, perfect for hands-on learning and fun.
• Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno: This museum focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). It's a great place to explore and learn through play.
• W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum in Reno: Located at the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, this museum showcases minerals, ores, fossils, and mining tools.

History and Culture Museums

• Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum in Boulder City: Learn all about the history of the Hoover Dam project. It's operated by the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association.
• Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum in Winnemucca: This museum celebrates cowboy culture with artwork, photos, saddles, guns, and other gear used by cowboys.
• Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas: Discover the history of burlesque, a unique form of entertainment.
• Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville: Operated by the Douglas County Historical Society, this museum shares the local history of the Carson Valley.
• Central Nevada Museum in Tonopah: Explore exhibits about the Tonopah Army Air Field, local railroads, and mining equipment.
• Churchill County Museum & Archives in Fallon: See Native American and pioneer artifacts, period rooms, and exhibits on railroads and antique communications equipment.
• Clark County Museum in Henderson: This is an open-air museum with local history exhibits, mineral displays, and historic homes from the 1920s and 1950s.
• Courthouse Museum Genoa in Genoa: Operated by the Douglas County Historical Society, this museum features period rooms like a courtroom, kitchen, and Victorian parlor.
• Dayton Museum in Dayton: Learn about Dayton's history through pioneer items, quilts, and photographs, including stories of prospectors, miners, and Native Americans.
• Eureka Sentinel Museum in Eureka: This museum shows what a newspaper printing room looked like in the past and has exhibits on mining.
• Fort Churchill State Historic Park in Silver Springs: The visitor center here has exhibits about the history of the fort.
• Fourth Ward School Museum in Virginia City: Learn about the city's history, mining, and what education was like in the 19th century.
• Frank Chang Memorial Museum in Lovelock: This museum displays artifacts from the ruins of Lovelock's Chinatown.
• Great Basin National Park in Rhyolite: The visitor centers here have exhibits about the geology, nature, and cultural history of the area.
• Humboldt Museum in Winnemucca: This museum features castings of mammoth bones, period rooms, and artifacts from Native Americans, pioneers, and cowboys.
• Las Vegas Historical Society in Las Vegas: See a timeline of the city's history, including old railroad, celebrity, and casino photos.
• Las Vegas Springs Preserve in Las Vegas: This large preserve has several museums and a botanical garden, telling the story of Las Vegas's natural and cultural history.
• Lincoln County Historical Museum in Pioche: This museum shares the local history of Lincoln County.
• Lost City Museum in Overton: See excavated artifacts from ancient Anasazi pueblo ruins.
• Lyon County Museum in Yerington: This open-air museum has seven buildings, including a main museum with period rooms, a model railroad, and old country schools.
• Mackay Mansion in Virginia City: Explore a mid-19th-century mansion with period furniture and mining artifacts.
• Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City: Visit the historic newspaper building where Mark Twain worked, complete with his desk and printing equipment.
• Marzen House Museum in Lovelock: This museum includes mining equipment, home items, and Native American artifacts.
• McGill Drugstore Museum in McGill: A historic drugstore that shows what pharmacies were like in the past.
• Mineral County Museum in Hawthorne: Learn about the history of Mineral County.
• Mob Museum in Las Vegas: This museum tells the story of organized crime in the United States and how law enforcement fought against it.
• Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa: See a recreated trading post and a museum with pioneer exhibits.
• Nevada Historical Society in Reno: This museum explores the history and culture of Nevada.
• Nevada State Capitol in Carson City: Learn about the history of Nevada's government.
• Nevada State Museum, Carson City in Carson City: This museum covers the history, pre-history, and natural history of Nevada.
• Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas in Las Vegas: Discover the frontier history, natural history, and archaeology of southern Nevada, including how Las Vegas grew.
• Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko: This museum covers history, art, and natural history of the region.
• Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park in Las Vegas: Visit a restored fort and visitor center with related exhibits.
• Pahrump Valley Museum in Pahrump: This museum has a wide range of exhibits, including farm equipment, a general store, and Native American artifacts.
• Pyramid Lake Museum & Visitors Center in Nixon: Learn about the history, culture, and people of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
• Searchlight Historical Museum in Searchlight: Exhibits here include mining history and famous people from the area.
• Sparks Museum & Cultural Center in Sparks: Explore area history, ranching, mining, and even the space industry.
• St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City: This historic church has a museum about its own history.
• The Way It Was Museum in Virginia City: See mining artifacts and photographs from the Comstock Lode era.
• Thunderbird Lodge in Incline Village: This historic house on Lake Tahoe offers a glimpse into the past.
• Tonopah Historic Mining Park in Tonopah: Explore a former silver mine and learn about mining history.
• Virgin Valley Heritage Museum in Mesquite: This museum focuses on the pioneers and local history of the area.
• Walker African American Museum in Las Vegas: This museum highlights African American history and culture.
• Washoe Club in Virginia City: Take a tour of this historic social club, which is also known for being a haunted location!
• White Pine Public Museum in Ely: This museum shares the local history of White Pine County.
• White River Valley Museum in Lund: See items from one of the last colonization efforts by Mormons in the American West.

Art and Unique Collections Museums

• The Auto Collections in Paradise: See a showroom and display of classic cars at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.
• Carson City Fire Museum in Carson City: Also known as Warren Engine Co. No. 1 Museum, this museum is all about firefighting history.
• Comstock Fireman's Museum in Virginia City: Another museum dedicated to the history of firefighting.
• Comstock Gold Mill in Virginia City: Learn about gold milling in this mining museum.
• Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection in Laughlin: Enjoy a showroom filled with classic cars at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino.
• Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery in Las Vegas: Part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, this gallery features art.
• Goldwell Open Air Museum in Rhyolite: This is an outdoor sculpture park with unique art installations.
• Hawthorne Ordnance Museum in Hawthorne: Exhibits here focus on ordnance and munitions.
• Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum in Paradise: Located at McCarran International Airport, this museum covers the history of aviation in southern Nevada.
• International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas: Created by magician David Copperfield, this museum has magic memorabilia, illusions, and items from famous magicians like Harry Houdini.
• Las Vegas International Scout Museum in Las Vegas: This museum is all about the history of scouting.
• Madame Tussauds Las Vegas in Las Vegas: See lifelike wax figures of celebrities and famous people.
• Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art in Las Vegas: Part of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, this museum shows contemporary visual arts and Mesoamerican artifacts.
• Marshall Mint Museum in Virginia City: This jewelry store also has a display of gems and minerals.
• The Museum of Hollywood Aviation in Clark: This upcoming museum will feature aircraft from Hollywood films and entertainers.
• National Automobile Museum in Reno: A large museum dedicated to automobiles and transportation history.
• Neon Museum in Las Vegas: This outdoor museum displays old neon signs from Las Vegas, a truly unique art form!
• Nevada Gambling Museum in Virginia City: See antique slot machines, gaming tables, and roulette wheels.
• Nevada Museum of Art in Reno: This museum focuses on art.
• Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely: Explore a historic railroad yard and take a ride on a heritage railroad.
• Nevada Southern Railroad Museum in Boulder City: Another great place to learn about railroads.
• Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City: This museum also focuses on railroad history.
• Pierre Fauchard Museum in Las Vegas: Part of the College of Southern Nevada, this museum tells the history of dentistry.
• Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas: Play working pinball machines from the 1950s to the 1990s!
• Shelby Museum in Las Vegas: This museum is about transportation.
• Sheppard Contemporary Gallery in Reno: Part of University of Nevada, Reno, this gallery shows contemporary art.
• Sierra Arts Gallery in Reno: Operated by the Sierra Arts Foundation, this gallery features art.
• St. Mary's Art & Retreat Center in Virginia City: Located in a former hospital for miners, this center now hosts art.
• Thunderbirds Museum at Nellis Air Force Base: Learn about the history of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and see one of their aircraft.
• University of Nevada, Reno Fine Art Galleries in Reno: Explore four galleries and art displayed around the campus.
• Western Folklife Center in Elko: This center offers exhibitions, performances, and educational programs about the American West.
• Wilbur D. May Center in Reno: This center includes a diverse collection of cultural items, an arboretum, and botanical garden.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close down. Here are some museums that used to be open in Nevada:

• American Heroes Veteran Museum, Laughlin
• Casino Legends Hall of Fame Museum, Las Vegas
• Debbie Reynolds' Movie Museum, Las Vegas
• Elvis-A-Rama Museum, Las Vegas
• Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, Las Vegas
• Guinness World Records Museum, Las Vegas
• Hispanic Museum of Nevada, Las Vegas (closed in 2017)
• Houdini's Museum, Las Vegas (closed in 2004)
• King Tut Exhibit, formerly at the Luxor, Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Art Museum, Las Vegas (closed in 2009)
• Liberace Museum, Las Vegas (closed in 2010, but its collections still travel for display)
• Liberty Belle Slot Collection, Reno (closed in 2006, now displayed at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City)
• Lost Vegas Historical Gambling Museum, Las Vegas
• Magic and Movie Hall of Fame, Las Vegas
• Midas Schoolhouse (destroyed by fire in 2005)
• Silver State National Peace Officers Museum, Virginia City (now an online museum)
• Sunbelt Auto Museum, Las Vegas (private collection sold in 2015)
• Star Trek: The Experience - The History of the Future Museum, Las Vegas Hilton (closed 2008)
• Stewart Indian School Museum (closed in the late 1990s, but the campus is still open for walking tours)
• Western Historic Radio Museum, Virginia City (closed in 2012)
• World of Coca-Cola, Las Vegas

See also

• Aquariums in Nevada (category)
• Botanical gardens in Nevada (category)
• Nature Centers in Nevada

Resources

• Nevada Museums Association
• Historical Museum Guide for Nevada
• Nevada Culture: Museums