Situated in Downtown Las Vegas, The Las Vegas Natural History Museum first opened its doors in 1991 to display the collection of wildlife and prehistoric exhibits that they had on loan. It was not long before the museum obtained their own multi-million dollar collections, transforming a visit to the museum into an exciting and interactive learning experience. Encompassing everything from prehistoric Nevada to present-day Africa, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum is enjoyed by adults and children alike, who delight in the unique around-the-world adventure that the museum provides.

Las Vegas Founders’ African Gallery
The African Savanna exhibit is one of the museum’s most popular, and has recently been updated to highlight certain species that are indigenous to Africa’s lower region, such as the Cape buffalo, the lion, the leopard, the rhinoceros and the crocodile. Valued at around $650,000, this rare, one-of-a-kind collection is set to make the African Savanna exhibit even more popular.

Dinosaur Mummy CSI: Cretaceous Science Investigation
The Dinosaur Mummy CSI Exhibit focuses on Leonardo, a naturally-preserved duck-billed dinosaur. The mummy is so complete that it enabled scientists to learn about dinosaurs in ways that they had never imagined, and this exhibit presents visitors with images of Leonardo that have never been seen before, as well as the fascinating story about the ground-breaking research that the discovery of this mummy allowed.

Engelstad Family Prehistoric Life Gallery
This exhibit is another dinosaur-centric one, and never fails to have children gasping in awe when they first approach the 35 foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex, who lowers his head and roars in welcome. The exhibit features a range of dinosaurs, including the ichthyosaur, a giant marine reptile that was native to Nevada.

International Wildlife Gallery
The International Wildlife Gallery consists of dozens of mounted animals that explain the ways in which mammal families have adapted over the years. From their physical changes that have occurred over the years, to behavioral adaptations necessary for the survival of the species, visitors will be able to see everything from wild dogs to bears to big cats and much more.

Marine Life Gallery
Not only does this ocean experience showcase life-size models of different species of sharks and fish, but the Marine Life Gallery also contains a 3000-gallon tank, which is home to sharks and stingrays, as well as a variety of other tanks that house other fascinating marine creatures. This is also where you will find the snake pit, one of the most popular attractions in the museum, as it is home to a pair of Burmese pythons as well as a number of other live snakes.

While these exhibits may be some of the museum’s most popular, there is plenty else to see, from the Young Scientist Center, where children can dig for fossils and interact with many exhibits, to the Wild Nevada Gallery, showcasing the rugged beauty of the Mojave Desert. The city may be home to a number of museums, but the Las Vegas Natural History Museum has always been, and will always be, one of the most popular with all ages.