When most people plan to visit Las Vegas or hear about the city, they automatically think about its immense and unbeatable gambling scene. Many visitors fail to have the complete Vegas experience by focusing on only the famous activities associated with the city.
There’s more to Sin City than hedonism and gambling. Las Vegas has many unforgettable spots where art lovers can enjoy a unique experience.
The hotels and casinos in the city feature immense creativity in art; however, you can explore other unique locations and activities in the city which are popular among art lovers. You will find something interesting, whether you want to view a replica of the statue of David or you want to see famous paintings.
Top Activities for Art Lovers in Las Vegas
The Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery
- Address: 3500 Las Vegas Blvd S (The Forum Shops at Caesars)
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday (12 pm to 8 pm), Friday and Saturday (12 pm to 9 pm)
- Phone: 702-630-1037
- Website: https://www.parkwestgallery.com/lasvegas/
Art lovers in Las Vegas should visit the Park West Fine Art Museum and Gallery for an extraordinary experience. The gallery is situated in a location famously referred to as “The Shopping Wonder of the World.”
The Park West Fine Art Museum and Gallery features original masterworks created by some of the iconic names in the world. You will find creations from famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Salvador Dalí. The artwork presented in the museum and gallery has different price tags, ranging from hundreds to millions of dollars. The museum is the only museum and gallery with the world’s largest art ceramic collections created by Pablo Picasso.
When visiting, you can expand your knowledge by learning about Vegas art history. Apart from featuring artwork from top artists around the globe, the gallery and museum also features local artists like Michael Godard, a Las Vegas native.
The Neon Museum
- Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N
- Hours: Monday to Sunday (2 pm to 10 pm)
- Phone: 702-387-6366
- Website: https://www.neonmuseum.org/
Las Vegas is the brightest spot on the planet, and the city has a profound history with its neon lights. If you visit the Las Vegas Strip at night, you will experience the magnificent lighting.
You can learn more about the lighting history of Las Vegas at the Neon Museum.
The Neon Museum was designed by architect Paul R. Williams and established in 1996. In 2019 the museum received more than one million annual visitors, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sin City. A photo walk costs $50 for visitors and $35 for Vegas residents, veterans, students, active military, and seniors.
The museum collects, preserves, and exhibits iconic Vegas signs for cultural enrichment and preservation of historical arts. Every sign on display narrates a unique story about its creators, the inspiration for its creation, and its role in the city’s history. The museum also showcases the changes in technology that affect the neon signs from the 1930s to date.
Seven Magic Mountains
- Address: S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: 775-329-3333
- Website: https://sevenmagicmountains.com/
The Seven Magic Mountains is located ten miles past the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air as you head to one of Vegas’ iconic landmarks.
The art installation features seven painted boulder totems, some as high as 35 feet. It was created by Rondinone and produced by the Art Production Fund and Nevada Museum of Art. The Seven Magic Mountains was opened on May 11, 2016, and was supposed to be exhibited in the desert for two years.
However, its immense popularity prompted the producers and Rondinone to request for the exhibition to stay much longer. The team are currently working on an extension plan that will allow include additional displays in the desert. According to Rondinone, the Seven Magic Mountains are his creative expression of human life and presence in the Las Vegas.
Akhob, By James Turrell
- Address: 3720 S Las Vegas Blvd (CityCenter)
- Phone: 702-730-3150
The Akhob is a jaw-dropping contemporary art gallery in Las Vegas showcasing the beautiful creations of artist James Turrell. It was commissioned in 2013 by Louis Vuitton, making the Akhob a permanent James Turrell installation occupying a hidden space in its store in Sin City. The art gallery is by appointment only.
The Akhob features circular openings leading one into two massive chambers with changing lights. Turrell is famous for such creations, which he has named “light fields” or “ganzfeld.” The ambiance of the Akhob creates a calming effect on the eyes. The color hues shift imperceptibly, bleeding in a cycle that lasts 24 minutes. If you are a contemporary art lover, the Akhob is one of the places you should visit.
Despite being an appointment-only contemporary art display, visitors aren’t charged any fee. Its location at the City Center Louis Vuitton makes it easy to include it in their daily tour of the city.
Private Fine Art Collections by Las Vegas Hotels and Resorts
Las Vegas hotels and resorts represent unique architectural and artistic designs. It’s no surprise that some of these hotels have private art collections that visitors and guests can view.
Some of the famous private collections include:
ARIA Fine Art Collection
- Address: ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Phone: 702-590-7111
- Website: https://aria.mgmresorts.com/en/amenities/aria-fine-art-collection.html?ecid=GMB_AR
The ARIA Fine Art Collection is among the largest collections in the world. It features impressive contemporary art pieces from renowned artists like Jenny Holzer, Maya Lin, Claes Oldenburg, Parker Ito, and Rashid Johnson. Art lovers can explore different creations ranging from pieces by painters and sculptors to those created by installation artists. The pieces are ranged across Aria and City Center, and you can take a free walking tour 24/7.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
- Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Hours: Daily (10 am to 6 pm).
- Phone: 702-693-7871
- Website: https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/gallery-of-fine-art.html
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is located at the Bellagio Resort and has been operating since October 15, 1998. The Bellagio Resort is famous for its fountains, which are also considered masterful pieces of art and music. Combined with its botanical garden and stunning conservatory, the resort is a haven for art lovers. But the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art crowns the art experience at the Bellagio Resort. The renowned gallery space features excellent exhibitions from all over the world.
Steve Wayne founded the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Apart from featuring notable exhibitions from famous artists, the gallery holds frequent displays and different exhibitions.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- Address: 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S
- Phone: +1 702-698-7000
- Website: https://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/
The Cosmopolitan is one of the most prominent high-end hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. The hotel focuses on art preservation and frequently holds exhibitions. It is committed to exhibiting new, provocative, and innovative art that completely matches its high-end guests’ cultural sensibilities. Each year the hotel features terrific works of art from established and upcoming artists. The exhibitions include large-scale paintings, mixed media works, murals, sculptures, and photography. Some artists featured at the Cosmopolitan are Maya Hayuk, Alex Da Corte, Sylvia Hommert, Jonathan Borofsky, Marilyn Minter, and Rosemarie Fiore.
Meow Wolf Las Vegas | Omega Mart
- Address: 3215 S Rancho Dr (AREA15)
- Hours: Thursday to Monday (10 am to 12 am), Tuesday and Wednesday (12 pm to 12 am).
- Phone: 866-636-9969
- Website: https://tickets.meowwolf.com/las-vegas/
Meow Wolf Las Vegas is an interactive art display. Art lovers will be impressed with the mind-bending experience presented in an unrealistic supermarket called “Omega Mart.” Omega Mart has been called a buffet of art in Sin City. You get to explore a unique satiric marketplace, which bursts into an incredible landscape and surreal worlds.
Its strategic location at AREA15 allows art lovers to explore the immersive art district. It’s also close to Vegas Strip. The art exhibition is welcome for all ages, and it’s a beautiful way of introducing your kids to contemporary art. Apart from featuring the regular supermarket aisles, the Omega Mart has optic illusions, interactive artwork, and hidden passages.
Children (ages 4 to 13), seniors, and military personnel pay $50 per ticket, while the rest of the public (adults) pay $59 per ticket. \
Downtown Las Vegas Arts District
- Address: 1025 S. 1st Street
- Phone: (702) 383-3133
- Website: https://dtlvarts.com/
The Las Vegas Arts District has been operational for the past twenty years. The 18-square block neighborhood is located in Downton Vegas and is locally known as 18b. While the Vegas Strip features a chain of high-end hotels and casinos, the Vegas Arts District is home to art shops, galleries, and artist studios, among many other things. The place has inspired many native artists and given them a platform to showcase their works.
There are many performance spaces in the Las Vegas Arts District, with the most popular being the Arts Factory. The Arts Factory features a sprawling Art Square, shops, a bistro, the cockroach theatre, and art galleries. Take advantage of First Friday, a monthly Downtown celebration of different works by local artists.