Best Arts and Culture Places in Las Vegas

"One of the more interesting places to view Las Vegas art is the Marjorie Barrick Museum. Located on the campus of UNLV, the Marjorie Barrick Museum is situated within a renovated historic gymnasium that features contemporary artworks as well as Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican art. The six exhibit galleries include 50 pieces of international contemporary artwork from the Vogel collection which was bequeathed to the museum in 2010."

"Located on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, the Barrick Museum features rotating exhibitions of everything from contemporary paintings to glass work to Ansel Adams' legendary collection of photography. Its well-curated collections and fun, hip vibe make it the perfect place to escape to for an hour or two. Admission is also free—perfect if you've been dealt a losing hand on the Strip."

"The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is located on the UNLV campus and is part of their College of Fine Arts. The admission is free, so it’s a great way to spend an afternoon if you need a break from the casinos. The beautiful, open space has benches and a very relaxing atmosphere to sit down and stare at the art."

"The Contemporary Arts Center began nearly 25 years ago and is the brainchild of the students and faculty of the UNLV Department of Fine Arts. It has since become a force in the Las Vegas art community and constantly shows impressive work from a diverse array of avant-garde artists, in addition to hosting great lectures, workshops and competitions. If you have even the smallest semblance of interest in art, the Contemporary Arts Center is an absolute must-see.Photo courtesy of Contemporary Arts Center"

"At the heart of the 18b Las Vegas Arts District is the Arts Factory. With it's premier location near the area's finest art and local culture, the commercial art center houses photographers, painters, graphic designers, and many other professionals....[Learn more]"

"If you’re searching for the emerging artists of tomorrow, SKYE Art Gallery has an extraordinary selection of popular and up-and-coming artists from all parts of the globe. The inspirational drawings of Des Taylor, which debuted at SKYE, and the mildly surreal dreamscapes by Elisabeth Sullivan are just the tip of the iceberg. Add in exceptional pieces like the surrealistic symbolism found in Joseph Kaliher’s work and the comic book illustrations drawn by music legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and you’ll have dozens of instant conversation starters in your living room."

"If you want to interact with artists while they are creating incredible pieces of Las Vegas art, then you should stop by the SKYE Art Gallery. Locate within the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the SKYE Art Gallery is dedicated to local artists who are creating artworks that range from comic book drawings to contemporary paintings to lifelike sculptures. When you visit this small but innovative gallery, you can view artists while they are creating their masterpieces and speak with individuals about their passion for art."

"SKYE Art Gallery is the most interesting workmanship display on The Las Vegas Strip and one of the best museums in Vegas. Actually, it was recently picked as Best of Las Vegas Art Gallery on the Strip – Silver. SKYE Art Gallery at the esteemed Forum Shops in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA opens another measurement of innovativeness on the Las Vegas workmanship scene."

"Left of Center Gallery makes art accessible to the greater Southern Nevada community. A focus on ethnically diverse artists and mediums brings a depth of style to the collection, while the kindness and approachability of artists and admirers alike will make you feel comfortable striking up conversation about each piece. You can continue to spot LOC artists’ works throughout public spaces of Las Vegas, like their vibrant ZAP electrical boxes or the colorful mural at McCarran Airport."

"Left of Center is a contemporary non-profit art gallery located in the fast growing northwest area of Las Vegas. Changing exhibits in the main gallery feature nationally and locally recognized guest artists."

"An intriguing place to view Las Vegas art that is loaded with beautiful contemporary and abstract pieces of artwork is the Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery. Located directly on the Strip at 3720 South Las Vegas Boulevard, the Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery features contemporary works from artists like Rizal, Anek Natenoi, Salvador Dali, the Buma Project and series work from Elena Bulatova. One inside your eyes will be treated to a collection that has everything from sculptures to water colors to acrylic landscapes to abstract drawings."

"A talented painter praised for her contemporary fine art, Elena Bulatova’s fine art gallery showcases her mixed-media originals alongside other abstracts from artists. Feel the three-dimensional screw art of Efi Mashiah and the metal mesh art of Ofer Rubin leap off of the canvas. Appreciate every grain of detail in John Stebila’s wood carvings or give your home a splash of pop culture color via the Buma Project."

"Thanks to Mexico’s thousands of miles of coast, seafood is a crucial part of the country’s cuisine. This East Las Vegas restaurant captures those flavors beautifully, from bright ceviches to spicy aguachiles to battered Baja fish tacos with a cabbage crunch. Start with fresh seafood marinated in lime then grab some shrimp or a steaming molcajete laden with octopus, crab legs and clams."

"Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken is located in the Grand Bazaar Shops at the entrance to Bally’s Las Vegas, NV. They offer some deliciously crispy fried chicken and some other fun varieties like the Hot and Sweet Tender Dog, which is best described as a chicken strip on a hot dog bun with chipotle mayo, chipotle honey, and pickles. For those times when a snack attack strikes while you’re out enjoying Las Vegas Blvd, try a side of their smoked mac n cheese, tater tots, or the sidewinder fries, which are battered and full of amazing goodness"

"Master chefs and restaurateurs Eric and Bruce Bromberg bring a new version of their award-winning food lovers’ heaven to The Cosmopolitan."

"A fresh slice of Vegas camp for grown-ups, this stately 1938 mansion on South Las Vegas Boulevard has been turned into a house of horrors by the star of the Travel Channel’s hit series Ghost Adventures. Zak Bagan has put together a veritable “Mecca of macabre” in a home with a creepy, chequered past, where dark rituals were thought to have been held in the basement. You’ll tiptoe down winding hallways and through dark passages to more than thirty rooms, all decorated like something from a horror film and holding objects that conjure fascination and no little fear."

"Zak Bagans is famous for his work as a paranormal investigator and television host for the show, Ghost Adventures. He decided to take over the space in Las Vegas that many locals have said was haunted for years. Brave visitors will follow winding hallways through secret passages as they take in over 30 different rooms with different haunting displays."

"Zak lives in Las Vegas, and he built it over the years, steadily collecting items to thrill both his hometown ghost-chasers and tourists alike. When he took me on the tour, he was so proud and excited. This is his baby, and it shows."

"The Nevada Southern Railroad Museum is a family-friendly museum dedicated to showcasing the history of the railroad system in Boulder City. Operated by the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the museum is set on the tracks that were laid down by the Union Pacific Railroad to service the Boulder Dam project and features a passenger platform, four operational diesel locomotives, three steam locomotives, and a variety of non-operational equipment that has been cosmetically refurbished for static display. Visitors can enjoy rides on wheelchair-accessible open-air cars or air-conditioned and heated Pullman coaches as well as model railroad displays and 7½" gauge trains on the weekends."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Mobilus In Mobili used under CC BY-SA 2.0. If you were ever curious about the history of the famous US railroad that used to run through the entire country, transporting gold, animals, and people since 1827, there is no better place for you than Boulder City. Nevada State Railroad Museum offers a big collection of locomotives, train cars, and photographs."