Can you get some culture in Vegas? You bet! While Las Vegas is most prominently known for its “everything goes” attitude and its casinos that have earned it the rightful distinction of being a gambling Mecca, there are a variety of opportunities to soak up some culture. One wonderful idea is to go museum touring.

Are you wondering where to find such museums? You do not have to leave the glitzy lights of Sin City to find culture. As a matter or fact, you might not even have to leave the hotel where you are staying or the casino where you love to gamble!

For example, the Luxor Hotel and Casino features an authentic reproduction of the Tomb of King Tut. Allegedly, the craftsmen who put together this exhibit used the narration of Howard Carter, the renowned British archaeologist who discovered the tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. While the tour is of little interest to children, adults with a bit of time to invest will enjoy it. The only downside is the fact that the tour is cassette guided, and thus you will have to remain in front of an exhibit until the narrator finishes the narration.

For the car buff, the Imperial Palace Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino is a wonderful stop on any museum tour. The collection of antique cars is not only breathtaking, but the detailed descriptions are sure to engross even the most casual of car lovers. This is a wonderful place to spend a few hours gazing, reading, and slowly walking. No matter how often a car enthusiast has been to this car museum, she or he will want to come back time and again for another look!

For a true blue dose of culture, the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum located in The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip is an absolute must. Currently a shrine to Robert Mapplethorpe’s sometimes controversial photography, the museum in the past has hosted Peter Paul Rubens as well as Pablo Picasso. Due to the graphic nature of Mapplethorpe’s art, this may not be a good exhibit for the kids, but keep checking with the museum for the next set of exhibits!

If you are more in the mood for historic artifacts of the more recent past, then the Tropicana Resort and Casino will perhaps be to your liking. Featuring the Titanic Artifact Exhibition, which includes not only a replica of the Grand Staircase and even the Promenade Deck, there are more than 300 bona fide artifacts that have been connected to the ill fated ship.

If, however, you are in the mood for some authentic Las Vegas show history, then the Liberace Museum dedicated to Mr. Showmanship himself will fit the bill. Not housed in any casino, but instead standing alone near the corner of Tropicana and Spencer, this building contains a stunning collection of pianos, including the famous rhinestone covered grand piano the late pianist favored. For a museum dedicated to another Las Vegas favorite, the late King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley, you will not want to miss the Elvis A Rama Museum, which is located on Industrial Road.

As you can see, there is a lot of culture to be had in Las Vegas. Whether your taste is in fine art, daring photography, or the simplicity of curved metal, Las Vegas probably has a museum – no matter how large or small – dedicated to it. Additionally, there is a movement underfoot to recognize the all time Las Vegas greats and their contributions to Sin City itself. While there is no official Rat Pack museum just yet, it may only be a matter of time until they too will have at least a room or an exhibit dedicated to their heritage.

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