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If you’re planning a trip to the neon city in the hottest months, you’ll want to check out these can’t-miss indoor Vegas activities.
Photo by Kate Russell
Neon lights. Urban ziplines. Dinging slot machines. Vegas is known for its sights, sounds and incredible eats. Oh, and daytime high temperatures of over 100 degrees all summer long. If you’re not a heat-lover, you may be looking for some cool ways to stay, well, cool. No need to fret, we’ve put together some of our favorite indoor activities in Las Vegas. Check it out.
This one tops every list of “fun things to do indoors in Las Vegas.” After all, what’s Vegas without a little organized crime? At the Mob Museum, step into history and explore interactive exhibits featuring your favorite true crime stories. There’s even a crime lab where you can test your forensic investigation skills. Plus, don’t miss The Underground speakeasy (literally, it’s underneath the museum) serving up some primo prohibition-style cocktails.
Neon is at the heart of Vegas culture. At the Neon Museum, you can see some of the most iconic signs from the city’s history in their resting place. Enjoy the nostalgia of Vegas’ old world glamour all in one place. There’s plenty of signage outdoors if you feel like beating the heat for a while, but the North Gallery and the Visitors’ Center feature plenty of stuff to see in the air conditioning. The best part? It’s one of just a few free indoor activities Las Vegas has to offer.
There’s nothing better than a refrigerated section in the summer. While the Meow Wolf exhibition in Las Vegas may look like a run-of-the-mill grocery store at first glance, you’ll quickly find that the aisles lead to surreal art, hidden passageways to interdimensional conspiracies, and secret storylines that reward the most curious explorers. Go ahead and open those freezer doors – you never know what you’ll find inside.
If you’re a fan of Meow Wolf, you know we’re all about sending you to more obscure locations. But some gems are so good they can’t stay hidden. This one’s known far and wide as one of the best indoor attractions in Las Vegas: The weird and wonderful worlds of Cirque du Soleil. Whether you’re interested in the danger and fire of the “KÀ” show, the water world of “O,” or the dramatic acrobatics of “Mystère, these shows provide unmatched Las Vegas indoor entertainment.
“Las Vegas is largely built on machines. And the Pinball Hall of Fame is no different, but it is different.” How can we say it better than the hall of fame’s own website? One of the best indoor activities in Las Vegas for families in the summer, the museum boasts 25,000 square feet of wall-to-wall “non-violent pinball arcade games” that cost just 25-50 cents per play. It’s also a registered non-profit, so you can spend a few hours having fun and leave feeling good about it.
Vegas puts the “big” in “go big or go home” - and it doesn’t stop at skyscrapers. At the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, you’ll find dinosaur skeletons, the tomb of Tutankhamun (aka King Tut), lifesize recreations of various sharks, and a 3,000 gallon marine tank where you can observe live sharks, stingrays and more. Speaking of “big”, did we mention they also house the remains of a prehistoric giant ground sloth?
If you’re looking for indoor kids’ activities in Las Vegas, and a break from the summer heat, the Discovery Children’s Museum is the place to go. With three floors packed with activities for all ages, every family member will find something to suit their fancy. Check out the “Energy/Energía” exhibit, where you can learn about energy science through interactive exhibits, and the “Water World” exhibit, which brings new and exciting ways to interact with flows and falls. It also features the biggest indoor playground Las Vegas has to offer.
Madame Tussauds wax museum boasts impressive figures of everyone from Muhammad Ali to Elvis Presley, which will guarantee a celebrity sighting during your trip. Interact with Miley’s wrecking ball, hop on Megan Thee Stallion’s literal chrome stallion, or live out your DJ dreams with Steve Aoki. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even tie the knot in Madame Tussauds Chapel.
Whether you’re inspired by Hollywood or History, “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” is sure to excite. Check out more than 250 artifacts recovered from the actual wreck site of the ocean-liner, walk through recreations of the ship’s rooms, and connect with the namesake on your boarding pass. That’s right, when you enter the exhibit, you get a boarding pass with the name of an actual titanic passenger. By the end of the experience, you’ll discover whether your pass-holder survived the catastrophe or not. The exhibition is open through September 4, 2025.
A traveling exhibition in Vegas through September 8, 2025, Bodies gives you an intricate look inside the human body. This macabre show utilizes actual preserved human “specimens” to showcase muscles, organs, and even nervous systems in its detailed displays. You can also check out The Alternative Limb Project display, where you’ll see reimagined prosthetics that give amputees a more creative alternative to realisting-looking limbs.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum has won countless Vegas attraction awards, many for years running. Whether you’re a fan of the hit show Ghost Adventures or a supernatural detective yourself, you’ll enjoy the paranormal adventure at the Haunted Museum. In the historic Wengert Mansion, already known for its dark history, Bagans has put together cursed artifacts, serial killer lore, and so much more for a chillingly good time. Replete with secret passages and all, it’s a haunt you won’t want to miss.
Vegas is packed with mind-bending, air-conditioned adventures that keep you entertained without melting:
Listen, even though Vegas in the summer feels like a desert oven, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had. The city’s world-class casinos and indoor attractions offer plenty of activities, but you can also lounge poolside with a cocktail if that’s more your speed.
Pro tip: Vegas pools are legendary, but not all are created equal—the best options will have things like shaded lounge areas, lazy rivers, or even indoor access.
With some highly strategic planning, you can make $100 stretch your whole day in Vegas. A few tips:
If you’re looking to have the full Vegas experience, you’ll probably want to wait until you have a bit more to spend.
“Too hot” is subjective, right? Sure, July temps in Vegas regularly surge well over 100 degrees. Sidewalks and door handles are not your friend, but there are plenty of indoor activities in Las Vegas to keep you busy.
Be sure to stay hydrated, and keep your outdoor activities to mornings and late nights.
