There are always two sides to every story… and this other side about the mob in Las Vegas can be seen at the Mob Museum (Mob Museum).
Although it may seem strange to have a museum dedicated to crime or its history, the Mob Museum will expose facts that school books dared not divulge.
Anyone who knows a little about the history of Las Vegas knows that the Mafia’s involvement in the city’s growth is undeniable. That’s why the museum was created. The intention is not to glorify mafia culture, but to show the reality of the mafia and how the authorities have fought organized crime.
Located right in the center of Las Vegas, the Mob Museum is an interactive attraction that shows the history of these famous gangsters, allowing you to look at the influence of organized crime not only in Las Vegas, but in America and the world.
The museum has more than 3,800 m2divided into three exhibition floors. It covers facts about the mob, myths about the mafia and much more.
Some find mobsters strangely fascinating, while others are shocked by the death of the good guys. For those who are interested in law enforcement, there is the opportunity to read a lot about the subject as well.
One of the main attractions presented is the courtroom used in the Kefauver, the first mafia-related event to be televised. The museum is located inside the former federal courthouse, where the Kefauver Committee hearings were held in 1950 and 1951. The Kefauver Commission’s investigation contributed to the national debate on organized crime that developed after the Second World War.
“This was the first media sensation”, said Kathleen Hickey Barrie, creator of Mob Museum. “Viewers invited the mobsters into their TV rooms. The hearings gained great repercussions and the Americans became absolutely involved, watching everything for hours.”
There are other exhibits on law enforcement, including a listening station where you can hear real conversations that have taken place. See audio-visual testimonials from FBI agents and even a skills test with an FBI firearms training simulator. There is also a police area where visitors can enter and be “suspected”.
The museum also features items that belonged to Al Capone, Charlie Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Benjamin Siegel, Sam Giancana, Frank Rosenthal, Mickey Cohen and Tony Spilotro, among others. Other artifacts include revolvers, guns, jewelry, personal belongings and hundreds of photographs.
For those who like to shine and glamour of the mafia portrayed in Hollywood, you can sit in one of the comfortable booths in the luxurious theater room and watch trailers from various gangsters.
If you are sensitive to sordid details, then the museum is not recommended. The attraction shows the weapons and violent photos of mafia members found dead at crime scenes.
Mob Museum
300 Stewart Ave,
Las Vegas, NV, 89101
(702) 229-2734
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 19:00
Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
