TL;DR: The Strangest Stranger Things in Las Vegas
- Best Hidden Bar: The Underground Speakeasy (Mob Museum). A fully functioning Prohibition-era bar and distillery located in the museum’s basement.
- Best Immersive Art: Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart (AREA15). A surreal, multi-dimensional supermarket that opens into a hidden, psychedelic world.
- Best Visual Oddity: Seven Magic Mountains. Giant, brightly colored stacked boulders contrast against the stark desert landscape.
- Best History Graveyard: The Neon Museum (“The Boneyard”). A resting place for massive, retired neon signs from classic Vegas casinos.
Las Vegas is known for its spectacle, but true adventurers know that the most memorable experiences are the ones that are hidden, offbeat, or just plain weird. Forget the flashing lights for a moment; the real charm of this city lies in its collection of the bizarre, the historic, the secretive, and the genuinely strange.
If you’re looking for activities that feel like you’ve stepped through a portal—whether into a secret Prohibition-era lounge or a field of neon corpses—then you’re ready for the Stranger Things in Las Vegas. I’ve personally explored these oddities and hidden spots to bring you the definitive list of 15 unusual things to do that will make your trip unforgettable.
5 Immersive and Artistically Strange Attractions
These attractions are the essence of the “Stranger Things” vibe—they transport you to a unique, often surreal, alternate world where art meets performance.
1. Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart (AREA15)
This is the ultimate immersive attraction and one of the strangest Stranger Things in Las Vegas you can experience. Omega Mart appears to be a normal supermarket, but hidden portals in the shelves, freezers, and vending machines lead to a bizarre, multi-dimensional art installation.
- Expert Take: It’s psychedelic, surreal, and requires at least two hours to explore fully. It’s perfect for groups and families with older kids.
- Location: AREA15 (just off the Strip).
2. Seven Magic Mountains
Located about 10 miles south of Las Vegas, the Seven Magic Mountains are a stunning visual oddity. This large-scale public art installation features seven towers of boulders, painted in electric, neon colors and stacked up to 30 feet high.
- Why It’s Strange: The vibrant, unnatural colors of the stacks create a jarring and beautiful contrast against the neutral beige of the desert.
- Photo Op: It’s a mandatory, free stop for a unique desert photo.
3. The Neon Museum (“The Boneyard”)
The Neon Museum serves as the graveyard for Las Vegas’s past, preserving hundreds of colossal, vintage neon signs from retired casinos like the Stardust and Sahara. The main collection is called “The Boneyard.”
- Expert Take: Book a night tour! Seeing the partially restored signs illuminated against the dark sky is a genuinely haunting and beautiful experience—a perfect tribute to Old Vegas.
- Location: Downtown Las Vegas.
4. Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
For thrill-seekers and fans of the supernatural, Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum (star of the Ghost Adventures show) is a genuinely creepy experience. It houses a vast collection of chilling and haunted artifacts.
- Why It’s Strange: The museum embraces the paranormal, featuring items like the original Demon House staircase and Dr. Kevorkian’s “Death Van.”
- Pro Tip: This is strictly not for the faint of heart or young children. Tours are guided and often intense.
5. Dig This Las Vegas
Dig This lets you live out a unique childhood fantasy: operating heavy construction equipment! Guests are given the reins of massive excavators and bulldozers to crush cars, dig huge trenches, and play “bucket basketball.”
- Expert Take: It’s pure, cathartic fun and an excellent, safe way to blow off some steam. It’s perfect for bachelor/bachelorette groups.
- Vibe: Industrial Playground.
5 Secret Bars and Unusual Hidden Gems
These are the hidden spots—often unmarked and requiring a secret entrance—that locals and savvy visitors swear by.
6. The Underground Speakeasy & Distillery (Mob Museum)
Located in the basement of The Mob Museum Downtown, The Underground is a fully functioning speakeasy and distillery. The entrance is unmarked and requires a password (check their social media or ask at the front desk).
- Why It’s Hidden: It’s a realistic, 1920s Prohibition-era bar where you can sip house-made moonshine and craft cocktails.
- Vibe: Dark, Exclusive, Historically Themed (21+ required).
7. Secret Pizza (The Cosmopolitan)
Tucked away down an unadorned, record-lined hallway on the third floor of The Cosmo, Secret Pizza has no sign and no name, making it one of the Strip’s best-kept (but widely known) secrets.
- Expert Take: The pizza is excellent New York-style, and the discovery of the hidden entrance is part of the fun. Perfect for a late-night cheap slice.
8. Frankie’s Tiki Room (Off-Strip)
This is a true local institution and a hidden cultural gem. Frankie’s Tiki Room is a dark, classic 1950s-style tiki bar serving incredibly potent, custom cocktails and playing rockabilly music.
- Why It’s Strange: It has a unique, bizarre blend of tiki aesthetics, sailor art, and a classic dive bar feel.
- Must-Try: Order one of their famous, strong rum drinks, like the Kahiki Kai.
9. The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (The Cosmopolitan)
This high-end speakeasy is accessed through a secret door located inside a functioning, modern barbershop on the casino floor. Once inside, you’ll find a massive bar with live bands and an expansive whiskey menu.
- Why It’s Hidden: The contrast between the fully operational business upfront and the huge bar/lounge behind the “staff only” door makes the entry theatrical.
10. The Writer’s Block (Downtown)
Hidden in Downtown, The Writer’s Block is not just a bookstore—it’s an eccentric, independent literary hub. It’s known for its maze-like shelving, unique atmosphere, and being a sanctuary for writers and artists.
- Vibe: Cozy, Literary, Community-Focused.
5 Strange and Unusual Outdoor Escapes
These spots are off the main Strip grid, offering views and experiences you’d never expect in the middle of the desert.
11. Atomic Testing Museum
If you want a taste of Cold War-era “strangeness,” the Atomic Testing Museum documents the history of nuclear testing in Nevada. It features interactive exhibits and a simulated blast experience.
- Why It’s Strange: The sheer reality of nuclear testing happening so close to the city adds a surreal layer to Vegas history.
12. The Burlesque Hall of Fame (Arts District)
Located in the eclectic Arts District Downtown, this museum preserves the history of burlesque as an American art form. It features costumes, props, and personal histories of famous performers.
- Vibe: Historical, Artistic, Unique.
13. Valley of Fire State Park
While a day trip, Valley of Fire (an hour north of Vegas) features stunning, brilliant red Aztec sandstone rock formations that look like you’ve landed on Mars.
- Expert Take: It’s a perfect natural break from the neon, offering otherworldly hiking trails and photography spots.
14. Springs Preserve
A massive 180-acre cultural and environmental oasis, Springs Preserve features botanical gardens, museums, and walking trails dedicated to Nevada’s natural history.
- Why It’s Strange: It’s an unexpected burst of lush green life and history right near the city, showing you the true origins of Las Vegas.
15. Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame is a massive, non-profit warehouse filled with hundreds of working pinball and classic arcade games. It’s a loud, chaotic, and wonderfully nostalgic trip back in time.
- Fun Tip: Bring rolls of quarters and prepare to spend hours playing classic machines. (Entry is free, you pay per game.)
A Quick Tip for a Weird Trip:
Don’t be afraid to ask for directions to a “secret” location. If you politely ask a bartender or host at The Cosmopolitan about “Secret Pizza” or The Barbershop, they’ll usually point you down the right hallway! Half the fun of these Stranger Things in Las Vegas is the discovery.
❓ Stranger Things in Las Vegas FAQ
Is The Mob Museum suitable for kids?
The Mob Museum is best for teens and older children (13+) due to the mature subject matter and complex exhibits. The speakeasy is strictly 21+.
Is AREA15 free to enter?
Entry to AREA15 is generally free, but you must pay separately for major anchor attractions inside, such as Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart.
How do I find Secret Pizza at The Cosmopolitan?
Go to the third floor (the mezzanine level) and walk down the hallway lined with album covers, near the video game arcade. The entrance is unmarked.
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