14 Nerdy Things to Do in Las Vegas

Nerds can have plenty of fun in Las Vegas! Beyond the gambling and the flashing neon lights, there is a treasure trove of nerdy things to do in this city that’s honestly a little geeky at heart. Find out my favorite nerdy things to do in Las Vegas!

From learning about atomic testing to playing video games and betting on esports to watching a robot mix your drink, I’ve got you covered with all the best things for geeks to do in Las Vegas!

Things for Geeks to do in Vegas

1. Atomic Museum

The Atomic Museum (officially named the National Atomic Testing Museum, but everyone just uses the shortened version) tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site.

The museum is a Smithsonian affiliated museum, so you know it’s full of good information! If you’re the type who likes to read everything, plan to spend 2+ hours here.

The Atomic Museum has really in-depth exhibits that take you through the world events leading up to the establishment of the Nevada Test Site, the nuclear testing done at the site, and its effects on the community and environment around it.

You get to see some really incredible artifacts like a large nuclear reactor, the first air-to-air missile, and personal atomic weapons. There’s also a bunch of atomic bomb pop culture items, from toys to comic books.

Get your tickets to the Atomic Museum here.

2. Millennium FANDOM BAR

The Millennium FANDOM BAR is a great nerd-themed bar with cosplay events nearly every night. They’ve got a really funky decor with nerdy references on every shelf.

I was a big fan of their drinks, which are, first of all, a great price compared to the rest of Vegas, and secondly, are all very delicious. I did their Mana Potion (because I’m a sucker for edible glitter) and The Sorting Hat. Kevin had the Deadpool Mule and In Groot We Trust. We would have tried them all if we could because they all sounded so good.

Kevin’s favorite part was all the nerdy trinkets. We also talked to the owner for a while, and he enlightened us on some of the references laying around that we weren’t sure of.

Cosplay is not required, but they do have themed nights nearly every night, plus they have weekly events like karaoke, trivia, and movie nights.

3. Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at AREA15

Omega Mart is an immersive art exhibit created by Meow Wolf, an underground art collective that started in Santa Fe in 2008.

When you step inside Omega Mart, you’ll enter an unpredictable grocery store full of whimsical products and hidden doors to unique new worlds.

The immersive exhibit is located at AREA15, Las Vegas’s quirky, other-worldly entertainment district that specializes in experiential arts and events.

Get your tickets to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at AREA15 here.

4. AREA15

AREA15 does not exist.

AREA15 is a really cool spot in general that’s like stepping into another dimension. There’s a lot going on there beyond the Omega Mart.

This immersive entertainment venue has art shows, VR experiences, axe throwing, a flight simulator, an arcade, escape rooms, a zipline, an Illuminarium, and an observation tower ride.

During less busy times, you can usually get a free entry pass to just admire the art and roam the district. And if you’ve pre-booked an experience in the district, you don’t need an entry pass.

5. Tipsy Robot

The Tipsy Robot is a robotic bar where you can watch your robot bartender mix you a drink.

You’ll order your drink from a tablet; they have over 100 different drinks to choose from, ranging from the classics to some house specialties. Then once you’ve ordered, you can watch one of the two robots at the front mix your drink, pulling from the mixers suspended on the ceiling. I think the funniest part is when they have to shake a cocktail, so try to get a drink that’s shaken!

Supposedly, you can also make your own creation, but I couldn’t figure out how to do that. So we just picked from their signature drinks. There’s also a human bar at the Planet Hollywood location, if you for some reason don’t want a robot drink.

You’ll find a Tipsy Robot at Planet Hollywood in the Miracle Mile Shops and at The Venetian.

6. The Mob Museum

The Mob Museum (officially named the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, but that’s a mouthful) is an in-depth history museum about the Mob and organized crime, centered on Las Vegas.

The museum takes up residence in the 1933 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse building. This courthouse was the site of one of the famous Kefauver Committee hearings, which exposed a lot of the ongoings of America’s organized crime.

Throughout the museum, you’ll learn about the beginnings of the Mob, the beginnings of Las Vegas, the effect Prohibition had on organized crime, and the beginnings of the police and the government fighting back against the Mob.

You’ll then see how organized crime spread across the country, learn about the Kefauver Committee, sit in the historic courtroom, see how the Mob profited off Vegas casinos, and learn about the Mob’s greatest hits.

Finally, you’ll get a look at organized crime today, international cartels, and the Mob in pop culture. There are additional experiences like a Crime Lab, a Firearm Training Simulator, a Speakeasy, and a Distillery that you can also enjoy. I recommend stopping into The Underground Speakeasy if you have the time.

Get your tickets to The Mob Museum here.

7. minus5 ICEBAR

minus5 ICEBAR is a bar where everything is made of ice! The walls, the seats, the bar, and the glasses: they’re all made of ice.

They give you gloves and a warm coat and then send you on your way into the ice bar. They even have interactive ice architecture, an LED light show, upbeat music, themed ice rooms, and professional photographers to take your picture.

While I didn’t end up going to the ice bar in Las Vegas, I’ve been to an ice bar in Prague. My family was a little dubious at first, but once we got in there, everyone had a great time! There’s no time limit at the Las Vegas ice bars, but based on my experience in Prague, you probably won’t want to stay longer than 20-30 minutes because, well, it’s cold.

You’ll find a minus5 ICEBAR at Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, and The LINQ Prominade. The Mandalay Bay location funnels you out into a 1920s-themed speakeasy that was one of my favorite bars, so that’s a bonus.

8. HyperX Arena

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HyperX Arena at the Luxor is the ultimate destination for video game play, competitive esports events, and other gaming experiences.

When they aren’t having any official events, it’s free to go in and watch others play. You can also pay to play classic console-based games, PC games, and arcade games.

They also hold special events and tournaments that you can compete in (no need to be a professional gamer) or purchase a ticket to watch.

9. Tournament of Kings

Tournament of Kings is a Medieval dinner and show at Excalibur. It’s kind of like Medieval Times, but it has a King Arthur theme to it.

During the show, you’ll watch valiant knights fight and joust. You’ll also dine on a Medieval dinner consisting of Cornish Game Hen, potatoes, corn, a dinner roll, and an apple pastry for dessert.

Get your Tournament of Kings ticket here.

10. BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon

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BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon comes from the creators of the TV show BattleBots. This is the world’s first daily robot-combat show.

Expect chaos, pyrotechnics, crushing impacts, and pure robot carnage. This is a fun, high energy event with some unexpected surprises.

Watch your favorite fight-fest robots like Witch Doctor, Kraken, Mammoth, HyperShock, Whiplash and more, as well as some new bots created for this show. Some performances even feature fights from rookie teams trying out for the next BattleBots World Championship.

You’ll find the BattleBots Arena behind the Horseshoe.

Get your BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon tickets here.

11. Pinball Hall of Fame

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a 25,000 square foot museum that houses the world’s largest pinball collection.

The games all belong to Tim Arnold, a member of the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club, and the machines range from the 1950s to the 1990s.

You can actually play all of the games. The games from the 1990s cost 50¢ per play, while all the older games cost 25¢ per play.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is located across from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and across from the Mandalay Bay.

12. Twilight Zone Mini Golf

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If you’re a fan of The Twilight Zone, or if you just want to feel like you’ve stepped into another dimension, then you’ll love Twilight Zone Mini Golf at the Horseshoe.

This is a 10,000 square foot indoor glow-in-the-dark 18 hole mini golf course designed with props and artwork from the show.

There’s also arcade games, a bowling alley, and the Syfy Wedding Chapel.

13. Dino Safari: A Walk Through Adventure

Dino Safari: A Walk Through Adventure lets you travel back in time and walk among the dinosaurs.

This exhibit is mostly geared toward kids, but it’s still really great for adults too if you’re really into dinosaurs.

You’ll get to see over 30 different types of dinosaurs and learn all about their prehistoric world. The dinosaurs are all realistic animatronics. Don’t miss your opportunity to take a picture with the T. Rex!

Dino Safari is located at the Horseshoe.

Get your Dino Safari: A Walk Through Adventure tickets here.

14. Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is just a day trip away from Las Vegas.

The Hoover Dam is a feat of engineering that controls floods, provides irrigation water, and produces hydroelectric power. It was built between 1931 and 1936 and was the first large concrete structure of its kind.

A day trip to the Hoover Dam provides you a photo stop at the Hoover Dam bypass bridge for the best view of the dam. Then you’ll head down into the dam itself to view the power plant, generators, and diversion tunnels. Plus you’ll get a chance to walk on top of the dam.

Take this day trip to the Hoover Dam; get your tickets here.

Nerdy Things to Do in Las Vegas Map

Ready to explore all these fantastically nerdy things to do in Las Vegas? Use the map below to plan out your visit!

I hope you have a great time geeking out in Vegas!

Nerdy Places to Stay in Vegas

Want a place to stay in Vegas that matches your nerdy vibe? Here are my recommendations:

Luxor Hotel & Casino: This is the giant pyramid hotel. It’s also where we stayed. The hotel has the HyperX Arena as well as some museum-like attractions like Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Bodies: The Exhibition, and Discovering King Tut’s Tomb.

Excalibur Hotel & Casino: This is the castle hotel. Nerds love a castle (it’s me, I’m nerds). The hotel has the Tournament of Kings and the Fun Dungeon arcade.

More Nevada Itineraries

• Dino Safari: A Walk-Thru Adventure — Review
• Top 5 Tourist Destinations in the United States

Cheers!

Paige

What are your favorite nerdy things to do in Las Vegas? Let me know in the comments!