A Trip to the Mob Museum

If you're into American history, crime and Las Vegas (especially any combination of the three), take a few hours of your day to visit the Mob Museum, which is located in Downtown Las Vegas. It's just a couple of blocks from the Fremont Street Experience, so if you're staying in the area, it's easily accessible by foot.

I didn't expect to enjoy the museum as much as I did. I spent two hours exploring this three-story museum, and I could have easily spent three -- it's that interesting! It includes tons of photos, videos and artifacts.

Before my visit, I really didn't know much about the mob, except for what you see in movies. The museum gave me a better understanding of how it operates, the violence, and its place in Vegas and American history. Let's just say that I now believe that the mob played a role in the assignation of JFK (until another conspiracy theory convinces me otherwise).

Here are some highlights via photos:

The Mob Museum is located in the old Las Vegas court house. What's notable is that this was the venue of the Fed's investigation into mob activities.

The actual St. Valentine's Day Massacre Wall. Members of a mob family were killed at this wall in Chicago by an opposing mob family that were dressed as police officers. A video tells more about the events of the massacre.

A close up of one of the bullet holes in the wall.

The actual courtroom where federal investigators interviewed mob members. Again, a short video goes into detail of the government's attempt to investigate the mob.

An actual Tommy gun in on display, and . . . 

. . . you can actually pull the trigger!

An electric chair that was used for death sentences. The Hubz didn't come with me to the museum,
or else I would have asked him to sit in it . . . 

. . . and I would have flipped the switch! I kid! I kid! The Hubz is the best.

I thought this was fitting for the last photo to post. I chuckle that his freedom from the mob is only worth half is fortune. 

Want another perspective of the Mob Museum? Check out this review at the Left Field Wander blog.

Waxing Celebrities

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is not for everyone. Either you're interested or you're not. I, obviously, fall into the former category.

On my first visit, I went with my friend David. Our respective spouses had no interest, and they stayed behind at the Venetian.

I wanted to go again a few years later because I was hoping the new Michelle Kwan (yes, I am a fan) figure would be installed there (it wasn't). On this trip, I dragged the Hubz with me.

Before I let the pictures do the "talking," I do want to point out a few observations:

• To get the best pictures, don't point the camera directly at the figure's eyes. The most realistic pictures are those with the figure not looking straight into the camera.


• Celebrities look larger than life on the screen, but they are actually quite short in real life, especially the women. I was surprised that I could see "eye to eye" with most of them. Just for reference, I'm 5'2".


• I thought Beyonce's figure was very realistic -- her booty looked like what I imagined. Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, lost several inches in the wax figure making process.


• And last, but not least, have fun! Take all the goofy pictures you want! That's what you're there for!