Best Arts and Culture Places in The Lakes

"Perhaps one of the longest-standing cultural entities in Southern Nevada is the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, which has existed in one form or another for more than five decades. Located in the heart of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas main campus, this spot isn’t only educational—it’s also the state’s most important collection house, complete with works formerly found in the Las Vegas Art Museum and the Nevadan portion of the 50×50 Collection from Dorothy and Herbert Vogel. Featuring a mix of contemporary and historic pieces—including artifacts dating back 1,000 years—the museum also offers space to show experimental art and rotating exhibitions."

"The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is located on the UNLV campus and is part of their College of Fine Arts. The admission is free, so it’s a great way to spend an afternoon if you need a break from the casinos. The beautiful, open space has benches and a very relaxing atmosphere to sit down and stare at the art."

"Vegas might have a lot of flashy art installations, but it’s not exactly a town known for its art museums. Marjorie Barrick is a venue trying to change that. This art museum is 100 percent free to enter and is geared towards the more educational elements of the Vegas art scene."

"Chris Burden's Urban Light installation at the Contemporary Arts Center, 2008. Photograph: Museum Associates/LACMA. Not-for-profit arts groups in Las Vegas have battled hard for attention in a community built around a 24-hour gaming industry and its flashy entertainment scene, but if you look hard enough you'll find success stories such as the 21-year-old Contemporary Arts Center and its avant-garde exhibits."

"If you’re traveling to the Arts District by way of Charleston Boulevard, you won’t miss The Arts Factory, which is colorfully adorned with a magenta, teal, orange, and green striped mural that says “Love Las Vegas.” Step inside and you’ll discover over 20 art galleries and studios showcasing visual art from local Las Vegas artists. This is a must-visit during the First Friday art block party!"

"One of the most fascinating places to see Las Vegas art on the Strip is at the Aria Fine Arts Collection. Located along the Strip within the Aria Hotel complex, the Aria Fine Arts Collection highlights the works of many well-known artists from around the world including Maya Lin, James Turrell, Richard Long and Frank Stella. The fine arts collection is a true testament to the hotel which in itself is a work of art with aesthetically pleasing lines at every turn inside and out."

"People who tour the 21 public art sites around the CityCenter campus are generally committed art aficionados. While everyone else is gambling, partying, or shopping, visitors to the Aria Fine Art Collection get to take in a fabulous outdoor gallery housing works by top contemporary artists. Best of all, it's a free, self-directed walk, so the tour lasts as long as you want it to."

"Take a walk through the impressive Aria complex when you’re ready for an unparalleled experience with fine art and permanent sculptures. There isn’t one specific gallery of all the pieces here at Aria, so just enjoy the experience of wandering through the complex at a leisurely pace. You’ll get to see a magnificent gallery of art for free."

"An intriguing place to view Las Vegas art that is loaded with beautiful contemporary and abstract pieces of artwork is the Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery. Located directly on the Strip at 3720 South Las Vegas Boulevard, the Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery features contemporary works from artists like Rizal, Anek Natenoi, Salvador Dali, the Buma Project and series work from Elena Bulatova. One inside your eyes will be treated to a collection that has everything from sculptures to water colors to acrylic landscapes to abstract drawings."

"A talented painter praised for her contemporary fine art, Elena Bulatova’s fine art gallery showcases her mixed-media originals alongside other abstracts from artists. Feel the three-dimensional screw art of Efi Mashiah and the metal mesh art of Ofer Rubin leap off of the canvas. Appreciate every grain of detail in John Stebila’s wood carvings or give your home a splash of pop culture color via the Buma Project."

"The Gallery of Music & Art mixes the right amount of Las Vegas art with incredible images of iconic musicians in a variety of formats that are sure to please your senses. Located in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the Gallery of Music & Art exhibits everything from contemporary to abstract to lithographs from famous artists from around the world. The concept at the gallery combines superb artwork that highlights some 64 musicians and legendary rock bands like Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie."

"Known as Las Vegas’ best adult playground, Gold Spike in Downtown Las Vegas is a premier nightlife venue if you’re looking to have fun with friends. Formerly a hotel and casino, Gold Spike features interactive games at the outdoor courtyard, also known as the Backyard. Here, you can hang out with friends and family during the day and come back in the evening for a lively nightlife."

"This cream and chocolate filled bowl is a special dessert for all Las Vegans, and the tourists also love to taste it again and again. The trifle bowl contains deep-fried Oreos, ice cream, whipped cream, and few decorative elements. It is basically a milkshake with a lot of booze inside."

"217 Las Vegas Boulevard North Las Vegas NV 89101, map  |   Hours: Open 24. This is a favorite hang out spot amongst locals!. It’s free to enter and they have a backyard with giant lawn games and fire pits."