Modern art might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about Las Vegas, but it’s actually home to some of the most fascinatingly intriguing modern art museums. If you know where to look, you can find small local art spaces, as well as big modern art galleries.

So, to simplify your quest for culture here are five of the best modern art galleries in Sin City.

The Neon Museum
Are you a fan of retro Las Vegas? If you want to be taken back to the days of famous hotels and casinos like the original Sahara, Golden Nugget, and Stardust, then you’ll love the Neon Museum. The bright neon signs that lit up the entrances to some of Vegas’ most well-known hotels and casinos are on display at this colorful, two-acre attraction featuring over 200 neon wonders, that date as far back as the 1930s.

Loving locals have meticulously restored these relics to their original grandeur. In keeping with the real trend of modern art, using expressive use of color, non-traditional materials, and new techniques and mediums this museum dazzles during the day and wows at night.

Sign up for the museum’s guided tours, filled with entertaining anecdotes or take part in “Brilliant,” the Neon Museum’s newest tour, which combines visuals and music for a more enhanced experience.

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art
No need to break the bank at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, where entry is always free. This former natural history museum, turned lively community gathering space and art exhibit, features rotating modern art exhibitions, as well as fascinating installations such as yogis posing on the basketball court floors, classic scenes performed by opera singers, or even lectures by a critically acclaimed modern artist.

If you love the way art can explore themes like culture, identity, and power, then you won’t want to skip the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art located on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus. These well-curated collections combined with a fun, modern vibe make it the perfect place to escape for a couple of hours of culture.

Contemporary Arts Center
If you loved what you saw at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, you then don’t miss out on the Contemporary Arts Center, which is the work of students and faculty from the arts department at the same university. UNLV started the Contemporary Arts Center almost 25 years ago, and it has since become a force to be reckoned with in the Las Vegas art community.

This museum features impressive art from a various range of avant-garde artists, and it also hosts captivating lectures, workshops, and even competitions. It would be a sin to skip this museum if you have even the slightest interest in finding a great artistic experience in Vegas.

Centerpiece Gallery
The Centerpiece Gallery is a hidden gem worth seeking out, located inside the Mandarin Oriental near the valet at CityCenter. This white-walled gallery features over $40 million in art collections, such as a suspended rendition of the Colorado River composed of reclaimed silver made by Maya Lin. You can also catch works by Frank Stella like a 32-foot piece on canvas from his famous protractor series featured in the registration lobbies. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Nancy Rubins' Big Edge, a large boat bouquet made of over 200 tethered canoes and aluminum boats, which acts as the centerpiece for the $9 billion campuses of hotels.

The Arts Factory
This former warehouse turned art gallery is located right in the heart of the 18b Arts District, and no modern art lover will want to miss it. The Arts Factory houses over 20 commercial-art tenants and inside you’ll discover the 25-year-old Contemporary Arts Center featuring exhibitions of working modern artists, in addition to studios, a bar, an eatery, and a store. Exhibitions change every month, so if you’d like to catch a glimpse of what’s to come, pay a visit to the Arts Factory on Preview Thursday, the day before the first Friday of every month.

Living it Up in Las Vegas
Of course, Las Vegas isn’t just home to some genuinely exquisite modern art installations and museums, but it’s also home to some innovative and modern ways to gamble. Just like art has modernized over time, so has gambling with new online and mobile ways to get in on the action!

No trip to Vegas is complete without some time well-spent at the casino, but on your next visit why not expand your horizons and take some time to explore the stunning modern art installations this genuinely great city has to offer.