Origen Museum

The Origen Museum at the Springs Preserve is one of our family's favorite museums to visit in Las Vegas. We easily spend several hours each time we visit the Springs Preserve inside the Origen Museum. Every few months, there is a exhibit that changes. Last time we stopped by the Origen Museum there was a cat and dog exhibit. This time, it was under construction, making way for a new exhibit!Some of the fun activities you'll experience at the Origen Museum include the followingReservoir of History, the origin of Las Vegas.Flash Flood Exhibit: Recreates a desert ravine, and shows what happens when a thunderstorm occurs in the dessert. The exhibit utilizes 5,000 gallons of recycled water through a simulated canyon. Miracle In the Mojave: My family and I see this video each time we come. It has 156 seats within the theatre. The video is narrated by Martin Sheen. As you watch the video, you'll go on a journey that shows the natural history of the region and water development. Live Animal Exhibits: The outdoor live animal exhibits include a variety of Mojave natives. Some of these include lizards, desert cottontails, a gray fox, pocket gopher, turtles, and Gila monsters.Land Auction: A recreation of a 1905 land auction where you can see some of the sculpted figures and listen to a live narration of life in the boom town.Railroad and Train: In the same exhibit as the Land Auction, you'll also see a recreated railroad car from the early 20th century. There are seated sculptures inside the railroad car that will tell stories. It's pretty fascinating and it's always great to stop by this area.The Hoover Dam Exhibit is one of my favorites. In a short video, you learn a lot about the history and construction of the Hoover Dam. It's a really good documentary and I'd highly recommend watching it if you're stopping by the Origen Museum. If you're near the Miracle In the Mojave theatre, you'll see a gift shop next to it. My daughter ended up purchasing a Owl Plush. There are other merchandise at the gift store such as apparel, jewelry, pens, decorative items, and so much more! In order to visit the Origin Museum, you'll need to purchase a ticket into the Springs Preserve.Nevada resident: $9.95 adults, $4.95 children (ages 3-17)Visitor/non-resident: $18.95 adults, $10.95 children (ages 3-17)We always have a great time at the Origen Museum inside the Springs Preserve!

I've been to many museums in the past all over the world as I love history. I spent some time here while I was visiting Springs Preserve. This museum is about the beginnings of the Las Vegas Valley from the first settlers. It was ok, but not great. It is a pretty small museum and doesn't take long to walk through. If you have kids, the animatronic dinosaur exhibit would be good for them, but even that is small as well. If you are at the Springs Preserve, it is free to check out, but I wouldn't spend a lot of time there simply because there are other great attractions nearby. Overall mediocre at best.

This is the not your traditional museum. There are a ton of different things to get into. There are a lot of tactile stuff if you have kids (which I do not). Right now they have the Ripley's Believe it or Not traveling exhibition. It is actually pretty well done. I have been to the permanent locale on the strip so I do have some comparison bias. If you wonder outside there is an atrium of sorts where there are plants and animals indigenous to Neveada. They have a small movie theater where I am sure they multipurpose when the exhibition rotate. All in all good fun.