The Mob Museum

Overview

The Mob Museum, officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, occupies a 1933 former federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas. Its three floors trace the history of organized crime in America and the law enforcement efforts to combat it.

Highlights

• Courtroom Gallery: The restored second-floor courtroom hosted one of the 14 nationally televised Kefauver Committee hearings in 1950.
• Crime Lab: A hands-on CSI experience where visitors analyze evidence using real forensic techniques.
• The Underground: A Prohibition-era speakeasy and working distillery in the basement.

History

The building was constructed in 1933 as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. It became a National Historic Landmark and was converted into a museum that opened in February 2012 at a cost of $42 million.

Visitor Tips

• First Floor Last: The exhibits flow best from the third floor down — start at the top.
• Speakeasy: The basement bar serves craft cocktails; distillery tours run hourly.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.