While some may dismiss the haunted museum in Las Vegas as a gimmick or tourist trap, many cannot deny that Zak Bagans has invested a huge amount of time and passion into the paranormal, the supernatural and the darker side of American history.
Located in Downtown Las Vegas, Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum stands as one of the most unique attractions in Vegas. Legendary supernatural stories, disturbing true-crime artifacts and petrifying paranormal encounters populate the 11,000-square-foot space, spread through more than 30 rooms.
Zak has spent years researching and investigating the objects in his collection, and he is always looking for new additions to the museum. Visitors to the museum should be prepared for a creepy and unsettling experience, as many of the objects on display are said to be haunted, cursed or connected to dark real-world events.
Whether you are a skeptic or a believer in the paranormal, Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum is a unique and fascinating attraction that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Read on to learn everything about one of Vegas’s coolest attractions.
The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas Overview
- Address: 600 E. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89104
- Phone: 702 444 0744
- Hours: Wednesday – Monday from 10 am to 8 pm; closed Tuesday
- Major Attractions: The Devil’s Rocking Chair, The Dybbuk Box, Dr. Death’s Van, Demon House, Bobby Mackey’s Music World, & Peggy the Doll
With nothing else quite like it, Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum has been able to earn several accolades, including USA Today recognition as one of America’s top haunted destinations and local awards from Las Vegas publications.
Zak Bagans, the creator and host of the popular TV show Ghost Adventures, opened the haunted museum in Las Vegas, promising visitors a spine-tingling journey through the paranormal.
The venue opened to the public in 2017 inside the historic Wengert Mansion, an 11,000-square-foot property built in 1938 and originally owned by prominent Las Vegas businessman Cyril S. Wengert. The building itself has long been associated with rumors of dark history, occult activity and hostile spirits.
The concept took off quickly with fans of Ghost Adventures, horror, true crime and paranormal history. Some of the museum’s most famous items include the Dybbuk Box, Peggy the Doll, the Devil’s Rocking Chair, Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s van and artifacts connected to Zak Bagans’ Demon House documentary.
To add more mystique to the story, it has been said that there have been several witnesses who have seen black-cloaked entities pass through the mysterious Dybbuk Box’s cabinet doors.
As the years passed, Zak added more items to the museum, including Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s 1968 VW Death Van. This is the same van connected to Kevorkian’s assisted-suicide cases and remains one of the museum’s most unsettling true-crime artifacts.
Each room in the haunted museum comes with narration, backstory and staff-guided explanation that helps solidify the history of the characters, locations and artifacts in the rooms.
Another key note is that the rooms are smaller than you would think. They are large enough to accommodate the sets, but they can feel like tight spaces, making the experience more claustrophobic and intense.
Be ready for a long tour that usually takes about two hours to complete. Some visitors report spending closer to two and a half or three hours depending on group size, pacing and whether they choose the upgraded RIP experience.
Do not expect a normal haunted house full of cheap jump scares. The museum is more of a guided, creepy, story-heavy experience, with some theatrical moments and unsettling rooms rather than a traditional scare maze.
With this in mind, the museum requires visitors to sign a waiver before the start of the tour, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the experience and the risks involved.
Whether you are a supernatural enthusiast or an avid ghost hunter, the Haunted Museum will quench your thirst for real-world findings, including collectibles straight out of world-famous legends, suspected paranormal sites, true-crime history and horror culture.
For those who may not be inclined to believe in the supernatural, a visit to the haunted museum is still worth it because of the storytelling and historical value of the tours. You will not only learn of haunted legends and cursed objects but also encounter stories tied to serial killers, infamous locations and strange chapters of American pop culture.
Best Attractions in Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum is a 33-room mansion that houses cursed dolls, possessed paintings, paranormal artifacts, horror memorabilia and serial killer artifacts, just to mention a few.
It is important to keep in mind that not all rooms present you with haunted artifacts. The name may be misleading to some since it makes it seem all the rooms portray a supernatural entity, but that is not the case.
Some of the rooms have displays of unique artifacts from crime scenes, as well as movie props from horror movies and morbid pieces from strange occurrences.
Some attractions are staples, and new ones are always getting introduced from time to time. Of all the rooms to have ever graced the haunted house, here are the best ones that are sure to give you an interesting story and blow your mind:
1. The Dybbuk Box
One of the most popular attractions in the museum is the Dybbuk Box, a wooden wine cabinet that is said to be haunted by a malicious spirit. Legend has it that the box was owned by a Holocaust survivor who brought it with her to America, where it caused a string of unexplainable tragedies for anyone who possessed it.
The box has since changed hands multiple times, and each new owner has reported a series of disturbing and supernatural events. Zak describes the box as one of the most haunted items in the world because of its power to inflict bad luck on others and make people feel dreadful.
2. The Devil’s Rocking Chair
Another highlight of the museum is the Devil’s Rocking Chair, a wooden chair tied to Ed and Lorraine Warren’s “The Devil Made Me Do It” case, which later inspired The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
The chair is said to be cursed, and visitors have reported feeling a sense of unease, back pain, dread and other strange sensations around it.
3. Demon House
One of the museum’s major current exhibits is connected to Zak Bagans’ Demon House documentary.
The exhibit includes the actual “staircase to hell” from the Indiana Demon House case, along with dirt and ritual items connected to the property. For fans of the documentary, this is one of the most important rooms in the museum because it connects directly to one of Bagans’ most famous investigations.
4. Bobby Mackey’s Music World
Another major addition is the Bobby Mackey’s Music World exhibit, connected to the infamous haunted honky tonk in Wilder, Kentucky.
The original Bobby Mackey’s building was the subject of the first-ever Ghost Adventures episode and became one of the show’s most famous haunted locations. The museum’s exhibit uses reassembled material from the original building and tells stories tied to the location’s long history of hauntings, violent legends and the infamous “Hell’s Gate” well.
5. Peggy the Doll – Haunted Doll Room
Did you know that investigators of the paranormal have reported numerous cases of people suffering physical complications just by looking at Peggy the Doll pictures or videos?
One of the most infamous and chilling exhibits at Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum in Las Vegas is the display featuring Peggy the Doll. This seemingly innocent-looking doll has a reputation for causing physical effects in those who come into contact with her, and her story has become one of the most well-known in the world of paranormal investigation.
The doll has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations, with some claiming that Peggy is possessed by the spirit of a deceased woman who died during a seance. Others believe that the doll is cursed and that anyone who comes into contact with her will experience misfortune and tragedy.
Despite the controversy surrounding Peggy, Zak Bagans remains fascinated by the doll and continues to display her at his museum. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the story of Peggy the Doll is a chilling reminder of the power that certain objects can hold over our imaginations and our fears.
6. Dr. Kevorkian’s “VW Death Van” / Dr. Death Room
Come and see for yourself the infamous exhibit connected to Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the physician known for his role in physician-assisted suicide cases.
The van was owned by Kevorkian and became one of the most notorious objects connected to his story. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999, served prison time and died in 2011 at age 83.
The van was later acquired by Zak Bagans and exhibited in his museum. You’ll learn about Kevorkian’s controversial role in American medical, ethical and legal history, as well as why the van became one of the museum’s darkest objects.
If you have a fascination with true crime and the macabre, then Dr. Death’s Van is a must-see exhibit. But be warned: it’s not for the faint of heart.
Zak Bagans Haunted Museum Tickets
It would be best to familiarize yourself with the haunted museum waiver before you purchase a ticket to the show.
The Haunted Museum waiver states that the company will not be liable in case of death, injury, property damage, or anything of the sort. At the start of the tour, you are also warned about the disturbing nature of the museum and the haunted or cursed objects inside.
Many visitors have reported feeling faint, dizzy, emotional or physically affected during the tour. Whether you believe those reactions are supernatural or psychological, this is not a gentle museum experience.
Entrance Regulations & Things to Note:
- All visitors must sign a waiver before entering.
- Visitors must be at least 12 years old.
- Proof of age may be required for all guests.
- Photography and video are not allowed in the museum.
- Phones and electronics must be switched off or put away during the tour.
- The guided tour usually lasts about two hours.
- Purchase the Regular or RIP All Access tour tickets to learn about the history behind the building and many of the items at hand.
- Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
- No outside food or drinks.
- No large bags.
- No drugs, alcohol, or firearms allowed.
- Paranormal equipment may be restricted, and rules are stricter during regular guided tours than during the late-night flashlight experience.
Tickets can be purchased online, and we advise you to do so since tours often sell out.
The Guided Tour Tickets
Current guided tour prices are:
- General Admission – $54
- RIP All Access – $88
- Local/Senior/Military General Admission – $48
- RIP All Access for Local/Senior/Military – $82
Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum also features a Late Night Flashlight Ghost Tour Experience, where you get to tour the attraction after hours in a darker atmosphere. This tour is more expensive and more intense than the regular daytime experience.
The Late Night Flashlight Ghost Tour is a 90-minute after-hours experience for ages 12 and up. Only a limited number of people are allowed in the museum for the experience, and guests are given a flashlight and may borrow paranormal equipment such as spirit boxes and EMF detectors. Tickets currently cost $204.
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Conclusion
You will have a blast at the haunted museum in Las Vegas if you are a fan of the Ghost Adventures show or if you are a believer in the supernatural.
It is also a fun and interesting experience for people who are not inclined to believe in the paranormal, although skeptics may come out more impressed by the storytelling, horror memorabilia and true-crime history than by the paranormal claims themselves.
Regardless, Zak Bagans manages to present a unique concept that brings to light a lot of information and backstories of gruesome events in history. It is a must-try for tourists who are looking to try something unique in Vegas.