BODIES…The Exhibition & Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Las Vegas
If you’re looking for something beyond casinos and shows, BODIES…The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor offer two of the most fascinating museum experiences in Las Vegas. One explores the remarkable complexity of the human body through real preserved specimens, while the other tells the story of the RMS Titanic through authentic artifacts and personal stories from the ill-fated voyage.
During our visit, we toured both exhibits back-to-back and found they complemented each other surprisingly well. Whether you’re interested in science, history, or simply looking for something different to do on the Strip, here’s what you can expect before you go.
What to Expect at BODIES…The Exhibition
Bodies provides guests the opportunity to see, well…bodies – up close and personal.
One of the first questions people ask is whether the bodies on display are real. The answer is yes. The exhibition features real human bodies and organs that have been preserved using a process called plastination, which replaces the body’s water and fat with durable polymers. This preservation method allows visitors to see muscles, bones, organs, blood vessels, and other anatomical structures in remarkable detail.
Each of the over 200 bodies in the exhibit has been preserved using an innovative process and respectfully displayed. The full-body specimens were people who lived in China who died from natural causes. Their bodies were unclaimed at death and delivered to a medical school for education and research.
There is so much to see in the exhibit. All of the body systems are there: skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, circulatory, and productive system. Healthy and diseased organs are both on display. In the vein of good health, there is a receptacle by the respiratory display for smokers to surrender their cigarettes. After seeing a diseased lung, it is no surprise that there were a lot of cigarettes given up.
If you’ve heard of BODY WORLDS, you may be wondering if it’s the same exhibit. While both feature plastinated human specimens, they are separate exhibitions with different histories and ownership. BODIES…The Exhibition focuses on educating visitors about human anatomy and how our bodies function through carefully preserved specimens and informative displays.
Is BODIES…The Exhibition Appropriate for Children?
Whether this exhibit is suitable for children depends on the child. The displays are educational rather than graphic, but they do feature real human bodies and organs. Older children, teenagers, and those with an interest in science or medicine often find the exhibit fascinating. Parents of younger or more sensitive children may want to preview the exhibit’s website before deciding if it’s the right fit for their family.
Hours
Bodies is open daily from 10 am until 10 pm. (Special hours apply at Christmas and New Years.)
Tickets
Tickets for general admission are $43 per person, discounts apply for seniors and children.
Notes
Food, drink, and photography are prohibited in the exhibit.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition fills 25,000 square feet of the Luxor with numerous items, mementos, and actual pieces of the ship. Once guests enter the exhibit, they are handed a “boarding pass” for White Star Line’s R.M.S. TITANIC. On the back of the pass is information about an actual passenger and his/her family. Be sure to hold on to the pass so that you can discover whether or not your passenger survived the journey.
In April of 1912, the massive luxury liner departed Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage to New York City. The Titanic carried over 2,000 passengers, among them were some of the wealthiest people in the world at the time. Many of the third-class passengers were immigrants hoping for a new life in America. As fate would have it, the ship that seemed “practically unsinkable” hit an iceberg 375 miles south of Newfoundland and sank. Just over 700 people would survive the ill-fated trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the Titanic.
Walking through the exhibit, we are given a glimpse into what life was like aboard the massive luxury liner via re-creations such as the Grand Staircase, first and third-class quarters, and actual artifacts retrieved from the wreckage. Placards throughout the exhibit tell the stories of survivors and victims alike and what led them to board the Titanic.
At the end of the exhibit, guests can take their boarding cards and search the wall of names to see whether or not their passenger was among the survivors. My poor unfortunate soul, Alma, was from Sweden and lost her life along with her four children. They were on their way to Chicago to join Alma’s husband who worked 2 years to save enough money for them to be able to join him in the US.
Are the Titanic Artifacts Real?
One of the highlights of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is seeing authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic. Everyday items such as luggage, dinnerware, personal belongings, and pieces of the ship help tell the stories of the passengers and crew who sailed aboard the famous ocean liner.
Throughout the exhibit, you’ll also learn about the ship’s construction, its voyage, and the recovery efforts that have brought many of these artifacts back to the surface. The combination of original artifacts and recreated spaces makes the experience both educational and deeply moving.
Hours
Titanic: The Exhibition is open daily from 10 am until 10 pm with special hours applying at Christmas and New Year’s.
Tickets
Tickets for general admission are $42.71 per person, discounts apply for seniors and children.
Notes
Food, drink, and photography are prohibited in the exhibit.
How Long Does It Take to Visit Both Exhibits?
Plan on spending about two to three hours if you’re visiting both BODIES…The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition during the same trip.
Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes exploring each exhibit, though you could easily stay longer if you enjoy reading the displays or taking your time. We visited both back-to-back and never felt rushed.
Location
Both Bodies and Titanic Las Vegas are located inside of the Luxor Hotel and Casino at 3900 S. Las Vegas Boulevard.
Our Take
These two attractions may be located side by side, but they offer very different experiences.
As a former registered nurse, I found BODIES…The Exhibition especially fascinating. Seeing the human body displayed in such detail reminded me just how incredible – and complex – our bodies really are. It’s the kind of exhibit that leaves you appreciating anatomy in a whole new way.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition affected me differently. Reading the stories of the passengers while viewing belongings recovered from the wreck made the tragedy feel incredibly personal. It was thoughtful, respectful, and surprisingly emotional.
If you’re trying to decide whether to visit one or both, I’d recommend seeing both exhibits together. They complement each other well and offer a welcome break from the casinos, crowds, and nonstop entertainment that Las Vegas is known for.
Nearby Attractions
After your visit, you’ll find plenty to explore within walking distance of the Luxor. You can stroll through neighboring resorts, catch a show, enjoy one of the many restaurants on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, or continue your sightseeing at attractions like the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay or the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Have You Visited These Exhibits?
If you’ve been to BODIES…The Exhibition or Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor, I’d love to hear what you thought. Which exhibit made the biggest impression on you? Or, if you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, is either one on your must-see list? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below – I always enjoy hearing about your travel experiences!
