A self-guided anatomy exhibition of real, preserved human specimens on the lower level of Horseshoe Las Vegas, open daily and now in its tenth year.
Real Bodies is a self-guided exhibition of real human specimens, preserved by plastination, on the lower level of Horseshoe Las Vegas, the former Bally's, at the center Strip corner of Flamingo Road. It is one of the few Strip attractions where you come out knowing more than when you went in, and it is open every day: 11am to 7:30pm Friday to Monday and 11am to 6:30pm Tuesday to Thursday.
The galleries take you through the body system by system: skeleton and muscles, the nervous system, heart and lungs, digestion and reproduction. Whole-body specimens are posed in motion next to individual organs and cross-sections. Healthy organs are shown alongside damaged ones, such as a smoker's lungs next to clean tissue, which is the part most visitors remember. The tone is educational rather than sensational, and the text panels are short enough for teenagers to read without losing interest.
Who is it for? Adults and older kids with an interest in science, medicine or how things work. Children ten and over usually get the most out of it. Younger children can go, but some parents find the whole-body specimens too much for under-10s. Use your own judgement, as the exhibit does not set a strict age limit. If you are squeamish about real human tissue, this is not the one for you: nothing is gory, but nothing is fake either.
Allow 60 to 90 minutes. Walk-ins are usually fine on weekdays. The exhibit is indoors and air-conditioned, which makes it a sensible midday choice in summer when the Strip is too hot to walk. It also fits well with the rest of the Horseshoe cluster: Paranormal and X Rocks play in the same building, and BattleBots is in its arena just behind the resort.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through themed galleries of real plastinated human specimens. Whole bodies, organs and thin cross-sections are displayed with short explanatory panels. You move at your own pace and can go back through rooms.
Best time
Mid-afternoon on a hot day: it is indoors and air-conditioned, and weekdays are calmer than weekends.
How long
60 to 90 minutes. Fast visitors can do it in 45 minutes; medical-minded visitors can easily take two hours.
Tips
The comparisons work best: healthy and diseased organs side by side, including smokers' lungs. Full-body specimens posed mid-movement show how muscles and bones work together. Cross-sections let you see inside organs in a way no diagram can. Best for adults and children aged roughly 10 and up who are curious about science. Younger children may find the human remains unsettling, so preview it with them. There is no strict age limit, so it is the parent's call. Open daily from 11am. It closes at 7:30pm Friday to Monday and at 6:30pm Tuesday to Thursday. Arrive at least an hour before closing so you are not rushed. Lower level of Horseshoe Las Vegas, at the corner of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, across from Caesars Palace. Follow the signs from the casino floor down the escalators. The galleries are indoors, air-conditioned and on the lower level, reached from the casino floor. Ask staff for the step-free route if you need it. It is a quiet, slow-paced visit, so it suits guests who want a break from the noise of the Strip.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious adults, teenagers and anyone who wants an indoor, air-conditioned break from the Strip that teaches you something.
- Families
- Good for kids 10+ who like biology. Talk through what they will see beforehand, especially with younger children.
- Couples
- A thought-provoking, air-conditioned break from the Strip for curious adults.
- Pair with
- Stay at Horseshoe for Paranormal's mind-reading show, or walk a few minutes to the BattleBots arena behind the resort.
- Time needed
- 60 to 90 minutes. Fast visitors can do it in 45 minutes; medical-minded visitors can easily take two hours.
Good questions
What is Real Bodies?+
An exhibition of real human bodies and organs preserved by plastination. It explains anatomy system by system, including skeleton, muscles, organs and the nervous system, through self-guided galleries.
Where is Real Bodies in Las Vegas?+
On the lower level of Horseshoe Las Vegas, the former Bally's, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road on the center Strip.
What are the opening hours?+
Daily from 11am. Closing is 7:30pm Friday to Monday and 6:30pm Tuesday to Thursday. Check before going on holidays.
Is Real Bodies appropriate for children?+
There is no strict age limit. Most families find it works best for kids around 10 and up. Younger children can find the real human remains upsetting.
How long does it take?+
Most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes. You can go faster, but the panels are worth reading.
