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Designed by award-winning architect Rem Koolhaas, this branch of the Guggenheim is larger than New York’s Grand Central Station. The $21-million building includes a skylight with retractable panels painted as a replica of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Traveling exhibits rotate with the other Guggenheims.

One can easily become so entranced with the wax figures that their theatrical settings are ignored.

Pavarotti, Madame Tussaud’s

With more than 100 hands-on exhibits, this is one of the finest children’s museums in the western USA. Children can skip along the Musical Pathway, toe-tapping out their favorite tunes on giant piano keys, and can learn about science through entertaining games. Little tots especially love the Bubble Pavilion and Toddler Towers.

A fittingly flamboyant tribute to the king of kitsch. Don’t miss the customized cars – including a red, white, and blue convertible Rolls Royce – and pianos. Also on display are the trademark capes and sequined jackets, plus collections of objects from around the world, including a piano-shaped ring set with 260 diamonds.

This huge collection of Elvis memorabilia is said to be worth between $3 million and $5 million. “The King’s” guitars and his 1955 Cadillac are on display, as are such memorable artifacts as his blue suede shoes. Don’t miss one of the five-times-a-day complimentary live performances – but is it Elvis?

The inaugural exhibition in fall 2001, Masterpieces from the Hermitage and Guggenheim Collections , featured works by such monumental artists as Monet, Cezanne, and Picasso. One would expect nothing less.

Highlights include the international wildlife room and a live shark exhibit. The children’s hands-on exploration room is excellent, but the roars of the animated dinosaurs may elicit equally loud cries from frightened toddlers.

This unusual museum has historic buildings relocated from various sites around the state, as well as contemporary local artifacts.

Housed in a $20-million contemporary-style southwest building, the museum is a repository for both national and international works, with local arts and crafts in the gift shop.

The hall of fame for the heaviest, fastest, and tallest. Local record-holders are Brad Rodgers, owner of the largest collection of shot glasses, and Peter Rosendahl, with 26 records for feats accomplished on unicycles.