Bodies The Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel

Bodies The Exhibition at the Luxor is a self-guided anatomy exhibit featuring 13 whole-body specimens and more than 260 organs and partial body specimens, all preserved through a process called polymer preservation. In this method, body water is removed with acetone, then the specimen is placed in a silicone polymer bath inside a vacuum chamber - the acetone exits as gas, and silicone rubber moves into each cell and tissue in its place. A catalyst hardens the result. What you see in the exhibit rooms is actual human tissue, structurally intact, revealing detail that no illustration or model can replicate.

The exhibit moves through nine themed rooms, each focused on a different system: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and more. In the respiratory section, a side-by-side comparison shows a healthy lung next to a blackened smoker's lung - one of the more direct public health statements you'll encounter in any exhibit setting. A preserved brain from a stroke patient is also on display in that section. A separate, private area holds the fetal development display, which covers stages from eight weeks through eight months as well as specimens showing conditions such as conjoined twins. Guests who prefer not to view that section can move directly to the next room. Experts are stationed throughout and can answer questions, and an audio wand is available for an additional charge if you want deeper commentary on specific specimens.

Plan for roughly 90 minutes to work through the full exhibit at a comfortable pace. Benches are placed throughout the space for anyone who wants to stop and rest. There are no age, height, or weight restrictions listed for this attraction. Admission covers the self-guided tour through all nine rooms. The audio wand is not included in the ticket price. At the end of the exhibit, guest books are available if you want to leave your impressions, and a gift shop carries books, models, and educational items.