You’re wandering the Mojave. Your throat is parched, your Rad meter is ticking like a frantic heart, and a Deathclaw is probably stalking you from a nearby ridge. Most players are looking for stimpaks or a better rifle. But if you’re a certain kind of Fallout player, you’re looking for something else entirely. You’re looking for a tiny, shaking piece of the old world trapped in glass. New Vegas snow globes aren’t just junk. Honestly, they are the most satisfying "fetch quest" items ever put into an open-world RPG, and it's not even close.
They don't weigh anything. That’s the first thing you notice. In a game where every scrap of lead and every tin can adds to your encumbrance, these little treasures are weightless. That was a deliberate choice by Obsidian. It makes them feel special. Like they exist outside the laws of the wasteland’s physics.
Why New Vegas Snow Globes Are More Than Just Souvenirs
Most games give you collectibles that just fill up a menu or grant a tiny achievement. Not here. Each snow globe you find is worth a staggering 2,000 caps. In the early game, that is life-changing money. You go from scavenging for dirty water to buying the Anti-Materiel Rifle of your dreams just by knowing which shelf to look on.
But it’s more than the money. It’s the lore. Mr. House, the enigmatic overlord of the Strip, is obsessed with them. Why? Because they represent a preserved moment. A version of the world that didn't burn. When you hand one over to Jane, House’s Securitron girl at the Lucky 38, she doesn't just give you money; she puts it on a dedicated display stand in your presidential suite.
It feels like reclaiming history.
The Seven Base Game Globes You Can’t Miss
Most people think these are scattered randomly. They aren't. They are tied to the most significant locations in the Mojave.
Take the Goodsprings globe. It’s sitting right there in the cemetery. You literally start the game feet away from it. It’s leaning against a headstone near the water tower. If you don't grab it before heading to Primm, you're basically leaving 2,000 caps in the dirt.
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Then there’s the Hoover Dam globe. This one is tucked away in the visitor center. It’s sitting on a desk, looking entirely too peaceful for a place that’s about to be the site of a bloody, world-changing war.
The Mormon Fort globe in Old Mormon Fort (Freeside) is another easy get, resting on a wooden shelf in the tower where Julie Farkas hangs out.
The Mt. Charleston globe is found at Jacobstown. You’ll find it on the reception desk in the lodge. It’s a bit of a hike, but seeing the lodge's snowy vibe reflected inside the globe is some top-tier environmental storytelling.
Nellis Air Force Base holds the next one. You have to dodge high-explosive artillery fire just to get into the base, which makes the prize feel earned. It’s in the Pete’s Boomer Museum, on a table.
The Test Site globe is at Lucky 38. Don't look for it in the casino. It's in the cocktail lounge. You have to go behind the cash register to find it tucked away.
Finally, the The Strip globe. This one is in the Vault 21 gift shop in the basement. Sarah Weintraub runs the place. It’s on a nightstand in one of the locked rooms.
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The DLC Globes: Taking the Hunt Further
When Obsidian released the DLCs, they knew players wanted more. Each of the four major expansions—Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road—contains exactly one snow globe.
Unlike the base game versions, these don't get turned in to Jane. You can't sell them for caps. Instead, when you pick them up, they instantly vanish and grant you 2,000 caps on the spot. It's a "found money" mechanic that rewards exploration in these often-deadly environments.
Sierra Madre (Dead Money): This is the hardest one to get. It’s in the Salida del Sol North area. You have to navigate a labyrinth of cloud-filled streets and ghost people to find a hole in a wall leading to a crate where it sits. If you miss it before finishing the DLC, you can never go back. That’s the tragedy of the Sierra Madre.
Zion (Honest Hearts): Located in the Zion General Store. It’s just sitting on a cabinet. Compared to the others, it’s a cakewalk.
Big MT (Old World Blues): Found in the X-17 Meteorological Station. It’s on a computer console. This one is unique because it actually changes the weather in the DLC area once you interact with it in your player home (The Sink).
The Divide (Lonesome Road): This is in the Junction 7 Rest Stop. You’ll find it inside a collapsed building on the upper floor. It’s a somber reminder of what the world looks like when the bombs actually hit.
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The Strategy for Maximum Profit
If you’re playing on Hardcore mode, caps are everything. You need them for ammo, for food, and for repairing your gear.
The best route? Hit Goodsprings first. Then, head straight for Vegas. If you’re brave (or fast), you can sneak past the Deathclaws in Sloan or take the long way around through Primm and Novac. Once you get to the Strip, grab the Lucky 38 and Vault 21 globes immediately.
With 6,000 caps in your pocket before you’ve even met Benny, the game changes. You can buy the Intelligence implant from the New Vegas Medical Clinic early, which maximizes your skill points for the rest of the playthrough.
Common Misconceptions About the Globes
I’ve heard people say that you can lose the globes if you kill Mr. House. That’s a myth. Even if you decide to go the "Independent Vegas" route and take House out of the picture, you can still turn them in. Jane will still be there, or you can use the display stand yourself.
The game wants you to have these rewards. They are the "thank you" for looking into the corners of the map that the main quest doesn't always force you into.
Another weird thing? People think they provide stat boosts. They don't. That’s Bobbleheads from Fallout 3. New Vegas snow globes are strictly for currency and prestige. Honestly, it fits the "Vegas" theme much better. It’s about the money.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you want to complete your collection and maximize your character's power, follow this specific order:
- Prioritize the Sierra Madre globe. Since you cannot return to the DLC area after completing the main quest there, this is the only "missable" globe in the game. Check the upper balconies in Salida del Sol North before you trigger the gala event.
- Keep your "Old World Blues" globe. After finding the one in the X-17 station, remember to use the "Sink" to toggle the weather. It’s one of the few ways to see rain in the Fallout universe.
- Visit the Medical Clinic early. Use the 2,000 caps from the Goodsprings globe to buy an Agility or Endurance implant immediately. It makes the early-game trek to Vegas much safer.
- Check the shelves in Jacobstown. It’s easy to miss the Mt. Charleston globe because it blends in with the clutter on the reception desk. Look for the blue-tinted glass.
Finding every New Vegas snow globe is a rite of passage for any serious fan of the series. They are a bridge between the high-stakes gambling of the Strip and the quiet, lonely history of the desert. Go get your caps.