Las Vegas is always one of the liveliest explorations you will get across. Although not too long, the history of Las Vegas is the one that’s filled with various colorful events, icons, star power, and stories galore.
Well, the Neon Museum will give you the best glimpse of the remnants of the former city and its popular attractions. Dedicated to Sin City, one of the most quintessential and distinctive signages in Las Vegas. Also, it remains the most famed landmark in the city both for the past and the present.
Moreover, there are many other vintage signs that have been taken off from different places in the city. One of them from Las Vegas’ YESCO could be now found in the boneyard of the Neon Museum. It was used for comic books and sci-fi flicks in the 1950s and 1960s.
This museum is a constant place for popular celebrities including RuPaul, Bruno Mars, Meat Loaf, and Drew Barrymore for getting some of their worthiest shots, perfectly done.
Turning The Pages Of History
The Neon Museum was established earlier in 1960 as a non-profit undertaking with the motive of studying, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the iconic signs of Las Vegas for historic and cultural enrichment and educational matters. Meanwhile, the Neon Museum soon grew into a collection of over 200 iconic signs.
It reopened in 2012 at its present location with the Neon Boneyard, a retail store with boasting the nostalgia-themed merchandise along with an ever-growing collection of hundreds of vintage signs many of them have restored their former glory and the others are on the way to it.
You can enjoy some amazing animation with the light and sound show in the North Gallery which stocks various unrestored signs making up a perfect setting. These signs take visitors back in time with sort of an animated trip, augmented reality, and some amazing soundtracks by Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Liberace various other legends who have performed in Las Vegas.
Also Read: 9 Best Things to Do In Las Vegas On Your First Visit
Irrespective of when you choose to visit here, the Neon Museum always has to offer some of the most spectacular walkarounds into the inspiring memory lanes of the city. You can take up a guided tour or prefer a self-guided exploration as per your choice.
How To Visit?
The Neon Museum is situated about half-mile away from The Mob Museum, to the North of Downtown Las Vegas. It opens from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. form Monday to Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday.
The stunning entrance will draw your attention. It allures the former space-age-y lobby of the La Concha Motel. Further comes the Neon Boneyard followed by the animated show, “Brilliant”.
Locals, senior citizens, and veterans can also get discounts at the Neon Boneyard. If you could, consider attending the special exhibitions here. Since most of the museum attractions include broken glasses and rusty metals entry is restricted to visitors over the age of 10 years during the day and over 12 years at night.
What to See and Do?
Once you check into the Visitors’ Center at the Neon Museum, you will get to go for the one-hour scheduled tour into the Neon Boneyard. Most of the signs in the Neon Boneyard are known to belong to the 1930s.
However, the 80 foot tall, guitar-shaped sign from the Hard Rock Cafe will be recognized instantly. It is one of the most recent additions in the Boneyard. This sign previously existed in the corner of Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road.
Further you will come across 4,110 feet of neon glass tubing of a 28 years old sign. There are many other electronics within that were restored for about $225,000, collected from contributors from different countries and via social media. It lights up the museum landscape into refreshing glory.
There are various other attractions in the Neon Boneyard including signs from hotels and casinos like The Tangiers, Moulin Rouge, Stardust, Silver Slipper, Golden Nugget, Caesar’s Palace, Hacienda, and Yucca. Also the sign from Liberace Museum. There signs from businesses that once existed here, wedding chapel, and even laundries.
There’s a 1300-square foot gift shop at the Neon Museum with spectacular clothing, magnets, mugs, photographs, books, graphic-emblazoned items, and logos of various casinos and businesses.
Also Read: 11 Most Interesting Things To Do In Canberra For A Different Experience
Tips To Explore The Neon Museum
Midweek is the best time to explore the museum since there’s less crowd at this time. You can easily get last-minute tour slots during this time. However, if your traveling during peak season, you will have to book your tour weeks before in advance.
You would enjoy the illuminating guided tour during the night with little anecdotes and stories behind the establishment of the signs. You can pose in front of the brighter ones for Instagram worthy pictures and breeze past the ones you find dull.
In order to observe the fine details of the signs daytime is perfect. However, the nights would take you back in time when these signs light up. Decide on the basis of your priorities.
Remember that the Neon Boneyard is an outdoor tour. Therefore, in case of bad weather, there may be chances of its cancellation. In case of cancellations, tickets get refunded and the tours can be rescheduled. Photography for commercial use is forbidden in the Neon Museum. However, tablets and smartphones can be used for photography.
Plan one of the best explorations in Las Vegas. Make it memorable.
Keep Traveling!