© 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Remember the Sands Hotel? The Stardust? The Golden Nugget? The old neon signs?
Well, I certainly miss the old Vegas. I miss the $1.99 breakfasts and the $5.99 steak dinners. I miss playing roulette for fifty cents. I miss all of the old casinos with their beautiful neon signs that decorated the strip. Everything is now new, commercialized and quite expensive. Vegas is still fun, but in a different way.
Having heard about the Neon Museum some time ago, it has been my desire to visit this place so that I could reminiscence about the Vegas I remember. Since visits are by guided tour, only a set number of guests are allowed each day and evening, therefore, tickets are hard to come by, usually sold out weeks in advance.
This year, finally remembering to purchase tickets to the Neon Museum, we selected an 8:30 a.m. entrance to avoid the heat of the day. My husband and I, realizing what a lengthy trek is was to reach the venue, then investigated all avenues of transportation, finally deciding to rent a car for the day.
Our arrival at the museum was met by 98 degree temperatures and we quickly ducked into the lobby to collect our tickets and await our tour. The waiting area, a unique space, once the La Concha Motel lobby, showcases the original sign from the motel, acts as a visitor’s center and offers a multitude of souvenirs as well as a machine to send an email postcard.
Upon the appearance of our guide, we were ushered into the outdoor courtyard to begin our tour which commenced with the presentation of the history of the museum and history of the city. As we were ushered past the first sign in the collection, we ventured into the Neon Boneyard which houses the main outdoor exhibition space for the remainder of the signs. The abundance of signs here is staggering.
As the tour guide navigates you through the collection (some restored, some in their original condition), unique stories about the personalities who created them, inspired them, when and where they were made and roles that these signs played in Las Vegas’ history are presented. Much time is allowed for photographs, however, visitors are instructed that their captured images may only be for personal use.
Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum, a non-profit organization, has dedicated itself to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting these iconic Las Vegas signs. The museum also chronicles changes and trends in sign design and technology through pieces ranging from the 1930’s to the present day.
Night tours are offered, with the museum lighting seven of the collection’s signs and the remainder illuminated by spotlight. Although I had originally wished to tour the museum in the darkened hours, I was happy to see the collection during the daylight which enhanced the abundance of beautiful colors. Eventually, I would like to re-visit the museum and see the signs illuminated…that, in addition to a different tour guide’s narratives, would be like a wholly different tour.
Having been to Vegas close to fifty times over the years, I can say, without a doubt, this was one of my most favorite things that I have ever done in the desert city. Worth every penny for the tour and the rental car, my husband and I considered it a fabulous way to spend part of our day!
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Neon Museum
- http://www.neonmuseum.org/
- Address: 770 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Hours: 0800-2000 daily. Closed New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Admission: Day tours, $18 general admission, $12 seniors 65+, students, active military, veterans and Nevada residents.
- Admission: Night tours, $25 general admission, $22 seniors 65+, students, active military, veterans and Nevada residents.
- Parking for museum guests is free and located adjacent to the museum off of McWilliams Ave.
- Tours are subject to inclement weather, such as high winds over 25mps or lightning.
- Useful Information: No backpacks, camera bags, large bags, additional camera lenses, monopods, selfie sticks or tripods are allowed on tours. No alcohol. No weapons. Service animals only are allowed. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Visitors must remain with their guide at all times. No smoking, electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco or snuff allowed. Museum-appropriate attire required. Guests arriving more than 20 minutes late may forfeit tour.