One of the most fascinating things to do in Las Vegas is found off the strip, and it doesn’t have to do with cards or gambling chips! Welcome to The Neon Museum of Las Vegas. Here you will find vintage neon signs from old casinos, restaurants, and other businesses brilliantly displayed across a boneyard campus. The Neon Museum has consistently been named one of the top museums in Las Vegas, and upon entering this incredible space, it’s easy to see why. Read on as we visit these ghosts of Las Vegas past and shine a light on why this Museum is a must-stop with kids.
Behind the Boneyard
The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for historical and educational purposes. Founded in 1996, it is home to a 2.5-acre exhibition space and campus filled with more than 250 pieces of neon nostalgia.
All signs in the collection have been generously donated to the Museum by local businesses, donors, and various organizations. Much of the Neon Museum’s collection came from the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO). YESCO is a sign manufacturer that kept many decommissioned signs on their Las Vegas property for spare parts. They donated a large portion of the signs to the Neon Museum upon its opening.
Today, all the rescued signs are displayed in the Museum’s outdoor exhibition area and discovered through general admission tickets or guided tours. The tours allow you the opportunity to hear the story behind the signs in the collections; what inspired the sign, when it was made, and the role it played in Las Vegas’ history. It’s fascinating!
The Galleries
There are two separate exhibition spaces at the Neon Museum; the Main Boneyard and North Gallery. The Main Boneyard is where public tours are held. It is the larger of the galleries and showcases more than 200 unrestored signs and numerous functioning restored signs. The North Gallery sits adjacent to the Museum. This gallery is reserved for the nighttime audiovisual spectacle “Brilliant! Jackpot” (more on this below) and private event bookings.
A Boneyard of Nostalgia
The Boneyard is a treasure trove of historical significance and Las Vegas nostalgia. Seeing these iconic signs at eye level is an incredible experience – as one can fully appreciate the detail and craftsmanship of these masterpieces. It’s like a visual trip through Las Vegas History!
While children may not be familiar with the Rat Pack or understand the lore of vintage casinos, they will appreciate the signs’ designs and love discovering all the details up close. With vibrant attention-grabbing color and detailed in an array of glitz and sparkle – the signs appeal to all ages. Pieces such as the Aladdin genie lamp, the Ugly Duckling, and the Treasure Island skull are popular family favorites.
Those interested in technological advances can pay attention to the lighting mechanics of the signs. The Museum brilliantly chronicles illumination advances, bulbs to LEDs, and everything in between; it’s amazing how things have changed.
A few collection highlights:
Hard Rock Cafe Guitar. The latest sign to be added to the collection has a Rockin history! At 82 feet tall, the Hard Rock Cafe Cafe sign is the largest restoration project the Museum has undertaken to date.
Aladdin Lamp. While you cant rub this lamp for good luck, you can admire it. The Aladdin Lamp was once the icon for the Aladdin Casino before it closed.
Moulin Rouge Casino. This sign was from the Moulin Rouge Casino. Betty Willis designed the sign itself. Do you recognize the name? You may know her for her more famous piece, the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Fun fact: Willis drew each letter of Moulin Rouge freehand because she couldn’t find a font she liked.
Stardust Casino. One of the most sights to see is the glittering Stardust sign that dates back to 1958. The sign was once the Strip’s largest – at over 215 feet long and 27 feet high.
The Green Shack. One of the oldest signs in the boneyard is The Green Shack, formerly a downtown restaurant known for its fried chicken.
Lady Luck Casino. “I’m starting my vacation!” Fans of the movie Vegas Vacation will remember the scene where cousin Vicki was dancing atop the Lady Luck sign, and Abry decided to join her. The movie scene was actually filmed in the original YESCO Boneyard, but seeing these signs up close will give you flashbacks to this 90s classic!
Pirate Skull. You’ll also discover a larger-than-life skull head that looks like it’s straight from a horror flick! It was actually once part of the Treasure Island casino sign.
Yellow Duck. A yellow duck for luck? Not from a casino this time, this little guy was the icon of Ugly Duckling Car sales.
A Brillant Experience
The largest augmented reality experience of its kind, Brillant! Jackpot uses projection mapping to “re-electrify” unrestored, non-working and broken vintage signs. Over 40 signs are reanimated during the experience, dancing to a curated soundtrack with music. By the numbers: Brillant uses 8 projectors, 24 3d sound speakers, with a combination of flat photography, drone video, and 3d photogrammetry. Don’t miss this.
Visitor Center + Sign
During your experience, be sure to take a moment to admire the Visitor Center, which in itself is a piece of history! The shell-shaped, space-aged building was once the historic La Concha Motel lobby and an incredible example of Mid-Century modern architecture. Initially constructed in 1961 on Las Vegas Boulevard, the La Concha lobby was saved from demolition in 2005 and moved in 2006 to its current location and as the grand welcome to the Museum. Inside you will find a wonderfully curated gift shop.
Another piece of art is the Neon Museum Sign itself! The sign pays homage to some of the biggest Las Vegas icons. The “N” is in the same font from the Golden Nugget, the “E” is from Caesars, an “O” from Binion’s, and the “N” is from the Desert Inn. The starburst is in tribute to the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. How brilliant is that?
Events and Photoshoots
The Museum is a photographer’s dream. From movies, TV shows, and music videos to weddings and personal photoshoots, the Neon Museum’s collection has been the celebrated background in photos across the globe. Important to know: During your tour, you can take personal photos with your phone, but no photo equipment or commercial photography is allowed. Instead, the Museum offers a variety of photo sessions for a small fee that will enable photographers leisurely (crowd-free!) time with the historic marquees. The Museum is also available for commercial photoshoots or special occasions and is often booked for private events and functions.
Beyond the Boneyard
After your visit, be sure to drive down Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara Avenue and Washington Ave. It is one of only three streets in America to be named a Federal Scenic Byway by the US Department of Transportation. Here you will find nine additional museum signs installed as public art through the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Signs include Caballero on a Palomino from the Hacienda Hotel (also known as the Horse and Rider), the Silver Slipper, the Bow & Arrow Motel sign, and Binion’s Horseshoe. There is an excellent map of where to find these signs HERE.
Tips for your visit:
- Be sure to book ahead – tour times often sell out in advance.
- The galleries are completely outdoors – be sure to dress for the weather. Bring sunblock and a bottle of water during the summer months.
- Backpacks and large bags are not permitted.
- Practice caution around the signs. These are historical relics with broken glass and rusty metal. Keep little ones in the roped areas.
- You may use your phone to capture still photos for personal use, but cameras and camera equipment are not allowed with general admission or tours. Special photographer sessions and tours can be booked for a small fee. More on these packages HERE.
- Be sure to check out the Museum’s stunning Las Vegas Luminaries Mural that chronicles Las Vegas History. Located on the North Gallery Wall, the mural showcases Las Vegas’s most influential women, including the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign designer Betty Willis and 1950s Las Vegas showgirl Delcenia Boyd.
The Neon Museum
770 Las Vegas Blvd North, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 387-6366 (NEON)
The Museum is open seven days a week. Hours vary based on the season.</span
Special ticket pricing for youth 7-17. Children under 6 are free.
Tickets and more information HERE
Thank you to the Neon Museum for the amazing experience. As always, all opinions and reviews are our own.
