Neon Museum, Las Vegas

The main thing that characterizes Las Vegas is the multitude of neon signs. There's no better way to start off acquainting with the Sin City than through its neon lights that once graced the facades of the casinos, shops and businesses. Today, they are almost all lit by LED or LCD bulbs, so if you want to see the old signs, make way to the Neon Museum.

Here you will find neon signs dating back to the 1930s when the craze began. There is a huge variety of them in the two-acre outdoor Young Electric Sign Company Boneyard, where they wait to be restored in the museum and set up in various areas of the city. There are over 150 signs waiting to be given a new lease of life.

You can see some of them without visiting the actual museum though, as they have been set up in and around Fremont Street Experience. Among these are the Hacienda Horse and Rider which adorned the Hacienda Hotel in 1967, the Aladdin’s Lamp from the Aladdin Hotel in 1966, the 1961 sign from the Flame Restaurant, the Nevada Hotel sign that was first lit up in 1950, and Dot’s Flowers from a 1949 florist shop.

These signs are more than just pretty street decorations, but tell the history of changing times and tastes in Las Vegas.

Why You Should Visit:
To explore a part of Las Vegas's history in a fun way.

Tip:
Especially exciting if visited at night.
The Tim Burton exhibit is particularly worth checking out.