Summer simmers under the Nevada sun, its intensity absorbed into the bones instantly. Hat, shade umbrella, closed toe shoes (broken glass everywhere) and water are recommended if you plan a visit to Las Vegas’ Neon Sign Museum. Outdoors and raw, signs from decades of Vegas ostentation lie in desert’s dry suspended animation on three acres of fenced storage near Las Vegas and Fremont Boulevards. The Neon Boneyard continues to build and preserve its collection with items from newly imploded or remodeled Las Vegas hotels.
The museum officially "opened" with the installation of its first refurbished sign, The Hacienda Horse and Rider, on November 15, 1996 at the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Fremont Street. Today, ten refurbished signs can be visited on a self-guided walking tour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in their outdoor downtown “gallery”. The gallery begins in front of the Neonopolis at Las Vegas Boulevard near the Hacienda Horse and Rider and includes the original Aladdin’s Lamp. The gallery extends to the 3rd Street cul-de-sac adjacent to The Fremont Street Experience canopy and includes The Flame Restaurant, Chief Court Motel, Andy Anderson, The Red Barn, Wedding Information, Nevada Motel, and Dots Flowers.
Most of The Las Vegas Neon Museum’s signs however are exhibited in “The Boneyard” where they serve as inspiration to fascinated artists, students, historians and designers. It is home to some of the most treasured and world-famous signs of Las Vegas—Caesars Palace, Binions Horsehoe, Golden Nugget, Silver Slipper, and, most recently the Stardust.
The three-acre Neon Boneyard houses more than 150 historic, non-restored signs. As part of a guided tour, the signs are available to be viewed at ground level and up close by reservation only.
Each has been donated or loaned by individuals, businesses and sign companies such as Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO).
In future, the retro La Concha Motel is slated to be restored as the visitor’s/interpretive center for the museum.
In 2006 the building was saved from destruction and moved to the Boneyard site, and in 2007 the structure was reassembled. The La Concha, a swooping curvilinear example of mid-century modern architecture, was designed by famed African-American architect Paul Revere Williams. The building is on the City of Las Vegas Historic Register.
In 2006 the building was saved from destruction and moved to the Boneyard site, and in 2007 the structure was reassembled. The La Concha, a swooping curvilinear example of mid-century modern architecture, was designed by famed African-American architect Paul Revere Williams. The building is on the City of Las Vegas Historic Register.
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The Neon Museum offers tours by advanced appointment Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 AM. Beginning September 15, tours will be offered at 12 pm and 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The minimum donation for tours is $15.00 per person. Please reserve your spot as far in advance as possible, as they often sell out. Tour registration/reservations are made at http://www.neonmuseum.org/tours.html Info by phone: (702) 387-6366
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