Heading to Las Vegas?
If the answer is yes and you love this city’s neon lights and history, a visit to The Neon Museum is in order! I knew if I one day visited Las Vegas, I’d be visiting the Neon Boneyard.
A former travel agent, I was familiar with the Neon Boneyard’s existence, and completely fascinated with these neon signs of a bygone era.
How it all Began
In 1996 The Neon Museum was founded as a non-profit organization, focusing on restoring, preserving and exhibiting the iconic signs of the past and present. Individuals, corporations and government came together to promote the preservation of these signs as artistically and historically important.
Referred to as the ‘campus’, The Neon Museum has three sections; the visitors’ center, the outdoor space known as the Neon Boneyard next to the visitors’ center, and the Neon Boneyard North Gallery with additional signs and where they hold weddings, events, photoshoots, and educational activities.
The visitors’ center is itself a rescue project. As the former La Concha Motel lobby, saved from demolition in 2005, it came to the museum’s location to be refurbished and used as a home for the visitors’ center. I love its unique shell design!
DID YOU KNOW... In 1961 the La Concha Motel lobby was designed by Paul Revere Williams. He was
the first African American elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Available Tours
The Neon Museum offers general admission for the Neon Boneyard, which is an hour-long block of time with a host and guided tour. At sunset, the 200 unrestored signs are lit with ground lights, while restored signs light up. The newest addition is the Hard Rock Guitar, which was after my visit. I’m hoping to get in another visit one day, this time at night!
Brilliant! is the evening show in the Neon Boneyard North Gallery. Using lights and period music it runs about 25minutes. I’ll be doing a combo ticket next visit to see Brilliant! and the Neon Boneyard at night.
My family did a general admission guided day tour of the Neon Boneyard, which takes approximately an hour. The guides give you the story and a bit of history behind many of the rescued and restored signs. They are very particular that you stay on the path and not cross the rock or stanchion barriers or touch any signs.
I don’t regret choosing the day tour for a first-time visit, as I was able to thoroughly see everything.
You’re allowed to take pictures with your phone or tablet of the Boneyard and signs during the tour, for personal use only. Personal use includes social media, websites, blogs, or for your own home decor or custom stationery. Commercial use is not permitted. Photo Shoots can be booked and special permissions obtained for various things. They go into much more detail on their website so I’d advise you to look into it before visiting, depending on your plans.
Location, and How to Book
The Neon Museum is located at 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North in downtown Las Vegas. The easiest way to book your tickets is via their website. I recommend you book tickets in advance to avoid being disappointed, as the slots do book up and often days will sell out.
To call with any questions:
Phone: 702-387-6366 ext 101 to book tickets
I took lots of pictures, enjoy!
Fantastic! I’ve always wanted to visit the Neon Museum, though never got around to it. Your pictures are wonderful.
Thanks Marina! Hope you make it there one day, it’s a fun place.
I’ve seen this before on many travel shows and always wondered what it would be like to visit! Thanks for sharing and I will definitely ADD this to my list next time I head to vegas! It was going to be this summer but that may get pushed back a little! What fun though!
I have honestly never heard of the Neon Museum! When I next head to Las Vegan, I will have to check it out! I love visiting some of the less well known sites!
The Neon Museum looks like a fun and unique experience! Something I will look up next time I am in Las Vegas! Thanks for the information!
This is great! I have been making Las Vegas a yearly thing for me now and I never knew about this! Unfortunately, my trip this year got postponed but I look forward to adding the Neon Museum next!