What to Know Before You Go: The Neon Museum Las Vegas

This entire museum is outdoors so go prepared for the weather. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

This has long been on my list so glad I was able to strike it off with the current visit. Here's my little rundown of some helpful notes from my visit!

1. The Neon Museum is located away from the strip so you’ll need a ride over.
2. You’ll also want to visit when the weather is cooler – the entirety of the exhibit space is in the outdoors so walking around might be a challenge during the highs of summer.
​3. Though created in the 1990s, the signage here is from the 1930s and after. Although it might appear that all the signs have been randomly dumped in this yard space, there is a method to the madness so read on ...

Visit during the day and at night if you can. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

4. Just ask any of the guides onsite and they will gladly share stories of each of the exhibits. Some of the signs you will recognize right away possibly are those of Moulin Rouge, Sahara Hotel and Hard Rock Café. Others might not be as familiar but are a great addition to the collection documenting the history and technology behind those neon designs.
5. You can tour the space during the day or by night – I’d recommend both if time permits so you can see the lights in their full glory. There’s a little more than two acres and about 200+ signs so you want to give yourself sufficient time.

Some signs are easily recognized, but not all. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

6. Especially if you are a design or history enthusiast, you may have a few questions to pose to staff there. The space is commonly referred to as the boneyard, considering it started out as a place where signs were retired to after their use was discontinued.
​7. Guided walking tours are available too if you’d like an in-depth visit to the spot. I do wish there was some way to better organize the space, so more signs are approachable to the visitor than having to strain to see them. I am going to guess that requires more space and resources though. 

You could spend hours out here! (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

8. They do allow photo shoots here if you’d like to reserve time for some engagement or wedding photography, this could be a great backdrop. 

I’ve been to only one other neon museum (in Poland) and that was indoors, so this is a different experience for me. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited here and your fave signs or if you’ve been to other neon museums in the world?

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Author

Ruksana Hussain is the publisher and editor of Traveler and Tourist digital magazine, author of Around the World in Los Angeles, and award-winning journalist and writer at RH Media Consulting. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook or through the Contact Form.