Step Into The Glow: Explore Vintage Vibes At The Neon Museum In Las Vegas!

Step into a dazzling world of glowing lights, history, and nostalgia at The Neon Museum in Las Vegas! 

This iconic spot is home to a stunning collection of vintage neon signs, showcasing the bright lights that have defined the city’s skyline for years. Wander through the outdoor exhibition space, known as the Neon Boneyard, where you can snap Insta-worthy pics with classic signs from legendary casinos and businesses. 

The stunning nighttime experience, when the signs come alive with their vibrant glow, can be a totally different vibe than a daytime visit, but both are equally as memorable. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for that perfect Vegas photo, The Neon Museum is a must-visit gem in Sin City.

The Neon Museum holds many accolades, including being ranked in Travel + Leisure’s 27 Best Museums in the United States, No. 1 in Las Vegas Weekly’s list of "Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History," Nevada’s "Best Museum" by MSN, one of the Best Pop Culture Museums in the United States by USA Today’s 10best.com, "One of the Top 10 Coolest Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do" by Forbes.com, one of the "Top 10 Historic Spots in Las Vegas" by Vegas.com, and one of "15 Most Fascinating Museums in the U.S." by VacationIdea.com.

The Neon Museum is home to some exciting and well-known signs from Sin City’s past. The museum's main attraction is the Neon Boneyard, an open-air collection of vintage signs from some of the city's well-known hotels, casinos and businesses.

Each of the signs that reside in the Neon Boneyard offers a unique story that played a fundamental role in the history of Las Vegas. Guests can either walk around on their own or take a guided tour to learn more about the history behind the larger-than-life neon signs.

Guided tours are great for visitors who crave more detailed information about the history of the signs. Self-guided tours are great for people who want more of a leisurely experience.

A visit to The Neon Museum isn’t just photo worthy, but also educational and fun.

In addition to the iconic signs to admire and take photos of, the guided tours offer intriguing stories and fun facts to help educate on the city's past. The museum is committed to preserving and restoring these iconic signs, offering visitors insight into the intricate restoration process and techniques used to bring these vintage pieces back to life.

The Neon Museum offers a deeply nostalgic experience for people who have visited Vegas in the past as a lot of the neon legacy now lives at the downtown museum. 

Whether you’re a local or a visitor to the area, a visit to the museum is a must! 

“Visiting The Neon Museum Las Vegas is a must for both tourists and locals because it captures a side of Vegas that goes beyond the glitz and gambling, highlighting the city’s cultural and historical roots in a captivating way,” Aaron Berger, Executive Director of The Neon Museum told The Blast.

“The Neon Museum is a testament to the city’s evolution, showcasing iconic signs that reflect key moments in Las Vegas history. Many of these signs are tied to legendary casinos, hotels, and landmarks that shaped the city’s identity. Visitors get to experience Las Vegas as it was in its golden days, gaining a deeper appreciation for its colorful past.” 

The neon signs combine art, pop culture, and engineering, and the museum’s collection is not only visually stunning but also gives visitors a rare chance to really appreciate neon as an art form.

"The best part about visiting The Neon Museum is its ability to bring Las Vegas history to life in such a visually striking way. Walking through the Neon Boneyard is like stepping back in time to experience the glitz and glamour of classic Las Vegas, with each sign telling a unique story of the city’s past," Berger said.

"For many visitors, it's seeing these massive, vintage signs up close, especially those from iconic places like the Stardust or Moulin Rouge, that creates a deep sense of nostalgia—even for those who might not have lived through that era."

If you want to learn more about the signs and the extensive history behind them, a guided tour is the way to go. The Neon Museum offers three guide-led tours: Illuminating Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas Movies Tour, and History. Brought to Light Tour.

Illuminating Las Vegas is a chance for visitors to learn more about the city’s rich history through the neon signs. During this tour, layers of history reveal some obscured, overlooked stories.

"From the groundbreaking role of the Silver Nugget in casino history as one of the first casinos in Las Vegas to have female blackjack dealers, to the silent grandeur of the Fox Theatre, a franchise started in the 1920s by William Fox, the owner of Fox Film Corporation, each sign holds a unique tale. This experience transcends a simple stroll through a boneyard; it’s a voyage into the pulsating heart of Las Vegas, where the city’s vibrant past comes alive," the website reads.

"Featured signs include Stardust, Las Vegas’ homage to the space-age era; El Cortez, owned briefly by the notorious Benjamin Siegel who used the property as a training site for the soon-to-be-opened Flamingo; Flamingo, the oldest hotel and casino on The Strip opening in 1946; City Center Motel, designed by artist Betty Willis, the visionary behind the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign;  Sulinda Inn, touted as ‘one of the finest motels in the west;’  and Desert Rose Motel, noted for frequent guests Gus and Gabby, a pair of chimpanzees who accompanied their owners frequently to Las Vegas."

The Viva Las Vegas Movies Tour appeals to movie buffs as it embarks on a cinematic journey of Las Vegas. Film enthusiasts and Vegas lovers alike will enjoy learning more about the neon-lit landscapes that have been seen on the silver screen.

 “The Viva Las Vegas Movie Tour at The Neon Museum not only celebrates the cinematic history of Las Vegas but also sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between the city’s neon-lit charm and the silver screen,” the website reads.

“It’s an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of beloved characters, feel the cinematic pulse of the city, and witness firsthand the transformative power of neon signs on the big screen. Whether you’re a movie buff or a casual observer, this tour promises an enchanting fusion of Hollywood magic and the neon-lit allure of Las Vegas.”

History. Brought to Light Tour, is offered in English and Spanish. This tour will help you discover Vegas’ history: where nomadic Indigenous people traveled across the Mojave Desert, to its beginnings as a railroad stop through the history of the mob and segregation, all the way to the present day as “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”

Learn more about The Neon Museum on their website.