After visiting Las Vegas more than I can count, I finally made it to The Neon Museum! I first found out about it thanks to Instagram and ever since that, I’ve been fascinated. Since the only reason I was in Vegas this particular trip was for a Lady Gaga concert, I knew I could squeeze in a Neon Museum visit.
I’m so glad I did because it’s really nothing like anything you’ll ever experience elsewhere. I like to think I’ve visited quite a few museums around the world including little known spots but I can’t think of anything that gets even close. It’s such a classic Las Vegas museum, if that makes sense. I absolutely loved visiting and I can’t wait to go back to the Neon Museum again for a night tour!
What exactly is the Neon Museum?
The Neon Museum in Las Vegas is basically a boneyard, a place iconic neon signs go to retire. They acquire neon signs from all over Las Vegas whether it’s in working condition or not, to preserve the history of the city. A unique aspect of the Neon Museum is that you have to take a guided tour, so it’s not your typical museum where you’re free to walk around. The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization that runs on ticket sales, donations and crowd-funding to maintain the signs, museum and their employees. Although, our tour guide informed us that more than half of their staff are volunteers.
How much does the Neon Museum cost?
Day Tours: $15-$19
Night Tours: $22-$26
Late Night Tours: $24-$28 Friday, Saturday & Sunday only
There are no lit neon signs during daytime tours. Whenever sunset happens to be during that time of year, they’ll turn on the functioning signs which makes sunset an extremely popular time to take a tour. The Las Vegas sunset is almost always cotton candy pinkish-purple and makes for a stunning backdrop when the neon signs are glowing. It’s good to know that not all the signs turn on, however. There are actually only a few signs that have been restored or were donated in working condition that they turn on in the evening.
After becoming increasingly popular thanks to Instagram, they highly suggest that you book your tours in advance. I have to say, I agree! Other visitors were turned away as we were arriving – they were sold out through the whole weekend. I had hoped to book the sunset tour but those were long gone!
What is it like in the Neon Museum?
If it wasn’t obvious already, the Neon Museum is full of neon signs that have been acquired or donated by businesses that no longer exist. The neon history is unique to Las Vegas and the guided tour is incredibly informative on that subject. The lot itself isn’t as big as you would imagine but it’s packed with hundreds of signs. The tour is divided into three sections: Old Vegas/Downtown Vegas, Small Businesses, and The Strip. The Neon Museum guide will give you some background on the more significant pieces with plenty of time to ask questions and look around. I do wish they gave you more freedom and time to take photos!
If you love the Neon Museum in Las Vegas, you should also add the Abandoned Waterpark to your next trip agenda!
Information:
Address: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Phone: 702-387-6366
Website: http://www.neonmuseum.org
Parking: Parking Lot (Free)
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I've never been to Vegas but just imagining those neon signs all lit up with that cotton candy sunset is a nice visual to add Vegas to my bucketlist!
Teesh ♥ Adventures of Cupcake Girl
Happy New Year, Teesh! Yes, it's such a fun place to visit! Sadly there's not many neon signs anymore thanks to all the high tech LED signs but you'll have to check out the museum if you make it out there! xo
Gah, I once stayed at the Sahara. This makes me feel so old 😉 I'd love to visit Las Vegas again and go to this place. Awesome! #FlyAwayFriday
I usually don't like museums that much but this sounds like a museum I'd really enjoy. Love your pictures! #FlyAwayFriday
This is the first I've ever heard of the museum. Thanks for sharing! I would love to go there and explore if I'm ever in Vegas. Just checked the website and it's amazing there's over 200.
I loved, loved this place! Last year, I met with my sister in Vegas and was able to squeeze in the museum before she arrived. I was pure luck since I checked for tickets that same morning and there were two available spots in one tour. I heard they are going to expand so, that is a reason to revisit.
Wow, this is the quirkiest thing I've read about all week. I hope someday I can go there.
I went to the Neon Museum a couple of years ago & it was SO COOL. It's an amazing place for photos & you actually get to learn a lot about the history of Vegas. I'm loving your pictures here. x
I have never heard of the Neon Museum before but it sounds awesome! Love seeing something a little different when it comes to popular destinations like this. #FlyAwayFriday
I had no idea this museum was in Vegas all the times I've been until I saw it on The Amazing Race. I think it's a very unique way to preserve the history of the city. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm out that way. #FlyAwayFriday
This looks awesome and fun! I've always meant to go to the Neon Museum but never made it there. #FlyAwayFriday
Ah! I am so glad you posted this! We were recently in Vegas and had really wanted to go to the Neon Museum, yet there was just only so much time. So this post really helped to satisfy my curiosity in the meantime. I think going in the day is great for these photos…now I wonder what it would be like at night! 😉 #flyawayfriday
This is so cool! Thank you for sharing, I’ll have to check it out if I’m ever in Vegas #flyawayfriday
This looks so interesting. I love going to places like this that are off the beaten place. Great information in case we're ever in Vegas! Thanks. #flyawayfree
What a neat museum! Most museums have century-old portraits of facial side profiles by the dozen, but this one look uber exciting. I love neon marquees as they are a charming element from the past! If I get to Vegas, I will check this out 🙂
I've been to Vegas a few times but never even heard of the Neon Museum. I definitely would have gone if I knew about it. I guess I'll just have to plan another vacation there!
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Haha, right?! Me too! We couldn't believe the Sahara sign was there! Thanks for stopping by, Esther! xo
It was super fun! Definitely very different from the typical museum! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! xo
Yes, it's so much fun and different from the typical museum! Thanks for stopping by, Hanna! xo
Isn't it SO MUCH FUN here?! I'm obsessed! That's great you were able to get a day-of ticket! Thanks for stopping by, Ruth! xo
Haha, isn't it? It's a lot of fun and very unique! Thanks for stopping by, Neha! xo
Isn't it SO fun!? It's probably one of the coolest museums I've ever been to! Thanks for stopping by, Courtney! xo
It really is one of the most unique museums I've ever been to! You'll have to make it out here someday! Thanks for stopping by, Sheree! xo
Oh my gosh how funny! I didn't know it was on The Amazing Race! You'll have to visit someday, I bet your kids will think it was cool too! Thanks for stopping by, Allison! xo
You need to go! Such a quick drive for you too 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Adam! xo
Oh you NEED to go someday Tiffany! They have photographer sessions too, so you can take your time and get those amazing shots! You'll LOVE it! Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany! xo
Isn't it amazing? You definitely do have to check it out! Thanks for stopping by, Melina! xo
Yes! It's really unique and a fun daytime activity since a lot of things in Vegas are based around the evening! Thanks for stopping by, Hayley! xo
Exactly, haha! I feel like you would LOVE this place Janine! Hopefully you can head out this way soon 🙂 xo
Yes, you'll have to go! It's a great daytime activity since so much of Vegas action tends to be in the evening! Thank you for stopping by, Cathy! xo
Oooh this looks amaaaazing Kana!
There is a place a little like this in North London (called God's own Junkyard) I think you would love the instagram posts from there too!