A few years ago, I found myself alone in Las Vegas. I’m not a huge gambler so I decided to take in some of the other sites and a few shows. Overall, it was a fun experience. I was someplace that was historically known for its gambling and I had no interest in doing that. I think maybe if I’d been with other people, that aspect of Las Vegas would have been more appealing to me. Anyway, I headed out of my hotel in search of something new and interesting to do.

 As I sat at the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge (which is a great place for a Bloody Mary and an awesome breakfast with cool ambiance), I picked up a flyer that talked about the Neon Museum. That seemed like a pretty awesome way to spend an afternoon and it was right down the street. I just love the “Old Vegas” stuff…the Rat Pack, the clubs, the neon signs. This adventure was going to be very nostalgic!

After breakfast, I got in my rental car and drove down the street to the Neon Museum. I most specifically wanted to walk through the Neon Boneyard and snap some pictures. I walked into the lobby, purchased a ticket, and decided to do the self-guided tour so I could take my time. With ticket in hand, I went through the door and it opened to an outdoor walkway that twisted and turned through a graveyard of old neon signs. Some huge and some small but all were magical!

A bit of history…the museum was founded in 1996 it is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts, and cultural enrichment. There are 2 museums in total: The outdoor Neon Boneyard and the North Gallery which is housed in the old La Concha Hotel lobby. It was a beautiful day so I chose to explore the Neon Boneyard. I was fascinated by how these old signs were displayed…just resting against one another in the sand. Crazy! At night, the museum illuminates the signs for a spectacular visual show. Each sign in The Neon Museum’s collection offers a unique story about the personalities who created it, what inspired it, where and when it was made, and the role it played in Las Vegas’ distinctive history. The Neon Museum collection chronicles changes and trends in sign design and technology through pieces ranging from the 1930s to the present day.

As I walked through the “boneyard”, I couldn’t help but picture the signs in their heyday. Nat King Cole at the Thunderbird Hotel, Liberace at the Riviera, Lido de Paris at the Stardust, the Aladdin, the Sahara, the Silver Slipper, the Golden Nugget, the Little White Chapel. I could literally picture the Ocean’s 11 Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Joey Bishop) entertaining at the Sands Hotel. It was a really cool and nostalgic experience!

Las Vegas is pretty much an oasis in the desert. These signs must have lit up the desert sky! Las Vegas now has LED lights on almost all the signs. But I’m a fan of the old neon variety. So retro! I would definitely go back again to explore what’s new. They are renovating signs all the time so you never know if you’ll catch something you missed the last time. If you find yourself in Las Vegas and need a break from gambling, go visit the Neon Museum. You won’t be sorry!

Check out my gallery for some pictures!

For more info about the Neon Museum go to www.neonmuseum.org