Las vegas casino signs

When tourists think of Las Vegas, naturally their memories flash back to its glittering lights. In addition, their first impression of the city often comes from the world's most famous neon attraction. Designed by Betty Willis, the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" sign has been greeting visitors at the southern end of the Strip since 1959.

Neon signs, introduced in Las Vegas in 1929 at the Oasis Café on Fremont Street, enjoyed their heyday between the 1930s – 1980s. But as LED and LCD screens began taking over the Las Vegas Strip, many of the old signs were removed. The Allied Arts Council and Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), the manufacturer responsible for creating many of the city's neon pieces, began collecting and preserving the old signs.

The Neon Museum was officially established in 1996 and opened in its current location on Las Vegas Boulevard in downtown Las Vegas in 2012. . About 30 percent of the Neon Museum's collection originated from signs provided by YESCO, and items from newly imploded or remodeled properties or other private businesses are often donated to the permanent collection. Experts at the museum then assess donated signs for conservation and display.

There's something surreal and nostalgic about seeing the iconic signs from Vegas' past in the museum's boneyard, the large outdoor lot that's the exhibit space of the Neon Museum. More than 250 vintage Vegas signs have been saved from the dump and preserved so they can be enjoyed by visitors and their storied backgrounds can be retold. The curated collection includes nearly two dozen reilluminated neon signs and can be viewed by visitors during self-guided general admission or on a 45-minute guided tour led by a museum interpreter in the evening. Guided tours in Spanish are also available.

The Neon Museum's visitors center is located adjacent to the curated collection of signs at the Boneyard. The center is in the rehabilitated La Concha Motel lobby, the seashell-shaped, Mid-Century Modern building designed and built by architect Paul Revere Williams. The La Concha used to be located on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Riviera. It was saved from demolition in 2005 and relocated to the Boneyard to become the visitors center.

The Neon Museum’s North Gallery is home to its immersive audio/visual show, Brilliant!. Created by noted artist Craig Winslow, Brilliant! is an unforgettable experience that uses light projection to illuminate unrestored signs and incorporates music and archival video footage to redefine the way guests explore the history of Las Vegas.

The Neon Museum also includes the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space and has parking on-site.

We highly recommend visiting the museum in the evening hours. There are nearly two dozen fully restored signs lit and displayed in the museum's boneyard including the iconic Moulin Rouge signs, the 80-foot Hard Rock Café guitar, and the La Concha Motel sign. Other signs have lights projected on them, making for a beautiful display.

If you're unable to visit the Neon Museum or you just want even more neon signage, check out the nine restored signs that have been placed on medians along Las Vegas Boulevard, between Bonanza Road and Washington Avenue as part of the Scenic Byways beautification plan. Although you can see them at any time of the day, these cultural icons truly shine in the evening. Restored signs along Las Vegas Boulevard leading to the museum include:

Benny Binion’s Horseshoe

Location: Intersection of Washington Ave and Las Vegas Blvd.

Origin: Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, 1951

The Silver Slipper

Location: Las Vegas Blvd. between Washington Ave. and Bonanza Rd.

Origin: Part of the Silver Slipper Casino, originally the Golden Slipper, 1950

The Bow & Arrow Motel

Location: Las Vegas Blvd. between Washington Ave. and Bonanza Rd.

Origin: Originally located in downtown Las Vegas on Wyoming Avenue, 1950s Society Cleaners

Location: Las Vegas Blvd. between Stewart Ave. and U.S. 95

Origin: Opened on the corner of 11th Street and Fremont,1946

The Normandie Motel

Location: The intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Stewart Ave.

Origin: 708 Las Vegas Boulevard South and 5th Street, 1937 The Lucky Cuss Motel

Location: The intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Ogden Ave.

Origin: Located on Fremont Street near the Showboat Hotel

The Hacienda Horse and Rider

Location: The intersection of the Fremont Street Experience and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Origin: Part of the Hacienda Hotel, 1967 5th Street Liquor

Location: Neonopolis, near the Fremont Street Experience

Origin: Part of the 5th Street Liquor store, 1945

The Landmark Hotel

Location: Paradise Rd. between Sahara Ave. and Desert Inn Rd.

Origin: Last of six casinos owned by billionaire Howard Hughes