Las Vegas Neon Museum, a graveyard and museum for the signs that once lit up the Strip
Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a space that preserves and exhibits over 250 historic neon signs that once lit up the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown. In the outdoor exhibition area known as the 'Neon Boneyard,' visitors can see legendary signs from places like the Sahara and the Frontier.
ORBIT AI · 11/5/2026
A graveyard and museum for the signs that once lit up the Strip
Las Vegas's icon isn't just casino neon signs. Few people know where the signs that lit up the night streets for decades went after they were taken down. The Neon Museum provides the answer—a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that preserves historic signs it has collected, displaying them in an outdoor exhibition format. The museum launched in 1996 through a partnership between the Las Vegas City Council and the Allied Arts Council of Southern Nevada, officially beginning activities in November of that year when its first restored sign, the 'Hacienda Horse and Rider,' was installed on Fremont Street. Reservation-based tours of the 'Neon Boneyard' began in 2001, and in 2012 the museum officially opened as a permanent exhibition, including signs that still light up. The 2.27-acre campus, currently located on Las Vegas Boulevard, now houses over 250 signs, with a building that was once the lobby of the La Concha Motel serving as the visitor center. What makes this place special isn't simply the exhibition itself, but that it represents 'the city's memory.' Signs that once lit up the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown—from the Sahara, the Frontier, the Moulin Rouge, and Binion's Horseshoe—stand outdoors, some rusted and peeling, others restored. During the day they resemble faded metal sculptures, while at night some signs light up again, creating an entirely different atmosphere. The Neon Museum is an iconic place that shows Las Vegas was not merely a casino city, but also a center of mid-20th-century American commercial design and neon art. For travelers who want to look into the 'history of signage' hidden behind the glamour of the Strip's hotels, this is a must-visit destination.
Visiting Tips
The Neon Museum can only be visited via guided tour, and due to the outdoor exhibition setting and Nevada's hot daytime temperatures, evening tours tend to be popular. Tour types (day/night, themed), reservation methods, and operating hours vary by season, so it's best to check the latest schedule on the official website before visiting. The museum is located on Las Vegas Boulevard, close to the Fremont Street Downtown area, making it a good pairing with the Fremont Street Experience for a half-day downtown itinerary. Since it's an outdoor exhibit, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended.
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1Only viewable via guided tour; check the official website for the latest information on tour types and reservations.
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