Neon Museum celebrates Las Vegas History

Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a non-profit organisation dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic and cultural enrichment. In addition to a two-acre outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard, the museum also encompasses a visitors’ center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby as well as restored signs installed as public art throughout downtown Las Vegas. Public education, outreach, research, archival preservation and a grant-funded neon sign survey represent a selection of the museum’s ongoing projects.

Guests may view the collection through either an hour-long guided tour or a self-guided tour on a limited basis most days. Tours are available seven days a week and tour times vary based on the season. 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. In addition, the Neon Museum collection chronicles changes and trends in sign design and technology through pieces ranging from the 1930s to the present day.

In the evening, the Neon Museum offers Brilliant!, a stunning show that explores the history of Las Vegas through its signage, using sight and sound.

Dedicated to the history of Prohibition and located downstairs, under The Mob Museum, The Underground takes Mob Museum guests on a vivid journey back in time. Complete with luxurious Art Deco-inspired design motifs, artifacts from the ‘20s and a distinctive sense something illicit is afoot, the speakeasy features house-distilled spirits and house-brewed beer, as well as tempting Prohibition-era cocktails. Genuine Moonshine made onsite from corn mash serves as the centrepiece of the cocktail collection, which also features a full bar including the Museum’s proprietary vodka, gin and rum.