If you want to get rich, make small people feel big!–Benny Binion, Texas gambler who bought the Horseshoe Club back in 1951.
At the intersection of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard you’ll find a unique spot that houses a piece of Nevada history you won’t find just anywhere. 
The Neon Museum and Boneyard makes me immediately think of where something goes to die, but on the contrary, here you’ll find an amazing collection of treasured and world-famous signs of Las Vegas history that include the Moulin Rouge, Binion’s Horseshoe, the Golden Nugget and the Stardust! Though the lights don’t shine as bright as they once did, the location fascinates and attract historians, collectors, students, artists, newlyweds and tourists on this outdoor hidden gem.
Tours begin inside the old La Concha Motel. The lobby was moved to this location and now serves as a visitor’s center, gift shop, and starting point of the guided tours. Our tour guide is a volunteer and also happens to be a neon sign lover and avid Las Vegas history buff so I knew we were in good hands. 
The walking tour lasts about an hour and early morning would be the best time to do the stroll during the warm spring and summer months, pack you sunscreen and hat anyway!
150 signs are displayed about the 1.5 acre gravel paths of old casinos, hotels, restaurants, and wedding chapels while some of the restored pieces can be seen on nearby streets like the Silver Slipper. Unique items like a metal statue of a pool player and the skull of Treasure Islands’ past can also be seen.
Neon lighting has waxed and waned from the early 1900’s where in essence gas vapors (different gases making different color) carries electric current. Steve Wynn’s remodel of the Golden Nugget in the 80’s began the serial abandonment of neon in Las Vegas and was replaced with computerized LED signs and even the structure of the building representing it’s sign as you can now see as the Luxor.
The rust combined with missing or broken bulbs adds to the already spooky feel some have while on this tour. One person in our group spoke on how she felt the presence of ghosts about the yard, spirits of old gamblers, mobster, or of failed marriages past. Even in that 90 degree dry heat, a cold shiver can indeed be felt, well if you believe in that kind of thing.
One of my favorites, the Sahara sign.
The largest sign of it’s time, the Stardust.
Guided tours are mandatory at this museum, not allowing to walk freely keeps visitors safe from possible broken glass and rusted metal. Night tours are also available to view the signs under spotlights and even catch a few illuminated signs refurbished! 
As a matter of fact, we traveled to Vegas with our neighbors who attended a wedding during the weekend and the bride and groom did a photoshoot at night with their professional photographer!
As a gambler, I didn’t win much money on this recent trip to Vegas, but I did explore a valuable location as far as a memorable history is concerned and that’s a win to me! This spot is a must visit when in Vegas, it pays homage to a cultural history of the city and when you have a great guide like we did, you’re left craving more! For more information and to reserve your tour, visit www.neonmuseum.org/.
Our tour was courtesy of LVCVA and part of our media tour, a donation and our opinions are 100% our own.
