This Desert Graveyard Houses Millions in Discarded Vegas Icons While Tourists Pay to See Their Decay

The Neon Boneyard, Nevada

When Vegas casinos update their look, their old signs get a second act at this museum of lights, glamor, and spectacular.

Giant letters, atomic starbursts, and buzzing neon tubes tell Vegas’s story decade by decade as brands pop to life. And there’s more.

Origins as a Sign Junkyard

YESCO has created 80% of Vegas’ iconic neon signs since 1932. Their trash soon became a Las Vegas treasure when they needed a dumping ground.

In 1996, the Neon Boneyard came alive, opening to the public in 2012 after years of collecting discarded signage.

The outdoor exhibition space doubled in size during a 2020 expansion. To this day, local businesses still donate their retired signs.

Most Signs Use More Than Just Neon

From incandescent bulbs from the 1940s to fiber optics from the 1990s, this museum boasts energy efficiency history in its signage, documenting even the LED technology, which started to appear around 2000.

Neon gas signs specifically produce red light, while other colors come from gases like argon and xenon. Check out the Moulin Rouge, where the deep red glow is a textbook example of pure neon gas in action.

La Concha Motel Lobby is the Visitor Center

Housed within the La Concha Motel lobby is the visitor center. The classic Googie architecture example was designed by Paul Revere Williams in 1961 and relocated to the Boneyard back in 2006.

This shell-shaped structure was cut into eight pieces so it could be transported along its 3-mile journey. The preservation effort alone cost $1.2 million, and the restoration kept 80% of the original materials.

Hard Rock’s Giant Guitar Brings Nostalgia

Hard Rock’s 82-foot guitar sign, the largest ever built, contains over 4,500 light bulbs and weighs more than 13,000 pounds.

Designed by Emery Olson in 1995 with a computer-controlled lighting system, it once held the Guinness World Record for “Most Photographed Sign.”

The sign’s internal structure was custom-engineered to withstand desert winds and took about four trucks during its move.

Signs Rescued Before Demolition

When the Stardust was imploded in 2007, museum volunteers worked through the night to save pieces of its façade, and that’s commitment.

Even the Frontier Casino sign was recovered just 48 hours before destruction. The Sahara sign rescue in 2013 required helicopter equipment.

Today, museum staff maintain a “rescue hotline” for emergency sign recovery and partner with demolition companies for advance notice.

The Neon Museum as a Wedding Destination

Since 2018, the “Til Death Do Us Part” ceremonies have hosted over 300 weddings at the museum. The most popular trend? Elvis officiated ceremonies.

One bride walked down a candle-lit aisle near the massive Stardust letters, with a custom light projection mimicking the original atomic starburst animation.

Couples can tie the knot beneath the glowing remnants of the La Concha Motel lobby and golden hour photography that bounces off the Yucca Motel tubing.

The “Brilliant!” Show Revives Old Signs

Since 2020, the museum has hosted the “Brilliant!” show to digitally reilluminate signs, including seasonal editions and tribute shows.

Once a glowing emblem of atomic-age Vegas, the Stardust sign now pulses with animated starlight using 24 projectors. The Silver Slipper twirls through, casting nostalgic shadows just like it did in the 1960s.

Engineers map each sign’s original lighting sequence from historical photographs. This 30-minute experience also syncs tunes from Vegas performers like Elvis and Liberace.

Restoring Signs with Rare Craftsmanship

Restoring a sign can cost about $100,000 because craftspeople must relearn nearly extinct techniques. A complete restoration project can take between 700-1,200 hours of specialized labor.

Original glass formulas must be recreated to match authentic colors. The museum also preserves paint samples for color matching and runs an apprenticeship program that teaches neon tube bending.

Filming Productions Love the Boneyard

The Boneyard has appeared in CSI episodes, music videos for The Killers and Panic! At The Disco, and movies like Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks!” (1996).

Productions literally pay between $5,000-$25,000 for exclusive access.

Private shoots can range from $700 to $1,850 per hour. They even have a custom lighting system that enables controlled illumination during night shoots.

The Secret Underground Neon Vault

Beneath the main exhibition lies the climate-controlled “Neon Vault,” housing fragile and historically significant pieces.

Over 500 original casino blueprints from the 1940s are digitally cataloged with 3D scanning technology. The temperature stays at 68°F to preserve paper materials, and humidity levels are regulated to protect glass tubing samples.

Access requires special credentials and security clearance.

QR Codes Share Insights On Signs

In 2023, the museum added QR codes to major signs that unlock audio stories from original designers and casino workers.

Special headphones let you hear the signs’ electrical hums, including oral histories on mob connections and engineering challenges.

Over 75 hours of recorded interviews accompany the collection. The museum partners with UNLV to preserve these digital archives.

Before Visiting The Neon Boneyard

Location: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Hours: Daily 9am-12am (last entry 11pm) in summer; 9am-11pm (last entry 10pm) in winter

Admission (2025): General $30; Nevada residents $25; Seniors/Military/Students $27; Children under 6 free

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