See the Outdoor Museum Where Old Las Vegas Neon Signs Go to Die

Whether you choose a day or night tour, as each is really cool in its own way, The Neon Museum of old Las Vegas signs is quickly becoming a must-see for visitors to Sin City.

Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment.

The Neon Museum campus includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard Main Collection, the Neon Boneyard North Gallery, which houses additional rescued signs, and a Visitor's Center housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.

The Main Collection contains more than 200 unrestored signs which are, at sunset, illuminated with ground lighting, as well as numerous restored signs which are on all the time.

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.

Also, The Neon Museum's collection chronicles changes and trends in sign design and technology through pieces ranging for the 1930's to the present day.

Here's The Neon Museum's new 360 degree virtual tour:

When I visited, there were special Tim Burton inspired pieces scattered throughout the various displays. Some were obvious and immediately grabbed your attention, others were placed in locations that required a second look. Burton's family did many destination road trips to Las Vegas when he was growing up, so the city, and the links to its neon heritage, has always been special for him and he wanted to be a contributing part of its history. Burton has a true nostalgia and affection for Las Vegas, and it shows through his generous contributions.