Neon Museum & Neon Boneyard
website
770 North Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-387-6366
Administration hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Friday
Guided tours are Monday through Saturday every half hour beginning at 10am, excluding holidays.
Photo requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible.
Price Range: This is a place primarily used for photo shoots, but the Neon Museum just began hosting weddings on Valentines Day 2013, it remains to be seen if they will be a regular occurrence. The package listed on the site for February 2013 is $777 and you can read about it here. For more information outside of February 2013, I would contact their events co-ordinator: cynthia AT neonmuseum DOT org
The lobby (La Concha) is available for private events, up to a maximum of 50 people for $1500, and a private guided tour of the Boneyard may be set up for an additional fee.
Packages Can Include: n/a
Outside Photographers Allowed: Yes. There is a fee for shooting on the property. If you’re local, it is $150 for half an hour. For all others, $400 for an hour of shooting time.
General Information: The Neon Museum is the place that houses the Neon Boneyard, which is the 2 acre lot adjacent to the museum that actually holds the signs. This historical landmark is a repository for over 150 famous neon casino, hotel and business signs through the decades, beginning with the 1930s.
The colors and “degraded” look of some of the signs as well as the design elements make it a very unique place to shoot at. Therefore the location is extremely popular for doing fashion, editorial as well as bridal and engagement shoots at, but there are certain things that must be done before you book your appointment. There are guided tours available ($18) but if you think you can shoot a couple of frames while on a tour, think again. The museum allows no backpacks, camera bags or tripods on tours, cameras must be handheld and photos are only allowed for personal use.
I booked my photo shoot at the Neon Boneyard approximately a month out from my wedding, and I did it myself as my photographer was not from Las Vegas, so he was less familiar with the procedures than I was, even. If you are booking during a busy time, or on a Saturday, I would book as far out as you can. They usually ask for atleast two weeks of lead time on a reservation. If you try to book too far out, however, they may tell you to contact them back on a day when they open reservations for that particular time frame. What can I say? It’s a VERY popular location.
You book via an online form and then wait for a person to get back to you. There is a fee which may range between $150-400 (depending on if you are local or not) for a short one hour slot of shooting time, and this must be paid in advance. If winds go over a certain speed or if it is raining, your shoot may be cancelled. There is no real place to change outfits and you are very exposed to heat and sun. Be prepared for this. It may also take a while to walk around and find a sign you like in your wedding outfit and shoes.
If your photographer is bringing lighting, they will likely be asked for an insurance certificate and rates may jump. When we shot there, a curator hung around to make sure we found the signs we wanted and to make sure we stayed off the signs.
The thing I liked the best is that the photos are definitely Vegas, but not like anywhere else in town. With the right photo editing, they can look cartoonish, vintage, bright or dull – so many different looks. And there are so many signs, letters and colors to choose from, you’re sure to find the right combo for above your fireplace or on your thank you cards. It’s an amazing location, and in my opinion – well worth the money, trouble (and potential heat stroke) required to shoot there!
It is worth mentioning that if you are visiting Las Vegas on short notice, or prefer to see signs lit up, the Neon Museum runs a strip of electrified, restored signs on Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara and Washington Street and down Fremont. These 15 signs are open to viewing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Receptions: Ceremonies only.
Spot an error? Got an update? Contact me! kelly AT littlevegaswedding DOT com
Venue Photos
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La Concha, a former motel now converted into the Neon Museum’s visitor center
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Requisite sign to shoot infront of (Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackon)
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(Photo: Ryan Jackson)
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