Saturday, May 4, 2013

The bright lights of Las Vegas

Sticking with the neon theme of my last post, let's return to Vegas...


Following Viva Las Vegas, loverboy and I had a few extra days of fun before heading home.  One of the highlights was the Neon Boneyard.


I had never been to the Neon Museum before, despite having been to Vegas more times than I can remember.  Well let me tell you, it is awesome!  I'm so glad that the old neon signage from hotels and casinos in Nevada has been salvaged and put on display, as they truly are works of art.


The tour lasts approximately one hour, and in this time the tour guide (who, incidentally, is hilarious) crams in as much interesting information as possible!  You learn about the signs, where they used to be, the history behind what was happening at the time when the signs were still in use, and so on.


The neon is all displayed outdoors, however the ticket office and museum shop is made up from part of the old La Concha Motel, which closed in 2003.  This iconic concrete atomic-looking construction was disassembled and moved to the neon museum, along with the hotel's neon sign.  The La Concha was designed by renowned LA architect, Paul Williams.


An extremely successful architect, designing many of the iconic buildings in LA, Williams learnt to draw upside down perfectly, so that his white clients, who may have been uncomfortable sitting next to a black man during the days of segregation, would be able to view the drawings the right way up, across the table from him.  The La Concha Motel opened in 1961, during the civil rights movement, with many people protesting for equality and an end to segregation.  It is unbelievable to comprehend that as the architect of many hotels, Williams was not allowed to enter through the front door of the very buildings that he designed, because of the colour of his skin.


The tour guide relays many facts such as these, so apart from seeing these huge, beautiful towering sculptures, you also learn the stories behind them and these historical details enrich the experience.  I would highly recommend visiting the Neon Boneyard if you get the chance - and make sure to book in advance, as the spaces fill up quite quickly.


For the remainder of our time in Vegas, we visited the strip....


We also headed to Freemont Street, where we had a steak and lobster dinner for $9.99!


We lounged by the pool....


We stumbled upon an adorable restaurant with a huge outdoor seating area.  The menu included a chicken and waffle sandwich with sweet potato tater tots....so naturally, we had to try it...


Our flight was postponed, and so we were put up in a hotel overnight...


But eventually our holiday had to end, and we returned home.  The holiday posts have not ended yet though!  Stay tuned for my thoughts on Los Angeles...

19 comments:

  1. This looks like such a fun trip! I must add the Neon museum to places we want to go to when we've saved up for a US road trip (maybe next year?).

    P.S. That off the shoulder top worn with that pretty skirt looks incendiary on you! Gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would definitely recommend the Neon Museum as a place worth checking out! It is so beautifully displayed, and you learn some fascinating history to boot!

      P.S. Thank you so much! :)

      Delete
  2. It's so nice to see all the things you got up to as well as Viva, the Neon Boneyard is amazing I went last year but it looks like there has been lots done since then so I might have to go back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ellen! I really enjoyed the boneyard, and I can imagine that they are constantly adding new pieces, so I'm sure it's worth re-visiting. I wonder if they move the neon around and change the display periodically too?

      Delete
  3. I've wanted to go to the Neon Boney ard since I found out about it. I love Old Vegas signs. SO much character and kitsch. We actually stayed at La Concha before it closed down. The rooms were very run down and the carpet was taped up. My dad hated it and we got our money back. We ended up at a Motel 6. Yeah off the strip. Not a good way to see Vegas.

    You look lovely in the Mexican skirt and red blouse. I have the same blouse in black but I may need to get it in red now. You two look great together and look like you had a great time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should try to visit sometime, Mariela! I really enjoyed the tour, as it was so funny and informative, and the neon is a real sight to behold, up-close like that. It sounds like the La Concha is better off at the Boneyard by the sounds of your stay there in it's last years...!

      Thank you! I have the top in black too - you can never have too many colours! :) We did have a great time - I think when you really enjoy yourself, it shows!

      Delete
  4. Next time I am in Vegas, I'm totally going to check out this museum. It's such a great reminder of periods gone by and I'm glad they are able to even get modern signage like the Sahara. So cool! I love your painted circle skirt. Just beautiful. Vegas has such a retro feel about it, especially old Vegas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should Joanna! Many people probably wouldn't realise how interesting a museum dedicated to neon would be, but the grand scale of the pieces in such a close proximity, together with the history is really fascinating. It is great that they keep adding to it with the more recently removed signs - I'm glad that although the hotels may constantly change and evolve, the history will be preserved.

      Thanks for the compliment on my skirt - it was a one year wedding anniversary gift from my husband, and I treasure it!

      Delete
  5. I have been dying to make it to the Neon Boneyard! After seeing more photos I just have to make it there next year!

    Looks like a great end to your vacation ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have got to go next year Elisa! The tour only lasts an hour, so you could totally squeeze it in! :) I think you would love it!

      We really enjoyed having a few days to explore and decompress after Viva, although I must admit that it is a bit sad when all the rockabillies have gone...

      Delete
  6. AWESOME PHOTOS!!! I still haven't been to the Neon Boneyard. Next time I'm in Vegas it will definitely be on the itinerary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANKS!!! You MUST go Mr Tiny, it is right up your alley, and the stuff that Wacky Tacky dreams are made of! You should probably make it coincide with your trip WHEN YOU COME TO VIVA next year... ;)

      Delete
  7. I've peered through the gates at the Neon Boneyard but I've never taken the tour. I'll have to put that on my list for the next time in Vegas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do it Gabriella! Remember to book in advance as the spaces fill up! Hopefully you guys will go to Viva next year, and you can take a little time out to visit the Boneyard! :)

      Delete
  8. LOVELY pictures!!!! We were in Neons Museum last year and we loved it! It's so easy to make incredible pictures there but I must tell you that I would love it to be bigger, there are so many nice signs to save!!!!
    We always want to enjoy more Vegas but we never have time... we must think to spend some days after VLV next years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laurence! Isn't it a great place? I am pretty sure that the museum will keep growing, as there are so many amazing signs to save, and they are all so massive! I think it's nice to stay for a couple of days after Viva to decompress, especially before boarding a long-haul flight. That said, it is a little bit sad when you walk around and there is no-one wearing vintage...

      Delete
  9. Yay! You can return to Vegas time and time again, I just can't get enough of seeing snaps of this awesome city, especially when they're from the perspective of fellow vintage lovers. The Neon Museum is so cool! I saw it on TV once (I'm thinking on the show Storage Wars, but don't quote me there) and instantly tucked it away in mind as someplace I'd like to see if I'm ever in Vegas.

    Wonderful snaps (and outfits!), honey, thank for sharing more from your trip.

    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be sure to keep returning to Vegas, and my excuse will be that I need to share photos with all my lovely bloggers! Hehe! :)

      I'm glad you enjoyed the photos - the Neon Boneyard really is such a place to behold, as the signs are all so big and colourful, and the sun shines down on everything so brightly - frankly it was hard to stop taking photos!

      As ever, thank you for your lovely comment - I always enjoy hearing feedback, and it's nice to know that my words and photos are as interesting to others as they are to myself!

      Delete
  10. They are amazing! We really enjoyed the museum!

    ReplyDelete