The Neon Museum is another classic Las Vegas photo shoot destination. This beautiful museum serves as the resting place for Las Vegas signs that have been torn down or retired. The colors and backdrops that the Neon Museum produces are second to none. It can be photographed with bright, bold colors during the day, or it can appear dreamy and softer towards dusk. The light that streams through the neon signs before sunset will leave you wondering how you could have gone anywhere else for your shoot. Filled with broken glass and rusty metal, this location is industrial and gorgeous at the same time. It's perfectly Vegas without being too kitsch. If you love old school Vegas and have a special place in your heart for its history, this is the place for you. This is a personal favorite of mine!
Space rental rates for photo shoots at the Neon Museum start at $125/15 minutes and are booked directly with the Museum. This fee only covers rental of the Neon Museum space, and is separate from my fee for photography services. If you’d like, you can also hold your ceremony here in the North Gallery! I can facilitate the contact with the museum and help you get booked into your perfect timeslot.
Distance from the Strip: 25 minutes
Transportation recommendation: Ride share/taxi/rental car/car service
Recommended length of session: 15-60 minutes
Museum permit fee: Starts at $125/15 minutes (ask me for details!)
Can you get married at the Neon Museum?
Yes, you can! The Neon Museum offers intimate weddings that can be held in their North Lot starting at $950 for the space rental. This allows for private use of the space for one hour, and up to 25 guests. Officiant services and photography are not included in that price and should be booked separately. Additional guests and weekend dates are slightly extra. The North Lot can comfortably accommodate up to 50 people for weddings. For larger events or longer timeframes, the Main Collection can also be rented out. Contact the museum for more details.
How much does the Neon Museum in Las Vegas cost?
Neon Museum ticket prices for the Main Collection start at $20 ($16 for locals) and allow for a one-hour, self-guided tour of the main Boneyard. Children 6 and under are free.
Tickets for Brilliant! are $23 ($19 for locals) and include a 25-minute light and sound show in the North Gallery, projecting lights onto unrestored signs and incorporating music to create a one-of-a-kind Las Vegas experience. Children 6 and under are free.
(pricing current as of late summer 2020)
Is the Neon Museum lit up at night?
The Neon Museum currently has 19 signs that are in working condition. Some of these include the Hard Rock Guitar, Fitzgerald’s, the Riviera and the Stardust. Most of the Main Boneyard is lit by spotlights throughout the Collection. The North Gallery also has spotlights and is the location for the Brilliant! show, where light is mapped and projected on to the signs to create the illusion of being lit.
What time of day should we take pictures at the Neon Museum?
The best time of day for photos at the Neon Museum varies depending on how you want the images to look. Morning or midday photos will produce brighter colors and more contrast. The angle of the sun can also be more difficult to work with – but a photographer with experience in the space can easily guide you through where to stand and what angles will work best. Late afternoon or evening images tend to produce a more pastel and dreamy color palette. Contact me for recent full gallery examples of different times of day!
Is there free parking at the Neon Museum?
Yep! Parking is free at the Neon Museum, right next door to the La Concha Lobby building on McWilliams Ave.
What are the differences between the various spaces at the Neon Museum?
The North Lot is where most photo shoots are booked at the Neon Museum. It is also the location for most Neon Museum weddings. The North Gallery is the smaller of the two spaces, and signs in this gallery include the Lady Luck, NYNY and the Golden Nugget. All signs in this space are unrestored (but still beautiful!). This space can easily be photographed in 15 minutes for just two people, or 30 minutes for larger groups.
The Main Boneyard is the larger of the two spaces and where the restored signs are located. Signs of note in the Main Collection of the Neon Museum include the Stardust, the Sahara, Moulin Rouge (arranged to spell “in love”), Sassy Sally’s and the Hard Rock Guitar. This space is available to rent out for photo shoots in one-hour increments.
How do I book the Neon Museum for a photo shoot?
You can contact the museum directly to book your session using the link below, or I can easily loop you into an email with the right person directly, making for a quick and easy process. They will check availability on your date and get back to you with the time slots that are open. From there, you’ll coordinate with your photographer, and then book directly with the museum by signing off on their paperwork and submitting your payment.
Click here to fill out their online form for Neon Museum photo shoots: https://www.neonmuseum.org/visit/book-a-photo-shoot
How do I book the Neon Museum for a wedding?
You can contact the museum directly to book your wedding using the link below, or I can easily loop you into an email with the right person directly, making for a quick and easy process. They will check availability on your date and get back to you with the time slots that are open. From there, you’ll coordinate with your photographer and officiant, and then book directly with the museum by signing off on their paperwork and submitting your payment.
Click here to fill out their online form for Neon Museum weddings:
https://www.neonmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-event
