THE STARDUST SIGN
Scott Baright Collection, 1992
Once towering over the Las Vegas Strip, the Stardust sign was emblematic of the 1960s Las Vegas vibe. This monumental sign stood at 188 feet tall and was adorned with a dazzling array of neon lights and over 7,000 feet of neon tubing and a functioning elevator for maintenance. Its presence marked a time when Las Vegas was booming with luxurious hotels, attracting celebrities and high-rollers alike.
Although the Stardust Hotel was demolished in 2007, the sign’s legacy remains, with parts of it preserved at The Neon Museum for visitors to experience up close.
VEGAS VIC & VIVA VISION
Image source: Shutterstock
In downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street once featured some of the largest and brightest neon signs in the city. One notable icon is Vegas Vic, the massive neon cowboy whose waving arm and cheerful grin became a fixture of the city’s western heritage. At 40 feet tall, this neon sign greeted visitors to downtown Las Vegas for decades.
Today, although portions of Fremont Street have been updated with LED lights for energy efficiency, many of the classic signs remain intact. In addition to the traditional signs, Fremont Street is also home to the Viva Vision Light show, the world’s largest LED canopy screen. Together, these displays blend the past and present in one of Vegas’s most historic districts.
THE HARD ROCK GUITAR SIGN
The Hard Rock Hotel’s giant neon guitar sign was a staple of the Las Vegas skyline from its installation in 1990 until it was taken down in 2019. This 82-foottall sign, modeled after Pete Townsend’s Cherry Sunburst no.9 Gibson Les Paul guitar, became an icon, symbolizing the hotel’s Rock-and-Roll spirit.
Though the Hard Rock Hotel was rebranded as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in 2020, the iconic guitar sign was preserved and donated to the Neon Museum, where it’s on display in the Neon Boneyard. Visitors can still see this vibrant piece up close.
THE HILTON (NOW WESTGATE) SIGN
The original Las Vegas Hilton Hotel sign stood at 362 feet before a detrimental storm caused the sign to fall over. The sign that replaced it still stands at a whopping 279 feet, e and is the largest freestanding neon sign in the world, belonging to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. This gigantic neon structure shins so brightly, it can be seen from miles away, welcoming visitors to one of the city’s most historic hotels.
The Westgate sign still stands today, although its neon has been updated with LED lights, preserving its massive presence as a significant piece of Las Vegas history. The Westgate sign is a testament to the influence of neon in branding Las Vegas as a must-see destination.
CAESARS PALACE SIGN
Courtesy: ITC Vision – Ian Crean Photography
Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, one of the Strip’s most iconic resorts, opening in 1966 was famous for its massive neon signs displaying the hotel’s name and Greco-Roman-inspired symbols. Though not as colossal as some others, the sheer elegance and detailed craftsmanship of their neon pylon stood out, complementing the hotel’s grandiose theme. Portions of this sign are now at the Neon Museum, where they continue to dazzle visitors with their timeless charm.
From record-setting modern signs to historic neon marvels, the legacy of neon in Las Vegas is unmatched. With places like the Neon Museum preserving and celebrating this history, the neon legacy of Las Vegas continues to shine brightly, connecting the past with the future and lighting the way for generations to come.
Whether you’re exploring Fremont Street or wandering through the Neon Boneyard, the brilliance of Las Vegas’s largest neon signs can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Visit us today to experience the magic of neon up close.
