Odd Las Vegas Attractions

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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The Liberace Museum

Who better to found the Liberace Museum than its namesake? Liberace made sure his legacy would survive by stocking the self-titled museum with his historical pianos, clothing, jewelry, antiques, and collection of custom cars. In addition, the Museum is a non-profit organization that helps fund scholarships for the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, so be sure that your money is well-spent. Building One focuses on Piano and Car Galleries, and Building Two presents the Costume and Jewelry Collections, as well as an Awards Gallery and a model of Liberace''s bedroom in Palm Springs. This building also makes the visitor privy to rare Czechoslovakian crystal from Liberace''s collection. The Cabaret showcases Liberace''s nine-foot grand piano (a Baldwin), and often hosts shows by local entertainers (for example, cast member of Jersey Boys and improvisational composer Philip Fortenberry). If all this Liberace remembrance inspires an appetite and/or a desire to take home a souvenir, the Museum also boasts a caf? and gift shop, complete with CDs, songbooks, stationery, shot glasses, and ...
... dozens of other commemorative items.

The Liberace Museum is located on 1775 E. Tropicana Avenue, and is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Saturday, and noon to 4:00 PM on Sunday.

The Neon Museum

You won''t be able to escape the bright Vegas lights with the Neon Museum, but chances are you won''t want to. Born in 1996 to showcase neon signs (one of the infamous Las Vegas claims to fame), the nonprofit organization houses more than 150 signs. From the 1930s onward, these signs illustrate the cultural history of Las Vegas, as well as design trends and the progress of technology. Take a walking tour of the outside Fremont Street Gallery 24/7, beginning in front of the Las Vegas Boulevard Neonopolis, and ending at the 3rd Street cul-de-sac next to the Fremont Street Experience canopy. The gallery showcases ten refurbished signs, including the original Aladdin''s Lamp.

The vast majority of the Neon Museum''s signs are found in ?The Boneyard,? a three-acre area containing non-restored signs. These include Caesar''s Palace, the Stardust, the Silver Slipper, the Golden Nugget, and many more. You''ll need to call ahead to make an appointment for a tour of The Boneyard, since this section of the Neon Museum is not open for general admission at the present time. Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The Museum is located at 821 Las Vegas Boulevard North.

The glitz of Las Vegas can be explored in other ways besides its ubiquitous casinos and fountains. Whether through the shining personality of Liberace at the Liberace Museum, or the glowing remembrance of signs gone by at the Neon Museum, Las Vegas has a collection of odd attractions sure to please. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide great deals on flights to America including flights to Las Vegas.