In a city that has long been content to throw away its history in favor of the idea that newer and bigger is better (don't take offense Las Vegans, I am from L.A. Same rule tends to apply there too...), this little museum is a treasure. If not for this place, in twenty years who would remember that boring ole Binion's used to be the fanciful Binion's Horseshoe, that Vegas Vicky is really Sassy Sally with a facelift, that the Stardust was a cheeky homage to Nevada's atomic era, that the iconic \"Welcome to Las Vegas\" sign was designed and constructed by a woman or that Steve Wynn is seemingly an incredibly finicky businessman when it comes to his Vegas properties? And that's not even the half of it.\n\nThe tour is currently by appointment only, at noon or 2 p.m., but when I accidentally made ours for the wrong day they were gracious enough to squeeze us in on the same day I called. Tours are $15 per person, last about an hour and include lots of bottled water to cope with the hot weather in the outdoor boneyard. They are currently converting a 60s lobby from a now defunct hotel into their main offices, which should be open at the end of the year and make this place even more radass, along with a program to refurbish many of the dilapidated signs and return them to glory on Las Vegas Blvd. downtown. \n\nSeriously, if you've ever kind of hated Vegas (raises hand here), love Vegas, are a history nerd or a design buff, please check this place out. It was my favorite experience in the city so far.
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