Las Vegas

Places to go. Things to see.

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The Neon Museum in Las Vegas

Neon Museum Las Vegas

Las Vegas is synonymous with lots of things, most notably neon.

And the city’s Neon Museum has saved and now celebrates the neon signs of the past in a wonderful outdoor site.

One of the newest additions is a sign for the entrance of the Dunes Hotel and Casino, which opened in Las Vegas in 1955, was hailed as the “Miracle in the Desert” and offered extravagant shows, luxurious dining and over-the-top amenities.


(Exterior of the Dunes Hotel and Casino at night in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 5, 1958. Credit: Las Vegas News Bureau.)

The Dunes Hotel closed in 1993 and was imploded to make way for an even more extravagant hotel, The Bellagio.

Now the restored Dunes entrance sign is on view at the Neon Museum, which includes an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard; the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant! Jackpot” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non- operational signs; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby.

The museum’s collection also includes 15 restored signs displayed as public art in downtown Las Vegas.

Love beer? Here’s what happens to harvested hops

We took a tour of the Morrier Ranch hops farm in Yakima, Washington to see what happens to hops once they’re harvested from the field.

Yakima farms produce about 75% of the country’s hops and October 4 is Yakima’s Fresh Hop Ale Festival, a beer festival timed to the hop harvest that includes music, food and fresh hop beers using hops just off the vine.

The Las Vegas Airport gets more fabulous

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We got a preview last week, but here are snaps from the celebration for the new rideshare pickup area at Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

As part of the new “Welcome to Fabulous” campaign for Las Vegas, the airport’s rideshare area now has a nice Las Vegas-style refresh, with vibrant lighting, additional seating and a custom neon selfie wall.

The Las Vegas showgirls and the DJ on site for the unveiling won’t be a regular thing. But the selfie wall is staying and there will be surprise activations at the rideshare area to mark special events and occasions.

If you’re flying to Las Vegas but not taking a rideshare into the city, you can get a great selfie inside Terminal 1 at the giant selfie station by the A/B checkpoint featuring Vegas Vicki with a bench beside her for guests.

We’ll make these new Welcome to Las Vegas amenities at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) an early nomination for Airport Amenity of the Week.

Places we’d go. Things we don’t want to miss.

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Las Vegas wants you

Visitor numbers to Las Vegas have been declining. And the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is rolling out a national “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” campaign to lure visitors back.

In addition to the 60-second TV ad (below) that was launched during Thursday’s NFL season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the campaign includes a 3D anamorphic billboard in Times Square that will debut on Monday, September 15 and will feature images that seem to pop out of the 2D panel.

The campaign will also greet visitors at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) at the rideshare pickup zone in Terminal 1.

Starting Friday, Sept. 12, the “Fabulous Pickups” will feature colorful lighting, plush seating, music, and a neon selfie wall.

During special occasions, the zone will also host live performances, DJs and more.

Here’s a mock-up. But note the ‘note’ in the lower right-hand corner: “Purple benches will be finished in laminate, not tufted upholstered as shown.”

Tufted upholstery or not, this will be a welcome upgrade from the garage space that’s currently covered in cigarette butts.


Seattle’s Museum of Flight celebrates turning 60

Seattle’s Museum of Flight is marking its 60th anniversary with two days of events and special exhibitions on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14.

During the weekend, the museum will also debut the newest addition to its aircraft collection: a classic Learjet 24A, which is about 60 years old.

Registered as N1965L, this plane was the twelfth in a production line of iconic personal jets that helped define the Sixties jet set, the museum explains.

Fresh Art at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) is showcasing Calaveras en Mi Ciudad, a mobile art exhibition that celebrates and pays tribute to Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday and day of remembrance in Mexico. 

Look for this artwork from November 3, 2025, to November 3, 2026, on DEN’s A-Bridge and on Concourse A west, near Gate A19.

Airport amenity of the Week: Elvis!

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Evidently, Elvis is still in the building…

Back in 2011, Elvis and a handfulf of showgirls were on hand at what was then officially Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) to welcome attendees to the tech event known as CES.

McCarron Airport Elvis and show girls

This year, CES coincides with what would have been Elvis’s 90th birthday – January 8.

So (a young) Elvis showed up at what is now Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to welcome everyone arriving to Las Vegas in true Sin City style.

Nothing beats Elvis.

So we’re declaring the Elvis impersonator at the Las Vegas airport the Airport Amenity of the Week.

And look! Elvis stuck around to pose for photos with travelers.

Travel treats on tap at LAS Airport

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If you’re flying to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl game, or the festivities surrounding it, be sure to stop for a selfie with the giant “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign replica near baggage claim in Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

That’s just one of the many spots in the airport you’ll find Super Bowl branding this week as the airport gets ready to welcome about half of the more than 330,000 fans who plan to be in town for the Big Game.

Skipping the Super Bowl, but heading to LAS for Valentine’s Day?

Are you planning to get married in Las Vegas – the Wedding Capital of the World – on or around Valentine’s Day?

Thousands of couples do. And once again, you and your sweetheart can stop at the pop-up Marriage License Bureau near Bag Claim in Terminal 1 of the Las Vegas airport.

The Clark County Clerk’s office – which issues marriage licenses from its downtown Las Vegas offices – will have a temporary office at the airport from Tuesday, Feb. 13 through Thursday, Feb. 29 to make it easier for couples to land, get their marriage licenses – or vow renewal certificates, and go directly to their ceremonies.

Be sure to bring a credit or debit card to pay for your marriage license. The pop-up Marriage License Bureau won’t take cash or checks.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Charles Lindbergh-themed Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day

We hope your day is filled with flights of fancy. And, of course, chocolate and flowers.

Sadly, this is the first Valentine’s Day in 10 years that Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) won’t have its ambassadors out in the terminal giving carnations to traveling lovebirds.

“Our ambassador program is currently suspended but we hope to get them back soon.  There is hope for Mother’s Day,” says airport spokesman Bryan Long.

Jacksonville Airport

And this year concerns about COVID-19 meant there was no marriage license pop-up desk at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

The culprit? COVID-19.

But many airports did celebrate Valentine’s Day in their own way.

https://twitter.com/PHLAirport/status/1360212538760249345?s=20

If we missed your airport, let us know and we’ll add them to the list.

Souvenir Sunday: Vegas-branded face-masks from McCarran Int’l Airport (LAS)

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It’s a sure sign of the times when the coolest souvenir you can pick up at the airport is a mask.

Better yet, this one is free and will no doubt become a collectible.

In Nevada, as in many states around the country right now, everyone is required to wear face coverings in public spaces due to concerns about COVID-19.

Even if not officially required, wearing a face-mask over your nose and mouth is proper etiquette right now. Like washing your hands often, it’s also an easy tool to help keep you and others healthy.

As it does with so many things, recently-reopened Las Vegas is having a bit of fun promoting the state’s face-mask requirement.

The tourism bureau sent showgirls to McCarran International Airport (LAS) to alert arriving passengers to the new rule. And to hand out free face masks.

Heading that way? McCarran International (LAS) has a long list of other ways it is working to make sure the airport is safe and clean for travelers and a fun Vegas-themed campaign of its own.

Some things to do while grounded.

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Like these guys, no one is traveling anywhere right now.

But there are still fun things to do.

Neon Museum Las Vegas
Neon Museum Las Vegas – photo Harriet Baskas

The Neon Museum in Las Vegas has a colorful app on its website that will take you on a tour of its Neon Boneyard. (Password: Neon)

And while Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London is closed due to the Covid-19 crisis, the theater is rolling out a long list of free online performances.

The Globe will be dropping the on-demand streaming fees for some past productions, with a new play offered every two weeks. The line-up includes:

‘Hamlet’ (2018) from April 6-19;

‘Romeo & Juliet’ (2009), from April 20-May 3;

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (2013), from May 4-17;

‘The Winter’s Tale’ (2018), from May 18-31;

‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’ (2018), June 1-14 and;

‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ (2019), June 15-28

The free streamed performances will also include productions from the 2021 ‘Globe to Globe‘ series that included Shakespeare plays performed in a variety of languages.

Travel Tidbits

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McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas welcomed its record 50 millionth passenger of 2019 on Thursday.

Allegiant flight #91 from San Antonio, Texas was chosen as the ceremonial flight commemorating this milestone. And to mark the event, LAS airport went out all for the celebration.

Upon arrival at the gate, passengers were treated to a true Las Vegas VIP welcome including a water cannon salute, gift bags and showgirls.

Passengers from the flight were then escorted to the Terminal 1 Baggage Claim. The entertainment there included Viva Las Vegas dancing showgirls, the Raiders organization and the Vegas Golden Knights in-arena crew.

Even better: one lucky passenger won the jackpot when she was chosen as the honorary 50 millionth passenger. In addition to the celebratory activities of the afternoon, she received a bonus Las Vegas themed prize pack.

Thursday morning StuckatTheAirport.com shared holiday travel tips with the Weather Channel hosts.

We talked about the Santa Paws event at Los Angeles International Airport. We alerted travelers to the reindeers and the holiday parades at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. And we shared details about the free ice-skating at Denver International Airport.

Shortly after the show appearance, we received a note from a new fan. He suggested we make Nick Lowe’s song, “Christmas at the airport,” our official song for this time of year.

Thanks, Ray!

Travel Tidbits from an airport near you

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Earlier this week, we told you about a new Prince-themed store that opened recently at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Here are some more new shops to look for at the airports in Sacaremento and Las Vegas.

The folks at SouveNEAR, who place vending machines filled with work made by local artists at airports, are expanding their network.

Created to be “an indie craft fair in a box,” SouveNEAR fills these vending machines with an eclectic collection of art prints and originals, T-shirts and apparel, handmade jewelry, gourmet food items and other travel-sized mementos. Prices range from $5.00-$50.00. 

Right now they’ve got their art-filled machines in multiple locations at Kansas City International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Oakland International Airport and Cincinatti-Northern Kentucky International Airport.

In September you’ll be able to shop for local art from SouveNEAR machines in Sacramento International Airport (SMF) an in Las Vegas at McCarran International Airport (LAS).

Sacramento International Airport also has a new shop called The Well in Terminal A selling locally-sourced gifts in a “hydration-focused” environment.

In addition to selling gifts and gourmet foods from Northern Califorinia, the shop has a self-serve water bar and stocks a variety of reusable drinking bottles.