Have you kissed the famed Welcome to Las Vegas sign? Do it for luck, win big at the slots!
Las Vegas is one of the most photographed cities in the world, and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign is a beacon leading the way. One of the most prevailing images of Vegas is the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.
"Las Vegas is the only town in the world whose skyline is made up neither of buildings like New York, nor of trees, but signs," author, Tom Wolfe once said. The city is constantly changing, casinos go up and are torn down, signs are replaced with bigger, brighter, bolder versions. While just a few landmarks remain, there are even fewer as ubiquitous as the city itself.
Partake in the making of history itself with the Welcome to Las Vegas sign self-guided audio tour. Discover how the sign has become a beacon that stands the test of time, what the star and coins on the top mean, how the designer fought for the slogan on the back, and the best time to go.
One of the most recognized signs in the world
It's become a pilgrimage for newcomers and repeating visitors alike, has overseen thousands of wedding photos, is on millions of home refrigerators, traverses the country on license plates, and has become a world icon.
One thing you might not know ...
The sign is not actually in the city of Las Vegas
The sign is actually in the unincorporated town of Paradise in Clark County, is not in Las Vegas, and neither is the strip. This is all due to early zoning laws around gambling. Casino operators in the 1950s pushed to keep the Strip outside city limits to maintain control over taxes. The sign's address is 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South, which is on the tail end of the Las Vegas Strip, but, it's not actually in Las Vegas.
A question asked most often ...
Is there any meaning behind the design of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign?
The quirky shape and symbols was designed specifically to attract attention. That being said, the star on the top, the circles that spell out welcome, and the shape itself all have meaning, more than just adding flashiness and uniqueness to Las Vegas. In fact, it was specifically designed to be a representation of the city and what it stood for - an icon of Vegas, a city built for, and around, entertainment.
One of the happiest places in the world
The sign was designed to welcome newcomers to the city that never sleeps (or city of sin depending on your version of Vegas). The city became known as the city of lights, as neon signs spread through downtown Fremont Street beginning in the 1930s when an abundance of hydro powered electricity kicked off the Golden Age of Neon, and then down the strip during the 60s, as the 1970s came and went, these were slowly removed and replaced by high-rise towers and hotels, the classic versions of the signs were replaced with newer, brighter, more streamlined versions. Despite that, the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign continued to be a landmark to this day and is engrained in the history of Las Vegas, visited by millions of people every year.
The sign was never copyrighted. Betty Willis, the creator of this sign, wanted this sign to be a gift for her hometown. It's the reason why you can find the sign on keychains, shirts, and all kinds of memorabilia/souvenirs.
It's a beacon pointing the way to the strip
Many consider the sign to be the official southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. But it's actually 4 miles south of the Las Vegas city limits (and ironically, the strip is about 4 miles long). Anyone who has tried to walk the length of the strip knows how deceiving miles can actually be in the city.
Still, for most people, the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is the true entrance to the city itself.
One of the most popular selfie spots in the city
Until the 2000s, it wasn't easy to get close to the sign and snap a picture with it. In 2008, a few site improvements were completed, which allowed people to access the sign. That expansion, with a price tag of $400,000, added a parking lot with 12 spots, two bus loading areas and a paved walkway to the sign.
However, with the overwhelming demand to visit and see the sign, another expansion was necessary. And in 2015 21 more parking spaces, along with some new safety and cosmetic improvements were made, for grand total of another $900,000. The enhancement added better crosswalk markings and protected pedestrians.
Is the Welcome to Vegas Sign still 100% original?
One thing you'll learn during the Las Vegas sign tour is that the original design of the sign was not altered. However, since the sign is over 60 years old, it has gone through wear and tear. The desert sun and wind is harsh, if you've ever been to Vegas during the spring and summer, you'll know exactly how crazy the weather can be. And that is why the sign has been repaired and a few changes made.
Surprising facts you might not know about the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign
Over the years, a lot of information was released about the sign and its unique history. With that in mind, here are some lesser-known facts about the sign, which you can learn during the Las Vegas sign audio tour!
- It's made in Googie architectural style. If you don't know what the Googie style looks like, it's very similar to the atomic age, futurism and space travel style you could see in The Jetsons. It was heavily used during the 50s for diners, restaurants and Las Vegas Hotels, and our Welcome To Las Vegas Sign Tour points out where you can see more of this in Vegas.
- The sign has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2009.
- Brandon Flowers from The Killers wrote an album called Flamingo, released in 2010. One of the songs from that album is called "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas".
- It's not the first major sign for Las Vegas. The first sign was called "Welcome To Las Vegas The Gateway To Boulder Dam," and it was added at the intersection of Fremont Street and Main Street in 1929 and removed in 1931.
You can actually buy a part of the Vegas sign
From time to time, the lights on this sign need to be replaced. But those pieces are not thrown away; instead they get sold as memorabilia/souvenirs, and you can buy one here. All proceeds from those sales go to charity.
· The sign is a symbol of luck
That is why people tend to kiss the sign or rub it before they go and hit the casinos. Of course, there's no way to know if that has any impact, but it's definitely become a tradition amongst gamblers and visitors.
Make your own history at the Las Vegas Sign with our Self-Guided Audio Tour
If you want to learn more about the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, along with its history and many facts that even many locals don't know, download our Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign tour. We are very passionate about sharing the history of Las Vegas and these incredible landmarks with you in an exciting, unique format. Don't hesitate and check out our amazing tours today!