When it comes to free attractions in Las Vegas, I don’t think anything beats the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Since 1959, the sign has been standing tall at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, welcoming visitors with its retro starburst and bold red letters. It was designed by Betty Willis, who considered it a gift to the city and never trademarked it. It took me many Las Vegas trips before I finally visited this legendary sign. I figured there were better things to do in Vegas than waiting in line to take a photo of…a sign. Pool parties, dinner reservations, late nights that turn into early mornings. But after visiting, I can say that I’m very happy that I went, and if you’re going to Las Vegas, you don’t want to miss the sign. It’s kitschy, it’s crowded, and it’s completely iconic. In other words, very Vegas.
How to get to the Las Vegas Sign?
The sign is located at the southern end of the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard South, just south of Mandalay Bay and right by the airport runways. While it is possible to walk to the sign from the southern Strip hotels, distances in Las Vegas can be deceptive, especially in the summer heat. What looks close on the map can feel very far when it’s over 100 degrees.
Taking a taxi, limo, Uber, or Lyft is much smoother. Drivers can pull into the small dedicated parking lot just behind the sign. If you’re planning to drive yourself, there is also that same small parking lot near the sign, but if you come during busy hours, especially late afternoon and early evening, finding a vacant parking spot might be difficult.
There is a traffic light and a pedestrian crosswalk, so it’s safe to access the sign, but keep in mind that you’re essentially standing in a median with cars passing on both sides.
When to visit the Las Vegas Sign?
The bright Las Vegas sun makes it challenging to get any good shots of the sign during the middle of the day. The light is harsh, and you’ll probably be squinting. I would say that the best time to visit is early morning right after sunrise or late afternoon, just before the sun sets. The temperatures are lower, the light is softer, and the colors of the sign really stand out.
Some people prefer to go after sunset, when the neon lights really stand out against the dark sky. The sign is lit up at night, and it does look great, but I personally think it looks best during those golden hours around sunrise and sunset, when the color palette has that pretty golden hue with a touch of pink.
I went in the afternoon, and it was really busy out there. You line up behind the sign and wait for your turn in front, and it can easily take 30 minutes or more. There’s usually someone around to help keep things moving, but it’s still a bit of a wait. If you’re there alone, people are more than happy to help you take a photo, under the condition that you return the favor. It’s actually a surprisingly friendly little community of people waiting for their Vegas moment.
For the plane spotters
Harry Reid International Airport is right across the street, so depending on which runway is in use, you can get some really great shots of aircraft taking off or touching down behind the sign. If you time it right, you can capture a plane soaring overhead with the sign in the foreground, which makes the photo feel even more Las Vegas.
It might just be a sign, but it’s also one of those classic Vegas experiences. It’s free, it’s fun, and once you’re standing there with the desert sun in your face and the traffic rushing by, you’ll probably be glad you didn’t skip it like I almost did.
