Is there a more famous city sign than the one for the city of Las Vegas? Photographed millions of times, featured on goodies, seen in movies, it’s iconic.
During our stay in Las Vegas, we stopped to photograph it. Find out all you need to know about this sign.
What does the Las Vegas sign look like?
The sign is called “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.” It’s an attraction in itself. On Google, over 23,000 people have posted a review.
This famous sign marks the entrance to the city. It was originally created in 1959 by Betty Willis at the request of a local businessman, Ted Rogich. Today, it’s part of the public domain.
It’s almost 8 meters high, but the size doesn’t impress. You’re more interested in its visual style.
A few replicas can be seen, including one on Boulder Highway and another in Downton Las Vegas.
White, bright and beautiful. Rather than describe it in detail, I’ll let you browse our photos to find out more about it.
Where is the Las Vegas sign?
The Las Vegas sign is on the south side of town, on the main Las Vegas Boulevard (also known as the Strip). Just past the Mandalay Bay, on the median strip, you’ll see it.
Rest assured, it’s hard to miss, since the view is unobstructed and there’s a small layout to show it off to best advantage.
Is it free to see the Las Vegas sign?
Yes, you don’t have to pay anything. It’s a free activity in Las Vegas. Anyone can get up close and personal at any time. There are no fences or gates to cross. The Las Vegas sign can be seen and photographed free of charge every day, 24 hours a day.
How do I get to the Las Vegas sign?
The sign is located on the median strip of a road with twice three lanes of traffic. If you’re on foot, there’s a traffic light so you can cross safely.
Nevertheless, most people come by car. This is the end of the Strip, a part that attracts few tourists, and the sign is the only thing to see.
There is a 30-space parking lot next door. It’s free to use. We’ve driven past the sign several times, and the parking lot was never full.
Do I have to queue to photograph the Las Vegas sign?
Whether you pass by at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m., you’ll always see a long queue. Sometimes dozens of people form an impressive queue. The good news is that you don’t have to.
These people are waiting to take a selfie on the lawn as close as possible to the sign. Being well behaved, they wait their turn. If you dream of taking a selfie in front of the sign, this is the only way to do it.
But, don’t underestimate the sun. One Uber driver told us he was stunned in the summer when he saw such a long queue when the temperature was over 45°. What’s more, there’s no shelter from the sun.
Taking very few selfies, we took our photos off-center of the line. By aiming the lens at the sign, we weren’t bothered by people taking selfies just below us.
This allows you to see the Las Vegas sign, photograph it, walk around it and leave in less than five minutes. Plus, since our stop was part of an excursion to Hoover Dam, our photo slot was defined by the guide.
What additional services are available for the Las Vegas sign?
The sign is the central tourist attraction. As it is part of the public domain, no shops are set up around it. Its location means that there are no stores or restaurants right next to it.
Regularly, you have “artists” who offer to be in your photo. On our visit, the artist was an Elvis look-alike. But don’t be naive. He’s not doing it for charity, and I recommend asking the price before the photo to avoid unpleasant surprises.
On the Strip, people selling the same type of services love to appear in photos without announcing the price before demanding a mind-boggling fee (sometimes $100!)… Of course, nothing obliges you to take the photo with the artists present next to the sign.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is the emblem of the city. To make a detour just to see it seems too much. But, if you’re near or drive past it, stop for a few minutes to admire it.
AmélieI love travels, photos and food. Through this blog, I like to share my experiences and travel tips.
