I have to admit I’m not a Vegas lover. I was kind of underwhelmed when I visited with my friend Kate 5 years ago and not much has changed. I can imagine if you’re on a bachelor’s weekend and out to spend a wad of cash it could be fun.

That said, our last morning in Las Vegas was excellent. I had seen photos of the neon boneyard/Neon Museum online somewhere and was keen to check it out. Basically it’s a collection of decommissioned neon signs from the 1930s onwards from casinos, motels and local businesses. I’m so glad I looked into it a couple of days in advance though because the tours were pretty much all booked out.

We took the 9am tour and it was already sweltering. We started off in the early casino aisle:

The stories behind the signs tell interesting histories of Las Vegas and of sign writing and technology as well.

Part of the Moulin Rouge sign

The motel area:

This was my favourite corner of the museum:

I just love the colours, the cactus and the ‘HI’ letters.

Some of the more recent (60s, 70s etc) signs:

The giant skull is from Treasure Island

Mullet man from a pool hall:

The lamp from Alladin’s and Liberace’s signature in the background:

SAMSUNG CSC

Apparently when space was in vogue you could stand on the roof of the Stardust, drink an ‘atomic cocktail’ and watch nuclear bomb tests going off in the far distance.

I loved this giant ‘B’.

Trying to figure out how to smuggle it out

The tour was short and sweet, probably a good thing as we were all drenched with sweat by the end. I highly recommend checking it out, just make sure you book in advance!

After the Neon Museum we drove to the Wynn Resort for a buffet brunch. The dining room was like something out of Alice in Wonderland crossed with Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

We got there about half an hour between the breakfast/lunch changeover and paid $25 each for two hours of all we could eat.

Plate 1: a weird breakfast/lunch hybrid.

Shrimp grits, smoked salmon hash, pepperoni pizza, smoked salmon pizza, French toast, buckwheat pancake, bacon, waffle, sweet ricotta parcel

Plate 2:

Fried clams, macaroni, 5 cheese ravioli, flank steak, tamale, fried chicken wing, spring roll, dumpling, BBQ pork roll

Plate 3:

Edamame, pineapple and sushi

Dessert:

Candied apple, key lime pie, tapioca, cheesecake

I really wish I could have eaten more. There was so, so, so much more stuff I wanted to try! Including meats and cheeses. Oh well!

After our buffet we rolled on over to some slot machines to try our luck.

I lost $1 here

I moved over to a Sex & The City themed slot machine and DING DING DING! Won $39.83 by landing on Miranda Hobbs’ handbag… or something?!

I was stoked! I immediately cashed out my winnings and left the casino with a spring in my step.

One morning is definitely enough time in Vegas.