• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
My Big Fat Cuban Family

My Big Fat Cuban Family

Recipes · Blog · Shop

  • Meet Marta
    • Media Mentions
  • Lifestyle
    • Cuban-American Life
    • My Big, Fat, Cuban Family
  • Entertainment
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Television
    • Concerts
    • Books
    • Theatre
  • Celebrate
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Cuban Christmas
    • Mother’s Day
    • Summer Nights
  • Recipes
    • Cuban Recipes With Pictures
    • Family Favorites
    • My Cook Book
  • Shop
    • Cuban Foods Poster
    • Cuban T-Shirts
    • Costa Rican Foods Poster
    • Honduran Foods Poster
    • Puerto Rican Foods Poster
    • Salvadoran Foods Poster
    • Scottish Foods Poster
    • Customize Your Own
    • Cuban Goodies In Your Mailbox
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Archives

The Neon Boneyard Adventure

October 13, 2011 By Marta Darby 14 Comments

Eric and I just got back from a really fun getaway to Las Vegas.

As you know, we go to Vegas a few times a year (because we can, and because my very favorite childhood hearthrob lives very close to there. *sigh*). And we pretty much know the place by heart. We have seen lots of great shows there and stayed at some of the best hotels. 

My big, fat, Cuban family celebrates birthdays there and there has even been a renewal of wedding vows with an Elvis impersonator. Seriously.

This last weekend we were excited to visit a place that was kind of legendary but has up to now been so far off the beaten path that we've never been able to get there. And believe me, we have tried.

It's the place where old neon goes to die.

The Neon Boneyard.

Eric & Me at Neon

Well, technically it's now officially called The Neon Museum and they're finally getting their act together and are organizing tours (by appointment only) and turning it into an official Place To See in Vegas.

(NOTE: I added watermarks to the photos because I signed a sworn and official-looking-document in which I promised a pint of blood and my first male child – sorry, Adam! – that I would not profit in any way from these images.)

We were able to take a guided tour through the piles of rusted metal and broken lights and I was in Absolute Vegas-Nerd Heaven.

Neon

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable in Vegas lore which added to the fabulousness of the adventure. Although, I have to admit that because I've been going to Vegas since the 70's I recognized some of the old classic signs myself.

I dug up this old photo of me on The Strip in 1977. Notice the signs in the background.

(I have helpfully included arrows to call attention to the portions of the sign that I found at the Boneyard. And while I'm at it, what was up with all the photo paper in the 70's? It took me a ton of Photoshopping to make this image even visible! But that's not important right now.)

Stardust 77 with arrows

Lido copy

Stars 2 copy

Stardust

The Stardust happened to be my dad's favorite place to play. (Yes, I had to take it all in for just a moment.)

Isn't that just sooo accidentally cool?

Some of the history behind a few of the signs were new to me. I'm glad we had a guide to point stuff out. Who knew that the House of Lords Steakhouse at the Sahara was a regular hangout of the Rat Pack? (I know. Shut up.)

House of lords

My favorite thing about the Boneyard was all the stories and history connected to the signage. I am old enough to have watched Las Vegas Blvd. (aka The Strip) change and grow over the years. So I felt a certain amount of nostalgia.

See the old lamp from the Aladdin? The diamond-shaped stars from the Stardust? See the portion of pink "feathers" from the Flamingo Hilton?

Flamingo

See the Uber-Nerdy Couple from California making fools of themselves among the rusted and twisted metal?

D

No? How about now? =D

E & me

Do you have Vegas memories to share? Tell me.

You might also like:

Always an Adventure The Birthday Adventure ONE time… How Many Cuban Girls Does it Take to Get ONE Photo?

Filed Under: Cuban-American Life Tagged With: Las Vegas Neon, Neon, Neon Boneyard Las Vegas, Neon Boneyard Vegas, Neon Museum Las Vegas, travel

Previous Post: « Jif Peanut Butter and Amazon Kindle Winner
Next Post: Mizkan® Challenge # 4 – My Favorite Light Recipe – Pan Roasted Asparagus! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    October 13, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    What fun!Never been to Las Vegas, but it’s definitely on our bucket list.

    Reply
  2. Ody Fabregas says

    October 13, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Marta the pics are beautiful!!!I love Las Vegas!!! We’ve been to Vegas four times. Twice for a convention/work and twice for pleasure. Stayed in some of the best hotels and saw the most amazing shows. Fell in love with the whole Cirque du Soleil experience for the first time there. Took the tour to the Hoover Dam and stood in Nevada and Arizona a the same time. Loved the tour of the dungeon and dinner at Caesars Palace (this was many years ago) and walking in and out of the mall next to the Caesars Palace while it turned from day to night and night to day again. There are some other memories as well, but you know what they say….. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jackie says

    October 13, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    I grew up there and have been away for many years. I recognize most of the signs and didn’t know they had been taken down! Thanks for sharing, especially the one of you in the 70’s. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Regina says

    October 14, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Prima: Me han encantado estas ultimas fotos, ese lugar lleno de viejos lumínicos está fabuloso. Un abrazo para toda la familia y a Kikita en especial.

    Reply
  5. Mario (the Michigan one) says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    LOVE the pic of you and Eric peeking from behind the “D for Darby” pic. It’s very 70’s TV special sound stagey. You MUST crop that just right and frame it!

    Reply
  6. Marta M. Darby says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Amanda,We are only four hours and a fabulous road trip through the desert from Vegas. We’ll be happy to be your tour guides. 😉

    Reply
  7. Marta M. Darby says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Thanks, Ody! I was quite happy with the photos myself.Let’s add Vegas to your next visit to California then, shall we? =D
    xoxo,
    Marta

    Reply
  8. Marta M. Darby says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Jackie,It’s amazing how quickly the Strip changes from year to year.
    I just found some old photos in front of Caesar’s and it’s an entirely different place!
    (I looked cute when I was 22, didn’t I?) 😉

    Reply
  9. Marta M. Darby says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Mi querida prima,Algun dia espero enseñarte lo bello que es Las Vegas – lo nuevo y lo antiguo. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y los tuyo.
    Besos,
    Marta

    Reply
  10. Marta M. Darby says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Mario, my love -Great minds! I am cropping and framing as we speak…err….type. =D

    Reply
  11. Mario (the Michigan one) says

    October 15, 2011 at 1:13 am

    Ay, que bueno!! I can’t wait to see it. Por favor, post a pic of the finished product. Why did that girl in the background have to go and get in the way? LOL

    Reply
  12. BFF says

    October 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I love the pictures!! Especially the one that is connected to me! I remember we (or I) use to “collect” ash trays! Wonderful post!

    Reply
  13. Marta M. Darby says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    I will definitely post.As far as that girl….I know, right? Photo thief! 😉

    Reply
  14. Marta M. Darby says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I’m glad you enjoyed them! Yes…..ash trays. I remember those things….. =D

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Try Super Smooth Cafe La Llave Espresso

Cafe La Llave

NEW! My Cuban T-Shirt Designs

“Cuban T-Shirts

Subscribe to MBFCF Newsletter!

Never miss a post! Sign up with your email address to receive recipes, news and updates right in your inbox!

Cuban Foods Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Coffee Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Desserts Poster

“Cuba poster - Cuban desserts subway art print

Get Snacking On California Strawberries!

California Strawberries

Most Recent Posts

  • Cafe La Llave Fresh From the Pod
    November 13, 2019
  • Honey Balsamic Chicken & Veggies Easy One Pan MealHoney Balsamic Chicken and Veggie One Pan Meal
    November 12, 2019
  • Havana 78 Soaps
    November 4, 2019
  • The Food of My People
    October 28, 2019
  • Celebrating Your Cubanity With Santayana Jewelers
    October 26, 2019

Cuban Recipes Cookbook

Cuban recipes with pictures cookbook from My Big Fat Cuban Family

Abuela Mami

Abuela Mami Gifts

Cuban Food Market

Cuban Food Market

Follow Me on Instagram

mybigfatcubanfamily

Instagram post 2193245020874565368_3088359303 Ahora sí!! 🎉The Historic Meeting of the Tocayas has finally happened.🙌🏼💋 You can find me this coming Sunday, December 8th at @marthaofmiami_shop ||Martha of Miami’s 🦩fabulous La Tiendecita || 8827 SW 40th St. || from 1 to 4 pm. || Come and day hello! 👋🏼😎 #marthaofmiami #mybigfatcubanfamily #BeLikeMarta
Instagram post 2192889795823216219_3088359303 Hello Miami. I came to play. 🇨🇺🦩😘❤️⏩ Meet me at Martha of Miami’s Tiendecita 8827 SW 40th St. on Sunday, Dec 8th between 1 & 4. ✌🏼😎
Instagram post 2192385174646205429_3088359303 I’m in Miami Beach today. 🏖 (Because I’m cool that way. ✌🏼😎) #belikemarta
Instagram post 2189483862732350936_3088359303 From the archives: 4 years ago I wrote what the death of fidel castro meant to our family and our community. It was a thoughtful, angry, moving piece. Please take a moment to read and share. [article link in☝🏼profile] Celebrating freedom today, my friends. 🇨🇺🇺🇸🎉 .
.

http://bit.ly/2OCXGzt #fidelcastroisstilldead #ohthecubanity #cuba
Load More...

Follow Marta On Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

FEATURED POSTS

  • Cafe La Llave Fresh From the Pod
    November 13, 2019
  • Honey Balsamic Chicken & Veggies Easy One Pan MealHoney Balsamic Chicken and Veggie One Pan Meal
    November 12, 2019
  • Havana 78 Soaps
    November 4, 2019
  • The Food of My People
    October 28, 2019
  • Celebrating Your Cubanity With Santayana Jewelers
    October 26, 2019

Blog Archives

Footer

Meet Marta

Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For My Newsletter

October 2011
M T W T F S S
« Sep   Nov »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

Copyright © 2019 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in