Looking at all the tweets from people attending CES 2017 brings back fond memories of our last trip to Las Vegas back in August 2015. We had visited before (and had a great time), but on this trip we really took a step back in time and had a blast visiting heaps of fantastic vintage attractions.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is a hidden gem, it’s an enormous 900 square metre, air-conditioned warehouse full of playable vintage pinballs. There are over 150 from the 50s to the 90s, plus a few newer ones and arcade machines for good measure. The Pinball Hall of Fame is run by the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club and profits are donated to the Salvation Army and other non-denominational charities.
Address: 1610 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas NV 89119
Hours: Sun – Thurs: 11am to 11pm, Fri – Sat: 11am to midnight
Cost: Free entry, USD$0.25 – USD$0.75 per game
The Neon Museum is a non-profit organisation that collects, preserves and exhibits Las Vegas signs. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Neon Boneyard, an outdoor gallery with over 200 famous signs from the 1930s to present. Tour guides are full of fascinating information about each sign and Vegas history. Tours start in the visitors’ centre housed in the iconic La Concha Motel lobby – an historic shell-shaped building designed by famous architect Paul Revere Williams.
You can also check out the Urban Gallery – restored, working signs on display along Las Vegas Boulevard. It’s free and self-guided, just follow the map.
Address: 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas NV 89101
Hours: Neon Boneyard tours (one hour, day and night) seven days a week, times vary seasonally, advance ticket purchase is recommended
Cost: USD$19 day tours, USD$25 night tours
You may have spotted the ‘World Famous’ Toy Shack on the History Channel’s ‘Pawn Stars’ – but nothing compares to visiting in person. The relatively small store is packed from floor to ceiling with an awesome collection of vintage toys, mostly from the 80s and 90s. Think Star Wars and Star Trek, Hot Wheels and Matchbox, My Little Pony, Barbie, G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe and more. There are some really special items worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, but there are heaps of great toys priced at just a few dollars too. You can literally spend hours in this wonderful shop. (Also see our full Toy Shack write up).
Address: Neonopolis, 450 Fremont St. #117, Las Vegas NV 89101
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 10am to 9pm, Fri – Sat: 10am to midnight, Sun: 11am to 7pm
Cost: Free to browse, toys priced for all budgets
The Strip is huge and happening, but lacks the old-school charm of the original Vegas entertainment hub. The Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment district in historic downtown Las Vegas. So, what’s there? Viva Vision – the world’s largest video screen (450m x 27m, 12.5 million LED lights) above a bustling pedestrian mall, light shows, live concerts, the SlotZilla zip line and iconic casinos like Binion’s, the Golden Nugget and Main Street Station.
Unique things to see: A piece of the Berlin Wall in the men’s toilet in the Main Street Station Casino, the Shark Tank at the Golden Nugget Casino, the Mob Museum, the vintage slot machines at The D Casino and one million dollars cash on display at Binion’s.
Address: 425 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101-5620
Hours: All hours
Cost: Free entry, various prices for different attractions
Photo by vegasexperience.com
Photo by Anne Braly
Photo by Ruth Rieckehoff
Just like Elvis, you’ll wish there were more than the twenty-four hours in the day – Viva Vintage Las Vegas!
(Photos by ausretrogamer unless otherwise stated)
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Ms. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.
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