Without question, one of the most iconic features of Las Vegas is the famous ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign. If there is a movie, television show or music video that features Las Vegas, chances are this sign gets its moment in the spotlight. To say it’s had more than 15 minutes of fame is an understatement.
We recently had a friend in town, and when we drove past the sign, she said that she didn’t know the sign actually existed. She’d seen it before in all its neon glory in advertisements and in the media, but it’s become so iconic that it’s almost like elusive movie stars — you know them well because you see them all the time, splashed across magazine pages and on the news, but you never actually see them so you don’t know if they actually exist.
When people visit Las Vegas for the first time, we often make a stop at the sign so they can snap a few photos. Few other places in Las Vegas say “been there, done that” as famously as the sign. As locals, we drive by the sign way more often than we stop, but I love it and the slice of Sin City that it represents. At any given time, you’re likely to see groups of tourists, young and old, grinning in front of it. It’s common to see wedding parties here, high schoolers make the trip for prom pictures and, on more than one occasion, I’ve seen Elvis impersonators hanging around. Of the two distinct sides of Las Vegas, the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign clearly hangs its hat on the touristy side, but I don’t know any locals who don’t have at least a small soft spot for this little piece of famous Vegas.
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Tom @ Waegook Tom
The sign is, indeed, fabulous! I hope I get to have my own cheesetastic photo moment with the sign soon, preferably with a strong cocktail in hand!
September 1, 2012 at 8:36 am
JoAnna
You can have an open container on the Strip, so have at it!
September 7, 2012 at 5:39 am
Sue
Fun! I’m planning a trip through YMT Vacations and Vegas is one of our stops. I hope we’ll get to stop and take pictures of the sign! Can’t wait!
September 12, 2012 at 10:43 am
JoAnna
I hope so too! It’s a Vegas classic!
September 17, 2012 at 1:16 pm