The Welcome to Las Vegas Sign is one of the most iconic signs in the nation. It marks the start of the official southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, and all of the neon lights and things to do that come with it. This site is one of the must-do attractions for a Las Vegas trip, so here are a few tips and tricks associated with getting to the sign for a photo.

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Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

5200 Las Vegas Boulevard S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

This iconic sign marks the entrance to the south end of the Strip. The sign is located across the street from Bali Hai Golf Club, one of two legendary Las Vegas Strip golf courses, and is located close to the Harry Reid International Airport. The closest hotels are Mandalay Bay Resort, Delano and Luxor.

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History of the Las Vegas Sign

In 1959, graphic designer Betty Willis dreamed up the concept of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign from her hometown of Overton, Nevada. Her portfolio includes neon signs like the Moulin Rouge sign and Del Mar hotel, among many others.

She curated the design at the request of Ted Rogich, a WWII veteran and local salesman who believed the city needed a new way to advertise itself. Western Neon erected the sign and kept the landmark standing for locals and lovers of Las Vegas to visit on the famed boulevard stretch.

Betty Willis and Western Neon sold the sign to Clark County after its completion. Although Willis passed away in 2017, her work lives on. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a cultural landmark that is replicated all over the world in various forms of media.

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign Fun Facts

There’s more to the world’s most famous sign than meets the eye. Learn more about the site that hosts some of the best photo ops.

• There used to be two additional signs outside of the original Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. The second Las Vegas sign stood on Boulder Highway from 2002 to 2016, when the sign was eliminated by a roadside accident. Now, the true second sign reading “Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas” sits on Fremont Street. Catch the sign while walking down this famous street.
• The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is 25 feet tall, with four angles pointed in a diamond shape. A star highlights the top and bottom angles of the diamond, and the side angles are rounded pointing to the west side and east side of Vegas.
• The sign was registered in the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, 50 years after its inception.
• The sign is technically outside of the Las Vegas city limits, but close enough to consider it part of the infrastructure. It is located in the county of Paradise, Nevada.
• The circles that house the “Welcome” allegedly represent silver dollars, as a nod to Nevada’s nickname “The Silver State.”
• The sign has been owned by the Young Electric Sign Company, or YESCO, since its creation. YESCO is a multinational company with almost 50 offices in North America that has played a key role in creating some of the most famous signage in the country.
• The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is not copyrighted, so anyone can use it for their signage or gift shop merchandise. Find it on license plates, keychains and other souvenirs.

Getting to the Las Vegas Sign

If you’re staying on the south end of the Strip, there are several ways to get to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Read more about things to do in Las Vegas on the south side of the Strip.

Walking

It may be a trek, but it’s possible to walk to the Fabulous Las Vegas sign from the Strip itself. The sign sits less than a mile from Mandalay Bay and the rest of the Las Vegas Strip resorts.

Driving

There is a small parking lot near the fabulous Las Vegas sign with roughly three dozen parking spots available. Find the free parking lot at 5298 S Las Vegas Blvd, and feel free to park your car there as long as needed. Read more about free parking on the Las Vegas Strip at the resorts and casinos.

Bus Routes

Several tour buses make stops at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, which takes visitors all over the city, will stop to let you capture photos of other landmark sites and spots in Clark County and beyond.

To access the sign from the Deuce bus line, take bus route 104 going south. Read more about Las Vegas bus routes to get around the Strip with ease.

Other Ways to See the Las Vegas Sign

For anyone staying on the north Strip that needs to travel south, taking the Las Vegas monorail will place you in range of the nearby hotels. While the Monorail might not get guests completely there, taking the tram to Mandalay Bay or Luxor will place visitors within one mile of the sign.

Visit the Fabulous Las Vegas Sign

Looking for some no-cost things to do in Las Vegas? Enjoy the no-charge novelty of the Las Vegas sign. The best times to go are early in the morning and later at night — otherwise you might have to wait in a long line of people or traffic.

There are plenty of photo opportunities at the sign as well. The Las Vegas sign is on our Las Vegas photo checklist for capturing those irreplaceable pictures of your Las Vegas vacation. Remember that taking photos does not cost anything, once at the sign. Anyone selling photos is not directly affiliated with the site, and you are welcome to take a photo with your phone or camera at any time during the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign