Fremont Street District, Pt. 1

Fremont Street has the distinction of being the first paved street in Las Vegas. Before “The Strip” took over, this was the area where most movies and TV shows filmed when they were using Las Vegas as a location, including “Viva Las Vegas,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” and “Vegas Vacation.”



The neon cowboy in this shot is known as Vegas Vic. Although his home, the Pioneer Club, is no longer a casino, this Las Vegas icon has survived since 1951, although I don’t believe he is turned on anymore. Some of the better known clubs still in existence include Four Queens:



and Binion’s:



As part of a program to renovate this downtown Las Vegas area, the “Fremont Street Experience” was created at the western end of Fremont Street in 1995.



If you like to live life for the thrills, how about the SlotZilla Zip Line?



Eating at White Castle could provide a different type of thrill:



Stay tuned: more Fremont Street on the way!



See more Fremont Street photos at my main website.

Miami Monday: Art Deco

My initial interest in visiting Miami was to see the art deco architecture that it is known for. Throw in some vintage neon and that's a slam dunk for me. Because I did the red eye, my arrival meant there was quite a bit of time to kill before my first photo shoot and check-in at the hotel. What's a guy to do? Get the camera out of the bag and start snapping! Up and down Ocean Drive, I captured these photos before the sun began to peek out at dawn.



One of my friends begged that I not take the proverbial shots of vintage cars in Miami; however, I couldn't resist on this one.







While most of the buildings looked like vintage art deco, some of the signage seemed as if it hailed from the 1970s revival.





I believe The Carlyle was used in the Robin Williams movie "The Birdcage."



I got a kick out of this Penguin statue; straight out of Mary Poppins!



More art deco abounds on Collins Avenue:





Even the local dentist uses an art deco font for his signage!



See more Miami photos at my main website.

Museum of Neon Art, Pt. 1

On a recent trip to LA I had the pleasure of visiting the Museum of Neon Art, located in Glendale. Signage...neon...vintage stuff...I just had to go. This place may be small, but it sure packs a wallop. I had a great time.



Today's post shows a few of the more "active" signs, captured through the vibrant technology of animated giffery (please don't look that up).











More to come!

More MONA at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Hooray for Hollywood!

Looking for a little R&R, I booked a weekend at the Chamberlain, charged up the camera battery, and went absolutely photo-nuts.



I'm a sucker for signage, so when you throw in the neon factor, I'm in absolute hog-heaven. These pieces are part of the Museum of Neon Art collection.



The IHOP sign is not part of that collection!



Historic Barney's Beanery has been around since 1920.



Located inside an old Pacific Railroad passenger train on Sunset Boulevard, Carney's has dubbed itself as having "probably the best hot dogs and hamburgers…in the world!" Using the word "probably" gives them a wider margin for error—smart thinking! I will say that I enjoyed my chili burger.







Hugo's is a favorite spot for breakfast:



The Courtyard Thematic District on Fountain Avenue is one of my favorite spots in Hollywood; I love the vintage apartment buildings, courtyards, and landscaping. It's like stepping back in time into a film noir setting.











On my morning run to Runyon Canyon, I had to carry the camera with me (you just never know what you're going to see). To get the best possible arm work-out, I continually switched my camera back and forth from right to left arm.









For the first time I ever, I checked out the Planetarium Show at Griffith Observatory. What a blast!







If you've never been, you need to add this to your list of things to see. It is a masterpiece of art deco architecture.





See more vintage & current Hollywood, CA photos on my Hollywood photo web page.