By Yvonne Newman
Interested in some off-the-beaten-track sights? There’s nothing conventional about downtown Las Vegas. From marine life to neon signs, immerse yourself in its unique character on these three tours.
PUBLIC TOURS AT THE SMITH CENTER
Enjoy an insider’s perspective and hear the history of one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the city during this free 60-minute tour. Not only will you get to explore The Smith Center’s Grand Lobby and its unique venues (if the performance schedule permits), but you’ll also view eye-popping sculptures created by local and international artists. Tour days and times vary each month. Tours will be listed online 30 days prior to tour date and participants must register online. The Smith Center is situated at 361 Symphony Park Ave. Get tour information here.
NEON BONEYARD NIGHT TOUR AT THE NEON MUSEUM
Tours of this outdoor space housing more than 200 rescued neon signs are incredible at any time of day, but there’s something magical about seeing the Neon Boneyard at night when the collection is bathed with colorful ground lighting. Seven signs have been restored and are also on display, including the La Concha Motel sign, which dates from the early 1960s. The hour-long, docent-guided tours typically begin and run every half hour after sunset into the early evening. Booking your tour online in advance is strongly recommended. The Neon Museum is located at 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North. neonmuseum.org
SHARK TANK TOURS AT GOLDEN NUGGET
Discover how The Tank aquarium, the 200,000-gallon centerpiece of one of Las Vegas’ most unique hotel pools, is maintained. On Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. marine biologists take visitors behind the scenes to learn about the feeding process of the sharks and other resident marine life. The best part: you’ll get a souvenir shark’s tooth! Reservations are recommended. Get tour information here.
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