The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is the symbolic start line of the Strip. For a lot of first-timers, that single photo feels like proof you actually arrived in Vegas.
We went because it is one of those boxes people feel oddly incomplete skipping.
What is the Las Vegas sign?
The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is a large roadside landmark at the south end of the Strip, originally installed in 1959 to mark the entrance to the city’s main resort corridor. It is roughly twenty feet tall and functions as a photo stop.
How long you really need
Most people assume this is a five-minute stop. It rarely is.
| Step | Time |
| Getting there | 5 to 40 minutes |
| Parking or drop off | 2 to 10 minutes |
| Waiting for the centered photo | 5 to 20 minutes |
| Taking your own side-angle photo | 30 seconds |
| Total time commitment | 30 to 60 minutes |
How to access the sign:
You have four realistic options:
- Walk from Mandalay Bay or other nearby hotels. This avoids parking stress entirely. It’s generally a minimum of a 20 minute walk and could be much longer depending on where you are coming from.
- Deuce bus if you are already riding it.
- Rideshare or limo. This the most common for most visitors.
- Drive yourself. Technically possible, but parking is a challenge and unless you’re planning on leaving the strip, you likely won’t have a rental car.
What are the crowds really like?
Crowds range from nobody at all to a full-blown line snaking across the site.
Busiest windows in our experience:
- Late morning through early afternoon, roughly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Weekend nights, especially 9 p.m. to midnight.
Early morning is usually calm. Midday feels like a field trip for the entire Strip.
Weather
The sign is open rain or shine. The annoying weather quirk would be waiting in the hot sun, though usually there are less people there, or if it happens to rain (which is rare for Vegas). It can be a little chilly in the winter if it’s windy, but nothing a good coat can’t fix.
The short verdict
What we liked:
- It’s iconic. The sign is Vegas
- It’s a quick activity if crowds are light.
- It’s an activity you can do 24/7
What we didn’t like
- The logistics are annoying. Parking is tough and it’s usually busy.
- The photo situation is mildly annoying. Some person is usually there trying to make it seem like you must pay for a photo. There’s no requirement to pay and you don’t have to wait in line to get a good photo.
If the sign isn’t your thing, or you’re looking for other fun things to do, check out these nearby activities:
- Pinball Hall of Fame
- Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium
- Luxor’s Titanic Exhibit
If you’re ready to add this to your next trip, here is exactly what to expect.
Quick Facts
- Location: South end of the Strip across from Mandalay Bay
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes door to door
- Best times: Early morning or late evening
- Facilities: None
What the experience is actually like
- Parking is scarce. A handful of tiny spots and constant ride-share drop-offs.
- There is often a line to stand directly in front of the sign for the centered photo.
- Someone is frequently there trying to charge tourists for photos. They do not own the area nor is there an official city photographer.
- You can walk five feet to either side, take your own photo instantly, and nobody can stop you.
The sign is the event. There is nothing else to do once you get your photo.
The photo “scam” situation
The people charging for photos are not affiliated with the city. I wouldn’t actually call it a scam (though some of the photo takers are pretty aggresive in demanding tips). I would call them opportunists.
They rely on confusion and social pressure. Paying them is optional. You can:
- Ask another tourist to trade photos.
- Take your own photo from either side of the sign.
- Wait until the middle clears naturally.
This is public space. You are allowed to take your own picture.
Who should go
- First-time Vegas visitors
- Anyone building a real Vegas memory set
- People who like checking iconic boxes
Who will be irritated
- People who hate parking stress
- Anyone deeply uncomfortable with light social pressure from photo takers
- Travelers trying to optimize every minute into a “premium experience”
More Info for your trip to Vegas:
- Realistic Guide to the Las Vegas Strip
- Vegas Off-Strip – visit Vegas the local’s way
- Day trips from Vegas