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Mid-century popular culture In the early 1950s the Kefauver Committee hearings on organized crime took place in 14 U.S. cities, including – and especially – in Las Vegas. Hearings were held at the Federal Courthouse and Post Office building, which, although designed in the neoclassical style and not mid-century modern, is one of the few historically significant structures left in Read more...
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Mid-century/desert modern houses Built in 1959 by modernist architect Hugh E. Taylor, and originally located at the posh Desert Inn Country Club Estates (where The Wynn golf course is now located), the historic Morelli House was saved and relocated by The Junior League to its current downtown location in 2001. Notable for being the home of Sands Hotel & Casino Read more...
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Tiki Culture/Polynesian Pop For fans of Polynesian Pop, stepping into an authentic Tiki bar is like riding a time machine back to the 1950s or 60s, and although there’s little trace left of the Stardust Hotel & Casino’s famous Aku Aku Polynesian-themed restaurant & cocktail lounge (or any other vintage Vegas Tiki bar for that matter), there are fortunately two really Read more...
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Mid-century modern buildings Established as the Nevada Southern University in 1957, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus boasts well over a dozen handsome mid-century modern buildings, and although the campus has grown to over 330 acres since then, these modernist structures are all within easy walking distance of each other and can be viewed in about an hour. If Read more...
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Mid-century vintage diners Restaurants come and go, especially in Las Vegas, which is why true diner culture connoisseurs can appreciate a little mid-century authenticity. Unlike the Vegas kitsch of the stand-alone Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge, these “lunch counters” are old-school and can all be found inside other establishments, which was the norm back in the day. We’ve listed the following from Read more...
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Retro Mid-century Apparel Now located in the downtown Container Park, this cozy pin-up boutique offers new designer fashions with a decidedly retro, post-war look. From snazzy patterned 1950s-style dresses to the vintage accessories that go along with them, if “mid-century housewife” or “Bettie Page” is the look you’re going for then Vintage NV can hook you up. They also carry Read more...
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Mid-century modern buildings With the demolition of The Riviera Hotel & Casino in 2015 and the Tropicana in 2024, only three original mid-century properties remain on The Strip. Many have been rebuilt and remodeled over the years – several times – but some of their bones are still there and worth a visit, if not to stay at then to Read more...
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Vintage mid-century decor This eclectic shop is actually comprised of multiple pop-ups, each specializing in unique Las Vegas vintage style. From old carnival signs to black & white television sets, jewellery, fashion, home decor and much more. If you’re looking for the obscure or hard-to-find, make Vintage Vegas your first stop. Located in the downtown Arts District. Read more...
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Mid-century walking tours Las Vegas has a variety of niche tours that cater to just about everyone but for our money it’s Las Vegas Pop Culture Tours that satisfies. Created by Babs Daitch (one-time social secretary to Frank Sinatra) and Richard Hooker (former Urban Arts coordinator), their signature 90-minute Fremont Street Walking Tour makes a great primer for anyone wanting Read more...
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Vintage Chapels Nothing says Las Vegas better than a quickie marriage (or a quickie annulment) and there’s no shortage of wedding chapels here in which to do so. If you’re looking for the perfect vintage or retro spot to share your vows there are four chapels that jump to the top of the list (from north to south)… click on Read more...
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Mid-century vintage signs Few signs in the world are as immediately recognizable and iconic as the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Located on the median at 5100 S. Las Vegas Blvd. just south of Mandalay Bay, the sign – which is of classic Googie & Atomic Age descent – was designed in 1959 by Betty Willis (Stardust Casino and Moulin Read more...