Photo Essay: Neon
Today we tour the some of the world’s best neon. In some (actually, many) of these destinations, the light show is part of the attraction in the first place. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Hong Kong
I mentioned that the incredible displays of light after dark where one of the defining features and top things to do in Hong Kong.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
What Happens in Vegas…
New York, New York, United States
New York may be dark and brooding at times, but not always.
Osaka, Japan
Beautiful even in reflection
Seattle, Washington, United States
Some neon is an icon, or a destination in itself
Chicago, Illinois, United States
I’ve walked this underground tunnel between Chicago’s O’Hare airport more times than I’d like to count. But it’s an amazing sight and well worth making the trek during a layover (if you are sure you have the time to spare) cause it is pretty…well, neat.
Bolder, Colorado, United States
They just don’t make good neon like they used to.
Melbourne, Australia
My favourite place in the world has neon too!
Toronto, Canada
very Matrix-like
Helsinki, Finland
seems to relaxed and peaceful, yet vibrant, no?
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Despite first impressions, not all neon in Amsterdam is red. 
Warsaw, Poland
Neon nightlife is only one of Warsaw’s many attractions
Cairo, Egypt
Hungry, anyone?
Yezd, Iran
When a sign is almost art.
Lisbon, Portugal
Can you see it?
Reykjavik, Iceland
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it can’t be bright.
Everywhere
And then there’s that neon you just can’t seem to get away from.
Photos by See-Ling Ming, biskuit,jliba, 416style, seattle municipal archives, papalars, molas, mugley, Allen McGregor, Pettri Sulonen, jeffhot, magnusfranklin, patrik kiteley, Paul Keller, cesarastudilo, Daquella Manera, s2art
Andy Hayes is the managing editor of Sharing Travel Experiences. Featured in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, and other major publications, he travels for up to seven weeks at a time and spends the other seven right here with you. Follow him on Twitter, @andrewghayes.
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January 8th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Great lineup of neon. Norfolk, VA outlines all of its skyscrapers with neon every Christmas and it’s quite a sight. Also, I was diving through some little town a while back – don’t even remember where it was – and a neon sing shop was at the entrance to town, covered in illuminated signs. The further I got into this town the more amazed I became, because just about every other business establishment had a neon sign. Pretty cool!
January 9th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Hey Andy!
Another great photo essay! I love the Melbourne shot. The vast network of little hidden alley ways, bristling with life is what Melbourne is all about! It’s secret heart if you will!
Cheers,
Adam
January 9th, 2010 at 8:54 am
hehe, I remember when I was first hit by all the neon in Hong Kong it blew my mind! Nice post.
January 11th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Wow- great idea for a photo essay, and excellent picks!
January 11th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Great pics! The New York one is fantastic, but I think my favourite is Toronto – like you said, it’s very Matrix!
January 11th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Julie/Nick, thanks for popping byy – glad you enjoyed the world tour