Neon might be fading, but there are still plenty of places around the world to spot the glowing signs. Soi Cowboy, Bangkok's red-light district, "has to be one of the largest displays of neon in such a tight confined area," iReporter Jim Heston said.
Courtesy Jim Heston
Bangkok, Thailand —
Soi Cowboy almost gave Marie Sager a sense of daylight during her visit in 2011. The short street is known for its bars and concentration of sex-related businesses.
Courtesy Marie Sager
Seattle, Washington —
"I always loved neon because it was a representation of the future from the people of the past," said Randall Brelsford, who visited Seattle's famous Public Market in 2011.
Courtesy Randall Brelsford
Los Angeles, California —
Los Angeles' neon signs beckoned frequent traveler Brian Daniel during his visit in 2007. "They have just enough peppered through the city where it just comes alive," said the Chicago resident.
Courtesy Brian Daniel
Los Angeles, California —
The Frolic Room is one of the last great "dive bars" in Los Angeles, Daniel said. The joint evokes a lot of nostalgia because he's been there so many times. "It represents the old Hollywood of yesteryear," he said.
Courtesy Brian Daniel
Las Vegas, Nevada —
When you think of neon cities, Las Vegas comes to mind for most people. It's all neon, baby! Abhijit Sarkar visited the famous Vegas Strip in 2011, where he captured the likes of the Paris, Bally's and Flamingo hotels.
Courtesy Abhijit Sarkar
Las Vegas, Nevada —
The Neon Museum in Las Vegas has a graveyard of rescued signs from some famous places, like Caesars Palace and the Stardust. Freelance travel writer Vicki Arkoff visited on a work trip in October.
Courtesy Vicki Arkoff
Phnom Penh, Cambodia —
It's easy to bump into neon signs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, said Jim Heston, but power shortages and inconsistent voltage are an issue for the city. The American expat also said that he's seen "plenty of LED signs springing up around town."
Courtesy Jim Heston
Phnom Penh, Cambodia —
Neon seems to be a requirement for Chinese and seafood restaurants in Phnom Penh, joked Heston, who has lived there for more than a decade. "Brilliant displays of Khmer, Chinese and English script as well as an assortment of lobster, shrimp, crab and fish adorn the signs of these restaurants that do a great deal of trade," he said.
Courtesy Jim Heston
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —
George Dick grew up in Philadelphia right around the corner from M. London Furniture Store. The last time he remembers seeing it lit up was in the '50s. Allen Feldman, whose great-grandfather started the business 119 years ago, said people still come to take photos of the sign, even though it doesn't work anymore.
Courtesy George M. Dick
Cave City, Kentucky —
There was no stopping Brian Snider's wife from staying at the Wigwam Motel in Cave City, Kentucky, where the family slept in teepees. "She likes all things 'roadside America,'" he said. Of the original seven locations, only three still exist, including this one.
Courtesy Brian Snider
Laconia, New Hampshire —
Since she was little, Brenda Olson and her family have gone to Weirs Beach in in Laconia, New Hampshire. From enjoying the go-karts with her brother in the '60s to seeing a double feature at the Weirs Beach drive-in with her son, Olson has fond memories of the local spot.
Courtesy Brenda Olson
Chicago, Illinois —
"They may be glitzy at night, but during they day, neon signs have a subtle elegance to them," says Neil Hieatt. Take the iconic neon sign from Chicago's Wrigley Field, as spotted on a 2009 game day.
Courtesy Neil Hieatt
Glendive, Montana —
A bar, a church and a post office are the three signature buildings in small Montana towns, said Montana native David Palmer. "As rural towns shrink and times and attitudes change toward alcohol, the local bar has become less and less of the social center," he said of this watering hole in Glendive.
