A Tour of New York City's Remaining Historic Neon Lights

New York City has flirted with neon lights for most of the 20th century. While neon has seen a resurgence in fashion boutiques, actual historic signs are disappearing.

Check out these photographs from a tour lead by Thomas Rinaldi, author of New York Neon,?tag=viewingnyc-20 who has attempted to catalog the oldest surviving signs.

Read the accompanying article on Hyperallergic for more information about the history of neon lights.

The neon sign for the former Rocco Restaurant, now Carbone, in Greenwich Village
The neon sign for the former Rocco Restaurant, now Carbone, in Greenwich Village
Photo: Allison Meier
The United Alarm Systems sign, which covers the frame of an old neon sign, sticking out from the scaffolding
The United Alarm Systems sign, which covers the frame of an old neon sign, sticking out from the scaffolding
Photo: Allison Meier
Historic neon on Casa Oliveira Wines & Liquors on Seventh Avenue
Historic neon on Casa Oliveira Wines & Liquors on Seventh Avenue
Photo: Allison Meier
Neon signs on MacDougal Street
Neon signs on MacDougal Street
Photo: Allison Meier
Historic neon sign for Monte’s Restaurant on MacDougal Street
Historic neon sign for Monte’s Restaurant on MacDougal Street
Photo: Allison Meier
A (non-historic) psychic sign in neon
A (non-historic) psychic sign in neon
Photo: Allison Meier
Neon on Arthur’s Tavern, with signs that used to sport neon on Marie’s Crisis
Neon on Arthur’s Tavern, with signs that used to sport neon on Marie’s Crisis
Photo: Allison Meier
Newer neon work on Waverly Restaurant
Newer neon work on Waverly Restaurant
Photo: Allison Meier
The neon sign for the former Rocco Restaurant, now Carbone, in Greenwich Village
The neon sign for the former Rocco Restaurant, now Carbone, in Greenwich Village
Photo: Allison Meier
Joshua Mu

Joshua Mu

Contributing Writer

When he is not attempting to hustle the hustlers of Central Park, Joshua enjoys exploring the depths of what New York has to offer. He one day hopes to pilot a drone without immediately crashing it.

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