Museum of Neon Art
Museum of Neon Art
4
Thursday
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
40 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
8
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
3
DW
4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
In summary if you are looking for a quick fun thing to do in glendale then check out MONA but if you do a little planning ahead you will have blast at one of their special events. Full details below.
This is a small museum. Generally they have one guest art exhibit and the some of the perm collection on display. Only about 10% of the collection at most is on display. It is unfortunate they don’t have the support for a larger facility. Most of it is on loan to other museums and some is unrestored. They simply don’t have the room to display it all.
If you are a fan of neon art it is best to call ahead, leave a message if need be and check what events are happening. Also they can direct you to some of the best neon in the city. While the museum is a good visit on the way to dinner, the best things they offer is the special events. The big ones are taking a neon bending class, neon open top bus tours of Los Angeles, and the neon walking tours. These are the best way to experience neon. The guides are great and the tours/class sizes are kept small and cozy.
If you’re lucky you might even be in town when they have interpretive dancing amongst the neon in the museum. These events can be a lot of fun and are generally about a hour long and give you time to check out the museum as well.
FYI, photos from Mona. Mine did not turn out as nice.
This is a small museum. Generally they have one guest art exhibit and the some of the perm collection on display. Only about 10% of the collection at most is on display. It is unfortunate they don’t have the support for a larger facility. Most of it is on loan to other museums and some is unrestored. They simply don’t have the room to display it all.
If you are a fan of neon art it is best to call ahead, leave a message if need be and check what events are happening. Also they can direct you to some of the best neon in the city. While the museum is a good visit on the way to dinner, the best things they offer is the special events. The big ones are taking a neon bending class, neon open top bus tours of Los Angeles, and the neon walking tours. These are the best way to experience neon. The guides are great and the tours/class sizes are kept small and cozy.
If you’re lucky you might even be in town when they have interpretive dancing amongst the neon in the museum. These events can be a lot of fun and are generally about a hour long and give you time to check out the museum as well.
FYI, photos from Mona. Mine did not turn out as nice.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flounder M
Hayward, CA1,552 contributions
Sep 2022
Located on the corner of South Brand and Caruso are neon signs that are long forgotten. Most of them have been restored to its original glory and some are on loan by their artists.
Some signs you will recognize, while others have a wonderful history to them. Lean about how neon got its start or take a class. You will be fascinated.
All the people here have Neon hearts.
Some signs you will recognize, while others have a wonderful history to them. Lean about how neon got its start or take a class. You will be fascinated.
All the people here have Neon hearts.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MG02116
Boston, MA54 contributions
Sep 2019
Small but cool experience in downtown Glendale. Plenty of food options nearby and great people watching in this area. Enjoy
Written September 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Arlington, TX1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Solo
I would LIKE to write a review and I feel sure it would be positive...IF I could have gotten in! I'm a pretty serious historic neon sign collector in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. A visit to MONA has been on my list for some time. Earlier today, I flew to L.A., a day ahead of a business meeting. In a pouring rain, I programmed my GPS to drive from West Hollywood to Glendale to see MONA. Took me and hour and fifteen minutes in stop and go traffic. I checked before leaving to be sure it was open on Friday and that I would be within the posted hours. FINALLY got there, and there was a note on the door that it was closed for the day while they worked in the back on a new exhibit. That would have been something that might helped if it was posted on the website...not on the front door. Bummed and wasted about 3 hours of intense driving!! Don't think I'll be going back...
Written March 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soleil T
Los Angeles, CA244 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
I have always been fascinated with neon and love everything neon. I own several neon pieces and everyone raves about them when they see them. I have wanted to see the "newish" MONA museum as the last time I visited it, it was in downtown LA, which was small, but they had some interesting neon signs.
Wow!!! this is really a ripoff!!! $10.00 for NOTHING!!!...I drove over from the westside and asked if I could use the restroom before visiting the museum. The lady selling tickets told me no. Now I realize why--if I had gone past the museum to use the restroom, I'd have NEVER paid for that. She told me if I bought 10 used books outside, they would give me a discount and I had asked if I could use the restroom, then go look at the books. So, with the answer no, I paid for the entrance and went in. There is barely any NEON??? WTH? a few signs and then there was this exhibit that had nothing to do with neon and quite frankly looked like a high school art project exhibit!! boring and naff. I was so miffed and think they need to be more honest about what is actually on display--maybe 5 neon signs or less? way less than they had in their small space downtown. I do not recommend this place and I think they are doing a diservice to the public by not explaining that there is little to nothing to see and that you are paying their rent. End of. Total disappointment and I do fee they are cheating people. Not cool and not ok.
Wow!!! this is really a ripoff!!! $10.00 for NOTHING!!!...I drove over from the westside and asked if I could use the restroom before visiting the museum. The lady selling tickets told me no. Now I realize why--if I had gone past the museum to use the restroom, I'd have NEVER paid for that. She told me if I bought 10 used books outside, they would give me a discount and I had asked if I could use the restroom, then go look at the books. So, with the answer no, I paid for the entrance and went in. There is barely any NEON??? WTH? a few signs and then there was this exhibit that had nothing to do with neon and quite frankly looked like a high school art project exhibit!! boring and naff. I was so miffed and think they need to be more honest about what is actually on display--maybe 5 neon signs or less? way less than they had in their small space downtown. I do not recommend this place and I think they are doing a diservice to the public by not explaining that there is little to nothing to see and that you are paying their rent. End of. Total disappointment and I do fee they are cheating people. Not cool and not ok.
Written November 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Longstreet7
Glendale, CA46 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
As someone who has long enjoyed visiting museums...the Museum of Neon Art was a huge disappointment. The museum is extremely small, and offers nothing in the way of a history or description of their neon pieces. For anyone truly interested in neon art, I would suggest that they simply walk along any large city street......where they will see a far more extensive extension of neon signs. Given the tiny size of this "museum," I can't imagine anyone spending more than 5-10 minutes to go in-and-out the front door
Written May 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
New York City, NY17 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
$10 should have been a suggested donation not a required admission fee. I'd probably pay $2 if that. I do like the concept of neon art. For $10, I expected more exhibitions. It was one level and the sounds are American Horror Story creepy. No curator. Shameful!
For good neon art, go to Sunset Blvd at night or any bar with neon lights, which I did later that night.
Lesson learned.
For good neon art, go to Sunset Blvd at night or any bar with neon lights, which I did later that night.
Lesson learned.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bhlmkh
Boston65 contributions
Jun 2017 • Business
I'd never seen a museum like this before so decided to give it a shot. It's interesting, but there's not much to see - the paid admission area is just one very large room with a few dozen neon figures in it. It's dark (by design so you can see the glow from the figures), but that also made it hard to read the signs accompanying the exhibits.
The front of the museum includes the gift shop and some neon signs and there's no cost to stroll through there. You'll get a good sampling from there and I would personally skip spending the $10 to see the back room exhibits unless you have a real interest in neon.
The front of the museum includes the gift shop and some neon signs and there's no cost to stroll through there. You'll get a good sampling from there and I would personally skip spending the $10 to see the back room exhibits unless you have a real interest in neon.
Written June 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauramaldonado34
Chino Hills, California208 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
I enjoy discovering new things so when I came across a museum on neon art I thought YES!
It’s located in Glendale with lots of restaurants and shops to enjoy. The museum itself is small, so you won’t need a lot of time to enjoy. It’s cute, the staff is eager to answer any questions, but I was disappointed on how small it was . The collection of signs were cool, I just wish they had more.
Worth a visit if you don’t have a lot of time.
It’s located in Glendale with lots of restaurants and shops to enjoy. The museum itself is small, so you won’t need a lot of time to enjoy. It’s cute, the staff is eager to answer any questions, but I was disappointed on how small it was . The collection of signs were cool, I just wish they had more.
Worth a visit if you don’t have a lot of time.
Written July 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G S
Los80 contributions
May 2017 • Family
We found this boutique museum across the street from the Americana At Brand shops. What a delightful find it was. The gallery is one large room and holds rotating exhibits. The one we saw was the Art of Plasma and it was true to the museum's focus on art. The room was dark to allow the colorful and dynamic pieces to shine; think of the novelty plasma ball twisted and forged into artistic creations. The application of scientific principles to art makes for a unique experience not found in traditional art museums.
The entry fee is comparable to other museums but given a single exhibit room, some may find it high. If you consider the unique nature of the subject matter, then the fee isn't bad. Besides, there are discounts for seniors and kids are free.
The entry fee is comparable to other museums but given a single exhibit room, some may find it high. If you consider the unique nature of the subject matter, then the fee isn't bad. Besides, there are discounts for seniors and kids are free.
Written May 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can’t seem to find anything about buying tickets in advance, are reservations required or is it walk-in only? Lately we’ve been unable to get in places we used to just show up and go in. (Like Disneyland, Muir Woods, Yosemite etc) Thanks
Written May 23, 2024
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