I mean, what do you think we’re doing outhere in the middle of the desert? It’s all this money. This is the end result of all the bright lights andthe comped trips, of all the champagne and free hotel suites, and all the broads and all the booze. It’s all been arranged just for us to get your money. That’s the truth about Las Vegas.
Las Vegas is portrayed this way by Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) in Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece, “Casino” (1995). Indeed, the Nevada city represents excess, a place where all vices can be indulged. Films set in Sin City bring to mind blackjack tables, strip teases, slot machines, luxury hotels, and billions of shimmering lights. The city that emerges in the Mojave Desert is famous for being the world capital of kitsch, so outrageous and over-the-top that it leaves you speechless.
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Downtown Las Vegas Filming Locations
Later on he had an idea to make a city out of a desert stop-over for G.I.’s on the way to the West Coast. That kid’s name was Moe Greene, and the city he invented was Las Vegas. This was a great man; a man with vision and guts; and there isn’t even a plaque or a signpost or a statue of him in that town.
This is the fictionalized version of Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) who, in “The Godfather Part II” (1974), sheds light on the birth of “Sin City.” In historical reality, in the mid-1800s, a settlement was established near what is now considered Downtown Las Vegas, the gambling district before the creation of the “Strip.” The city center is home to a wide variety of hotels, commercial skyscrapers, historic buildings, government institutions, and cultural centers.
Among these, the Neon Museum (1) is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting the most iconic artifacts that have emerged over the years. The museum’s Visitors Center is located within the historic “La Concha Motel” lobby. This distinctive shell-shaped building appeared in the aforementioned Scorsese film. In the motel with its curvilinear and sinuous structure, the ruthless gangster Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) secretly meets with the stunning Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), the film’s leading female protagonist.
In the third installment of the “Hangover” trilogy in 2013, the unstoppable Mr. Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong) lands with his parachute on the roof of the limousine driven by the seemingly calm and reflective Stuart Price (Ed Helms). With the windshield obscured by the parachute fabric, Stu turns in front of the California Hotel & Casino (2) at the intersection of East Ogden Ave and North Main Street, culminating the ride by crashing into a fire hydrant between the former Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino (3) (demolished between 2017 and 2018) and the majestic entrance of the Fremont Street Experience (6), a renowned covered pedestrian street.
On the other side of the street, poor Mr. Chow, after the impact, finds himself lying on the edge of the Plaza Hotel & Casino (4) courtyard. This establishment boasts an entrance with a sparkling canopy that also appears in Terry Gilliam’s psychedelic film, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998).
The film’s protagonists, Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro), avid consumers of psychoactive substances, greet their arrival in Las Vegas by parking their convertible right in front of the glorious hotel and casino. Adding even more grandeur to the Plaza’s entrance is the Oscar’s Steakhouse (5), whose interiors are featured during the brief restorative dinner between Sam “Ace” Rothstein and Ginger McKenna in “Casino” (1995).
The upper part of the balcony, which protrudes like a mushroom over the courtyard along South Main Street, is entirely made of transparent glass. By sitting at the same table where the two actors were seated in the film scene, one can enjoy a privileged view of the grand arch of Fremont Street. A renowned industry magazine describes this iconic restaurant, known for serving delectable dishes for true meat connoisseurs, as follows: “The approach to food and service at this gorgeous restaurant is the same as Oscar’s approach to life: eat, drink, and have fun!”
A glimpse of the famous Fremont Street‘s interior can be observed in a sequence from the comedy film “Last Vegas” (2013), in which retired widower Paddy Colson (Robert De Niro) engages in conversation with his friend Diana Boyle (Mary Steenburgen), whom he met the previous evening along with his fellow adventurers at the Binion’s Hotel Casino (7).
The four friends, Billy Garson (Michael Douglas), Archie Clayton (Morgan Freeman), Sam Harris (Kevin Kline), and Paddy himself, dive into a nostalgic trip down memory lane as soon as they arrive in Las Vegas, visiting the historic Downtown establishment. Although they are disappointed to see how the place has changed after numerous renovations, they are captivated by the performance of the singer (“Not a day over her prime”), Diana Boyle, who entertains the patrons with a drink after her show.
In Las Vegas, all sorts of experiences can happen, but the one recounted in the plot of the first and unmatched “The Hangover” (2009) is unique and legendary. Hilarious gags unfold, always teetering between outrageous audacity and brilliant irreverence. In the vintage Mercedes convertible, right outside the Atomic Liquors (8), a bar located at 917 East Fremont Street, the three desperate protagonists, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), are bumped into by Mr. Chow’s large SUV. As a result of the impact, the neon sign depicting a female silhouette of the famous establishment comes crashing down, causing damage to the car’s roof. Atomic Liquors prides itself as the first bar to obtain a license for legal liquor sales in the city and continues to serve sought-after craft beer to this day.
Las Vegas is also famous for quick weddings. The most renowned location is undoubtedly the Graceland Wedding Chapel (9), which appeared in a sequence of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998). In this chapel, operating for many years, it could be a flesh-and-blood “Elvis Presley” officiating the secular ceremony from the grand altar, for couples who may not always be in a state of complete clarity.
Find an accommodation in Downtown Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip Filming Locations
Today, the heart of Las Vegas is Las Vegas Boulevard, an immense avenue sparkling with neon lights, better known as “The Strip.” The southernmost part of this approximately six-kilometer-long street is crowded with new themed resorts that, in most cases, house hotel rooms, casinos, pools, theaters, cinemas, restaurants, and all sorts of shops within their premises. At night, while strolling along this fantastic world characterized by truly creative architectural structures, it is possible to see monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, or the bell tower of St. Mark’s simultaneously. Naturally, any film set in the entertainment capital of the world showcases some of these splendid complexes.
Before venturing down the Strip, at 3000 Paradise Road, stands the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (10), formerly known as the Hilton Hotel. It is the setting for the worldwide arm wrestling competition in the movie “Over The Top.” In the cult film from 1987, the protagonist Lincoln Hawk (Sylvester Stallone) competes to win the championship title and the substantial cash prize, all while seeking reconciliation with his son Michael “Mike” Hawk (David Mendenhall), whom he had previously struggled to reconnect with due to distrust and past resentment.
It’s truly a shame that we can no longer enter the most film-friendly gaming house in all of Las Vegas: the Riviera Hotel & Casino (11), a historic hotel on the Strip that was sadly demolished in 2016. Countless films were filmed inside the halls of this casino, including “Casino,” “Rain Man,” “The Hangover,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” “21,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “Jason Bourne.”
Regarding this last film, the producers seized the opportunity to facilitate the already planned dismantling of the hotel structure with a spectacular sequence of car chases through the city streets, culminating in the destruction of the slot machines located within the belly of the casino, forever demolished by a police armored vehicle.
At the address number 2985, the lounge bar Peppermill Las Vegas (12) not only appears in the movie “Casino,” where one of the first romantic dinners between Ace and Ginger takes place, but it also appears on TV in the series “CSI: Las Vegas” and “The Holly Madison Show,” as well as in the recent music videos for the songs “Feeling it Coming Back” by Carlos Santana and “Another Lonely Night” by Adam Lambert. The Peppermill, a venue with a fascinating atmosphere where refined drinks and exquisite desserts are prepared, is a must-visit spot on the Las Vegas Strip.
In a performance that earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, Nicholas Cage, portraying Ben Sanderson, plays the role of a troubled and alcoholic man who goes to Las Vegas with the determination to drink himself to death. In “Leaving Las Vegas” (1995), the dark and sordid side of the city was brilliantly exposed by director Mike Figgis, who stated that the lack of budget contributed to enhancing the authenticity of the film itself: without money or permits, closing down the Strip was not an option, so the nighttime scenes on the city streets are shown in all their reality.
In the numerous outdoor sequences, prominent hotels appear in the background as semi-close-ups to the protagonists. These hotels include: Circus Circus (13), with the giant and joyful “Lucky Clown” inviting passersby to enter and enjoy circus acts and amusement park attractions on the mezzanine above the casino (the interior of the casino appears in a scene from the movie “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”); Flamingo (14), characterized by its unmistakable neon pink and orange feather façade, which, due to its long-standing presence, has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the street; Excalibur (23), with its distinctive and unmistakable English medieval-style turrets.
Caesar’s Palace (15): built in 1966, is not only one of the most famous hotels in the city but also a central location in “The Hangover” saga. The interior of Caesar’s Palace appears in multiple sequences of the comedy directed by Todd Phillips: the hotel lobby, adorned with numerous mosaics on the walls and copies of Roman statues scattered here and there, is carefully shown during the protagonists’ check-in; the hotel’s pool, where Phil, Stu, and Alan try to recover the morning after their hangover, evokes the ancient Roman baths; the rooftop, which unfortunately has strictly forbidden access, is the place where everything begins and ends… even though, as they say, “Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit’ll come back with you.”
The entrance plaza appears in both the opening scenes when the “pack” arrives in Las Vegas and in the final scenes when Dr. Stu bids farewell to his new bride Jade (Heather Graham). In the same location, the brilliant protagonist of “Rain Man” (1988), Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman), finally manages to “drive slow on the driveway” in the family’s 1949 Buick Roadmaster, an heirloom inherited from his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise).
In the face of all this opulence, many have attempted, in both reality and fiction, to carry out a heist in one of the many cash-filled casinos. In the remake “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould) tries to dissuade Daniel Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) with the following warning:
“It’s never been tried. – Oh, it’s been tried. A few guys even came close. You know the three most successful robberies in Vegas history? Number three. The bronze medal. Pencilneck grabs a lockbox at the Sands. He got two steps closer to the door than any living soul before him; Second most successful robbery. The Flamingo ’71. This guy actually smelled fresh oxygen before they got him! Course, he was breathing out of a hose the next three weeks, goddamn hippie. And the closest any man has gotten to robbing a Las Vegas casino… Outside of Caesar’s in ’87. He came, he grabbed, he got conquered”.
However, the ingenious and unmatched plan devised by the gang to rob the vault of the Bellagio (16) cannot be revoked. Built in 1998, this luxurious hotel boasts a lobby adorned with glass flowers created by artist Dale Chihuly and an area in front of the entrance largely occupied by a massive body of water reminiscent of the delightful Italian town peacefully overlooking Lake Como. Such is the space available that the perimeter walk along the shores is called the Riverwalk. This is a privileged spot that allows, just like Ocean’s eleven accomplices do after completing the heist, to observe up close the spectacle of water jets moving and exploding to the rhythm of music, forming spectacular choreographies.
Mr. Chow, in “The Hangover Part III” (2013), as mentioned earlier in this chapter, enjoys Las Vegas from the sky while parachuting onto Stu’s limousine, belting out the famous line “I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky.” In the long sequence, the crazy criminal flies over both the Bellagio fountains and the reproduction of the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris Las Vegas (17), a historic hotel & casino on the Strip.
As mentioned, the grand resorts are cities within cities and also offer high-level musical and theatrical performances, hosting the shows of the best national and international artists. The grand theater Jubilee! (18) at Bally’s Hotel appeared in the movie “Casino”: on this stage, the protagonist hosts his own television talk show, simultaneously entertaining the audience during the filming.
In the movie “21” (2008), the story of a group of mathematicians from the prestigious Harvard University is told. They work together and practice card counting to clean out blackjack tables every weekend with the lucky motto: “Winner, winner, chicken dinner!”
The group of colleagues, led by professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey), usually operates at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino (19), a hotel chain present in other parts of the world as well. Multiple sequences were filmed inside the casino, showcasing all the distinctive elements of the gaming floor.
Among the many other resorts that have appeared as film locations are: ARIA Resort & Casino (20), where the elderly friends in “Last Vegas” (2013) stay during their trip to the city of sin; MGM Grand Las Vegas (21), whose arena appears in “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) for a boxing match; Tropicana Resort & Casino (22), where the entrance is briefly seen in “The Godfather” (1972) moments before Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) presents “an offer he can’t refuse” to Moe Green to acquire his casino; Luxor Hotel (24), whose pyramid is seen behind the protagonist of “Showgirls” (1995), Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley), while she sits on a bench.
Lastly, in the area of the Strip, there is the Parking Lot (25) located at 93 East Mandalay Bay Road, where Mr. Chow, still in the hilarious “The Hangover” (2009), jumps out completely naked from the trunk of a car and surprises the three friends, repeatedly hitting them with a metal rod. Before fleeing on foot towards the city, the still unknown Asian man seeks revenge after being brutalized and humiliated the previous night.
Filming Locations Outside of Las Vegas
There are many points of interest surrounding the most popular city in the state of Nevada. “Somewhere outside Las Vegas,” for example, is the caption that appears in overlay during the opening shot of the comedy film “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997). The scenic view you can observe is that of the Valley of Fire (26). In this state park, known for its geological significance, the Doctor Evil (Mike Myers), the eternal nemesis of the film’s eponymous protagonist, dispenses justice to some of the deadliest assassins on the planet for failing to put an end to the life of the electrifying and vivacious British spy.
The Valley of Fire is characterized by its sandstone formations, which glow intensely in shades of red when illuminated by the sun. It can be conveniently reached from Las Vegas in less than an hour and, due to its strategic location, can also serve as an intermediate stop when traveling to or from Zion National Park.
Another natural desert and rock spectacle is the Red Rock Canyon (27), which appears in some sequences of the cult movie “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998). This national wonder, located just west of Sin City, can be reached in about half an hour.
Most visitors choose to explore the red rock canyons by taking the convenient Scenic Drive, which stops at many of the main points of interest. At the foothills of the national park sits the brand-new Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa (28), known for its modern style, exceptional mountain views, and immense swimming pool. In the movie “21” (2008), the characters enjoy moments of well-deserved leisure and relaxation at the Sandbar Pool, complete with comfortable loungers, personalized service, and a well-stocked bar.
In the legendary coming-of-age film “Into the Wild” (2007), written and directed by Sean Penn, Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch) fulfills his desperate need for freedom by hitting the road. In the early stages of his journey, his car is hit by a flash flood near Lake Mead (29). He abandons the car and sets up camp on the lakeshore.
In that location, Chris not only leaves behind his car but also changes his real name to Alexander Supertramp. The largest artificial reservoir in the United States is formed by the Hoover Dam (30), built along the Colorado River. This incredible concrete engineering marvel is primarily a massive hydroelectric power plant of vital importance to the vibrant and electrifying Las Vegas. With his faithful kayak, Chris also paddles along the crest of the dam before his ultimate destination in the wild lands of Alaska.
Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) and his friend and mobster Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), due to Nicky’s constant temperamental outbursts, are forced to meet secretly at the Idle Spurs Tavern (31), a dark and secluded dive bar in the desert south of Las Vegas. The tavern is located at 1650 Quartz Avenue in the remote town of Sandy Valley. They serve simple hamburgers and french fries 24 hours a day, but the location is worth a visit because it is truly “The best place rest your spurs!”
While traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to celebrate Doug’s (Justin Bartha) bachelor party, the four friends in “The Hangover” (2009) make a stop at the Chevron gas station (32), located at 1 Goodsprings Road in the town of Jean. Here, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) gratuitously insults an elderly passerby who only wanted to admire the guys’ vintage car.
“Got a lot of holes in the desert, and a lot of problems are buried in those holes. Except you gotta do it right. I mean, you gotta have the hole already dug before you show up with a package in the trunk. Otherwise you’re talkin’ about a half-hour or forty-five minutes of diggin’. And who knows who’s gonna be comin’ along in that time? Before you know it, you gotta dig a few more holes. You could be there all fuckin’ night”.
This is how Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) explains problem-solving in “Casino” (1995). And that’s why, when Nicky himself invites Ace to meet him alone at the Jean Dry Lake Beds (31), Ace doesn’t feel completely comfortable… The famous dried-up lake is often used to shoot the classic scenes where, in the desert just outside Las Vegas, murders, exchanges, and encounters take place.
