Las Vegas is a glitzy, glamorous destination, and has been for more than seventy years. While many tourists visit the Nevadan city thanks to its outstanding casinos and entertainment shows, movie buffs will find that it provides much in the shape of cinema history. If you’re planning a trip to Sin City, then consider swinging by the following attractions; you’ll be walking through cinematic history.
The Tropicana: The Godfather, Viva Las Vegas, and Diamonds Are Forever
The Tropicana was one of Las Vegas’ original glamor hotels, though in the past few decades, it has fallen out of favor with visitors and will be demolished in late 2024 to make way for a new Oakland Athletics baseball stadium, which will open in 2028.
Movie historians still have a chance to visit the Tropicana site, which was featured in some of the biggest movies of the 1960s and 1970s. It was part of Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas, which helped to popularize Las Vegas as a tourist destination, as well in the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever — 007 even stayed in one of the rooms at the hotel.
It’s The Tropicana’s connection to the Godfather that is most iconic. It was used in both The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, though you won’t hear the name of the hotel in the second — due to legal issues, the writers had to change the name to The Tropigala, but it’s the same hotel.
The Bellagio: Ocean’s Eleven, Jason Bourne, and Lucky You
Even in an ocean of outstanding casino resorts, the Bellagio stands out from the crowd. This upscale establishment would be world-famous even without its movie connections, thanks to its stunning interior decor and the lavish water fountain show that takes place multiple times a day. It was the filming location for the remake of Ocean’s 11 starring an all-star cast that included George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts, as well as Jason Bourne and Lucky You, one of the world’s best poker-related movies.
You can freely visit the botanical gardens and art gallery, two of Ocean’s filming locations, while for the full Lucky You experience, consider playing at the Bellagio’s hallowed Poker Room. This part of the casino is more exclusive than others, so players intending to join a table should play online beforehand to ensure they’re familiar with how the game works. Look for websites that offer Texas hold’em poker, which is the preferred variant of the house, ideally a site that allows you to play against players of mixed ability, like what you’ll find at the Bellagio. Once you’ve finished playing, enjoy a world-class meal at Picasso, the on-site restaurant with more than $100 million dollars worth of the esteemed artist’s work.
Graceland Wedding Chapel: Fools Rush In and Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas
If you thought there was an Elvis connection to Graceland Wedding Chapel, then you’re correct — The King of Rock n Roll visited this chapel during the 1960s, granting them the right to use the name of his famous Memphis mansion.
This is a genuine wedding chapel in the Las Vegas style, attracting elopers and famous faces alike. Johnny Depp, Jon Bon Jovi, and Salma Hayek are just a few of the celebrities who have stood at the altar, either in real life or in movies. Hayek married ex-Friends cast member Matthew Perry there in Fools Rush In. It also featured in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is probably the best depiction of Las Vegas in the early 1970s.
Neon Museum: Mars Attacks!, Casino, and Last Vegas
Want to experience the bright lights of Las Vegas of yesteryear? Then swing by the Neon Museum, which is home to many of the iconic signs that used to adorn the Las Vegas strip decades ago. As well as being the resting place for now-defunct hotels and casinos, the museum has plenty of movie memorabilia, including an original hotel lobby used in Casino, as well as providing filming locations for classic movies Last Vegas and Mars Attacks!
