Speed Photo Tour

The Speed Tour (Photo-op Tour)
These guys want the crash course in all things Las Vegas. With not much time to spare, they are looking to hit all the tourist hot spots (read: The Strip in all its glory) and have some genuine Vegas knowledge for their return home to those not lucky enough to spend the holidays in the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

We divided this page into checklists for you to use as a resource, or provide to your guests should their tour be self-guided. Remember to mix and match based on interests!

The Ultimate Tourist Photo Tour

• Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, 5200 S. Las Vegas Blvd
  If you haven’t been in a while, a new parking lot makes access a whole lot easier and less dangerous.
• Fountains and the Bellagio, 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  Check online for schedule and music.  Show starts every hour between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Fall of Atlantis at Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  See statues come to life in pure Las Vegas style. Shows begin every hour on the hour Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday until midnight.
• Volcano at the Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  Shows begin at 7 p.m. and run every hour until 11 p.m. nightly.
• Top of the World Restaurant at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower, 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• The Fremont Street Experience, 425 Freemont St.
• Binions Million Dollar Photo, 128 Fremont St.

Vegas Movies and TV Photo Tour

• Circus Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) 
• Riviera, 2901 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Casino, Ocean’s 11, Showgirls, Austin Powers)
• Tropicana, 3801 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (The Godfather)
• Bellagio, 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Ocean’s 11 and The Hangover)
• Caesar’s Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd (Rainman)
• The Little Church of the West, 4617 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Viva Las Vegas)
• Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, 713 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (Pawn Stars)
• Rick’s Restoration, 1112 S. Commerce St. (American Restoration) 

Vegas “Around the World”  and Biggest/Best Photo Tour

• Pyramid and Sphinx at the Luxor, 3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• New York Skyline at New York, New York, 3790 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, 3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 
• Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel, 3377 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• World’s Biggest Gift Store, 2440 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• Hand of Faith at the Golden Nugget, 129 E. Freemont St.
• Vegas Vic at Freemont Street Experience, 425 Freemont St.
• Hoover Dam

The Star Strucks

Star Strucks

They’re young, they’re fun and they are looking for the best time “Vegas” has to offer them. While you might not necessarily be able to keep up the whole time they are visiting, use this itinerary to point them in the direction of the best culture, food and downtown excitement they could imagine. (P.S. We make the assumption that this group is staying downtown or on The Strip and might possibly be on a budget.)

Noon
Yes, noon. Chances are this crew barely made it off the plane before hitting the town and they spent at least an hour this morning getting up and around, recounting the tales of last night’s adventure. Send them for some hair-of-the-dog and a yummy, greasy brunch at the iconic Peppermill Las Vegas, 2985 S. Las Vegas Blvd. You can’t beat awesome Bloody Marys priced right.  

2 p.m.
Culture, history and art do not have to be a stuffy. Once their bellies are full, a trip to the Neon Museum, 770 Las Vegas Blvd. ($18 at www.neonmuseum.org), is culture made fun. For the video gamer, the Pinball Hall of Fame, 1610 E. Tropicana (Free admission at www.pinballmuseum.org), is 10,000 feet of heaven. They can fuel up and get an artistic fix at the Emergency Arts Building, 520 Fremont St, which is also a coffee shop. For a wholly different experience, send them on the Deuce. It’s cheap ($8 for 24 hours at www.rtcsnv.com), and hits all the major stops for a unique way to tour the city.   

6 p.m.
We’ll bet this group has been planning dinner all day, and your tour guide skills will not disappoint. If they want to stay in the vicinity of downtown, Bar + Bistro @ The Arts Factory, 107 E Charleston Blvd #155, offers up killer tapas. For noodles, Le Thai, 523 E. Fremont St., is the spot although you should warn them to get there a little before the dinner rush lest HAVING to grab a drink at Commonwealth next door while they wait for a seat.   

8 pm.
After dinner let the good times roll. Oh, last night you “hit” The Strip? Of course you did. “Well, tonight, how about checking out Fremont East District?” you’ll say. The new hotspot for the young and trendy in Las Vegas, this suggestion will earn you immediate cool points. For live music and cocktails suggest The Griffin or Don’t Tell Mama, both on Fremont Street. For some serious “frat house” fun, point them straight to Gold Spike,  217 Las Vegas Blvd. Wherever they end up in this area, it’s sure to be a great time. 

11 a.m.
Aaaand, we’re back to brunch. This time, instead of a throwback like the Peppermill, shake things up by proposing a PJ party at Simon Restaurant & Lounge in The Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd. The chicken and waffles will help dramatically in the recovery process, and they will toast to you with their mimosas for a purely successful Vegas holiday. 

The Young Family

The Young Family
If you have kids, you’ve been here. For the most part they are looking for things they can do in town with the whole family; however, they probably won’t need much coaxing to enjoy an adult night out at least once during this weekend.  Heeeere you come to save the day.

8 a.m.
Growing kids (and tired adults) need a good, hearty breakfast before starting off the day. With five locations across Southern Nevada, you can’t go wrong taking your guests to Egg Works or The Egg & I (www.theeggworks.com) to get your morning going. Huge portions, fast and friendly service and crayons for the kids are a plus. Visit to find the location closest to you. 

10 a.m.
If the nieces and nephews are a little older and, like most children, fascinated by crime scenes and whodunit games, The CSI Experience in the MGM Grand is the place to go (reserve in advance at http://lasvegas.csiexhibit.com). Is this your wild younger sister whose kid has a Mohawk? Then KISS by Monster Mini Golf (http://monsterminigolf.com/kiss), is the place for you. The sweet spot for just about everyone is the Lion Habitat Ranch (www.thecathouse.us) where the king of beasts will entertain even the most restless of kids (and adults).

1 p.m.
When in Rome. Even though we have a hard time being “tourists,” that doesn’t mean our holiday company isn’t down for a little cheesy Las Vegas style. That’s where the Rainforest Café in the MGM Grand comes in. Since you showed them a locals place for breakfast there’s no better, over the top complement. If you opt for The CSI Experience beforehand it’s convenient, too. The atmosphere is fun and different and will keep the kids distracted enough for you to gear up for Part II.    

2:30 p.m.
Vegas is known for being hot, right? Let’s show your visitors and their kids that we’re creative, and if we can’t really have a white winter we’re sure going to manufacture one. The Ice Rink at the Boulevard Pool in The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas opens November 22 and is popular for creating the “winter” vibe we love so much. At $15 ($10 for locals) it’s the prime place to bring the kids for a fun, energy-expending afternoon. S’mores and firepit? Check.

6 p.m.
This is the opportunity for you to be the world’s best family member. Offer to watch the kids and send mom and dad out for a romantic dinner on their own. Off The Strip try for Marche Bacchus, 2620 Regatta Drive, or Hank’s Fine Steaks in the Green Valley Ranch, 2300 Paseo Verde Dr., in Green Valley. On The Strip we love Mon Ami Gabi, 3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd., if you can sit on the patio. They won’t be able to thank you enough. As for you, why not take the youngsters to Glittering Lights (www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com)?  

The Outdoorsy/Active Types

The Outdoorsy/Active Types
These guys (and ladies) like to have good time, but not before getting their sweat on, enjoying quality time in the Great Outdoors or having some kind of risky undertaking to get their blood moving. Luckily our town is quite adept in risk taking and over-the-top adventures. You may even experience something new for yourself!

8 a.m. 
Rise and shine it’s fresh air time. Two options less than an hour drive from town are the Red Rock Canyon Morning Horseback Ride ($119 at www.allvegastours.com) which includes breakfast and gorgeous views, or Huevos Rancheros and a Bloody Mary (bacon please!) at The Coffee Cup (www.worldfamouscoffeecup.com) in Boulder City followed by an invigorating zipline tour of Bootleg Canyon ($159 at www.flightlinezbootleg.com). Neither will disappoint.

1:30 p.m.
Head back into town to show your visitors The Strip is more than “Maltese Fortune” slot machines for sissies. The Stratosphere rides ($23-$34 at www.stratospherehotel.com) will get anyone’s heart pounding and if you’re really the crazy kind, spend the extra $110 on the new SkyJump™. Still not enough? Take a dip in the Shark-Reef at the Mandalay Bay (www.mandalaybay.com). At a whopping $650 per diver this one calls for advance planning…but hey…some only come here once, right? 

4 p.m.
Ok, they’ve earned their stripes and obviously want to buy you a beer for being the “Best. Tour Guide. Ever.” Not just any beer, though. Let them experience hometown brews at one of our local breweries. We like Big Dog’s Draft House, 4543 N. Rancho Drive (5 tasters for $6 at www.bigdogsbrews.com); Tenaya Creek Brewery, ($1 per 4 oz. taster at www.tenayacreek.com ); Triple 7 in Main Street Station, (5 tasters for $3.95 at www.mainstreetcasino.com) or Barley’s Casino & Brew Pub, (4 tasters for $3.99 at https://wildfire.sclv.com/Barleys.aspx). 

6:30 p.m.
Now’s time to show them the best restaurant in your neck of the woods, so they don’t go home telling people you live in a hotel. Honey Salt’s (1031 S Rampart Blvd) farm-to-table chic is a great fit for this granola group and has many options as well as a kid’s menu (www.honeysalt.com). The fresh ingredients and authentic feel of the new Novecento Pizzeria (expanded to 9460 S. Eastern Ave., www.novecentopizza.com), is sure to be a hit if you live in Green Valley. If they just HAVE to eat on The Strip, Sage at Aria should do the trick (3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd, www.arialasvegas.com).  

8:30 p.m.
What’s Vegas without a little fun out on the town? Let’s show them the honkey tonk side of Vegas they probably didn’t know existed. For dancing, you can’t go wrong with Stoney’s Rockin’ Country in Town Square (www.stoneysrockincountry.com). Live music and buckin’ broncos (read: mechanical bulls) also abound at Coyote Ugly in the New York, New York ( www.coyoteuglysaloon.com/vegas) or Gilley’s in the Treasure Island (www.gilleyslasvegas.com).