With its seemingly endless list of things to see, play and do, most visitors to Las Vegas do not even consider movies to be an option. Film buffs in Las Vegas see the city differently than most: as a cornucopia of historical spots where films were shot over the years. This is amplified for fans of casino and mob movies, which have been shot almost en masse in this city of lights and casinos. When the sightseeing is done, Las Vegas also offers options to see films on a big screen on the cheap.

Circus Circus
2880 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 734-0410
circuscircus.com

For film buffs who want to catch a glimpse of one of the most recognizable filming locations in Las Vegas, Circus Circus is a must-see stop. The midway appeared in the James Bond movie, “Diamonds are Forever,” and an exterior shot appears in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” To the dismay of many Hunter S. Thompson fans, the iconic merry-go-round bar at Circus Circus that garnered a spot in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” has closed. Some may gain comfort from the fact that this was not the bar that actually appeared in the film, as Circus Circus did not give permission to film there.

Related: Best Museums In Las Vegas

Riviera Hotel and Casino
2901 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(855) 468-6748
rivierahotel.com

Since Las Vegas is a popular and exciting location to shoot movies, some hotels have turned up in multiple films over the years. Also a location appearing in the aforementioned “Austin Powers” and “Diamonds are Forever,” Riviera Hotel and Casino has been seen in Martin Scorsese’s “Casino,” the 1960 “Ocean’s 11″ and the campy 90′s dancer-drama classic “Showgirls.” The outside of the Riviera Hotel and Casino is a highly recognizable spot for sightseeing film geeks.

Tropicana Las Vegas
3801 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 739-2222
troplv.com‎

Throngs of film fans who loved “The Godfather” franchise should recognize the Tropicana in Las Vegas as Michael Corleone’s Las Vegas casino business and the location where many of the Las Vegas scenes in the movie were filmed. Both the inside and outside of this hotel were used extensively in the first “The Godfather” movie, but it was only referenced and not shown in the final versions of the second and third films of the franchise.

The Neon Museum Boneyard
810 Las Vegas Blvd N
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 387-6366
neonmuseum.org

Appearing briefly as background in a number of films including “Mars Attacks,” the Neon Museum Boneyard is essentially where Las Vegas neon signs are put out to pasture. Visitors can make reservations for tours of the Neon Boneyard, which is not open to the public aside from the guided tours. The minimum per-person donation for a trip through the Boneyard with a camera in hand is $15. Tours fill up and sell out quickly, so getting a spot reserved early is essential.

Regency Tropicana Cinemas
3330 E Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(702) 438-3456
regencymovies.com‎

Whether you missed a film in theaters that you were aching to see or just want to catch a cheap flick at a real movie theater, Tropicana Cinemas is the most affordable place in town to watch movies on a really big screen. This theater usually features new movies that have not yet been released on DVD, as well as special late-night showings of classic and cult films. All in all, a movie date night including a pile of snacks will likely run under $20 total at this theater, leaving plenty of money left over for dinner and an extended night out on the town in Las Vegas.