Tourist Attraction Maps coming

As you all know, I created the newest maps listed under the WoV Maps tab.

I thinking about creating similar maps featuring tourist attractions.

The types of attractions I will include are those where you can spend at least an hour looking at stuff, or doing things, without making purchases - aside from an admission fee. I.E. Where the goal of the facility is not to get you to purchase something. So, while some people can spend hours shopping, retail establishments are excluded.

My initial list are places I have been to, or are still on my list:

Hoover Dam
Neon Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Ethel M
Pinball Hall Of Fame
Springs Preserve
Erotic Herritage Museum
Gold & Silver Pawn
Spinetti's Gaming Supplies
Gamblers Superstore

I know the last three violate the retail exclusion, but if you've been to Gold & Silver, you know it's practically a museum too - complete with ropes and santions. And ya gotta include gambler's supply stores as a tourist attraction in Vegas!


I wanna add the Chuck Jones exhibit at Circus Circus, but am hesitant to include anything within a casino. I'd like your opinions on that. It's on my personal list, but there are a lot of other casino tourist traps that aren't. For example, I stayed at the Imperial Palace twice, but have yet to visit their antique car display (nor do I care to).

I have no intention on including the rides atop the Stratosphere. Or should I? What about the circus or amusements inside Circus Circus?

I include the Pinball Hall Of Fame because of it's self-described function as something of a museum even though I don't think it's possible to spend much time there without dropping a quarter - and all of the games are available for playing. On the flip side, despite being on my personal list, I exclude Insert Coins because it's more of a retail/bar establishment.

Is that a mistake? Should I include Insert Coins? If so, do I also include GameWorks, on the strip by MGM? What about the M&M store next door?

I can easily see this getting into a major debate about what to include and what to exclude.

It may come down to a space consideration.


I'd like your opinions, and suggestions on additional things to consider including.

There are plenty of attractions at casinos. The Strat rides, the CSI thing at MGM, the rollercoaster at NYNY, the conservatory and gallery at Bellagio, the amusement aprk at Circus Circus,...

On other things, the Mob museum opened a short time ago. And I think the Neon museum does give tours of the boneyard.

As for the Pinball Hall of Fame, the point is to go in to play the games. I can't imagine just looking at an old Haunted House triple level pinball and not wanting to play it. As I recall almost all the games cost a mere quarter, but some may ahve required two or three.

You're right. There are PLENTY of attractions in casinos. Too many, so they will PROBABLY be excluded. I'm still rattling it around.

Neon Museum DOES give tours of the boneyard. I took it a few years ago. Great tour. It's going to be included.

I can't imagine merely going to the Pinball Hall of Fame either, except that it bills itself as more of a museum than an arcade.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I can't imagine merely going to the Pinball Hall of Fame either, except that it bills itself as more of a museum than an arcade.

I'd buy it. A fully interactive museum. They do have some very old games, too. Alas, with little to no information on any of the, uh, "exhibits." I think even the mechanical change machine was of 70s vintage.

>I created the newest maps listed under the WoV Maps tab.
Thank you... please consider ending the washed out pastel look and making everything bigger and bolder so us ancient and doddering old codgers can see the darn map.

>Where the goal of the facility is not to get you to purchase something.
BAD. A map should show what exists and is therefore based on function not form.
If a shopping center is a mecca for strolling, it belongs on the list.
Lees Discount Liquor belongs on the list because although they are trying to sell you something it can take you half an hour to go through all the specials and samples. And a bookstore that is chock full of lectures and comfortable seats with chess sets and attractive young girls belongs on the map, whereas the bookstore with solely books does not.

>Erotic Heritage Museum
But not The Green Door and other very notable destinations for the Folsom Street Parade Crowd.

>but am hesitant to include anything within a casino.
So will exclude the Botanical Gardens, the Antique Car Museum, Art Galleries of note, Arcades quite similar to the pinball museum, etc. That is like reviewing a casino but not mentioning the Spa or the Pool. If hundreds of people are flocking to the Spas and Pools, then they should be on the map. Its not a map your your particular interests.... or it won't sell well.

>I have no intention on including the rides atop the Stratosphere.
The Strat is a far more visible and recognizable icon of Vegas than that darned sign is. And some people will indeed be looking for its rooftop catapualt. And alot of other things on the map will be reached by looking out the window for the Strat so as to orient the driver and his destination.
>What about the circus or amusements inside Circus Circus?
How many couples have to do serial gambling: you watch the brats while I go have some fun.... ALL those couples will be looking for places they can ditch the kids for awhile. And you don't think it should be on a tourist map? Tourists would be desperate for it.

>I exclude Insert Coins because it's more of a retail/bar establishment.
Its also a notable destination for residents as well as visitors. If hundreds of tourists flock to pools and nightclubs they should be on the darned map! If ten tourists go there, forget it.

>do I also include GameWorks, on the strip by MGM? What about the M&M store next door?
Didn't it close? Or was that in Seattle? Anyway decide by how big an attraction it is.

Make the Buildings large and contain text boxes... Distances between locations can be indicated but need not be to scale.
Tourist maps should show the major attractions but also the unique, different, down-scaled places that have shorter lines.

Flea -

I meant to mention it to the Wiz. There's something going on with the WoV maps causing them to appear rough / out of focus. This is both the little maps on the page with all three of them as well as the three large versions. This did NOT happen with the Laughlin map.

At any rate, you can download PDF versions from my own website: Vegas Maps

As far as "washed out pastel look" goes, is this specific logos? For the record: The original Tuscany logo looks blurry. The Palazo logo got reduced to the point where it almost disappears. The Gold Spike has a very light starburst by design. The stars above Fremont's name got reduced almost into oblivion. But the remainder should be OK. Any others that you have problems with?



Your arguments for shopping malls was working until you added bookstores and liquor stores. Those are never "tourist destinations", whereas, Fashion Show DOES try to create something unique and touristy.

On the other hand, you make a point about Insert Coins.

Personally, I want to include all the casino attractions, but where do I draw the line? I'm gonna rattle it around...

Maybe consider splitting the maps into three broad categories:

Free Stuff: Places to go and things to see that don't charge. These can be in casino's (million dollar display at Binion's, botanical display at Bellagio), or not, (Fremont Street Experience, Fountains at Bellagio, etc.) or not.

In Casino's: Things to see or do in/attached to casino's. Some may require admission charges, others might be free. The rides at the Strat, Binion's million, Art Gallery at the Bellagio, Ferrari's on display at the Ferrari store in the Wynn, Car museum at the IP, etc.

Out of the Casino: Things to see or do that do not require you to enter a casino. Some may require admission charges, others might be free. The fountains at Bellagio, Ethel M, World's Largest Souvenir Store, Hoover Dam would be examples.

OK. I've been working on this, on and off, for months.

Ultimately, a static map like the ones I did of Vegas that became the offical WoV maps, won't work here. Instead, I created an interactive Google Map of Las Vegas Tourist Attractions.

I took a lot of suggestions above. Frankly, I decided to include anything that seems even remotely touristy - things to see and/or do. As a result, Fashion Show Mall, because it really does perform fashion shows, is included. Anything associated with a casino is included, except for their headliner/major production shows. Long-term transient exhibits (such as The Bodies at Luxor and Chuck Jones at Circus Circus) are included while Circue de Soleil is not. The M&M store and Pinball Hall of Fame are included. Insert Coins and Gameworks are not.

As a rule, I excluded pools, spas, nightclubs and anything that doesn't have a website (or dedicated page on the casino's site for casino attractions).

What do you think of the result? Did I omit anything you feel should have been included?

Quote: Ayecarumba

Ferrari's on display at the Ferrari store in the Wynn...

This was left off because I couldn't find a website for it. While writing this reply, I looked for it. It's listed as an attraction on the Vegas.com site, with complete descriptions including admission fees, but I drew the line. If an attraction can't bother to have their own website, I'm not including it.

Of course, Vegas.com has suddenly become a resource for attractions. Any I deem appropriate, that have their own website, will be included. So look for updates in the next few days.

Gamblers bookstore might be a tourist destination, if its still in business.

Liquor Stores? Just talk to any limousine driver about how many airport pickups want a little side trip before going to their hotel?
The bleacher seat crowd brings plastic coolers when they check in. The upscale crowd uses the suite's refrigerator but they bring their own stock of good stuff from a nearby liquor store.

May I suggest large scale maps for the over forty crowd.

How about shooting ranges(indoor and outdoor). I know we go out and rent firearms and have a blast.

Quote: FleaStiff

May I suggest large scale maps for the over forty crowd.

You can zoom in and out, and use the browser's font controls.

Quote: FleaStiff

Gamblers bookstore might be a tourist destination, if its still in business.

Gamblers Book Club has been added. Was that the one you meant?

Quote: NickyDim

How about shooting ranges(indoor and outdoor). I know we go out and rent firearms and have a blast.

I added the Gun Store, Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearms Center, and Machine Gun Vegas. Any others?

Quote: DJTeddyBear

OK. I've been working on this, on and off, for months.

Ultimately, a static map like the ones I did of Vegas that became the offical WoV maps, won't work here. Instead, I created an interactive Google Map of Las Vegas Tourist Attractions.

I took a lot of suggestions above. Frankly, I decided to include anything that seems even remotely touristy - things to see and/or do. As a result, Fashion Show Mall, because it really does perform fashion shows, is included. Anything associated with a casino is included, except for their headliner/major production shows. Long-term transient exhibits (such as The Bodies at Luxor and Chuck Jones at Circus Circus) are included while Circue de Soleil is not. The M&M store and Pinball Hall of Fame are included. Insert Coins and Gameworks are not.

As a rule, I excluded pools, spas, nightclubs and anything that doesn't have a website (or dedicated page on the casino's site for casino attractions).

What do you think of the result? Did I omit anything you feel should have been included?


This was left off because I couldn't find a website for it. While writing this reply, I looked for it. It's listed as an attraction on the Vegas.com site, with complete descriptions including admission fees, but I drew the line. If an attraction can't bother to have their own website, I'm not including it.

Of course, Vegas.com has suddenly become a resource for attractions. Any I deem appropriate, that have their own website, will be included. So look for updates in the next few days.

Very cool DJTB! I agree with the exclusion of the Ferrari's at the Wynn.

I do have a few comments/suggestions:
-- The blue pins are a little hard to make out when the map is expanded. They don't stand out against the mostly green/black satellite images.
-- I did note a GameWorks reference on the list, even though it was specifically excluded.
-- Other suggestions: The new Mob museum in Downtown,
Rick's Restorations (featured on the History Channel show),
The Las Vegas Zoo,
the "Hand of Faith", and the shark tank at the Golden Nugget
The aquarium at the Silverton (this one is a stretch, because the link is to a live webcam of the tank.)

Well, I intended to remove GameWorks. But. What the hell. I'll leave it in.

As far as the blue coloring goes, I intended this to be used with the standard street map, not the satellite view.

I'll add those others.

Quote: Ayecarumba

The aquarium at the Silverton (this one is a stretch, because the link is to a live webcam of the tank.)

I found it.
Well, it's just a portion of a page on their site, but, I'll add Silverton's Aquarium.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Gamblers Book Club has been added. Was that the one you meant?


I added the Gun Store, Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearms Center, and Machine Gun Vegas. Any others?

Is shooting safaris still open?

Quote: NickyDim

Is shooting safaris still open?

I chose the Gun Store, Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearms Center, and Machine Gun Vegas because a Google search for "Las Vegas shooting range" produced those three in a group, at the top of the list.

As far as Shooting Safaris goes, they do have a website, http://www.shootingsafaris.com/ but the only hint of their location is a link to http://www.desertlakeshooting.com/ which turns out to be a dead link.

However, I sent them an email to ask.

I should think a Google map would be easy to update, perhaps even on a weekly basis.

I hear there's an Apple map that places NYNY right in Park Avenue, though ;)

Quote: DJTeddyBear

As far as Shooting Safaris goes, they do have a website, http://www.shootingsafaris.com/ but the only hint of their location is a link to http://www.desertlakeshooting.com/ which turns out to be a dead link.

I got a response from the qwner of Shooting Safaris:

Quote: Shooting Stars

Just a quick note as I am very busy today. My business is still operating but I need to update my website. I am now using the Clark County Shooting Park, 11357 Decatur. The very north dead end of Decatur... In fact they should be listed as they rent out guns to tourists on their ranges. There is a website for this county owned range. I am one of the user groups there. I will probably by early next year also be using the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club as well.
Thanks

So I'm adding it to the map, at the new address. I listed the Clark County Shooting Park too.