The Sphinx, the Solar Boat Museum, and many other mastaba (tombs) are located on the Plateau. The Plateau is a geographic feature that continues down to Memphis and Saqqara.
There are paved roads and modern lighting on the plateau, although it is the aim of the Antiquities Department to take all vehicular traffic away from the pyramids. By the time you get there, it may be a walk-on site, or have electric cars you can rent to drive around.
The best time of day to see the Pyramids is the early morning, just after sunrise.  There is a cool breeze off the desert and most of the other tourists are having breakfast.

The local villagers work at the Pyramids.  They sell postcards, trinkets and camel rides.  They run shops in the village which sell souvenirs and they work as guides to the sites.  They dress up in their colorful Arab finery and decorate their camels so that you can photograph them.  You must negotiate a fee for the photographs.  These fees are called baksheesh and are a type of commission.  New arrangements have moved the camels and horses off the area directly around the pyramids, and extensive excavation is taking place.

There is a spectacular evening light show.  Your hotel or guide will know how to book tickets for you. The weblinks page includes a link to the company that produces this show. The web site includes a schedule for the Pyramids show and other sound and light shows around the country. This is quite handy, as the shows alternate in language. So you will want to book for a night that you can understand the narrative!