Having lived in the Vegas area for four years, from 1999-2002, revisited for Heidi's 50th birthday October of 2004, here are some great tips to make the most of your time there - I'll cover the Sights, Dining, Gaming, Shows, Hotels and Roller Coasters here. There is indeed a lot for families to do without any gaming involved, though kids will likely see the casinos when checking in, for instance, and during some of the touring of casinos - remember not to linger, as security guards WILL move you and your children along, as there are NO children allowed to remain in the casino area.

SIGHTS!

Welcome at the airport, and slightly oversized desert critters:

Our first stop in Las Vegas so we could take a picture of the Vegas sign...NOT a recommended stop at the Klondike.

 Fashion Show Plaza (Alien UFO looking saucer over the complex makes it easy to find):

Entrance to Little China shopping & restaurants on Spring Mountain Road is a worthwhile stop:

The Harley store on Las Vegas Blvd.  is quite a sight with the huge Harley "crashing" through the wall:

And even a Harley Chia-Pet outside to view:

*NOTE: On tipping waitresses in the casino - the norm is $ .50 per drink for soft drinks & water - order each time she comes around, remember you're in the desert! Then stay near the area till your drinks arrive.

*NOTE: Wear a good pair of walking shoes. If you park at one casino and do three casinos sightseeing in the immediate vicinity, you'll appreciate this tip. Even doing the Forum Shops in Caesar's is a mile or more to see it all.  DON'T try to walk from Treasure Island to the Stratosphere, for instance - it only LOOKS close, and there's a few seedy blocks you'll wish you never walked.  The walk from MGM to Bally's, across the street and back also LOOKS close but you'll walk over THREE MILES - believe me, we did it.

FIRST SUGGESTION:  DRIVE THE STRIP - from Old Town at the north, all the way to the Luxor at the south and back again!

Suggested combinations:

Fremont Street (park at Fitzgerald's & walk)

Rio Casino (it's by itself)

Hilton  "

Caesar's "

Stratosphere  "

Aladdin "

Mirage - Treasure Island (adjoining) - Venetian (across street)

Paris - Bellagio (walkway over LV Blvd.)

MGM Grand - New York New York (bridge between)

Mandalay Bay - Luxor (monorail between)

1. FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE - (see information below the pictures too)

Heidi in front of Binion's Horseshoe Casino there:

 here is what the canopy overhead looks like BEFORE the show begins, standing in the center, looking one way, then the other:

 Here is a "slide show" of one show we enjoyed in October 2004, some chose to lay on the floor and look up, it was tempting!

 A MUST! This is the OLD "strip". Go at dusk or dark to "Downtown" Las Vegas, (take 93 to Las Vegas Blvd., south to 4th Street, right into the Fitzgerald Casino/hotel, drop the car with a valet, walk half a block) to the NEON CANOPY ! Overhead shows every hour depending on the season, at least two different overhead shows. Stop in at the Indian store which is great; watch the Spray Paint artist on the sidewalk and other interesting activities, photo op at the Lady Luck Hotel for a pic next to the HUGE slot machine at the entrance. Watch for the $1 shrimp cocktails in Old Town if you need a "snack".  DON'T play the slots, no need to enter any casinos here, or eat downtown - better gaming & dining elsewhere! Make this a fun family experience!

Another opinion added, friend Frank recommends seeing the 

"Hand of Faith" gold nugget at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino:

 The largest on public display in the world, discovered using a metal detector six inches below the surface.  875 troy ounces, found in Australia by a man prospecting behind his modest trailer home.

Trekkies only! on the north end of "The Strip" of Las Vegas Blvd. has a great interactive Star Trek Experience Ride that is perfect for the Trekkie in your life. Visit the small but excellent Star Trek Museum right there near the ride which is part of the store, eat something light in the Quark Cafe (cool place!) and if you linger over a tall coffee you may just see one of the characters in costume walking thru for an impromptu visit! Another family fun adventure.

3. TREASURE ISLAND

Great free Pirate show right in front - just stand on the sidewalk - regular shows perhaps every hour!

Great volcanic eruption outside - seen from the sidewalk. Nice aquarium inside in the lobby (free). The white tigers can be viewed there even though there's no longer a Siegfried and Roy show, though we never investigated. I believe there's a charge.

5. VENETIAN

Great for a walk around the shops to look at the atmosphere they've created - artwork on the ceilings - very elegant place. Don't bother with the gondola ride - just enjoy the singing of the gondoliers somewhere along the line - they can be amusing. Nice photo ops on the bridges for wedding parties.

6. CAESAR'S

Great indoor architecture and sculptures throughout the Forum Shops! Also, the free Poseidon show at the end of the hallway near the Thrill Ride every half hour is worth watching. Check out the FAO Schwartz Toy Store!! DO NOT eat at the buffet at Caesar's.  Save your money and eat soup and bread at Spago's or Wolfgang Pucks instead.  Good IMAX theater too, to get off your feet.

7. MGM GRAND

EXCELLENT free lion habitat you "walk through" clear lucite tunnels and see handlers with the lions all around you. MUST SEE, even at night though the lions may be sleeping. Walk across to New York New York casino via the bridge across the street after this.

8. NEW YORK NEW YORK. (by day and by night)

Statue of Liberty with and without Heidi:

 Stroll the streets of New York and Central Park. Suggestion - get a loaf of ciabatta bread at the Italian bakery attached to the Italian restaurant (Il Fournais), get a bowl of chicken soup from the New York Deli, get gourmet coffee and cookies from the little bakery, sit on the "street" for "outdoor dining" and hear the roller coaster overhead, see the steam from the manhole covers. Fun and cheap eats! Also Coney Island rides and activities for the kids on the top floor, if you wish.

9. RIO 

GREAT free Mardi Gras show in the main casino - check for start times; they're about half hour long, worth taking the time to see. Show is on stage and all overhead - pure fun! Note the buffet is among the best too, around $15.95 - makes you wish you had 4 stomachs like a cow - you'll see what I mean.

10. PARIS

A renowned bakery on the ground floor if you opt out of the restaurant:

And a "bronze" rock star statue that is actually a live street performer right outside the bakery:

11. BELLAGIO

The fountain display (like no other!!) - stand close to the main Bellagio entrance for the full effect, if possible, watch two shows - they're every 15 minutes, should be different music for at least two shows. FREE. Then step inside and see the Dale Chihuly glass flower ceiling in the lobby - world renowned. Unless you're into expensive shopping or want to spend about $20 to see the Art Gallery, move on to:

 The black Pyramid - the light shooting from the top can be seen by the Shuttle in space. Great walk inside in a circle around the casino which is in the center of Egyptian motif, some nice artwork statues in the casino, interesting shops. Blue Man Group performs here (about $60 - sit at the back for best effect). Take the free shuttle across to Mandalay Bay after this, or vice versa.

13. MANDALAY BAY

Free shuttle to the Luxor - easy parking. If you're staying during hot season, the surf pool is cool. Main attraction here is the Shark Reef (around $15) which is pricey - we felt it was worth about $8 but if your kids love sharks, you may opt for it - and the buffet (especially the dessert table!) is very good.

The Aladdin has a fun shopping area to walk around for the Middle Eastern atmosphere if you've got the time; a great Oriental Chicken salad available in the cafe, large enough for two.

15.  Newest Casino:  Wynn's.

We have not visited it yet, we welcome information on it!

16.  Monte Carlo

Lovely Roman architecture walk outside, nothing special inside, our opinion only.

17.  Stardust

Famous for Wayne Newton's shows:

18.  Bally's

The tube entrance is the most interesting part, the casino is what you would expect inside.

1. Sahara Casino (NASCAR Cafe/store) (goes inside & out) great new roller coaster.

4. Top of Stratosphere - outside (*thumbs down) take the Hotshot instead, if you dare!  Been there, done that!

We've found the mega casinos on the Strip tend to be wound pretty tight on the slots, and ho-hum machines, though you may win big anywhere, anytime, of course. Don't bother getting the ID cards for points - it's only useful if you play every month and can trade in points for meals. Your cards would expire in three months anyway from non-play. Here's our top picks where locals go to win steadily and play on new choices of gaming machines every two weeks:

Hacienda sunrise outside hotel window: