I have some unexpected time off and am thinking of going to Las Vegas later this month. It's been forever since I've been to Vegas, probably 20+ years.

Can anybody offer tips, tricks, suggestions for a week long stay in Las Vegas?

Should I try to work out my own best deals going from hotel site to site, use an online Hotel finder or use a travel agent?

What about a car? Has Vegas developed enough between the strip and downtown to be able to get around without messing with a rental car? It would be leisurely and I would have no schedule, times to be anywhere, etc.

I know air fares are pretty low right now, I can go Southwest for $220 round trip. I'm mostly wondering about the car thing and hotel suggestions, whatever.

I'm all ears as to anything you have to offer. Thanks in advance!

I used to use the MLT vacation packages quite a bit but havnt been in 5 yrs or so. I usually got the hotel/air all for anywhere from $230 and up which usually included a hotel{downtown} for 5 days 4 nights.
Last time i checked some downtown hotels were going for around 35 bucks a night.
A week long stay can be quite lengthy depending on your bankroll/luck.
I mixed in a fair amount of sightseeing with heavy amounts of timesinks at the blackjack table.
Never venture out of downtown vegas by foot,especially north vegas and im sure its the same for some areas around the strip/bewteen strip/DT.

I took a trip there with my family in November. We stayed at the Aria (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91925-Reviews-ARIA_Resort_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html). Wonderful hotel and the staff is amazing. Quite pricey but we got a bundle deal (flight+hotel) so it wasn't that bad. I would not recommend a rental car unless you plan on leaving the strip during your stay. We rented a car during our last day there because we drove to the Grand Canyon, but other than that we just walked or took a bus everywhere.

Stay on the Strip. Even if the area between downtown and the Strip was nice (which it isn't), it is too far to walk. However, here is the most important tip I can offer to anyone. Do not, I repeat, do not gamble after 6PM. Gamble during the day and use your nights for site-seeing, taking in shows, eating, and drinking. If you must gamble after 6PM do sports betting or Keno - note, no one in the history of the world has ever won the Keno jackpot (20 out of 20) so only play 2 and 3 spot tickets.

As for hotels, my wife stays at the Venetian but I would check a travel agent. Last time I was there I stayed at the Luxor and it was starting to be a little run-down. We tried staying at Excalibur one time but the red wallpaper was so bright we could see it through our eyelids (no joke - couldn't sleep) so we checked out. If you want to play roulette on the cheap try Bill's Gambling Hall (all those big fancy hotels were built by people losing). Bill's isn't big or fancy.

I go to Vegas about once a year, give or take. I missed last year but will go in May.

Decide what your "goal" is - sightsee, gamble, shows or shop. The strip is horrible for low-stakes gambling - blackjack average $25 a hand for the day time, higher at night. 6:5 odds make it distinct house advantage. Slots are tight.

Forget the old Vegas of cheap buffets and shows - everything has it's own cost center and nothing is free. The cheap and fun casinos such as O'Shea's and Bills are gone and construction is in full swing for more expensive shopping and restaurants.

Shows are not cheap either, unless you want to stand in line for same day half-price tickets. We were able to get Blue Man group for $45 a piece, but that was during a slow period in January. Expect the Cirque-like shows to go for around $200 each, for so-so seats.

Strip shopping can be pricey, but you can find bargains at some of the outlet malls not far off-strip. Downtown shopping is better for souvenirs or t-shirts. If you're looking for super expensive, the LV Strip is the place.

Restaurants are plentiful and at all price points. If you're a fan of AYCE buffets, you can buy a 24 hour pass at some casinos for a reasonable price. They hold you to the 24 hours - so plan your schedule carefully. Fast food is available at various food courts, but you've got to look for it.

If you can handle bumper-to-bumper traffic with slow movement, rent a car. Otherwise, use the mass tran options such as bus or rail. Cabbies should be told to take the short route behind the strip - cuts time and cost. If you want to tour Hoover Dam or go off-strip, renting a car for the day is usually fairly cheap at the big hotel casinos.

Cheaper gambling can be found DT or way away from Strip. Check the website "CheapoVegas" for some places to gamble where the locals do.

Steer clear of Circus Circus or Excaliber, unless you're a fan of hordes of children roaming free. Don't get me wrong - I love children, but people who take their small kids to Vegas don't get Vegas. Despite advertising campaigns in recent past, Vegas is not for kids. You can't walk down the strip without the "slappers" giving out adverts for prostitutes and seedy shows.

We usually stay at Flamingo, because it's mid-strip and fairly reasonable. The $20 trick works well for an upgrade. DT - Golden Nugget is only place I'd stay. Other casino hotels DT are icky. If you want a really nice suite on Strip, Vdara is beautiful, all-suite, no gambling hotel in City Center. The downside is that it's a long walk to the strip, even though it looks close. If you don't mind a clean, safe and indoor long walk, Vdara or Aria good bet at mid-price range. Rates during week are really good, especially now. We got a suite in early March at Vdara for $120 and it was, by far, the best room experience ever. If you aren't planning on spending a lot of time in room, stick to cheaper. Lots of websites give reviews of LV casino hotels.

Hope this helps some. Feel free to PM me for other questions. Although I've cut way back on gambling in past few years, I still love to people-watch in Las Vegas!

Stay on the Strip. Even if the area between downtown and the Strip was nice (which it isn't), it is too far to walk. However, here is the most important tip I can offer to anyone. Do not, I repeat, do not gamble after 6PM. Gamble during the day and use your nights for site-seeing, taking in shows, eating, and drinking. If you must gamble after 6PM do sports betting or Keno - note, no one in the history of the world has ever won the Keno jackpot (20 out of 20) so only play 2 and 3 spot tickets.

As for hotels, my wife stays at the Venetian but I would check a travel agent. Last time I was there I stayed at the Luxor and it was starting to be a little run-down. We tried staying at Excalibur one time but the red wallpaper was so bright we could see it through our eyelids (no joke - couldn't sleep) so we checked out. If you want to play roulette on the cheap try Bill's Gambling Hall (all those big fancy hotels were built by people losing). Bill's isn't big or fancy.

Bills is closing for renovation on February 10. It will be closed for about a year but is supposed to come back as a destination (read - expensive) hotel in 2014. That and O'Sheas were the only places to gamble with $5 tables.

Bills is closing for renovation on February 10. It will be closed for about a year but is supposed to come back as a destination (read - expensive) hotel in 2014. That and O'Sheas were the only places to gamble with $5 tables.

O'Sheas and Bill's is where I spent all my time. I just like the excitement of playing roulette so $50 would last me all day and I always came out a few bucks up. You are right about the food costs though, inexpensive is no longer on the menu unless you eat fastfood.

If Zookeeper isn't set on Vegas then Reno is a good second choice. Better scenery, cheaper gambling, better food prices, and competitive hotel rates. Although a week might push it for things to do in Reno unless you split your trip up and spend 2/3 days in Tahoe (ski season so rates will be up).

3rd Choice - Paradise Island Bahamas (Atlantis) has been offering special deals ($300 flight credit would make round trip flight OKC to Nassau $170). Check their website for airfare credit deal.

Atlantis Paradise Island Resort | Caribbean Bahamas Vacations (http://www.atlantis.com/default.aspx)

I took a trip there with my family in November. We stayed at the Aria (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91925-Reviews-ARIA_Resort_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html). Wonderful hotel and the staff is amazing. Quite pricey but we got a bundle deal (flight+hotel) so it wasn't that bad. I would not recommend a rental car unless you plan on leaving the strip during your stay. We rented a car during our last day there because we drove to the Grand Canyon, but other than that we just walked or took a bus everywhere.

To add to this, the only gambling we did was away from the strip in Red Rock. We actually did pretty good!

If you want to lose money, gamble on the strip. If you want to maybe win something, don't gamble on the strip. Just sayin!

I went a couple of summers back, but I've been several times prior. The only thing that we did that was GREAT, was drive a Lambroghini Galardo (540 hp) at Exotics Race Cars out at the speedway. Kind of pricey, $300 for 5 laps. The total experience was about 2 hours which includes class instruction. I took that car into a 90 degree turn full throttle at 92 MPH.......now that was worth going to Vegas for.

You'd need a car to get to the speedway.

Go to the Las Vegas forum on TripAdvisor.com. There are tons of people who post on that board and they have lots of good tips.