2. FIND A PLACE TO STAY

If you plan to spend your whole trip wandering doggedly from blackjack table to blackjack table, skip this section. However, if you're not insane, you'll need a place to sleep. Luckily, the Land of Hospitality boasts some of the most mind-boggling, jaw-dropping hotels in the world. When you read about them here, they may sound cheesy - but they're not. These hotels are cities within themselves (each one is about a block long) and just plain awesome. And what's more is that they offer surprisingly reasonable rates. (This is because they'll suck you dry in their casino.)

The first thing you have to learn is that there is one stretch of road that houses virtually every main hotel/casino in Vegas. This stretch is appropriately called "The Strip." Whenever people speak of "The Strip," they are referring to Las Vegas Boulevard. All of the action is here, and you can easily walk to any casino. The lesson: If this is your maiden voyage to Vegas, you'll definitely want to stay in a hotel on the Strip. Unless you'd rather walk miles in 110°F heat. Check out this map of the Strip:

Obviously, we can't describe all of the hotels, but we'll give you a rundown on the different levels of luxury. By the way, you'll notice that virtually every hotel is "themed." We don't know who started the theming war, but it will at least make the casino workers' costumes interesting to look at.

Upper level
Lower level

Upper level

These hotels are visually stunning and offer immense activities. And while the rooms aren't the cheapest, only in Vegas could you find accommodations like these at such reasonable prices. Many of the rooms in these hotels aren't merely big; they're downright Louis-the-XIV opulent.

  • Mirage Resorts: This conglomerate offers three incredible hotels on the Strip:

    • The Bellagio, which houses a world-renowned art gallery, including Picassos.
    • The Mirage, with its white tiger magic show and full-blown aquarium.
    • Treasure Island, with a huge video game arcade for the kiddies and an animatronic pirate show out front.
  • Caesar's Palace: Dubbed an architectural wonder, this is the Roman Age of Opulence in full glory. Don't forget your toga.

  • New York, New York: A see-it-to-believe-it recreation of New York City, inside and out. It also has the Manhattan Express roller coaster that zips around the skyline faster than the 2/3 subway.

  • Wynn Las Vegas: Built on the land fomerly held by the Desert Inn (see above map), the Wynn is the new hot spot in Sin City along with the Palms. In the lobby you may run into a celebutante or two…or three.

  • MGM Grand:The biggest mamma of 'em all. It's the largest hotel, with about 5,000 rooms, and a huge casino. It also has five separate pools, and a flowing river to glide down.
  • Palms: And a new one made popular by MTV's Real World is the Palms. A must see.

So how much coin are ya gonna shell out to stay at places like this? The range is wide, because special offers are always going on.

Lower level

For the more frugal, Las Vegas still has you covered. Besides, it doesn't really matter too much where you stay (as long as you're on the Strip), because you can always visit any hotel to see the attractions. That's Vegas - the City of Generosity. Ha!

  • Barbary Coast: This quaint hotel/casino is located in the middle of the Strip. No attractions like tap-dancing albino gorillas, just good old rooms, simple restaurants, and, of course, a casino.

  • Imperial Palace: Known as the "best deal on the Strip." Centrally located, it offers a large casino, classy restaurants, an antique car show, and live show featuring celebrity impersonators, all at an extremely reasonable price. If you want to stay away from the ultra-glitzy, but still want a nice hotel, this is your best bet.

These hotels sometimes offer great deals for weekdays, such as rooms for $30 per night, but it's usually about $50 per night, and the weekends will run you about $80-$120 per night.

Amazingly, this is only scratching the surface of the Las Vegas hotel scene. For a rundown of every hotel both on and off the Strip, check out this site. To reserve your room (and you should definitely do this well in advance), either call the toll-free number, or book a room online.

Some other hotels on the strip:

Mandalay Bay
Luxor
Excalibur
Aladdin
Tropicana
Monte Carlo
Bally's
The Flamingo Hilton
The Venetian
Circus Circus