Going to Vegas for the first time...?

And have NO IDEA where to stay or anything. It will be for my 21st birthday and me and my best friend will be going. We are both on a tight budget and so we're looking for good deals but at the same time somewhere that will be FUN. I don't want to get to Vegas and realize i'm a 1/2 hour away from the strip or something like that. I tried researching flight/hotel deals, but there are SO MANY options that i need some peoples opinions on where would be best. Remember it's going to be my 21st birthday so it needs to be a memorable one (even though i probably won't remember haha).

First, when you look for a hotel in Vegas consider this. All of the big hotels on the Strip are great. The most important things to consider are location, price, and in the summer you want to consider the hotel鈥檚 pool area. So, stay on the strip in the center of all of the hotel locations so that you can walk to see all of the hotels and casinos, and all of the free attractions. The best place to stay to do that is in one of the hotels on or nearest to Flamingo Rd & the Strip. At that corner is Caesars Palace, Bellagio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and the Paris hotels. I am not saying you need to stay in one of these but stay close to them. I do recommend the Flamingo and Monte Carlo hotels if you are looking for a good price, location and pool.

The next thing to consider in picking the BEST place is price. You didn't say when you are going but rates go down in the summer (and again after Thanksgiving, until about mid-January (except new years eve when prices double)). So pick a place that has the best price for you. Caesars, Wynn, The Venetian, and Bellagio will cost top dollar all of the time (like $150 and up) per night during the summer. The Flamingo, Ballys Monte Carlo, and some others you can get into for around $100 (but most times for less) during the low seasons. Its also more expensive in all Vegas hotels on Friday and Saturday nights by $40 to $60 more. So to get a lower rate plan to go to Vegas on Sunday and stay through Thursday night.

In the summer you probably want to spend some time at the pool areas, which in Vegas are fabulous. All of the big hotels have great pool areas. But the Mandalay Bay, and Monte Carlo hotels have a wave pool and a lazy river for tubing or body floating. Mandalay Bay has a sand beach wave pool. The MGM hotel has a huge lazy river and a water fall. The Flamingo has a water slide (not big but nice and refreshing) and also a water fall. The pools at Caesars and Bellagio are good because they have multiple pools and plenty of places to sit. Caesars even has a topless pool areas called the VENUS POOL.

I have stayed at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, MGM, Monte Carlo, Paris, Bellagio, Caesars, the Rio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and Harrahs. But the BEST place for me when I go is who has the best price. Again, all of the Strip hotels are great. So shop the web sites, look at the hotel rate calendars, and go when the price is the lowest instead of ON your birthday (go a few days or week later if the price is better). That's the best place to stay on the Strip.

You can probably get lower priced rooms at the Circus Circus, Sahara and Rivera on the north end of the Strip, the Tropicana on the south end, and also at the hotels on Fremont Street. The Tropicana is one of the older hotels that has not been renovated like many others. The other locations will place you a long way from the center of the strip action and you鈥檒l have to take a bus or taxi to Strip action. In addition, if you need to run to the room for a little R&R, it鈥檚 a long ways.

You don't need a car in Vegas because you can walk to everything, especially if you stay in the center of things. If you do get a rental car (or drive there) parking at all of the hotels is free, even the valet parking. If you can't find a package for when you want to go, just book your air and hotel separately. Some airline web sites also offer air and hotel packages.

I stayed at Bally's for relatively cheap. It's right on the strip, has pretty good shows and casino, but you'll probably be visiting all the different casinos anyway. The room was modest but clean, but most people spend very little time in their room in Vegas anyway. Also be sure to take a cab ride downtown to the "old casinos", the lit up streets that you always see in movies. It's a good part of the Vegas experience, cheap tables there, and people tend to loosen up more there.

You will never be bored in Las Vegas. Not only is it affordable, and very luxurious but full of activities. You don't have to gamble or have a lot of money to have a great time.
Here is a list of free attractions
http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/free-attr...
Remember to see the Bellagio fountains and Fremont street at night.
Here is another list of more attractions
http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/lasvegas-...
Tips: Book your flight on time. Checkout southwest airlines vacation, United airlines vacation, priceline.com, travelocity and http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/special.h... for deals and promo codes.
All I can say is Vegas Baby!! - Happy B-Day

My opinion since I've been to Las Vegas. Is stay at the Tropicana. You must go see Treasure Island Show its free. You must also go see the Vanishian Hotel some of the most awesome paintings on the ceiling and living statues. Also check out MGM the rain forest Cafe. If you need more just explore. That makes it even better.

Circus Circus it's like $45 a night and it get's more cheaper during Sunday and very closed to Vegas Strip. It's not the hotel that matters it's the show your going to watch.

Other members have done a great job of answering your questions, so I will just add this. Make sure your picture ID (probably your driver's license) is current before you go. Our son left NY without renewing his license. It expired on his 21st birthday (the day after he arrived). Although bartenders allowed him to buy drinks, casino security would not allow him to play.

Renew your license before you come!

Enjoy.

I know you said you are on a budget, but I would HIGHLY recommend the Palms. Lots of young people (and plenty of hot boys), a great pool, fun clubs, and a quick cab or shuttle ride over the bridge to the center of the Strip. Start saving up now and splurge a little on a room there. You only have one 21st birthday!