One thing to remember is Vegas is just like any other major tourist city. I've been visiting Vegas a couple times a year for nearly 20 years and I've never been a victim of a crime, but that doesn't mean I assume it can't happen.

No need to be terrified of anything happening, but no reason not to be smart. Keep your personal affects close to the vest (especially when outside), be aware of your surroundings, be aware of traffic when crossing the street at ground level (there are pedestrian bridges at some corners that you can use to avoid the traffic), ignore strangers on the Strip that try to hand you/sell you something (though nothing wrong with being friendly to fellow tourists), and utilize the hotel room safe (though don't leave anything behind).

Also, keep in mind that Vegas is a service industry town that runs on tips. You can decide for yourself what constitutes a proper tip, but a couple bucks here and there will be appreciated by the hotel staff.

As for what to see/do, a walkthrough of the Bellagio hotel is an absolute must for a first time visitor. A beautiful property and the atrium display is always impressive and worth spending time appreciating the time spent to put it together. From Bellagio, you can walk to Aria and Park MGM without having to go out on the Strip, which is nice to spend some time away from the heat (even in September in can get into the 90s and low 100s). Note that Park MGM is a smoke free property which is nice if you want to spend a little time there. Park MGM has a nice little breakfast/lunch/brunch spot called Primrose, and they also have an Eataly and some other nice restaurants on property.

Enjoy your time in Vegas!

For those that have seen O at the Bellagio, would you recommend or avoid seats close to the stage? Is this better enjoyed from a higher or further back vantage point?

Even if you are planning on renting a car, it is worth getting one for a day somewhere on the Strip and going to Hoover Dam if gambling is not your thing.
We enjoyed the Neon Museum. You can watch the Bellagio fountains for hours. You can really just go from new Mega property to new mega property and look at all the free things they have - the Atrium at the Bellagio, the Forum Shops, the shopping at The Venetian, outside the Aria, The Linq. There is plenty to do and see if you don't drink or gamble.
Just remember, even though all the properties look close together, they are often 15 minute walks between them.

Someonei know mentioned the deuce as a way to get about, is that a bad idea?

No, not a bad idea. If you have a specific destination in mind it works well. There is also the elevated train. I forget what it is called. All that said, walking is your best bet, unless you are trying to go from one end to the other, or go to freemont street.

I try to go on the cheap in Vegas. The deuce certainly fits that bill. While the busses are generally decent, you can find a variety of people on there. As mentioned, there is an elevated tram that costs $15.00 per day. That is a decent option if you are close to one of the stops. It does not go alll the way to downtown, but covers quite a few spots on the strip. The last entry spot on the tram is the MGM grand and it goes at least one stop past the Westgate. The westgate has a good sports book and is reasonably close to downtown and is a good uber pickup spot.

The deuce that you mentioned goes all the way to downtown, but will make many stops along the way in both directions.

There is a complimentary tram that runs from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay with a stop at the Luxor, and another that runs to the north on that same side, but I do not know the stops on that one. Generally, we do a lot of walking between Ceasars and MGM Grand and use the uber for outlier trips that the tram does not cover.

My wife and I took a similar trip over the Memorial Day Weekend. We enjoyed dinner at Beauty and Essex in the Cosmopolitan and second Din Tai Fung in Aria. We stayed at Park MGM and appreciated it being a no-smoking venue. I would definitely see a Cirque show. We used the Aria tram to make our way to the Bellagio and walked to Caesars then made our way down the Strip back to Park MGM. Bellagio is worth a visit inside as well as the fountains. The next day we used the LV tram @ MGM Grand on the other side of the strip. We made our way to the Wynn and walked back. Don't waste your time or money at the wax museum. I wouldn't go to the Sphere unless you go to the sphere experience or a show. It is a long walk to just look at it. We enjoyed the pastries at Dominique Ansel in Caesars. We saw concerts at Dolby Live and Planet Hollywood both were good venues.

If you're not going to be gambling, I think the novelty of the Strip ends after a day, maybe 2.

Second the recommendation for Absinthe - it's a fantastic (but R rated, if that matters to you, for theme/language) show.

The Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris is excellent. They also have a Nobu, which I haven't been to yet, but we've been to the one here in Phoenix, and it's also great.. Sat at a table next to Phillies SS Trea Turner last time we were there.

Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam are both worth visits.

+1 for the Mob Museum and the Pinball Hall of Fame. Caesar's Forum shops are a fun walk as well.

And you need to get a picture in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Pay one of the guys hanging out there $5 to take pictures for you.

No happy hour at Bardot brasserie and it smells like weed everywhere.

We've got the U2 thing at the sphere Sunday and are going to ride the rollercoaster at NY,NY tomorrow. Gonna see about a show tonight after a burger at Beer Park. Not really picky. Going to the tix4less kiosk.

Oh and the UFC fight is at sphere tomorrow night and there's a big boxing match as well tomorrow plus Mexican something or other going on so I'm expecting a rowdy night at the sports book tomorrow night. Not really my thing but I imagine the energy will be off the charts.

Sea Speed said:

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No happy hour at Bardot brasserie and it smells like weed everywhere.

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Yes. The weed has definitely ruined a lot about Vegas.

The best sports book is circa in my opinion.

Went to the haunted museum today and they had the original Pogo the Clown painting by john Wayne gacy and a signed x/200 Jack Kevorkian print that are both album covers of one of my favorite bands. Actually had several Kevorkian prints as well as his VW where he helped a ton of folks commit suicide. Pretty wild. That art was my favorite part by far.

The nuke museum there was pretty cool for a couple hours. If you make it out to the dam make sure you get the tour where you actually go down into the dam, it was pretty cool as well.

Canyon Lake Agbu94 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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No happy hour at Bardot brasserie and it smells like weed everywhere.

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Yes. The weed has definitely ruined a lot about Vegas.

The best sports book is circa in my opinion.

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It was full this morning. And it's huge.

Bro, I had no idea you were out here this weekend.

Guess I'll have to meet you the next time you come down to The Island

Sea Speed said:

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Oh and the UFC fight is at sphere tomorrow night and there's a big boxing match as well tomorrow plus Mexican something or other going on so I'm expecting a rowdy night at the sports book tomorrow night. Not really my thing but I imagine the energy will be off the charts.

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I spent all day yesterday watching College Football at Stadium Swim at Circa. Started at 9 am watching Alabama.

I'm the evening, I started watching the UFC. With that and the Canelo Alvarez fight, the energy was off the chart. There must have been at least 2,000 people at Stadium Swim. Their max capacity was 3,800.

Needless to say, I didn't see any other Puerto Ricans besides myself but with Dieciseis tomorrow and the whole UFC Noche, Mexican pride was in full effect. Good thing I was wearing a Texas A&M hat instead of my normal PR Beisbol hat. j/k

I guess the 97 degree heat or the 10 beers finally got to me but I pulled the pin about 30 minutes before the Canelo fight. I was exhausted.

For anyone looking for a cool place to watch a game while chilling in the pool, I do recommend Stadium Swim at Circa.

Also, the food was pretty good and all things considered, the prices weren't bad either. $20 for 3 gourmet brisket tacos was comparable with what it costs on The Strand or The Seawall in Galveston.

EDIT: I wish TexAgs would support Spanish characters. Apologies for misspelled words due to accented characters.

HollywoodBQ said:

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Canyon Lake Agbu94 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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No happy hour at Bardot brasserie and it smells like weed everywhere.

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Yes. The weed has definitely ruined a lot about Vegas.

The best sports book is circa in my opinion.

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It was full this morning. And it's huge.

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Are you here? Meet up with us this evening in Fremont?

Sea Speed said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Canyon Lake Agbu94 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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No happy hour at Bardot brasserie and it smells like weed everywhere.

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Yes. The weed has definitely ruined a lot about Vegas.

The best sports book is circa in my opinion.

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It was full this morning. And it's huge.

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Are you here? Meet up with us this evening in Fremont?

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Wish that would have worked out. Sadly, I posted that from LAS Airport as I was headed back to my new home in Galveston.
I'll catch you sometime back in the 409 or 713/281/832/346

I'd like that. Wouldn't mind grabbing lunch some time.

Sea Speed said:

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I'd like that. Wouldn't mind grabbing lunch some time.

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Cool. Would love to.

Email sent. Cheers!

Our oldest dog just died in our backyard and we are still in Vegas.

Someone will probably dump two more before you get home.