Going to Las Vegas in May

Good grief, I'd never recommend a Benihanas.

Hamada.
http://www.hamadaofjapan.com/flamingo.html

No need for shortness my friend.  I just was trying to help from my less than stellar memory...and as a child I believe that there was a Benihana in the Flamingo Hilton, though I could  be wrong.

Most natives/long time residents avoid 90% of strip eateries (the best quality is usually from our local places), but Las Vegas is a big city of about 2 million people...and most don't want to drive out to these places, which I understand.

Wasn't trying to be short (although I am..) just had to be brief.  I was in the middle of grilling sanma when I remembered the name.

It depends on what you like to do. I've been to Vegas at least 10 times, mostly with my college mates. Like Q-G, we go for the gambling and drinking and camaraderie; the single guys in our group go for the girl-watching. The Palm and the Hard Rock are my two favorite casinos; both are off-the-beaten path, which is a good thing because they keep away a lot of the riff-raff, and they are both good celebrity-watching spots. They are also sone of the few casinos where the average age of guests is not 105 (no offense to 105-year-old readers here). 

 If you like hiking, check out the Red Rocks.

 My favorite restaurant in Vegas is "Roy's", which is a chain but still good.  I'm not a big buffet fan, but the cheapest prices are in old las vegas like Lady Luck, where you can still get a room and all-you-can eat buffet for $25 (yes, lodging included!). 

For rides, the rollercoaster at NY-NY is a must-ride! 

And if you're a trekkie, don't miss the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton! (yes, I know, call me a geek).   

And if you want to try a truly bizarre route, go to "Area 51" on the Extra-terrestrial highway.  Don't be surprised if you are spied on by military-looking guys in big white SUVs on this road! 

If money were no object, I would stay at Mandalay Bay for the "beach" and pools.  The best place where I've stayed is the Aladdin; good value for money and HUGE rooms, but the casino sucks.   

For rides, the rollercoaster at NY-NY is a must-ride! 

I love that one.  Although every time I'm on it I find I've forgotten just how high that first drop is.... 

I agree with crabbit about Cirque. It's a must-see.

MGM still has lions, as far as I know -- they're Siegfried & Roy's lions and it's called Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden, or something like that. I think, but am not sure, that the dolphins are in the same place.

Yep, they're in the same place

Cirque is a must, yes...but if it's "O" make sure you get good seats...i.e. not in the nose bleed b/c otherwise you see everything that goes on in the water and it ruins it. 

You are going to love it there!

My boyfriend and I went there on may, we planned to stay 3 days, but ended up staying 3 weeks. We stayed in the Golden Nugget (nice, but in downtown area, away from the strip) Excalibur (nhe... nothing special, HORRIBLE BUFFET DONT WASTE YOUR TIME) Luxor (nice, good rooms, don't go to the pool,too much people, too 'lil space) and finally MGM (loved it, the lions are adorable, kill to have to job of the guy that plays with them)

as for shows, carrot top is funny, zumanity is amazing, in the luxor there is an IMAX, Ive never been to one before, its so cool! Don't go to the Imax rides...
Gained 2 kg from the seafood buffet at RIO, (I have no idea why the hotel is called RIO, no resemblance to Rio de Janeiro) ..

Be prepared for tipping, for seeing prostitutes, beggars, people trying to sell you their cd, being offered free show tickets, waiting in line, drinking...

There is also the lack of humidity, I like it because it does wonders to my hair but it can get to you, I asked for a humidifier in my room, and got it free of charge..

Good luck in your trip, let me know if you need anything 

I'm telling you, a Cook E. Jarr show is the best thing you'll ever see in your life! 

If you want to splurge on a meal and do something other than a buffet, there's a Spago at Caesar's, a Postrio (also Wolfgang Puck) at the Venetian and an Emeril's at the MGM. And oodles of other really good restaurants!

Be prepared for tipping, for seeing prostitutes, beggars, people trying to sell you their cd, being offered free show tickets, waiting in line, drinking...

Uhhh..that sounds like London!