I'll be going back there in January for Miss America. It'll be my 4th trip out; my 2nd for Miss America. I've stayed at the imperial Palace and the Stratosphere. The Stratosphere is a long walk to the rest of the Strip, so i would recommend staying somewhere in the middle.

I have reservations at the Monte Carlo for this coming trip. It's just a walk across the street to the Aladdin where the pageant will be.

Oh, and definitely see Cirque du Soleil. I've seen Mystere and Zumanity, and they were both great shows. Zumanity tends to be a little risque', but still a good show. i'd like to see Love (the Beatles show), but don't know if we'll be able to get tickets for this coming trip.

Have fun!

You're correct, sueali - the casino did not require a sprinkler system, considering the fire codes of the time. Much of the fire built up in the soffit spaces above the casino until it flashed over.

I lived out in Sin City for a couple of years - my younger brother lives and works there. Never had a problem finding my way out of the casino, though the only place I've ever gotten the 'willies' inside of one was in the old Bob Stupak's Vegas World, now the Stratosphere. (You can build the tallest building west of the Mississippi, but I will always call the place 'Vagrant's World'! :D )

Is the Olive's any good in Vegas? The one in Boston is good, but every other Todd English restaurant I've gone to has been highly overrated and overpriced for the quality. It seems like he's living on reputation with most of his restaurants, as the quality of food just isn't there.

Vegas is taunting me again. :o

I can go this Sunday-Wednesday. :) If I don't go, I likely won't have a chance again for many, many, many months because I start a new job in December. Which of course means I've got fantastic deals at MGM for December. :( I haven't been since August so I'm getting withdrawls. I try to tell myself that there's no reason to go to Vegas right now. Especially with the weather. The pool at Mandalay will be closed so why spend the $100/night to go there? This is so frustrating!