If you go
Dining
Dining on the Strip either seems like a pricey commitment or a calamitous bar where conversation is impossible yet everyone seems to be talking. There's a White Castle, too, if you wish. But down on the south end by the Monte Carlo, there's an exceptional hamburger diner called Bobby's Burger Palace, named for barbecue guy Bobby Flay. Select from the nine varieties. Great sauces on the table. Ten bucks for a sandwich and ample space to enjoy (3750 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 1-702-598-0191; bobbysburgerpalace.com).
Lodging
It's fun to stay in pretend cities like New York-New York or Paris Las Vegas or the Venetian, but they get gimmicky after a day. The older hotels might be inexpensive, but they answer the question, "What do 10 million cigarettes smell like?" Gamblers and non-gamers alike will be impressed by the Aria, a 55-story hotel that's part of the massive City Center complex at the end of the Strip. High-tech (the drapes part and the lights turn up when you first enter your room) and modern in decor, it has an upscale atmosphere that feels younger and aspirational, not jet-set rich. There's a monorail to take you to the Bellagio, and a shopping mall next door in case you want to make an impulse purchase of a Bulgari diamond. Rates vary, depending on packages and dates (3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 1-866-359-7757; aria.com).
James Lileks
