I was invited to join a girlfriend on her next trip to Vegas which is this month. She gambles and has the room comped so I just have to pay for my flight, food and entertainment. We are going for a week, starting the 22nd and staying half the time at Ceasar's and the rest of the time at Paris. She picked Ceasar's as she knows that I'm not much of a gambler and I want to spend some time at a nice pool.

Most of my vacations lately have been to all inclusives so I haven't had to worry about where to eat or entertainment. So far we have purchased tickets to Mystere for Sunday night. I had been told by many people that it would be cheaper to get tickets online before you leave. The amusing part is this is my first cirq show and I'm going to USA to see a show created by Canadians. I signed up for onespount Vegas as soon as I decided to go and got tickets for cocktail flair show at Circus Circus that includes 5 drinks also for both of us for $19.

I was wondering if anyone would have recomendations for food. I would love to try food that I can't get here(Canada) and if I'm going to eat at a chain, I would prefer to try something new i.e. not McDonalds. I would like to keep the cost of food reasonable and maybe only go out for one really nice dinner during my stay.So if someone has a suggestion for one nice place, I would also appreciate that.

I already have a budget for shopping - the amount I can legally bring back after a week away. There are 3 discount malls and I'm going to go to all of them. I'm not a big gambler so discount shopping is where I will spend more time. Are there still penny slot machines? What is the minimum you can gamble and still get drinks served to you? I was considering gambling only when I wanted to get drinks - how much and hour at slots do you think I would need to spend an hour to keep the drinks coming?

Are there any peeps who live in the ares?