Same situation for me, just a week early. I have to go to a conf, and have a free hotel room. My wife is going to come the next day on allegiant. I don't have any advice, I have never been there either.
Harrah's also has a pretty good piano bar, but there's a little circular bar right next to it (Carnival Court, maybe?) that is a lot of fun. The bartenders do all kinds of tricks with the drinks, and they mix them strong. We were buying those giant plastic "Yard Dogs" filled with the mixed drink of your choice for about $12. It was a pretty good deal.We had a great time at the piano bar inside NY NY. I wouldnt get/take a car if it were me either. If you are staying on the strip most of what you want to see is withing walking distance.
It's really hard to get a bad hotel room if you stay at one of the big ones on the strip. I've ben happy at the Luxur towers, MGM, Vdara, Monte Carlo, Planet Hollywood, etc
The only thing I didn't like about the Luxur was it's location.
Even if you don't gamble a lot, sign up for Players Club. I got a room comped after one stay where I gambled less than $500.
harrahs or flamingo are good middle of the road joints with good locations on the strip
go downtown 1 night
buy beer in street convenience and souvenir shops on the street between casinos
hit some lounge bands - bill's and venetian have decent ones
don't sleep very much - waste of time
if really pretty women are really nice to you, they are hookers (no joke)
explore the nooks and crannies, you will find good food and entertainment in unlikely places
learn how to play craps
use airport shuttles and the deuce for primary transportation
there are free shuttles to off strip casinos if you are interested - gold coast, orleans, hard rock, rio, palms...
use airport shuttles and the deuce for primary transportation
if you have to go a decent distance, do not take the bus... a couple years ago when we were at stratosphere and needed to go to the other end of the strip, half our group took the bus, the other half took a taxi... the group on the bus took over half an hour longer to get to the casino (not exaggerating). not worth the $2
Take the Ace, not the Deuce, the Ace is express and only stops a couple times on the strip as opposed to almost every hotel like the Deuce.Never took the bus but heard this before from friends that go out there a lot...avoid the bus!