Tons of good bars to people watch... every casino has 'em! NYNY has a terrific piano bar that I try to go to every time I'm out there, and it's close to you at Excalibur so that's a plus!

Tao at Venetian is my favorite restaurant out there - get the miso glazed sea bass! To die for!

Well Excalibur is way down the strip so look into buying a daily bus ticket so you can ride up and down for a set price. I think it's like $8 a day or $20 for 3 days & it's called The Deuce & SDX. We found this totally worth it. You buy from a kiosk on the sidewalk.

If you like German food and German beer, try the Hofbrauhaus which is within sight of the Hard Rock on Harmon. http://www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com/
Turn on your speakers when you go to the website.

Try Milos in The Cosmopolitan for an EXCELLENT prix fixe lunch at $20.13. We ate there on Saturday and it is the best meal deal in town.

This is last year's menu, the same now except the price went up one cent!

http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/pdf/menu/EstiatorioMilos0312.pdf

Walk past NYNY to the Monte Carlo - and take the free monorail all the way to Bellagio. The "new" City Center - Aria/Cosmo - on the way - has some hot spots too.

The "monorail" is not free [$5 per ride or $8 a day]and is in a different location behind the east of strip hotels. The "tram" is free. They go different routes. Make sure you get on the right one.

Lest there be any doubt - the line connecting Monte Carlo to Bellagio - properly called the Tram - is the one that is free, as is the one from Excaliber to Mandalay Bay.

The Monorail - on the other side of The Strip/Las Vegas Blvd -MGM to the Venetian? - does cost.

see: http://www.vegas.com/transportation/monorails.html

Thanks everyone for your suggestions

The prix fixe lunch at Milos looks great. I've been interested in that restaurant for a while but in Vegas it's like there's too many great restaurants, not enough time.

I leave for Vegas this coming Sunday - I'm definitely going to have to see if I can swing by there for lunch one day.

The Excalibur has the best value buffet on the strip. You get free re-fills, it's all self-serve, so no tips, and good food.
You dont say how many nights. I stayed there 5 nights, currently costs $570 w/flight from/to NYC.
In effect, not much savings even if it's free.

As for The Who; be careful it's not one of those homage groups, but the real thing with Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend.

POMAH, we are extending 2 nights, I won airfare, 2 nights and The Who show from the local radio station, so it's the real deal. Appreciate your info.

Also check out the Tix4Less - or Tix4Tonight ( http://www.tix4tonight.com/, ) type places - where you can get deals on dinners, shows, etc. They have one by the coke bottle/just up from the MGM - toward center strip - and another one further up - same side of the strip/Las Vegas Blvd - at the plaza just before the Harley Davidson place.

Right by Fat Burger where a lot of Vegas locls go for late night burgers.

And hope you can click on this map - which shows the location of Fatburger - but has a good overview of the strip - including your base of Excalibur. NYNY next door also has a good food "alley" area - Pizza, etc and a fun roller coaster.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=3763+Las+Vegas+Blvd.+S.,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89109

Uno Mas: There is a discount ticket outlet at the M & M entrance shown on the map - and another (think it's a different company) at what is shown as the Hawaiian Marketplace.

Have a blast.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=3763+Las+Vegas+Blvd.+S.,+Las+Vegas,+NV+89109