Our National Parks trip starts in Vegas. We'll have from mid-day on our own before the tour starts the following morning, and we want to hit the highlights of the strip. We'll be starting out from the Las Vegas Hilton. (It's our first visit to Vegas) Help!!! Best hotels to see, how much walking can we reasonably expect to do, how convenient is the tram.....etc. Thanks, Fodorites.

Unless you are in really good shape, it's hard to walk Vegas because the hotels on the strip are so far apart. Also, the entrances to the hotels are so far from the road.

I highly suggest the Fountains at The Bellagio and the Bellagio while you are in Vegas.

With only half a day, I agree with the recommendation to see the Bellagio fountains. That's something I've found first-timers find most memorable, plus the excitement of being at center Strip is great!

From the Hilton, you can either take a cab or the monorail to the Flamingo, get off there, and walk out to the Strip. Since you'll only have half a day, I'd stick with Caesar's, Flamingo and Bellagio. There are LOTS places to eat, things to see, etc. just within these three properties. Check out www.cheapovegas.com for recommendations of where to eat, etc.

How much walking you can expect to do depends on the weather and your personal desire to walk. When on vacation, it's not unusual for my husband and I to walk 10-15 miles per day, but we wouldn't do that in August in Vegas most likely. Also, it depends on how much you want to "save" your legs for the national parks portion of your trip. But you can make that judgment call as you go.

I also recommend the Bellagio fountains, and from there, it greatly depends on your interests. The Cheapovegas site mentioned above will give you a taste of each hotel, and you can also get a guidebook from your library for more info on each. You can see a map - www.vegas.com/maps.html is a good one - to get a feel for how far apart things are. There are so many great things to see in Vegas, and you certainly can't see all of them, so choose those that appeal to you. Some prefer shopping, some want to see Paris or Venetian for how they compare to their "real" counterparts, so prefer to go to the art galleries, some like to see the animal exhibits, some want total Vegas kitsch. The possibilities are nearly endless!

Everyone has given good advice. If it's hot your walking may be limited so bear that in mind. (and when it is hot, it is really hot ). Aim for center strip, i.e. Paris, Bellagio, Caeser's and branch out from there. Since you will be at the Hilton (which is a not that close to the other hotels) take the Monorail since there is a stop by the Hilton. Get off at the Flamingo and then walk through to the Strip. When you are done sightseeing the hotels for the day you may want to take a cab back as no doubt you will be tired out and the Monorail is really not that convenient to many of the hotels as it is a distance back from the Strip and with the hotel properties being so huge you can walk forever (or so it seems).

Really tho it depends on what you are interested in. With hotels all having a "theme" you may want to pick the one that interests you the most. You can spend a great deal of time just walking from one to the other so it is best to zero in on a particular hotel first in your case and then see how much time is left. For first timers I'd really recommend the Bellagio and it's fountains. No matter how many times we are in Vegas (and we go several times a year) we always go over to the Bellagio to watch the fountains!!

ITA with the other posters on centering (LOL) in on the Center Strip. My daughter and I enjoyed staying there in 2004 (at Bally's) and our walks to Bellagio, Paris, Caesar's/ Forum Shops. etc. You may even have time to venture down to Monte Carlo and New York, New York which I also enjoyed.