We bought six tickets to a show abotu 8 hours ahead of time, from the hotel, in May. Is this common? I have no idea, but we had no problems and they were reasonably good seats.
There are several places on the Strip that specialize on half-price tickets for the day of the show. Seating can be iffy, but we’ve gotten good seats surprizingly often.
If you want to see one of the headlining shows (Cirque, BlueMan, etc.) they get expensive ($110 a seat??). Others are cheaper but they’ll be things like dancing showgirls or magic acts or comedienes you’ve never heard of.
If you do want to see a headliner show buy tickets before you go. They sell fast.
I think the best bang for your buck in Vegas is the Liberace Museum. Seriously, it was a hoot, for not much money. The Fremont Experience downtown was amazing - and free! (Something like two or three blocks are roofed over in video screens - I’ve never seen anything like it.) We went to a fantastic restaurant downtown, too - The Cellar? Something like that. It was in the basement of one of the casinos, and was a great fine-dining experience. We were lucky to have local guides while we were there - we did some tourist stuff, but we also did cool stuff that the locals recommended (waves to DMark and LVGeogeek).
Yeah, go. You have to see Vegas at least once in your lifetime. 
Lots to do if you don’t gamble - on my website I list some things in the “Cheap Thrills” section, plus the “Shows” and mention the nightclubs in the “Sex” section. Plus, there are lots of places to eat well for a decent price in the “Food” section. Actually, you might have a better time if you DON’T gamble. But I doubt you will be bored in Las Vegas even if you don’t drop a nickel in a machine!
Wave back at ya, featherlou - isn’t it about time to plan your next annual trip here?
As has been mentioned: museums, shows, rides, lounge acts, food, and there are lots of places to drive to. Head farther north up the I-15 and see the Valley of Fire.
Okay, restaurants. I’ve eated at all of the ones I’m listing here. My personal favorites are Andre’s (though it’s on the expensive side) and Ricardo’s. My hubby prefers Viva Mercado because their food is slightly spicier/hotter.
For Italian, you might try Ferraro’s or Mama Jo’s, though Mama Jo’s is farther off the Strip than Ferraro’s.
For Mexican, I like Ricardo’s and Viva Mercado’s.
For Moroccan, try Marrakech.
For German, try Hofbrauhaus or CafeHeidelberg.
For French, Pamplemousse is one of my favorites. Andre’s is another.
For couple friendly strip joints, the last one the hubby and I went to was Jaguar’s and while the girls were nice enough looking, apparently the cocktail waitresses get to charge whatever they want for the drinks. We were charged two separate prices for the same drink by two separate waitresses.
Vegas Dopefest?
We’re in. When?
If you’re interested in seeing a show, I can highly recommend the Blue Man Group. They’re a hard act to describe – experimental music, plus comedy, done in a pantomime style. Like all first-rate Vegas shows they ain’t cheap (I paid $100 per ticket) but they’re very entertaining. I understand that the Cirque Du Soleil shows (I probably spelled that wrong) are also worth the money.
I’ll second this. The Valley of Fire is way cool.
Can I just say that the revamped pirates’ show at TI (“Sirens of the TI”) absolutely bites? The original show was straightforward naval warfare fun, but the new one tries too hard to be “edgy” and “sexy” that it just ends up pathetic instead. Or is it just me?
And I’ll throw out a sympathy vote for the Star Trek Experience; I’ve only been on it once (back when it only had one ride), and have not managed a return trip since to see the new additions. 
It’s not just you. Everybody thinks it blows. The tourists don’t even stop to watch it any more…they just keep on walking. There is more (and better) action watching the Bellagio fountains, which are fun and fascinating.
Speaking of nickels, those are the most fun slots. Play for an hour on a dollar! (But don’t expect to win. Not all of us are as lucky as DMark! )
I’m planning on going there. I intend to murder a vagrant and bury his body beside the highway with one hand protruding from the sand holding a hand of 5 Aces.
I assume this is permissible.
Practically required.
Just want to keep saying thank you for all the great info. The info from the locals is going to be particularly useful I think. Of course, now that all of you have made it seem to be so much fun, and highly recommend it snows. A fair amount too. Ski resorts are even opening up again.
Yeah, it’s kind of like “what would happen if the Pussycat Dolls and N*Synch stole a couple of pirate ships and fought?”
Just the 3 Cirque du Soleil shows are worth the airfare even if you don’t do anything else. Vegas was the starting point for our honeymoon roadtrip. We spent 2 days there (without gambling a penny) and just walking around filled up our days (we are easily amused, though)