The GN is the nicest hotel downtown. When you check in see if they can give you a room in the North Tower. This tower is coser to the casino and Fremont Street, it's smaller than the South Tower (= less walking) and the rooms are a little bit nicer. I would not pay extra for the "upgrade", but depending on demand, they might do it for free.

There are some very nice restaurants downtown: Four Queens has Hugo's Cellar, which has consistently been rated as one of the best restaurants in LV. Golden Nugget has a good Northern Italian restaurants with singing waiters. Carson Street Cafe (also at GN) is good. If you haven't done so, make sure you join the 24 Kt Players Club.

Walk around the area: you'll see all kind of people... Try the other casinos and their restaurants. The Steakhouse at Fitzgeralds is pretty decent. Tony Roma's has a place at Horseshoe (I think this is the one). Great ribs!!!

Have fun and good luck

hacmo gave some good tips and I'll add a few. If you have a car, always park in the Valet area at the main entrance (east side). Valet service is free (tip a buck or two each time they return your car) and it is always very fast. Valet folks are very friendly and they hustle.

If staying in South Tower, request room upper floor, facing west, near elevator if you want shorter walk, no outside noise and a view of the mountains. "Strip" view rooms are the farthest from the elevator and the limited view is not worth the extra walk to me.

I used to recommend the GN buffet, but don't anymore because they raised the prices and lowered the quality. For the $15 or so they charge at dinner, I would rather have a nice steak delivered by room service for ten bucks more. Carson Street Cafe is a great place for quiet breakfast after a long night out. Zax is a pretty cool place for apps and drinks and music. Lobster tostados are especially good.

Best casino to hang in downtown at night is Golden Gate. It is as "old school" as you can get in Vegas. Oldest casino still operating with cheap drinks, low gambling limits, best $0.99 shrimp cocktail in town (don't steal the glass) and some old guy playing the piano at night. Any other GN or downtown questions, just ask...

I believe the Nugget is one of the properties that allows you to check in at the Airport. This could be something to do while the long wait for the bags is going on...

I don't think GN has airport check-in. No worries though, I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes or been behind more than three folks at the front desk.

Thanks, I can't wait