TripAdvisor users weigh-in with first reviews of new Wynn Las Vegas Hotel, plus other practical advice to be a winner in Sin City.

User survey indicates most Vegas travelers looking for value hotels,Wynn rates may be too rich.

In a survey conducted this week, 84 percent of TripAdvisor users told us they look for a weekend hotel room rate of less than $250 in Las Vegas, significantly less than base published rates for a weekend night at the Wynn. Whether or not the new Wynn resort is in the cards, TripAdvisor offers travelers an honest guide to Las Vegas with an insider's look based on the opinions of real travelers.

Las Vegas is always hot and rather than rolling the dice with your travel plans, hear what TripAdvisor users have to say about what's in and what's not for your next trip to the 'Strip.'

"Our Las Vegas forum is one of the most active areas of our site," said Michele Perry, TripAdvisor spokesperson. "So we wanted to share with the world some of the great insights that these Vegas zealots impart."

TRAVEL BUZZ - TripAdvisor Las Vegas Forum tips on being a winner in Vegas

• Manage your money - Opt for cash or travelers' checks since ATMs have daily limits and credit card advances come with fees. Casinos may charge an additional fee. Bring mostly hundreds with some small bills for cabs and tips. Keep your cash in your front pockets for easy access/monitoring. If you bring travelers' checks - there's no charge for AAA members - keep your registration number and checks separate. Store your cash or travelers' checks in your room or hotel safe, so you don't have to carry much with you.
• Dress for success - The Vegas dress code is casual but some clubs do have dress codes in the evening (no shorts, tanks, flip-flops, etc.), so call before you dress. Even in the blazing hot summer, hotels and casinos like to crank the AC, so pack a sweater.
• Tip of the day - Always be tipping. Bring plenty of singles and fives and tip service personnel - the valet who delivers your car, the porter who delivers your bags, housekeeping, wait staff and most importantly, the dealers at the casinos. If you're unsure how much to tip, ask someone. Here's an extra tip, if you tip the maid at the beginning of your stay, rather than just at the end, you're likely to get special service.

MUST SEES - TripAdvisor's top picks for Vegas entertainment

• Blue Man Group
• Cirque du Soleil - Mystere, O or KA
• Fremont Street Experience
• Fountains at Bellagio
• Star Trek: The Experience
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

HIDDEN GEMS - TripAdvisor users hit jackpot with secrets for a successful visit

• Shop 'til you drop - Best bets for shopping in Vegas are the Forum Fashion Mall, Canal Shops, Desert Passage Shops in The Aladdin and the Fremont Street Experience downtown
• Celebrity spotting - If you happen to be in Vegas on the day of a big fight, you're sure to see some stars. Other hot spots for celebrity sightings are the Palms, Hard Rock Hotel, Bellagio, The Four Seasons and the new Wynn.
• That's right, family-friendly in Vegas - TripAdvisor users recommend the following hotels as family-friendly: The Orleans, Excalibur, Flamingo, Mirage and Mandalay. All have nice pools and fun activities and attractions for kids.

RANTS & RAVES - Pearls of wisdom from experienced TripAdvisor travelers

• Skip to the head of the line - "Suggestion...if you're arriving in LAS at a high volume time (not sure what that is...thought it was early evening Fridays/Sats...but we arrived at 1:30 AM and still waited in the horrendous taxi line for an hour...never again)...rent a limo ahead of time and have them waiting for you by luggage..."
• Brave the bus - "Do brave the 301 Bus to Downtown in the early evening to dark time frame. Don't be afraid to catch it at any stop along the strip..enjoy the ride...and save a bunch in cab fare. Perfectly safe...just takes longer b/c of all the stops."
• Bring your camera - "Only in Vegas can you see an older gentleman with Bermuda shorts and black socks pulled up to his knees sitting next to Eurochic woman sporting full makeup, stilettos, and pushup bra at 8:00 am?!"
• Be up Front - "Open a Front Money account at the Cashiers cage when you first arrive. When you go to a table you can take out money as you need. Do the floor supervisor a favor and take it out in $500 increments."
• Get Outta Town - "...get out of Vegas to the Grand Canyon for the weekend (rooms in Vegas twice as pricey and v busy on Fri and Sat)."

TOP HOTELS - TripAdvisor best bets at different price points

$100-200
The Carriage House , 105 E. Harmon Ave.
42 Reviews, most recent posted on April 10, 2005
Average Price: US$ 149

$200-300
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort , Spa & Golf, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.
94 Reviews, most recent posted on May 5, 2005
Average Price: US$ 216

More than $300
The Hotel at Mandalay Bay , 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
102 Reviews, most recent posted on May 1, 2005
Average Price: US$ 423TripAdvisor calculates an average price for each hotel, which is based on the rates of available rooms obtained from booking partners and other independent sources of pricing information. In addition, average hotel prices are updated nightly based on prevailing conversion rates. These are only estimates and not guarantees.

TOP RESTAURANTS - TripAdvisor's Vegas dining favorites

Rosemary's Restaurant, Las Vegas , 8125 Sahara Ave.
Phone: 702-869-2251
Cuisines: American, Seafood, Contemporary, Eclectic, International
Average price: US$ 80
Special features: Romantic, Business, Local cuisine

The Steakhouse, Las Vegas , Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd., S.
Phone: 702-794-3767
Cuisines: American, Steakhouse
Average price: US$ 21-50
Special features: Breakfast/Brunch, Child-friendly

Lawry's, The Prime Rib, Las Vegas , 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway
Phone: 702-893-2223
Cuisines: American
Average price: US$ 35