One tip I was once given in LV: As a tourist never leave the strip at
night and walk into side streets. Never.

Good advice. I've had to glare-down purse-snatchers/pick-pockets even ON
the Strip. Vegas is a fun place, but it attracts some pretty desperate and
unsavory folks.

One last word of (hopefully unnecessary) advice for the OP: PLEASE don't
judge America by what you see/experience in Los Angeles and/or Las Vegas.

They're usually fun places to visit, but they're about as representative of
America as watching "Miami Vice" or "CSI"...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"