You've gotten some good advice. Just a couple of additional thoughts:

- Bally's standard rooms are very large so it's a good choice if you're cramming. The strip location can't be beat; you can easily walk to a lot of places. Let me concur that the IP is not where you want to be on your first trip. Note that you could get the same rate at Treasure Island. Nicer (but smaller) rooms and nicer property IMO, not quite as central a location.

- The Triple 7 pub inside Main Street Station downtown is a great place. If you go at happy hour (between 3 & 5, I think), you can get microbrews for $1 each and appetizers that are big enough for a meal at around $3 each.

Have fun!