Information wanted about Las Vegas and environs

We’ll be heading off to Vegas in a few weeks and I wondered if you, my readers, had any suggestions for:

1.  Hotels

2.  Shows

3.  Activities (Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, Area 51, swimming pools, etc.)

4.  Dining

Keep in mind that we’ll be traveling with two children and intend to include them in our activities.  Also, while we’re not exactly cheap, we don’t like to waste our money.

Thanks.