[RockerRyan]

Hi folks, I'll be spending next week in Vegas at a trade show. I've heard "Don't stray too far from the strip." from a few people. I'll be landing at McCarran airport and walking down East Tropicana Ave. to the MGM Grand, in the middle of the day. Is this already a bad idea or is that safe enough?
Can any of you give me specific streets to not pass?
Are there any neighborhoods I should outright avoid?
Are there any common scams that crooks play on tourists?

FYI, to give you an idea of my area of travel, I'm staying at the MGM and will be going to and from Sands Expo Center. Thanks for your time.

[EA]

It's not an unsafe walk, but it is a long walk from the airport to the hotel. It's another long walk to the sands.
Never buy someone's "album"
Don't give bums money.
If a hot girl is interested in you, run away, she is a hooker.

[demoknite]

Just stay on the strip

[Miss Hepburn]

The strip will be fine and FUN!

I thought you meant areas like the NorthEast...

[shellymdnv]

Originally Posted by RockerRyan

Hi folks, I'll be spending next week in Vegas at a trade show. I've heard "Don't stray too far from the strip." from a few people. I'll be landing at McCarran airport and walking down East Tropicana Ave. to the MGM Grand, in the middle of the day. Is this already a bad idea or is that safe enough?

I think the most dangerous part of that walk will probably be getting from the terminal to Tropicana. The airport is set up for people to leave the facility in some kind on vehicle so I'm not sure how you would get to Tropicana without encountering drivers that aren't expecting someone to be walking beyond getting from baggage claim to the garage.

Originally Posted by RockerRyan

Are there any common scams that crooks play on tourists?

Paying 6:5 on a blackjack

[airics]

Pay a few bucks and take a shuttle...

[LV10101]

If you decided to walk the most dangerous thing you most likely would encounter is the traffic. The streets (Paradise./Tropicana) are overall safe in the area you will be walking. Just make sure you cross at marked crosswalks. You will want to cross Tropicana prior to getting to the MGM and enter MGM at the back entry, that is where the check-in desk is located. If I were you I would take a shuttle or a taxi, not too expensive overall and with luggage it would be much more comfortable.
As for dangerous areas in Las Vegas you will get different answers, anywhere in Las Vegas can be dangerous if you are not paying attention. Watch your belongings, watch being in large crowds and use a little extra caution if you are out real late at night. As for areas the Strip up to about the Wynn is on the safer side 24/7. I would avoid walking late at night further than the Wynn area. As a tourist I would do what most tourist do and stay on the Strip...Las Vegas really overall is safe but not knowing areas and looking like a tourist in those areas isn't a good idea.
You can take the monorail to the Sands Convention Center, just get off at the Harrahs Station, only a couple block walk from there to the convention center.

[airics]

if it's at the main convention center, there is a stop on the monorail for it…

[LV10101]

The OP said it was at the Sands Convention Center...read.

[SoHoVe]

Originally Posted by airics

Pay a few bucks and take a shuttle...

Exactly...IMHO this would be money well spent.