Mrs. Bladeswitcher and I will be in Vegas for a convention mid-week in July. This is our third visit in recent years. I'm looking for suggestions of things to do and see that don't necessarily involve over-the-top make-believe magic and outrageous lighted displays or theme park attractions. Been there, done that. (That said, we both enjoyed Freemont Street)

We tend to enjoy more organic, authentic places with a nod toward history. We love New Orleans and Washington, D.C. for example. I realize that Las Vegas doesn't have a particularly long history so this is a different sort of trip. Still, it would be good to find stuff that doesn't exist to merely separate us from our money. Maybe not entirely . . . we've never done a big Vegas show so I'm open to suggestions in that regard (one of the Circus show might be fun) . . .  FWIW, we don't gamble so casinos are a non-starter. We do eat and drink, however, and consider a fine meal to be money and time well spent . . . we're both old and out-of-shape so no rock climbing.

Any suggestions for things that the locals enjoy? Any hidden gems that aren't based on sensory overload? What about fantastic restaurants that are more about good food and service than glitz?

Again, we're there mid-week in July. We won't have any huge blocks of time. We can get away for a couple of hours during the day and each evening is pretty much free once we skip out of receptions. We're staying at the Mirage, if that matters. In the past, we've stayed at Cosmopolitan. We've seen the Bellagio and Ceasars (enjoyed the museum exhibits and water show). Not interested in shooting machine guns . . . we won't have transportation but we're hip to the bus (and have used the light train line.)

SO, if you can tolerate another damn tourist, I await your insider "real-Vegas" suggestions.

Yeah, I know. This convention is always in the middle of the summer. Sucks but I get why they do that.

I know I said I wasn't interested in glitzy lights but I'm thinking of checking out the neon/sign museum.

Any opinions on Hugo's Cellar?

The Mob Museum
The Atomic Museum.  This was actually alot better than I thought it would be.
Container Park near Freemont St.
The Steakhouse in Circus Circus.  The casino is a dump, but the restaurant is really nice.

This makes it tougher. I'm still new to Las Vegas but there's tons of fun stuff to do, unfortunately I'm not smart enough on bus lines to be of any help.

Having said that, I've got a buddy who said his policy was to not even try a restaurant with less than 4 stars on yelp because there are so many great choices.

Check with the Smith Center and see what show you may be able to get into last minute. A couple seating tips: the box seats are less comfortable to sit in than the others and the balcony seating area is quite high up there.

Hugo's Cellar is good, not amazing but good.

Got any suggestions for amazing?

Del Friscos steak house.

I'd prefer to avoid chain restaurants.

Hugos is worth going to, but it's probably not what the rich guys on this site consider tier 1.
Kinda neat, walk in from busy Fremont street, past the roulette wheel to a dark basement staircase, down below street level, it's dimly lit.
I always got the big prime rib.
I'm sure there's better somewhere else but its pretty good, and its not a chain restaurant.

Lots of Vegas history here:  Neon Boneyard

After reading a bunch of reviews of the place I've decided to look elsewhere. THanks, though.

I've been reading about Raku and it sounds intriguing.

Thanks. Already bought tickets.

Nora's

Another place I'd plan a dinner to on Saturday night (they have live music on sat) is the italian American club. Call Friday and setup your reservation because it's packed. They have two rooms and the back area isnt as nice so try to get near the stage. It's an old school club/lounge with a band/preformer. Food is excellent and reasonably priced as well. Service is also excellent and has a very personal feel. I'm not old enough to have lived 70s Vegas but this place is what I imagine it was like.