I am not a Death Valley expert -- only been there a few times. But I found a northeastern US Meetup group coming to climb Mt Whitney next month, and suggested they come in or head out through Death Valley and Las Vegas.

Someone on the trip posted this:
Originally Posted By: Becky
"Steve, I am flying in to Vegas on the 30th, any suggestion what to do / see while I drive through Death Valley to Whitney"

I hope people here will name their favorite spots.

For starters, I think Badwater is definitely a place to stop.