Paul, for your first trip stay at the Furnace Creek campground (get reservations). From here you can walk to the Visitors Center and get oriented and collect information. You will get hooked. Drive the Artists Drive and Twenty Mule Team Canyon. Get information and if you like to hike, do the Golden Canyon Gowers Gulch Loop. Hike Mosaic Canyon in the Stovepipe Wells area (about 30 miles from Furnace Creek). Pack up early one morning and drive Titus Canyon. Take your time. Camp that night at Mesquite Springs and do the main tour of Scottys Castle. Ubehebe Crater is also close by. Don't try to do too much and leave the further away adventures for another visit. Talk with the rangers and get a sense of the history and geology. You will very soon be planning your next trip.
As Doug says, go through the information here in "the forgotten" WTW areas. Many members have posted good information and photos.
Have fun, we know you will.