closer52

There's an interesting post that asks for favorite and least favorite U.S. cities. Las Vegas keeps popping up in the Least Favorite category. Yet, when we visited recently, there were lots of people there? So, I thought I'd ask, why does it seem to be so popular and yet so disliked as well?

persimmondeb

Well, it's a place of extremes. Also while I adore it, I don't really think of it as a city per se, but a large and dissolute tourist attraction. It is unbelievably surreal, as well, and while that is much of the charm for some people, others find that disconcerting. My sister finally found herself there, mostly by accident, after years of insisting that she would hate it because it was frenetic, and morally bankrupt, and an environmental disaster, all of which is likely true. She loved it, mostly because she has a finely developed sense of the absurd. I have always claimed that it is the end of western civilization as we know it, and as such, utterly fascinating, and she completely agreed with me. It is beautiful, and strange, and often unbelievably tacky.
Of course, there are all the people who like it because they just want to gamble and eat buffets, too.

TwoFatFeet

I'm going next weekend for the first time. I'm really looking forward to it for the reasons persimmon's sister got a kick out of it. That and, though I don't gamble, I like to drink lots and lots of alcohol now and then. (It'll be my brother's bachelor party.)

RBCal

Vegas is fun for two days and then gets REALLY old. After you've lost hundreds of dollars, stuffed yourself, bought $10 drinks and seen all the overweight and tacky tourists you are glad to get out.

The only think I enjoy is the shows in Vegas and I've seen almost all of them by now.

dwooddon

Las Vegas reminds me of a restaurant Yogo Berra once talked about: Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

Las Vegas is really two different places, much like New York City. For those of us who live in the area, it's home. It has all the neighborhoods, attractions, charms, and problems that any other medium sized city has. In addition, it has the visitor attractions it's famous for. Most visitors rarely see the family-orinted side of LV. Most residents spend little time in the visitor-oriented areas but it is nice to have them there when we want to party a bit.

Loki

I believe that many people object to it on moral grounds and post negatives without ever having been there.

I'm not saying that they would feel any different after going, only that they feel that Jesus doesn't like Vegas.

lcuy

I used to HATE Vegas, based on one childhood trip and two group (work) trips as an adult.

Then I went with my husband. He knows all the great eating / shopping / entertainment places and helped me learn to gamble without losing much money, and suddenly I loved it!

Wouldn't want to go more than once or twice a year for just a couple of days, and would not choose Vegas over other "real" travel, but I really have fun there now!

nolefan1

I agree with most all of you. I have been to Vegas on several occasions, had a great time (no buffets) and actually won money. From a foodie viewpoint it has some great restaurants where you can drop some major cash like: Alex, Joel Robuchon and Delmonico.

After 3 days, I was ready to go home. You can only take in so much in a city like that. I will stick to my vote as Reno as being one of my least faves. It is like a very tired, sleazy Vegas IMO.

suze

some people object to the gambling

some to the Disnesy-esque qualities

most people i know are fascinated by Las Vegas... in small doses

Jolie

I've seen Hoover Dam and the other non-gambling attractions. But for most people (like me), "Las Vegas" means the strip or downtown gambling areas.

I don't gamble. I don't enjoy it. I don't like sitting in one place (I've admitted to heresy on the Europe board that I am too restless to sit in a Parisian cafe and people-watch). I don't like the constant "clanging" sound of the slots, I don't like the smoke and stale alcohol smell of the casinos.

The shows are over-priced and many seats have terrible views. There is some really good food to eat (and some really bad food) but I cannot just eat all day, just as I cannot sit still and gamble all day.

I don't care for the flat, desert environment; I prefer mountains and greenery. Also, the air is too dry for me.

The architecture is midly interesting, but some hotels' theme of copying world landmarks is just tacky to me.

I don't like to shop.

So, Las Vegas is not high on my list of destinations. My husband, on the other hand, likes to gamble and goes there a couple times a year. Different strokes.

Debi

I love Vegas. The countryside is beautiful, the weather is great, many choices of excellent restaurants (at all price points) and good entertainment. While I don't really gamble, and I don't drink - I have never had trouble being entertained there. Vegas has been one of my favorite cities for years .......

cfntmpn

Vegas to me is like going to the county fair every summer. You see the best and worse of society, you stuff your face with things your normally would not and you can only stand to go for one day (unless your under 12).

I have to go to Vegas about 4 times a year, usually about 10 days each time.

Everytime I go I watch all of the international travelers taking tons and tons and tons of pictures - like I do when I go to Europe or some other beautiful place.

While watching all of these non-American's take pictures I only hope that they don't think that what they are looking at is really a representation of America.

The other thing that makes me crazy aobut Vegas is the people who bring their babies - not teens - but babies in strollers....walking down the strip....in the over 100 heat.

I want so badly to walk up to these people and ask them WHY...WHY would you do this to your child?

JeanH

Too hot in the summer, WAY too cold in the winter. The hotels are too big. Just not my kind of place, been once, won't go again unless someone else is picking up the tab, and, even then, maybe not.

longhorn55

I never thought I would find myself in Las Vegas as I don't gamble, I don't drink, I hate to shop and fancy restaurants are wasted on me, but my sister took me there for a surprise 50th birthday present. Wow! did we have fun just looking at all of the wild places and wild people there (and hitting a couple of shows). My sister chose Vegas as my birthday present because she thought it would be the craziest thing that we could ever do together and it was. While I don't feel the need to ever go back to Vegas again, I'll always have such great memories about by "Birthday in Vegas".

kealalani

Amen!

I HATE Vegas, but have thoroughly enjoyed my three trips there. Perhaps that is part of its magic.

sharondi

There are only two things I like about Las Vegas. 1. The airport - since it is one of the only places we can fly nonstop from our area on the east coast. 2. Its close proximity to Zion Nat'l Park and the beauty of southern Utah. And, although we've flown to LV many times, we have never spent more than an hour or so there.

I think many of us who really do not enjoy anything about Las Vegas are people who prefer the solitude and beauty of the natural world. To me, LV is the epitome of mankind's excess and waste. But I'm glad that so many people love it. It keeps them out of the beautiful places that I love!

Annabel

We just returned from Vegas/Bellagio 2 days ago. We went on our first visit 4 years ago, to see what it was all about and thinking we would hate it. We loved it. We have gone 2-3 times per year since. We live 20 minutes from NYC, and we enjoy all kinds of vacations. Vegas is what you want it to be. I spent 5 glorious mornings at the spa, had wonderful lunches with my husband, met great people at Petrossian, played, drank, relaxed and just enjoyed. We also come home with $8,000.00 more than we left with. I find the finer restaurants and shows are no more expensive than NYC. I know it is American Cheese, but if it's so bad why is it so packed with people from all over the world? It's not for everyone, it's not a contest. There's a whole world out there to see, the only thing that counts is that you enjoy yourself.

SiteC_er

It's place / environment you're either going to love or hate. My wife and I love it and my brother & sister in-law despise it (not on moral grounds). Reasons we love Vegas:
1. We like to gamble...especially sports betting
2. Unlike years ago, Vegas has some top notch restaurants
3. Though we're a bit old for "The Scene", there's great club action
4. Great golfing & pools
5. Great weather
6. Contrary to popular belief, there's good sightseeing (Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Grand Canyon)

NeoPatrick

closer52, I'm not exactly sure why that is, but when you find out, the same "rules" apply to Disney World.

trippinkpj

I like it as a destination, but not so much as a city.