Hello all!

I am trying to start planning a trip for my 40th birthday. Really want to go to Vegas (never been), but my birthday happens to fall during the week between Christmas and New Years, which I understand is an expensive time to go to Vegas.

Looking for ideas from fellow Fodorites. Would fly out of Chicago with DH on the 26th, and need to return home on the 29th.

A friend suggested New Orleans (also never been), but I am concerned it might be a tad chilly at that time of year, and we would like to go to someplace a bit warm. Florida could be a possibility, avoiding Orlando.

Also would like to try to keep the cost under $1,000 total (2 travelers), but even cheaper would be better

Thoughts? Thanks!

Does your budget include air fare?

New Orleans would probably be warmer than Las Vegas. LV is cold in December, about 10 deg colder than NO. If you want warm, head to south FL.

Agreed about December weather in LV. We were there once for New Year's and it was freezing.

You might be okay price-wise for Vegas with those dates. You should check it out before discounting it. Like others said, though, it will not be warm in Las Vegas at the end of December.

Budget does include airfare. Thanks for the replies!

There's a ton of package deals all the time for Vegas... check AAA travel or the local Vegas package broker... should be easy.. people leave Vegas for the holidays...


Anywhere else, forget it... its holiday travel and top dollar accomodations, plus minimum nights... the only light travel days are Christmas Day and New Years Day...

There have been New Year's in New Orleans where I felt like a popsicle and others that were balmy. It's much warmer than Chicago though, and cheaper than either Vegas or S. FL during New Year's.

If you can fly out on Christmas afternoon instead of the next day, the airfare will probably be lesss expensive.

The original post indicates that she wants to go away from 12/26-12/29. So wherever she goes, she will not be there over NYE. In Las Vegas, it will get significantly more expensive starting on the 29th or 30th. Since she is leaving on the 29th, she should be able to find decent deals. I agree with emalloy, airfares should be significantly cheaper if the poster can leave on the 25th.

Florida weather is never guaranteed...we fished the keys in long underwear! Wherever you go, when you make hotel reservations tell the management it's your 40th..you might get upgraded or get wine or such in your room.