Boston or Las Vegas
 

HI,

I am an Australian coming to the US in October and am feeling a little torn.

I am travelling with some friends for most of the trip however we are splitting up for 4 days where they are going to Las Vegas and I am going to Boston... anyway staying in Boston as a single is turning out to be very expensive (not really a backpacker kind of person) and am just after some feed back on whether Boston is are wonderful as I have heard and worth the extra expense or whether I should give up on the idea and go to Vegas with my friends

Hi
I cannot think of two cities so unalike :)

Boston is lovely, nice neighborhoods, shops and restaurants, the museums are nice, it is by the water.
It is also expensive and if you don't know where to go, it can be lousy touristy kind of expensive.
October would be a great time to be there though, you could see a New England Fall/Autumn.
There is nowhere like Las Vegas, you can be with your friends, have a crazy and good time and it will be less expensive.
October will be a bit less hot, maybe in the 80s?
You should make a list, what you like about each trip and see which one tempts you more :D
Good luck!!

Well, I live near Las Vegas but my vote is for Boston. Way more culture there and things to do. You can road trip it from Boston and hit Cape Cod for a change of pace. Las Vegas is really an adult play land, not a true representation of our country. Less drunks and strippers in Boston lol, more "true America". But do save Las Vegas for next time! Have a great trip.

The two cities are almost complete opposites! Boston, being one of the oldest cities in the country, has a lot of charm and character. With so many colleges within a few miles, there's plenty of nightlife and hip crowds. It's not an inexpensive town and some people say it has a European feel to it. Vegas is a playland for adults with no charm and it relies on the cities it's trying to replicate for character. It's non-stop visual stimulation. The sidewalks are littered with bums, prostitutes, and tourists 24 hours a day. There's plenty of shopping and amusements but absolutely no charm

Weird, the worst people I saw on the sidelwalks of LV were the little guys handing out fliers/cards for those girls/hookers.
I never noticed bums or hookers! Maybe I was having too much fun looking at the people/casinos/shopping :)
Sad to say, when it comes to bums or panhandlers, there are few cities anywhere that has none.
Don't forget also-
Boston is on the water, LV is in the desert, so very different~

I am typing too fast and not previewing so please pardon the typos, misspelling :D

Sounds a teeny bit like you like someone to tell you Boston's no great shakes, that you should stay w/friends in Las Vegas.

Can't do that -- say that Boston's not worth the visit -- but think maybe your problem isn't chosing between cities but rather chosing between traveling alone to a place you'd like or hanging with friends in a place you don't care much about. Any chance of talking a friend into spending a little time in Boston? Unforgettable in October! Bribe them?

Hi Scarlett, yes, I think the prostitutes may not be as noticable to us women. But when my Dad stays on the strip his ego is flattered because he is propositioned a few times a night! They just blend in like everyone else.

Now Alwaysoz if you are looking for a fun time with your friends you will have a great time here and will get to meet lots of people from all over the US. But if you want history, museums, and such Boston may be more your style for now.

LOL, travelinwifey, that is funny but awful :)
I have given this more thought and think that if one has never been to the US before, go to Boston.
If one has been here before, and seen some real cities, then a fantasy city like LV might be fun.

I have the impression from the original post that Alwaysoz is going to be in the US touring for some time. If that is the case you will likely be visiting a couple of areas.

IMHO Vegas is a must do with a group of friends vs. Boston by yourself.

Admittedly it is not traditional Americana but it is Americana none the less.

I don't think that I have seen bums in LV but I would know where to go if I did want to see them. Hookers on the other hand can be found if you have a sharp eye. They are inoffensive to me in fact some are just sad but hey, it is Vegas!

Alwaysoz - I guess I would like to hear where else you are visiting before responding. I live in the Boston area and naturally I think its great but if you were spending a lot of time in the Northeast I could see skipping it and heading for the Southwest.

If you do decide to come here, October is a great time. You might catch the Head of the Charles regatta - one of the largest crew events in the world. The weather is great, colleges are in sessions so there are lots of students around. We've got great restaurants and art museums. Lots of places to share a pint. And with any luck the Red Sox will be winning their first World Series since 1918 and the city will be going crazy.

Hey there, well, this is true, two very different cities that I've never really heard compared???? Have you ever been to the US before???

Anyways, if you want to learn alot about American history and see a lot of colonial-style buildings, churches, etc, and if you want to check out the city at the heart of New England, Boston is your place. It has lot's of entertainment, nightlife, restaurants and culture.

On the other hand, Las Vegas is American's adult playground. It's where you want to go when you want to PARTY!!! and get away from reality. You can stay at a 5 star hotel if you want, very reasonably or, just stay somewhere dirt cheap. Be prepared to gamble and spend some money. It is a newer city in the US, so there isn't as much history and cultural stuff out there. It's a whole different world. BUT a very fun place, like no other.

I live in New England as well, so Boston, isn't as big of a deal to me, but still a fun little city. I go to Vegas a few times a year, to get away from it all. So, I guess it depends what you are really interested in, they are both fun cities, just in different ways. If you have any more questions, just post a response.

I vote for Boston! Of course, that depends on your view, like the other posters replied, do you want to travel alone to Boston or hang out with your friends in Vegas? I think Boston is a great town to travel to alone. Good museums and shops and history and such that are great if you can wander on your own time table. Doesn't have to be too expensive. Check priceline for hotels. I went Oct. 2003 and used Priceline, landed in a nice Hyatt for $46/night. There's plenty to see and do and it doesn't have to be expensive. Since there are so many colleges, there are also many good inexpensive places to eat and October was breathtaking. Good luck.

You've heard the differences between the
two cities. I'll add this...if you have
any interest in the great outdoors, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and even the Grand Canyon
are all close to Vegas and are truly
breath taking and would be worth visiting. Whatever you decide, have a
great trip.

Another vote for Boston. One word, History. Not only are the cities different, they are almost opposites.

Boston is history, old, charming, ethnic, lovely, classy, with culture and museums and some of the best food in the world; Italian and seafood. Lobster is all over.

LV? Contrived, everything is new, tacky, crowded, loud, phoney, fun, and exciting. Would NEVER go here alone. YOu need a group to party and play with. But LV gets tiresome fast, IMO.

It is like comparing the Met to WDW. Again, IMO. I LOVE Boston, can you tell? Some of my best memories are from that area. Beautiful, classic city. LV? Well, if I never saw it again, I would shed no tears...

If I was picking the trip to take for myself, by myself - I'd probably pick Boston. I've worked for companies that were based in Boston and Las Vegas respectively, so I've taken a several solo trips to each.

But with friends along, it's more of a tie. Las Vegas is all about the party. I don't care for it solo. But with friends, you can have a great time.

True, Boston is about the most historic place, mile for mile in the US. The question is, being from Oz, do you know or care about US history? Otherwise, it doesn't reach the depth of history that many places in Europe might. But I like the town. The downtown sort of reminds me of the Melbourne CBD, if you've been there. Lots of walking areas, small shops and bars, places nearby to catch public transport. More of a "real" city.

All depends on what interests you most. Vegas is probably the more unique experience, Boston the more representative.

Alwaysoz: Do you like to gamble? If you don't, do not go to Vegas. Unless...like someone else said: if you use Vegas as a starting point for Zion NP or the Grand Canyon you will see some amazing scenery.

Boston's one of my favorite US cities, so I would lean toward Boston. I, too, would be interested in hearing the rest of your itinerary.

"Author: karens
Date: 05/31/2004, 09:02 pm
Message: Alwaysoz: Do you like to gamble? If you don't, do not go to Vegas."

Nonsense. I don't gamble and still like Las Vegas a lot.

One big factor is whether there is a big convention in Las Vegas when you are travelling. That makes Las Vegas hotels prices skyrocket. If nothing is going on in LV then, a decent hotel room in Boston will cost 3 times what it would cost in Boston, at least during the week. On weekends, LV prices go up.

Despite what people say, LV is not cheap for anything else but hotel rooms. Restaurants tend to be expensive and medicocre on the strip. Sure they are bargain steaks places, etc., but you really have to run around. (The $1 shrimp cocktails at the Golden Gate, however, are worth the trouble.) Entertainment/shows are really expensive. Also, you need a car in LV. In Boston, a car is unnecessary, so you save there.

I would pick LV primarily if I wanted to use it as a base for trips into the desert, Grand Canyon, etc. AND if I could get a good deal on a hotel room. Otherwise, I'd go to Boston.

If you look seriously at LV, be sure to check out these discussion boards where they discuss various deals that are available and hotel room promotions. By the way, I like Paris Las Vegas best for a hotel.

http://p076.ezboard.com/blasvegastalk
http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php