Hello,

Mu hubbie and I (27 and 30) would like to do a long weekend at the end of March, beginning of April somewhere warm. We are looking at Vegas (shows, pools, eating, entertainment), Florida Beaches (Clearwater, St Petersburg, Miami, and Orlando (Universal, Disney, etc.). We like great restaurants, funky, laid-back clubs, live music, walking and swimming. We'd like to spend about $1500-$1800 including airfare from Boston. I have never been to Disney, neither of us has been to Vegas...

What are your opinions? I have seen good things here about Clearwater, but it looks very family oriented, not really romantic. What do you think about Universal or Disney, good opinions here about Citywalk?

I'd really appreciate any help...never done a weekend away like this!

Thanks!

Vegas is a must to visit at least once in a lifetime. It doesn't take long to see it, and after 3-4 days you just want to get out, so a long weekend would be perfect.

We've done both, it depends what you're looking for. Florida is a nice short plane trip w/no time change. We've done Universal/Disney, but keep in mind, Easter is the last weekend in March, so the parks will be packed. On that note, if you have at least 4 days, go to Vegas. It will be more "adult" oriented, the shows are fantastic, reserve ahead and I would think you would get a good package in your price range. I think the best location is around Alladin/Bally's/Paris as you're right in the middle of the strip and the walk across the strip to Bellagio (my favorite) is easy, and that's connected to Caesar's which has a great shopping mall.

Hmmm, I was thinking that Easter would be a quiet weekend, but now I'm not so sure for Orlando....Overall, would Vegas be much more expensive? We have friends that love Vegas, but they gamble and we don't...although I've heard the food and shows are great! Good suggestions

You are the perfect profile for Vegas. You will find romance, excitement, bright lights, lots of entertainment and warm weather.

In a mid price range, I highly recommend the Paris or Aladdin or NYNY. Want to spend more: Bellagio, Mirage, Venetian or possibly Mandalay Bay.
For less: Monte Carlo, Flamingo, MGM

Go to Florida and you will find a ton of youngsters and silly lines.

No brainer!

You should be aware, however, that the weather in Las Vegas at the end of March/beginning of April may or may not be pool weather. It is no guarantee that it will be warm enough to sit by the pool and/or go swimming.

Good point Tom...seems that Vegas is a bit less expensive in terms of flight and hotel too...too many choices!

GO TO VEGAS!!!!!!!

It will actually be peak season in Orlando, tons of kids/families.

Peak?!?! That's no good...what about other parts of FL? Say Clearwater? Would it be worth going to the Keys? Seems like Vegas wouldn't be all that warm...

I don't know Florida well at all, but for Vegas you'll most likely find temps in the low 70s. Of course, it could be considerably warmer or cooler than normal, so you just never know. Many hotels have limited pools open through April 1, so it would make sense to go as late in April as you can if pools are an interest.

You can certainly find stuff to do in Vegas without gambling, though many of the shows are pricey. Hotels can be a decent deal, but weekend nights are going to be more expensive. I would guess that if you're talking 3 nights there, with airfare running around maybe $250 each you could do air and hotel for around $1000, leaving you several hundred more for food and shows, so you could certainly have a great time in Vegas for that!

Just so you know - there is a large convention (130,000 delegates) in Vegas scheduled for 4/18-4/21 so you might want to avoid that time frame. This comes from:

http://www.lvcva.com/finder/conventioncalendar

i live in Florida. Key West is cool if you are looking for fun. Tons of stuff to do during the day and a zillion bars at night. Everything is pricey down there because of the location.
There is also plenty of stuff to do in Orlando without going to Disney. If you do the Universal route, City walk is fun, just very commercial. Have you though about Miami Beach? Tons of clubs, Miami Seaquarium, beaches, shopping...

I did not read the entire thread. I think you will know if LasVegas is your cup of tea. I live in NYC and with the same time frame I would head to Paris. There are all types of deals from Boston to europe right now.
4 day weekends are not so bad to London, Paris, Milan (northern). Central Italy will be in the Mid 60's that time of year. But yeah not everyone wants to do a four day trip to Rome. I would but ok this is you. Well I only mention it if you have not considered.

I like St. Petersburgh but you don't have a guarantee on weather that time of year. Key West might be a safer bet. Shoter plane ride than the west coast.

I was in San Francisco last year in May for a four day weekend. I enjoyed it so don't let a cross country jaunt put you off either. Just think of it all, Europe, West Coast even Costa Rica as a long Car ride but you are on a plane. LOL!!!

Last year in Vegas in mid-February 2 days were hot, I felt sorry for not bringing a bathing suit. Then 2 cold days. You never guess.

Both Florida (entire state) and Vegas will be packed because it is Easter Weekend. Expect inflated fares unless you find great last minute deals.

I suggest start stalking the web for last minute package fares.

You couldn't pay me to go anywhere near Disney Easter Week.

Sarah, Good idea, maybe I will expand my horizons...GoTravel, thanks for the heads up on the Easter weekend! It's v v cold here in Boston so we were hoping to get away sooner rather than later...but now it seems like it might be better to wait a week or two...can't go before end of March. GoTravel, what would you suggest?

Have you though about New Orleans? or Savanah, Georgia? great food, clubs, lots of history for walking and sightseeing?

If you can wait a week until the week of April 3rd, things will have quieted down considerabley and prices dropped significantly.

Families usually vacation the week before Easter and the week after Easter depending on when school breaks are.

Have you thought about Charleston?

We lived in Charleston for a year right after we got married...had a great time for the first 3 months as we discovered the city...lived in the 'burbs and never quite settled in - we're true New Englanders...it would still be pretty cold for the beach or a pool, no?

I have to put in a plug for "the Vegas"(as they call it on the O.C...lol)We went last April and the weather was absolutely perfect..no humidity, not one cloud, direct flight, and everthing was so easy. Loved the Mirage pool, hit the slots..thus did some fab shopping..guess you could say we had a great adult time.For an adult trip, its great.You couldnt pay me to go anywhere near Disney that time of year.....