Las Vegas and saftey for college girls
 

My daughter and her girlfriend are both 19 and have come up with a plan to go to Las Vegas. They found a "groupon" at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. I am a bit uncomfortable with just the two of them going. They are mature and smart girls yet a bit naive and innocent. I am not worried about what they will do there, are am more worried with their safety because they are beautiful girls and the innocence and naivety is like a neon sign on them. This will be their first time going on a trip by them selves and I am not sure if my concerns are in my head or valid concerns. What are your thoughts, would you want your 19 yr old daughter and her friend going to Las Vegas on their own?
Thank you!!

I think if they stay in the touristy areas they'll be fine.

That being said, what to the girls expect to be able to do there? My impression (from 4 visits) is that the town is pretty strict about not allowing under-21's in the casinos and bars.

Are they going to just walk around and look at the buildings? Pay top price to see some shows? There are some nice shopping places, but it all costs money.

That hotel is set off from all the others and they'll have to spend money on a monorail pass or some taxicabs. They shouldn't walk to the hotel after dark.

I wouldn't worry about them any more in this particular large city than in any other, except to warn them that Vegas is full of scammers and opportunists who prey on young naive things from small towns. I've heard them in bars, seen them in restaurants, going into their song and dance. Don't go back to anyone's apt or hotel room no matter how nice they seem or how true-to-life their story is...blah blah blah. They don't have a couple of other friends who want to come along?

Tell them to have fun, but only out in the open, in restaurants, etc. Don't open your hotel room door at the same moment that some stranger is walking right behind you, don't open the door to "hotel security" if you haven't phoned for hotel security, all the normal warnings should suffice.

I love vegas and have two teenage girls (19 & 14) but would not want her to go without an adult. Vegas is really meant for adults (21 +)

There's really not a lot for them to do in Vegas. Casinos are incredibly strict about allowing those under 21 in - and no bars are going to risk liquor licenses selling booze to minors. Nor do they want them hanging around clubs when they can;t make money selling them drinks.

I would strongly suggest they pick another place - where there is much more for them to do.

The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is not a bad place. It's the former Las Vegas Hilton. I think they have to be 21 to make reservations.
http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/lasvegas-facts.php

However, it's way out of the way from other casinos. The monorail does go through the hotel, so they can catch it to see the rest of the strip.

Nytraveler is correct on the strictness of casinos. Unless they have an agenda of non-21 places to go, it's really going to be a bore.

Here's a map of the strip (old one). Look for the Hilton on the top right.
http://www.cheapovegas.com/cheapo-ve...egas-strip-map

If they're set on going, here's a link to some other casinos more centrally located, that are on sale.

http://www.totalrewards.com/sale/?ed...d_mid=10926667

The Quad is a fairly new, moderately priced casino mid-strip near Harrah's.

My daughter is 19 and no way would I want her going to Las Vegas. Too many creeps hanging around.

I would suggest they pick another place.Las Vegas is not safe with out an adult.

In this situation, naive and innocent trumps smart and mature. Having never been in the kind of situations they may find themselves in, they simply lack street smarts and as a parent, I would not want my daughter to go to Vegas.

The point may be moot, because in all likelihood, they aren't going to be able to check in. And yes, they will ask for drivers licenses, especially if they look young, when checking on.

No. And they may not realize how they will not be allowed into casinos or to buy alcohol - and that it is not like college where under-age drinking is easy. What do they plan to do while they are there - guessing that shows may be out of their budget.

"The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is not a bad place. It's the former Las Vegas Hilton. I think they have to be 21 to make reservations"

Please notice this. There are very few [respectable]hotels that will make reservations for people under 21, groupon or no groupon, in resort areas.

I agree that 19 is too young for Vegas. Our DD went with three other girlfriends when they were 24.

She said they were ushered directly into high-end clubs, because they are four beautiful young women without dates. The women in line with their boyfriends were left to stand in line. Inside the clubs, the girls were shown into the private rooms, where she said it was all free for them and also full of older men. DD and her friends are smart cookies, and they stayed together to look after each other. I will admit to feeling frightened about everything that could go wrong in that setting.

They were even invited to a private showing of JLo swimwear at one of the hotel pools. They were given a couple of swimsuits to keep, and to 'model' while there, and also lots of food and drink was free.

This was all great fun for DD and her friends, and they stayed safe. But I am sure there were men who would have been happy to take advantage of them, if they were naive. Also, they watched their drinks and did not accept any except from the bartendar directly.

Sorry - IMHO 19 is certainly an adult. And two grown women would certainly be safe in Vegas. (My DD and 2 friends spend almost 6 weeks in europe summer before last - and none of us were concerned about safety).

The problem with Vegas is that is you are under 21 there is practically nothing to do. Suggest they visit a city where they will have a lot more activity and save Vegas until they are legal.

18 is the age minimum for the LVH.

I am sure they will meet some nice gentlemen who will provide them with booze.

As far as I am aware the gambling age of 21 is a Nevada state law. Is that incorrect?

And I suppose no one can stop someone from sharing a drink with a minor (although it seems to be incredibly foolhardy given the prevalence of roofies) - but no place wants to lose their liquor license that way.

Can 19 year olds book a hotel room? Is it allowed? shouldn't they be at least 21 for that?

They would not be able to party - the drinking age is 21, and yes, they will check their IDs.

They will not be allowed to gamble, and if you look a day under 30, they will check your ID. Maybe more than once.

What's left? Shopping. Lounging by the pool. Eating.

You know, legally you can't stop them, like I couldn't stop my 19 y. o. to go to Europe by himself. Maybe you can make some agreement with them to go to another place?

What's left?
hooking up with drunk guys

This is a VERY BAD IDEA.

Hard to really fathom that two 19yo girls would become inspired to go to Vegas (alone together) <b>unless they each possess 'fake' ID's suggesting that they are 21</b>. If they don't possess them, then they are basically wasting their time and money.

Second, what somebody up above said is true about <b>young, single and attractive women being courted off the streets by bar managers</b> and given complimentary admission/drinks, so as to entice paying (preying??) male customers at full rates. This happened for a 21yo family member and her friends very recently.

The streets themselves, ON the main Vegas strip, and gen-er-al-ly safe and of limited concern. (the problem arises when one of your girls is <I>naturally friendly</i> and <b>gets lured into seemingly harmless conversation with any of zillions of scammers and potential predators not far from any crosswalk in town</b>).

I would <b>not</b> want any (young, female) relative of mine to be visiting Vegas and staying <I>off-strip</i>, because that nightlife just inspires everybody to go out, and <b>stay out reeeeeeeally late</b>.

I can't say for certain that your daughter and her friend <I>couldn't handle it all</i>... I'm just agreeing with most that there are <b>social risks involved</b> beyond those which you and your daughter are likely <i>ready</i> to take. And at what real benefit???