My guess is that they have fake ID and plan to use it in Vegas!

Bingo NorwestMale and lcuy. As I was reading this thread - was also thinking - most likely they already have fake ID.

When my wife was working for a University here in San Diego - they used to put on seminars/receptions along the West Coast for the incoming freshmen and their parents.

Part way through the reception - they would break into separate groups for the parents and then students.

Some college seniors would be provided for the high school seniors to answer their questions while the administrator would answer the parents' questions.

The first questions the students invariably asked where how do you get fake ID's - and also - how to get across the border to Tijuana where there is no drinking age. Mind you - these were "kids" from very good homes.

And the first Q the parents would ask is - how do you keep them from going to Tijuana or partying too much?

Now - we partied hearty while in college days (waay back when the drinking age for beer in Colorado was only 18) but even so - I think letting two 19 year old girls go to Vegas is not the best idea. Maybe send them there (with a couple more friends) after graduation when they have a couple more years of experience in the world.

I'd wonder too a bit about the motivation for going to Vegas. I know when I was under 21, I looked forward to visiting once I could have a drink legally. That was part of the fun of the trip. If they're thinking it's going to be a party and they want to dress up and go clubbing, then they shouldn't even consider Vegas. But for two mature young women not planning or wanting to drink, I'd actually say in some ways a Vegas trip with time spent on the Strip avoiding the seedier areas is probably less concerning than the thousands of college-age women who go on Spring Break trips with the intent of getting wasted, hooking up with random guys, and finding themselves in compromising situations.

Because the fact is it IS possible to have fun in Vegas without drinking or gambling. My girlfriends and I do so regularly. We go to lay out at the pool, shop, dine, walk around, and go to a show or rock concert in town. Having said that, one difference is that we are older, and have money to spend on nicer hotels, restaurants, and shows (we don't actually spend much shopping as we go to places like Sephora, not Hermes.) And we're also not naive. Obviously we can also choose to drink or gamble, but that's never the goal of the trip.

So if they truly don't plan or want to drink, and just want to wander and check out the famous hotel sights (because while they can't go on the casino floors, they can still see the free attractions and shops, and get in bikini time if it's warm), they should be fine. It's often when alcohol gets involved that situations become riskier. Because I made some potentially dumb alcohol-related decisions at 19 that had nothing to do with being in a town like Vegas (although it's also happened as a 21+ year old in Vegas :) ) And I was a mature 19 yr old. If anything, I was probably less careful at home and college because it felt safer, and more careful in other situations when I traveled.

If they do go, I'd definitely recommend they spend all their time on the Strip. And absolutely they should not go to any of the 18 and over clubs off-strip. Those to me are more risky than hanging out on the Strip.

If there's any concern, it's not that they're 19, but more the fact you say they're naive and innocent. But then you also say they're mature and smart. They're not going to get snatched off the Strip just walking along, so as long as they're smart and not planning to drink, they can use good judgment. They'll either enjoy the trip because it was still fun for them hanging out together and seeing the neon and attractions of the Strip, or be bored silly because there wasn't enough for them to do once dinner and shows were done. If you think they'd be the type to drink from guys' cups and innocently go off with them, then yes, I'd be concerned too. But that would also be the case anywhere, whether it be Vegas, NY, San Francisco, etc. There may be more sleazy guys in Vegas, but ultimately it's still about whether they're mature enough to keep themselves in good situations and avoid possible dangerous ones.

Twenty one responses and no one highly recommends it~including me. My daughter is 18, and I wouldn't be thrilled about her going with a girlfriend. As stated before, using common sense they'd use anywhere else would probably keep them relatively safe,but other than lounging by the pool,shopping and seeing some of the shows, there's not much to do for anyone under 21.

Uno Mas Q: Have these two 19 year old lasses done a lot of traveling? Even if they have - this is their first trip unaccompanied right?

Not a good formula in my book.

Ok here goes. I know this thread is a little old. As long as your daughter is smart and sensible there is nothing wrong with it. There is plenty to do and see in Las Vegas without drinking and gambling. Yes, they need to be "street smart". Dont go anywhere with anyone for any reason. They can go into casinos as long as they are walking from point A to point B without loiterring. Many casinos have many things to do for minors. There are many young adults who live here and go on the stip every night without incident. My daughters have gone to the strip, including New Years eve with a group of friends many times and they came home safe & sound. As Most do. And every hotel has many security guards that the girls could go to if anything happened or if they feel uncomfortable about anyone. If they rent a car then that opens another whole opportunity for them. Such as Red Rock, Mt Charleston, Lake Mead, Death Valley, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon to name a few. Millions of people came to Vegas every year without incident. But like any major tourist city, they have to be smart. But I do agree with the walking at night time. Only on the main parts of the strip. Otherwise taxi or monorail.

shaizme: The OP only posted this one time, never returned to this thread or any others. Doubt she is still reading.