Las Vegas – is it just a generational thing?
 

Is the appeal of Las Vegas a generation-skipping thing? When I was a kid, my parents used to take annual long weekend vacations with their friends to Vegas. Of course, back then, I never understood why they didn’t take me and my younger sister along. As I grew up in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, my peers and I identified Las Vegas with Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Those guys were radioactive then — you couldn’t find celebrities more unhip than that crew. My friends and I avoided Las Vegas like the plague. Up through the mid-1990s, I only stopped at the LV airport for an occasional plane change.

Since then, I’ve been there for a couple of weekend trips, walked The Strip, had a few good meals, seen a few good shows, and lost more than won at some low stakes gambling. But I still just don’t get it — the glitz and artificiality always overwhelms the fun. On the other hand, most of those in my office who are ten or more years younger than I love to fly there for weekends with friends, for bachelor parties, or on quick couples getaways. Like I say — it must be a generational thing, and mine missed out. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

I love Vegas. I like the shows, the artifical people, the food, gambling, sex appeal....the whole ball of wax.

MRand:

I am probably about your age and my parents did the same as yours. I never went to LV until 1996 - first time ever. By then it was getting into all the glitz, etc. Since then I have only been a few more times. It is fun, but not my place for frequent visits.

I don't think our generation missed out, I think the new LV came a little too late for us. We were past the whoo hoo party stage in our lives. Fun for a few days every 5-10 years for me.

MY

No it is not a generational thing. My folks didn't go to Vegas. My dad did, later in his life, once a year with his Moose club buddies. The place has definitely changed considerably since the late 80s when I went there the first time.

Guarantee you that there are lots of folks your age there. In September I went to LV to see Alice Cooper put on a great show at the Orleans. Saw George Carlin there in June a few days before he died.

Some people like to go to the beach, others go to the mountains. Some go hunting during deer season. Cowboys go to Vegas at this time of the year for the rodeo.

It is not generational, just a different strokes thing. No way to explain it to you if you don't get it. The glitz and artificiality are part of the fun.

I wonder. I remember when James Bond movies went from being pleasant light entertainment to seeming plastic and depraved, and their eventual rehabilitation.

Vegas veered from hip to tacky without changing, and has now been reinvented as something close to . . . well, whatever it is. Never been.

Remember also that while some trooped to Woodstock, others were "proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee."

I don't think it's a generational thing -- like another poster said, I think it's a personality thing. I actually have a soft spot for all things artificial/glitzy/seedy, but I was NOT a fan of Vegas -- because I found the whole vibe to be forced. Everyone there seems determined to have The Wildest Week of Their Whole Life. And it just comes off sort of sad, like they wouldn't know how to have fun anywhere else. If Vegas could keep the kitsch and lose the bachelor party posturing, I think i'd like it more.

I don't think it's a generational thing either. I am probably similar in age and I can definitely remember those years in the 70s where as a teen I thought everything about Vegas was unhip. However, as an adult, I started going there in the early 90s and go back at least twice every year for a long weekend. I love the gambling, great rooms and pools, and the entertainment and dining options. You have to embrace the glitz and artificiality - it's what makes Vegas, Vegas.

It's absolutely not a generational thing. It's a personality/preference thing.

You don't like the "glitz and artificiality" and that is the big appeal for some people. (Other than gambling.)

I know 50 and 60-somethings who love Vegas and 20-somethings who love it, and plenty in the middle. They don't love it for the same reasons and they don't necessarily go to the same places in LV, but it definitely appeals to all age ranges.

i think the crowd has changed too. you have to remember that hotel rooms use to be really cheap, buffets were cheap. it's use to be a very inexpensive place to go (as long as you didn't loose a fortune gambling.) now, it's very high end which draws a different crowd. the hotels use to be owned by individuals or small organziations...now they are all owned by large big business.

Las Vegas = artificial and plastic but of course that is what most people like about it. I dislike going there often, once every 5 years is enough for me, usually to meet family/friends for reunions. I live in San Diego and it is a 5 hour drive: everyone here loves it. I don't get it.

I actually prefer "Old Vegas" because it seems more like the "real thing" and actually has some history. But none of it seems like the sophisticated place of my youthful impressions.

I think it's a personal preference. Reminds me of DisneyLand: some people think it's not worth a day's visit, some spend vacations there. Same with Vegas.

Just spent the Thanksgiving weekend there at the Mirage with family coming from 3 states, and if it weren't for a great hotel rate and time spent with family I would stay at a condo next time I go.
Although business is slow, there are still alot of people on the strip and everywhere and that makes it less of a fun experience.

On the other hand, I have had fantastic fun nights bar-hopping and dancing til 5am, or goofing off playing bingo or taking my camera around and turning Vegas into an art project. That place gives you what you want but it's not for everyone!

Sheri,

Very good response. I would say you summed L.V. up without seeming biased. Have you thought of "travel writing" :)

Hey Lolly - thank you for the nice compliment!

No problem. I have been in the Travel Industry in the past and a destination may not be your favorite, but it's good to have an open mind since everyone is different but everyone's money is still the same color. :)

It's definitely a perspective thing, which I think can be cultivated. My DH who went to industry shows every year for his business would claim over and over how seedy and "unfun" it seemed to be, "hell on earth". We had a completely different experience when I was finally able to attend one of the shows with he and his partner and his wife. Not to give myself any credit...we were just looking forward to a weekend away! We stayed in the West Wing at the MGM and decided beforehand that we would have an adult sexy Las Vegas weekend. We are married 25 years and kids are just recently out of the nest. We had so much fun sitting at the slots (we are not big gamblers) after buying the big souvineer frozen drinks and getting free shots to fortify it and just laughing and losing quarters. Never won the Dodge Viper, damn!!! We went to the show "Zoomanity" and marveled at the whole Vegas vibe walking along the strip with the skin peddlers that come out at night and just felt ourselves in the middle of this life's humanity without taking it seriously or judging it one way or the other.

We also drove there with our kids when they were early teens and we used it as a wonderful learning experience about life for them...such as how big their eyes got when we walked through the casinos (strictly on the carpets!)with all the stimulation of the bells ringing and their witnessing people winning jackpots on a slot, and the great talks about moderation and how some people become addicted to gambling (and sex) and lose everything. It's not that we think Vegas is the best place in the world...it is what it is, and it's definitley an experience!. It is all what you make of it, just like life.....ahhhh

I think it's a perspective thing, too.

What's odd is that my favorite visit to Vegas was with my kids, and I don't think Vegas is really appropriate for kids. We spent a night there before heading off to tour the national parks. We had fun showing them the "fake" Venice, NY, etc., riding the roller coasters, etc.

I have a friend, married, only a few years younger than me, pretty straight laced. But..somehow he's managed to attend THREE bachelor parties in Vegas over the past 4 years. Hmmm...

It could be a generational thing if you consider the age of those that are going to do nothing but party.

How old are these people going to vegas? I would say that if they are under 30 - then yes, it's generational. What other age does anyone have the disposable income, time and energy to party all weekend?

10 yrs ago (or so) I spent a great amount of time and energy looking for the next party.

If vegas is close enough, and cheap enough to get to, that's where I would be when I was that age!

I travel to Vegas alot on business - usually there are some 20 somethings on our team that cannot wait to go - just for the party - while us older generation might see a show, or just walk thru the hotels and shop.

WE'RE OLD!