Hope my other msg didn't end up here, lost it while editing. Anyway, we recently went to Los Angeles for 4 days. Had a great time but it was cool/cloudy & gridlock gridlock gridlock so now want to squeeze in a make-up mini-vacation. We've decided to try a place we never thought we'd want to go, have narrowed it down to Las Vegas (deals abound, stuff to do) or somewhere in Florida (deals, attractions, but humidity). If you were middle-aged Midwesterners w/17yr old son, just looking for some sun, peace/easy transportation, and a few activities, would you have a better chance in Vegas (enough to do/see other than gambling & eating?) or somewhere in Florida (son doesn't swim so beach nice but not necessary)? This would be mid or late May. Yes, cost is a factor since we have other vacations planned.

Sorry this sounds so vague, will get more specific to any replies. Thanks again for your help in the past.
Sue

WHEN will you be going? Vegas in the summer is beastly hot. Honestly, with an under-21 child, you'd be better off going to Florida.

ChristieP: Thanks. As in the OP, we'd go mid to late May. Any suggestions for Florida places then? Really not interested in anything Disney related at all, but otherwise, just somewhere w/o much humidity or traffic. Seems like there is just too much info out there on Florida! So many places sound good but honestly, we're stuck about making an actual decision. Maybe that's why we need another vacation! We apparently used up alot of our "planning" brain cells on our recent trip.

Thanks for your help.

VEGAS! There are many things to do and see without the gambling! The pools at most of the hotels are great! Shows are great! We love Vegas. We have taken our family before and the kids loved the different looks of the casinos and the pools. Here are some things you can do...


Grand Canyon, South rim, drive is worth it if you have never been (about 2.5 hours 1 way). You can rent a car for about $60 for the day. Pack a picnic. You can drive into the park, take your time at many points of view.

If you haven't seen any Cirque du Soleil shows, you have many to pick from. You can also see Elton John or Celine Dion if they are in town. You can also see other more moderately priced shows.

Many of the hotels have great attractions to see, some free, some with a small fee:

Bellagio: Fountains at Bellagio
Every evening, a water and music show plays again and again in the fountains filling the quarter-mile-long lake in front of the Bellagio.

Caesars: fountain show at Caesars

MGM: Lion Habitat at MGM Grand - free

Treasure Island: The Sirens of TI, located at the front entrance of the casino. 5:30, 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m. nightly.

Mirage: Volcano erupts every hour after dusk. Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat is great, small fee.

Paris: The Eiffel Tower Experience, time it so you can watch the fountain show at the Belagio from the top.

Venetian: Gondola Ride

Flamingo: Flamingo and other type of animals habitat - free

Vegas.com has a ton of info.

8-)

All of Florida has humidity and much of it has traffic. Las Vegas has no humidity but has traffic - so take your pick on that.

I would still go to Florida - you might like Gulf Coast more than East coast, perhaps around Ft Myers area.

If cost is a factor, first check out airfare deals and perhaps hotel/air packages. That may make the decision for you, but both places can have good deals in May. I am one of those who is not a big fan of Las Vegas for kids/teens, but others here have other opinions - it obviously is up to you.

For similar cost, you might be able to get a 3-day cruise from either east or west coast. Check out last page of this Sunday's travel section in any large newspaper - they usually have an entire page of travel deals. From Boston they are always advertising 3-4 night packages with air for cruises, all-inclusives, etc. that are sometimes amazingly inexpensive.

When you said you wanted someplace without much humidity, you just eliminated Florida in late May. End of discussion.

The suggestion to look at cruises is a great idea. I know that Carnival runs several out of Galveston, TX that are 4 days long and go to Cozumel and Cancun, Mexico. These are a LOT of fun for families, and they are CHEAP! You won't need passports yet; birth certificates and photo IDs will be fine.

Gail, I'm also one of those who is not big on bringing kids to Vegas...

That's a tough one. Both places could be getting hot by then. But with the dry heat being prefable, i'd pick Las Vegas. There's good outdoor stuff to do including Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam. Cheak out these two websites:
www.cheapovegas.com and www.vegasforkids.com.
FYI, 17 is under 21 but I think a better age to bring to Vegas than say a 10 yr. old.

Seems to me to get to any attractions in Florida you have to travel alot. In Vegas there many events/shows on the Strip where there is no travel or easy flat walking. I'll take dry heat over Florida any day. Went to Florida in May 2001 and the humidity was terrible.

Do Vegas. After three days you want to leave. It is too much excitement. With Florida you will feel like you just got there.

I would do Vegas for a three day trip.
We, too, are "middle-aged Midwesterners". We've done Vegas many times with our teenaged son. We just enjoy exploring all the huge hotels, shopping and eating in great restaurants. We are not gamblers, so that is not a big deal for us. We love the Cirque shows - we've seen Mystere, "O" and Ka - all GREAT!! Vegas is easy, because you don't need a car. You can walk, take the monorail or a taxi. Sometimes we walk as far as we can and then take a taxi back to our hotel. It's just the kind of place that is perfect for a 3-day trip.

It will be warm, but it won't be humid. Actually, we are thinking of going back at the end of May. It's always fun!

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

My husband and I went to Las Vegas a couple of years ago. We weren't really keen on the idea, as we didn't think it would be "our style" but were meeting relatives there for a long weekend getaway. We ended up LOVING it -- much to our surprise. It is such a crazy place (in a fun way), with lots to do.

We stayed at the Bellagio - a terrific place. The fountains are great. We wandered around the other casinos as well, and were kept totally amused.

We also rented a car and drove to the Hoover Dam one day and to the Red Rock Canyon on another.

We took in two Cirque de Soleil shows, Mystere and O. They were absolutely fabulous. I've never seen anything quite as amazing. There are other Cirque de Soleil shows in Las Vegas. I haven't seen them, but understand that they might not really be appropriate to take a teenager to. Mystere and O, however, are fine and I HIGHLY recommend them.