I am in the very beginning stages of planning a trip for my 21sy birthday for myself, my mother and my sister. (My mom's bday is 3 days before mine, so it's sort of for her, too.) We've been discussing Las Vegas, but have hear that since the reemergence (sp?) of "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," tourists have been exceptionally rude or vulgar.

Now, I don't plan on getting overly sloshed with my ma and sister, so the bar/nightclub scene is of little interest to me. I really just want to see a show (not like Celine or Wayne Newton or anything like that), go shopping (maybe, if things aren't horrendously overpriced), go to the Grand Canyon for a day trip, do a little gambling- that kind of stuff.

One of my mom's friends suggested Atlantic City to avoid the rude tourists, but my sister thinks we'll seem too old lady-ish (Sex and the City has warped her mind, IMO, but I still love her!). Are there any other Vegas-y places that don't have an "old lady" vibe or "country hick" vibe (my mom's reaction when one of my sister's friends mentioned Branson, MO).

Vegas baby, Vegas!

Yes, you can do anything you want there for a price...and the billboards and fliers seem to jump out at you while you are there but if you don't pay to see it (or lurk at the doors of where it's at) you will be safe.

Yes, TI (formerly Treasure Island) has changed the sinking boats to a more sexy show, the lights are brighter, the billboards more risque and more specialty clubs abound but it's still Vegas! Don't go see the TI show out front, the billboards give you something to discuss over dinner and go to a show (NOT Zumanity), skip the kinky clubs and you will be fine.

I head out to Vegas at least every 2 or 3 months for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles and every year my best friend and I meet there for a girls getaway and I have yet to have any vulgarity or rude sexual behavior forced upon me.

I will tell you, for the cost, Vegas is the best way to go than almost any other city in the USA. My friend and I were supposed to pick a different city each year but we love Vegas AND can't beat the deal for anywhere else. It really is a fun place and IMO the best place to go for a 21 b-day celebration!

Good luck on your decision and remember one thing, if you go looking for the negative, you will find it...no matter where you should decide to travel.

BTW..Happy 21st birthday!!!!

You really cannot compare Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Go to Vegas.

While Vegas is certainly tacky - and becoming more tasteless by the minute - you can ignore all the crude come-ons/activities on the street - and the similar shows. If you have never been it is something ridiculous to be experienced (although to me once is definitelty enough). Sort of a very naughty Disneyland (it's all about fantasy) for adults.

And it is nothing like AC - which to me is simply sad - all those poor seniors betting their rent money!

You mentioned the Grand Canyon- is that a must do? Or are you just looking for something else besides gambling? If so - you have lots of other options for gambling plus - from the casinos in CT to several places in the islands.

No contest - Vegas. We've been six times in the last 3 years and have never encountered tourists who were "exceptionally rude or vulgar." The beauty about Vegas is that you can make your trip whatever you want to be...you can very easily have a fabulous time by shopping, going to shows, enjoying different restaurants, and wandering the casinos.

Interesting that your mom's friend said you could avoid "rude tourists" in Atlantic City -- that's a pretty big generalization. I'm guessing you can find rude tourists just about anywhere you go. Pick the destination that offers the most of what you want to do!

It is obvious from your post that you are looking for other things to do beside gambling.

Atlantic City, nor any other casino places (although, as I've never been, I can only imagine those Indian casino in CT as poor man's AC), will not compare with the shows, the shopping (there are a lot of high-end shopping establishments in Vegas), Grand Canyon (which, I'm positive will not be comparable to anything in or near Atlantic City) or Hoover Dam, and both exquisite or tacky dining experiences (lot's of good to very good ones). It's been ages (10+ years) since I've been to AC and I never looked forward to going back even during those last 10 years.

Go to Vegas.

HI Cutie--do *not* go to Atlantic City and have a great time in Vegas!!

Grand Canyon is so far away from Vegas - you will only go there, look at it, and go back - looooong rides!! If you can go to the Canyon another time, spend more time there, watch sunrise/sunset, put it off.

Go to the dam, lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon and The Valley of Fire is a must. Also there are lots of things in Vegas like shows, 3-d movies, museums.

Yes, there is vulgarity in Vegas IF you're looking for it. There are also lots of other things - it all depends on your choices.

I'd agree that Vegas is by far the better option of the two...

The beautiful thing about Vegas is that you can have whatever you want, at any time you want, IF you want. I've also been going yearly for the past 6 years, and I've never seen anyone being "exceptionally rude or vulgar".

I'm not sure where the rude & vulgar part comes in unless your staying at the Palms where it is practically Spring Break 24/7. What kind of shows do you have an interest in ? AC is for serious gamblers only or old people from NYC.

Listen to the other posters. GO TO VEGAS! I did a similar type trip with my Mom & 2 sisters (celebrating one sister's vet school graduation). Everyone had a fabulous time, and Mom & sisters still rave about the trip.

If Vegas is "rude" then AC is "repulsive". There are a lot of seedy characters around there, epecially when the sun is down.

The rude and vulgar part of Vegas just might be the billboards showing larger than life T & A.

Could also be the "Mexicans" trying to hand you biz cards for strippers on many sidewalks.

The cards with R-rated photos of women are also slid into chain link fencing and any metal seam of stoplights/ lightposts/ sign poles at intersections - - - where they hope people will anonymously collect them and increase business for the girls.

ColeraineCutie,
I also meant to give you a few websites to check out for vegas.

www.lasvegas.com
www.goingtovegas.com

and for a really fun thing to do...
colorado river adventure...great!
http://foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=130

hope you'll let us know what you have decided!

Dawn

Thank you ALL for your advice. I'm definitely gonna concentrate on Vegas. It sounds like it will be lots of fun and that there will be lots to do! Thanks you everyone!

Concerned4uall -

The casinos in CT are not a poor man's AC - they are quite attractive casinos in themselves - and don;t feature tons of little old seniors in tatty clothing betting the rent money.

The difference in CT is that there are a lot of other things to do nearby (Mystic Seaport and aquarium, Newport Mansions etc) - unlike AC - which IMHO (from my one unfortunate day there) has nothing but tacky casinos infested and surrounded by tons of cheap hookers.