Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Vegas or NYC or Atlantic City for husband 40th??? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/vegas-or-nyc-or-atlantic-city-for-husband-40th-927391/)

bash123 Mar 12th, 2012 08:02 AM

Vegas or NYC or Atlantic City for husband 40th???
 
Hey all,

I live in NJ (just recently) and wanted to celebrate my husband's 40th. I have narrowed down my choices to NYC or Vegas and in a distant 3rd - Atlantic City. It would just be the two of us and we both like to shop. We are not clubbers - although my husband will drink and gamble. I don't drink....We love Cirque du Soleil, but not braodway shows....What would be the better trip? we can stay in 5 star NYC with no airfare needed, or take 2 night trip to vegas. He has never been to Vegas??/ Trip would be first week in May.

sf7307 Mar 12th, 2012 08:41 AM

I am not a huge Vegas fan (one night every 10 years is enough for me), BUT, given what you and your husband like to do -- shop (both), Cirque du Soleil (both) and drink and gamble (him), I'd probably do Vegas for this particular trip. Atlantic City wouldn't even be on my radar, and Manhattan would be my first choice (always), but again, given your likes and dislikes....

nytraveler Mar 12th, 2012 08:42 AM

Well - I would do NYC - but I'm not sure what you would do there. Just shopping and seeing Cirque - is thre one?

If you want to get to knoe the city and neighborhoods, visit museums and galleries, see some historic sights - yuo could have a great time. If those things don;t interest you - then head to LV.

Dukey1 Mar 12th, 2012 08:45 AM

Make Atlantic City (when compared to Vegas) a distant one millionith..there is absolutely no comparison.

Given your interests and the

number of casinos in Vegas

the number of hotels with "high end" shopping in Vegas

the number of different and very good Cirque shows in Vegas


are you sure you can't make it for three nights rather than just two? And, BTW, it doesn't have to be on the actual anniversary date does it? If you go mid-week you'll get better room rates, too.

tom42 Mar 12th, 2012 11:12 AM

Personally, I wouldn't fly all the way to Las Vegas from the east coast for just a two night trip. Three would be a minimum for me. You haven't really said what you want out of this vacation so it is difficult to give advice about location.

tomfuller Mar 12th, 2012 11:53 AM

For only 2 nights I would pick Foxwoods. Your choice on 4 hotels and plenty of shopping. http://www.foxwoods.com/hotel.aspx
Check your dates to see who is going to be performing.

Aduchamp1 Mar 12th, 2012 01:22 PM

I used to do busines with both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods and the people at Foxwoods are horrible wretchs. The Mohegans are one of the most generous tribes in helping other tribes. Whatever funds they receive that will go back into a pool for the other tribes they refuse.

The former Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequots did hard time in Rhode Island on a drug charge.

Tomsd Mar 12th, 2012 01:38 PM

If you can get away - why not do Vegas - and if you can go mid-week - all the better. If you are in NJ - even though recent arrival - you can do NYC anytime.

You might also appreciate touring the Grand Coulee dam, driving 20 minutes to Red Rock Canyon - or taking a helicopter tour (or even a one day bus tour) of the Grand Canyon.

sf7307 Mar 12th, 2012 02:03 PM

I'm sure tom is referring to Hoover Dam :-)

PaulRabe Mar 12th, 2012 05:38 PM

If you MUST gamble, go to Vegas.
If you want to do anything else, go to NYC. As a resident of Philly, I'll say that NYC has the best food, atmosphere, shopping, shows, neighborhoods, museums, nightlife, fine arts, etc, etc, etc of any city in America.

Taking your husband to Atlantic City instead of NYC would, to me, be grounds for divorce :^)

Aduchamp1 Mar 12th, 2012 06:51 PM

I agree with PaulRabe, going to AC is not celebratory, it is a punishment.

tom42 Mar 13th, 2012 04:59 AM

With all due respect, AC can be a fun place for a weekend for someone who likes to gamble.

Tomsd Mar 13th, 2012 05:30 AM

Righto. Hoover Dam by Vegas - but hey - you could also get over to see the Grand Canyon on a helicopter trip. :)

Here is an idea for some tours from Vegas:

http://www.lasvegastoursandattractions.net/

diann24 Mar 13th, 2012 05:38 AM

Well obvioulsy cost is a factor and what you want to pay. AC and New York will more than likly be the less $$ since you live in NJ. There is a cirque show in NY playing but of course no gambling. If time and budget are not a HUGE factor I would opt for LV. You can have it all there--cirque show, gambling and shopping. Out of NY I believe Jet Blue has some great deal, only go Non-stop. You would also need to do at least 3 days due to the flight times. Life would be easier if you just went to NY. No place quite like NY. No so much wear and tear on you either. There is no wrong answer only your preference, time schedule, and cost factor. All the best.

zootsi Mar 13th, 2012 06:05 AM

Here's a different idea - how about Montreal? One of the most fun cities anywhere with great shopping, dining, gambling AND Cirque du Soleil is in town in May. Montreal is a little like a cross between New York and Paris.

travelbuff Mar 13th, 2012 06:48 AM

Something to add to te mix is the outlet shopping in AC, some top names and tons of shopping and if the westher continues to be nice, beach time as well as gambling, good restaurants and REALLY good prices on hotels. If you really like shopping AC would fit the bill, with money left over.

POMAH Mar 13th, 2012 06:50 PM

only 2 nights in Vegas? huh? No, dont do it. Go for NYC. Since you are in NJ, are you far from AC? Ever been there? If not, go. Then go to Vegas 5 nights, and see how it compares. I dont like AC Nov-Apr, but too many tourists in Summer in Vegas and NYC. So if weather is good, go to AC.

In Summer I like AC because of the ocean. But if in NYC, and you are going to Coney Island, take B36, get off on anywhere past W25st.

POMAH Mar 13th, 2012 07:00 PM

hey, what's with all the A.C. haters here. I've been there many times as I've lived in NYC 31 years. I sure suggest keeping to the boardwalk, and checking out Borgata. Taj Mahal is nice too.
I've been to Vegas. Did not impress me much. Too much noise. Both AC and Vegas have crime, homeless, hookers, runaways, etc. Foxwoods... me thinks me not go there again.

Aduchamp1 Mar 13th, 2012 07:38 PM

Foxwoods is also the first Native American casino to go bankrupt. That is why they brought in MGM Grand.

They never filed for formal bamkruptcy, since they are a sovereign state and to do so in federal court would erode their sovereign immunity.

Before the recession, they were making $1 billion a year just on the slots. This is public record because under their compact with Connecticut they only had to pay taxes on the slots.

They were unprepared for such wild success which led to their desperate financial situation.

I do not know the final outcome of the negotiations.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwor...ing-deal-47360

kathieAHPlanner Jun 30th, 2012 05:24 PM

My husband and I went to Vegas for 2 nights - it was fine. See my blog http://www.americanholidayplanner.com/blog/?p=4. We also went to NYC for 3 nights, stayed on the upper east side and found a nice, friendly local pub that we liked. But we're not into shows or dining. AC - we haven't been to. I'm thinking Vegas is more of a 40th b-day kind of place. NYC - you really need more like a week or you just spend all your time rushing around.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:53 PM.