We're going to Vegas in the fall. Will only be there 1 1/2 days. One of the things I wanted to do was the gondola at the Venetian. Someone who had seen it said it was kind of hoaky and like riding a boat through a mall. Is it worth the effort to get tickets, if we're only going to be there for that short of a time? Thanks in advance. Judy

We took a gondola ride last November. You buy the ticket and are given a time to come back for the ride. Go and watch to see if it looks like something you would enjoy.

We did the ride in Vegas on our first wedding anniversary. We had gone to Venice, Italy for our honeymoon and took a gondola ride there.

The ride in Vegas was neat because we saw the fake Bridge of Sighs and Doges Palace all over again. The gondolier in Vegas sang (quite well). The one in Venice didn't.

The one funny thing is the gondolas in Vegas have motors. I could feel the vibration. The gondolier didn't like it when I mentioned it.

It is like riding through the mall and there are alot of onlookers. You can chose the gondolas outside for a little more privacy. The gondolas are on a track so the gonddolier is not "driving" the boat.

The canals in the Venetian are definitely something to be seen. The (ceiling) sky is blue and as day turns to night it gets dark and the stars come out. The whole experience is very Disney-esque. There are living statues and usually some live entertainers, either musicians or singers. Even in the Venetian hotel lobby and casino, the ceilings are painted to represent the ancient Italian artists. The Venetian is not to be missed. The gondola ride I have never done and didn't think it looked all that interesting. Yes, hokey is probably the right word for it.

Where are you staying?

The Bellagio. That looks like it's right in the middle of everything, so at least will give us a taste of Vegas.

Thank you for all the responses. At least it gives me a better idea ahead of time, of what it's like. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!!! Judy

It's Las Vegas -- of course it's hokey -- isn't that the whole idea?

I am one who made fun of someone who once posted that it was just like the ones in the real Venice. Sorry, but that was worth a major laugh.

But if you're OK with hokey, why not? It's like most of Vegas -- hokey can be fun.

Like everyone says...it's hokey....but do it anyway.

If you're really short on time, at least go to the Canal Shops and watch the gondolas go by. Be sure to station yourself in the area that the gondoliers sing--THAT is really wonderful. I like to take a coffee break and hang out in that area while they sing.

When we were there recently, our teenager wanted to ride the gondola so we appeased her. Husband and I decided to make the best of something that looked very hokey. Sooo, we sat across from our teenager and kissed under the bridges, nuzzled as our gondolier sang, etc. She was ready to hurl over the side by the time our ride was over but we enjoyed ourselves!

It's hoaky, in the mall, but great fun!
We've been to the Venetian many times and always passed on gondola ride. But on a girlfriend trip last year, it was the one thing one first-timer wanted to do. We caught it before noon, no line and it was a blast. Laugh, sing, wave at the folks watching and enjoy!
It's so Vegas!