ncounty

Vegas is ostentatious opulence on steroids.... it is a circus and a zoo of humanity. And there's something to be said for that, lol. There is no place like it and I think it is fun for 2 or 3 days. I go at least twice a year. I don't gamble at all and haven't even done any of the big shows yet.

I agree with above recommendation that if you stay high end, it's great. I also love touring the hotels.... Bellagio for the atrium display that changes seasonally, the Wynn, the Venetian, Caesar's Palace. The water show at the Bellagio is also great to see. My son wants to go back for the "world's best thai iced tea" at Beijing No. 9 noodle shop in Caesar's palace.

Dayenu

Bellagio also has an art gallery, currently Warhol's exhibit.

MomDDTravel

The Venetian smells good because they pipe in a scent called "Venetian Lace."

They sell it is some of the gift shops in the hotel.

Thin
********

Oh... " I want that" said in my best trailer trash voice

maryanntex

I didn't think I would like Vegas (and hadn't been there since I was too young to drink--which was a loooong time ago), but I loved it!

We (my adult daughter and her two friends, I and my two friends) stayed at Planet Hollywood. We went to "Love" and Jay Leno. I also went to the Liberace Museum. We watched the Texas-OU game at the PH sportsbook, and bet on lots of other college football games. I got up early in the morning and ran from one end of the strip to the other. The M&M store is fun. We bought M&Ms in the colors of out favorite college teams--and took them to the sportsbook. We had tickets (free--thanks goodness--I wouldn't have wanted to pay to see that show) to Thunder From Down Under, which was a hoot.

We ate at Daniel Bouloud at the Wynn, Bouchon at the Venetian, Japonais at the Mirage, and Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. For a change of pace, the last night we ate off-strip at Lotus of Siam. Delicious food everywhere. We took a cab to In-and-Out Burger, which we were so hungry for, not having been to CA in a while.

I liked every single thing that we did and thought Vegas was so much fun!

nytraveler

Vegas is incredibly fake. It is the fake capital of the world (outside of Disney). It is also quite sleazy and tacky.

I think everyone should go one - otherwise you will never believe what you see there. And I think a weekend is plenty of time. The road shows are road shoes - never Broadway quality - but not bad for a road show. And some of the shoes - O, for example, are actually quite interesting. There are several quite good restaurants if you don;t ming spending quite a bit.

Just don't be surprised by what you see - or are handed.

Cries_Van_Notebook

"Or are handed."

Like those Mexican guys slapping and handing you the hooker cards? ROFL!!

Thin

Aduchamp1

Las Vegas is like Disneyland with an STD.

They spend a lot of money trying to make the fake real.

bratsandbeer

Love Vegas! I don't gamble but we love to walk around, eat at the many restaurants, see the shows, etc. Some of the casinos are just trashy but many we enjoy going back to just to look at their attractions. We usually stay 4 days.

There is the Ethel M Chocolate Factory, marshmallow factory, drive to Hoover Dam. 4 hours from the Grand Canyon. Lots to do beside gambling.

ksucat

LOL..what the hell is going on with the clicking of those porn cards with the Central American guys at every light and ped crossing?
bizarre

Aduchamp1

I remember there was a flatbed truck parading up and down the strip advertising an escort service. Also a female singer was performing at one of the hotels and they had a four hundred foot sign on the facade announcing that fact. Her skirt was hiked up and if someone opened the shade of your room on the right floor, they could have been arrested for indecent expsoure.

I was there for a convention and we were staying at the spray filled Venetian. We went for dinner in their ersatz San Marco Square a completely encloded space. Oddly enough, I was the only one at the table who had been to Venice, so I explained that where the shoe store was located was actually the cathedral.

I had a steak, since the company was paying. I ordered it rare but when it came out it looked well done. One of the other people said send it back. I hate to do that unless there is glass or something in the food but this person sumoned the waitress. It turned out the steak was rare but the blue from the false painted sky above and the red from the meat made it look almost black. So I held up one of my french fries to the sky and said, "See it is really a baked potato." And that to me is Vegas, baby.

emalloy

Well,,, Vegas is what everyone has said, and it also is sometimes the cheapest place to fly in to to see the southwest. We use it to go to places in the area, do a loop through Zion (3 hrs away) , Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc. or for day trips to Death Valley, Valley of fire, Red rock canyon. Usually just stay the night we arrive and/or before we fly out. That said, have fun and enjoy the glitz.

sassy_cat

I agree with emalloy.

Use Vegas as a gateway to the National Parks the contrast is stunning! From over the top fake to nature at it's unbelievable best.

I suggest 'doing Vegas' first rather than the end of the trip unless you decide to hike first and finish at a spa... enjoy!

AAFrequentFlyer

I love Vegas for about 3 days at a time. I get excited just before the trip but once there I want to go home about 3 days later. That's the best way I can describe.

I do believe every one in the world should see it at least once. It is a very unique town. Love it or hate it, but not before experiencing it personally at least one time.

I keep on going back, but I'm a gambler.

bardo1

Once was enough for me, but I agree everyone should go at least once - it's a one of a kind place. Two nights is plenty.

In case this is your only time, you should do it up and stay on the strip - save a cheaper hotel for a different vacation.

socialworker

As the beloved Flip Wilson used to say, "You owe yourself a try-on." If you have never been, you have to go once, so why not now?

PS If/when you decide to take the plunge, the only buffet I recommend is Paris for a late breakfast/early brunch. Also try to stay mid-strip so that you can walk to a few surrounding hotels/casinos. Like Patrick, I am partial to the Venetian but it is not an easy walk---especially in the heat, if you are going soon---to other spots of interest.

persimmondeb

I ADORE Las Vegas!!! Of course it's fake, to the point of being absolutely surreal (this is also what I love about Disney, BTW, just one is wholesome and one is...not). It is probably the strangest place you will ever go to in your whole life, and that alone is probably worth the price of admission.

volcanogirl

Thanks for all the guidance, everyone. So it sounds like we should go for a just a few days and stay somewhere fabulous to get the most out of the trip. I didn't realize the Grand Canyon was that close - that might be fun to see too.

I'm used to going to Costa Rica for vacation. LV will probably give me sensory overload!

And now I am very curious to go smell the Venetian..

MomDDTravel

volcanogirl - I keep thinking about you and CR and Las Vegas...not sure it is going to be a great mix..but if you go in with the attitude that this is just for fun for a weekend and know what to expect...

peterboy

The best thing about Las Vegas is that I can get a direct flight there from Upstate NY and get a good rate on a rental car and be in Zion NP 8 hours from my doorstep. Driving to Maine takes as long.

I'm not a big fan of cities in general and only find San Francisco and Montreal at all alluring.

I'm always amused by the folks on our flights to and from Vegas. On the way there, folks on the plane are filled with enthusiasm. On the return flight, the passengers have a lingering smell of stale cigarettes and booze and many are enduring hangovers. The mood is quite different as well with folks lamenting their losses. There's always a few wondering why they went there in the first place...now they've learned.

I'm certainly glad so many folks like Vegas since it keeps them from clogging up the places I prefer to go. Harsh I know but, that's how I feel.

volcanogirl

Mom, I know; it seems that attitude is key! I'm also interested in going to Santa Fe - the two spots could not be any more different.