Wife's 40th Birthday
 

I am planning a trip to Las Vegas for my wife's 40th birthday. We do not gamble much but she enjoys spas. I booked rooms at the Bellagio. While I don't think she will be that excited about going to Las Vegas, logistically it will work. Here is the question, we live in NYC and go to many of the restuarants that have been transplanted to Las Vegas. What would you suggest we do and see whne we are there (assuming we can be pulled away from the spa and pool at the Bellagio)? Also, I have planned for us to arrive at 1pm on Saturday and leave at 5pm the following Monday. IS that enough time?<BR>Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Davuid,<BR><BR>Please pardon my being rude, but...<BR><BR>Her 40th marks transition from young adulthood to middle age<BR><BR>She doesn't gamble much<BR><BR>You don't think she will be that excited about going to Las Vegas<BR><BR>But you're asking advice on going there? What are you, nuts?<BR><BR>This is her time. Spend it in a way that's special to her, unless of course, you want to kill your sex life or hasten the divorce.<BR><BR>

Try a spa in southern California maybe? Sounds like Vegas is more for you than her.

I am turning 40 next month. My husband is taking me to Montreal for five days. He did check with me before planning the trip--he had some other suggestions that I wasn't too hyped about, but when he said "Montreal", I said "GO". If she enjoys spas, I would take her to a "spa" and leave out Vegas, or at least ask where her dream spa/vacation might be.

Good spas all over California and our own California restaurants as well. How about Sonoma Mission Inn in the wine country. That should keep both of you happy. Truthfully, I wouldn't want to spend my 40th in Las Vegas, a city that gives me an instant headache! We went to London for mine---not my husband's choice of a destination but something I wanted to do since my birthday is just at the beginning of the Christmas season. Suggest you rethink Las Vegas. Happy birthday, Mrs. David, and there is still lots of life after age 40! The best is yet to come!

David, are you a WalMart employee?

We spent my 40th on Kauai, husband's 40th in Paris. Both fabulous. If he had chosen Las Vegas for my birthday trip it would not have been pretty....

Excuse me people. Maybe his wife will fall in love with Vegas. There is plenty to do and see in Vegas besides gamble. I would love it if my DH took me to Vegas for my 40th birthday. David, I've been to Vegas a few times, and me and hubby are not big gamblers.<BR>Your staying at the BEST hotel on the strip. Very pretty/classy. Hardly no kids. Make sure to get a lakeview room. The fountains at Bellagio are to die for. Especially in the evening. BEAUTIFUL!!! I won't spoil you with the details. Also make sure to get tickets to see the show "O" at the Bellagio. This show always sells out. I don't know when your going, but if its soon, I'd suggest you call the hotel and reserve tickets. Another EXCELLENT show is Mystere. This show is at Treasure Island. It also sells out pretty fast.<BR>I think 3 days is enough. I usually stay at least 4 full days. Also visit the different hotels. Definetly see the Venetian (do a Gondola ride), and see Paris. I think you two will have lots of FUN!!!

Hi David-<BR><BR>We go to LV often,and on my birthday.<BR>We stay at the Bellagio and it is great.It is a first class luxury hotel,the service is excellent,the spa is wonderful.<BR>My favorite restaurants there are <BR>Circo,Piccasso,and Olives.<BR>At the Mirage are two good places called Onda and Renoir.<BR>We also live in NYC and eat out often,these will not disappoint you.<BR>There are 5 pools, the hotel has a nice little cafe for afternoon espresso and biscotti,you can easily walk over the bridge to Ballys/Paris hotels and wander through their shops.Next door is Ceasars where you can shop in the Forum shops and have lunch at Spagos.<BR>If you want to leave the strip and hotels/casinos, rent a car and drive out to Red Rock Canyon for a half day,it is very close,easy to get to and a nice break from the smokey crowds in the casinos.But the Bellagio is not too smokey and we found on our last trip that we were not in such a hurry to even leave the hotel.<BR>Be sure to mention to the hotel it is her birthday,they always do special things for us,and also when making dinner reservations,it will get you good seats,special desserts,have a good time,and Happy Birthday to your wife:)

Arizona has a lot of great spas.<BR><BR>Check out Spafinder.com

Thank you for the responses. I guess I need to clarify my thought process. First of all, I am not a Wal-Mart employee (not really sure where or why that one came from). My wife and I travel a lot during the year with my 2 sons. We have been to Greece, Turkey, Paris and London during the past 12 months and have 2 weeks on Cape Cod planned for August, a cruise planned in November and a trip to Florida in April. I was looking for a place to spend 4-5 days without the kids. I believe that Sept. is not ideal in the Carib. I thought of Puerto Rico, but also feared bad weather. I also was thinking of Barcelona, but felt that 4 day (inclusive of travel) would not do it justice. I had wanted to suprise my wife, but now I am thinking better of it. Thanks for the replies and any further suggestions would be appreciated. The hostility is not.

Hopefully this is responsive to your request for ideas. LV is not necessarily a bad choice, and from the way I read your post, you made a decision to take your wife there, and were it me, I'd go with that first inclination. I'll provide my two cents worth on that basis. Some ideas: Casino/Hotel viewings - Take the tram (all LV trams are free) from the Belliago to Monte Carlo.(thus themed) Walk to NYNY (you'll want to "compare" it to the real thing, and don't miss the fire and police shirt honor display out front created in response to 911) Walk across Tropicana Ave to Excalibur, pick up the tram there to Mandaly Bay (Bali-type theme, neat aquarium w/fee). Walk or tram back to Luxor (Egyptian theme); then take the passageway back to Excalibur and cross LV Ave to the MGM (tiger habitat), from which you can tram to Bally's,* across LV Ave from the Bellagio. Depending upon your own likes and dislikes, this can be done in about 3 - 4 hours. Good dining is available in Madalay and Luxor, but I hesitate to advise, but you can check out those hotels via their website. A shorter walking-type trip, is to- Caesars (roman theme)in the Appian Way mall, view King Neptunes wrath-free) the Mirage (south pacific theme, volcano-free, best at night)then to Treasure Island (pirate theme, sea battle-free) and then across LV Ave to the Venetian (Venice theme, gondola ride-fee) continuing down to the Flamingo (tropical them, and don't miss the free viewing of the aviary). From there, depending on you level of stamina, you can abort back to Bellagio or continue on to Paris* (this hotel/casino can also be visited as the last stop from the first tour suggestion, as it is physically connected to Bally's), where some convenient, quality light-dining fare is available. (Restaurants are in abundance in LV, but one's likes are another's dislikes, so I'll defer on that topic) Shows are in abundance also, but my advice with the length of your stay, is to not bother. If you do find some extra time, a feel of the "old" Las Vegas can be found downtown, but it will require a taxi fare or a ackwardly-paced bus trip.<BR>In sum, arrive with curiosity, tolerance and patience, and check all sour attitudes upon arrival, and a visit to Las Vegas can be a lot of fun. <BR>I hope you and yours have a great time -enjoy!

Agree that maybe Vegas wasn't the best choice. If already paid for airfare though, Bellagio has a great spa and pool area. We don't gamble and just relaxed by the pool most days. Did spend one day wandering the strip (fun to look at the other hotels). There's a Liberace museum that looked pretty damn funny (never could tear ourselves away from the pool to go see it). Also, there's a BIG Krispy Kreme there (the owner is a fanatic from NYC who built his dream one - I'm also a KK fanatic).<BR><BR>Restaurants: Picasso, Aqua (#1 choice), Andre's in the Monte Carlo (French).

David,<BR>Maybe it didn't occur to anyone you weren't looking for opinions on your choice, just answers to your questions.<BR><BR>Vegas is where I just celebrated my 40th last month. I am not a gambler, or particular fond of Vegas, either, but had a great time.<BR><BR>I was there four days and it was just enough for me. It does seem like a short amount of time to spend coming all the way from the east coast. <BR><BR>To do and see...What about any of the shows? I think you'll find Vegas.com is an excellent website to help answer your questions--check it out!! We saw Mystere and really enjoyed it. What I also liked was taking the shuttle to different hotels--New York, New York where we went to the Coyote Ugly bar, The Venetian, which has a canal winding through it, many shops, restaurants and gondola rides. Jack's Velvet Lounge has great views and is good for drinks. For other nightclubs you might try the Rum Jungle or Ghost Bar. We didn't spend much time at the pool or the spa, but managed to keep ourselves busy. And, even though I don't gamble, it was fun watching others. <BR><BR>I hope this is somewhat helpful and that your wife enjoys her birthday!

Bellagio has a nice spa, as does Mandalay Bay. If you don't gamble and don't want to spend all your time wandering around checking out all the theme hotels, why not check out some of the great outdoors that is just near LV such as the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park? Zion is only about two hours away by car - the natural beauty is something you would never see in NYC (unlike hotels and restaurants), is stunningly beautiful and would remind you why you are alive... If all you want is a spa, why go so far afield and spend so much time flying for basically 1 and 1/2 to 2 days of nothing? Why not go somewhere closer to the East Coast and spend the time there rather than travelling?

I agree, Vegas doesn't sound like her type of place. This is too far to travel for only 1 full day anyway. I'd take her somewhere else and should you decide to go to Vegas or California, stay at least one more day so you have 2 FULL days. SallyB

David:<BR>I just returned, had a great time and think you and your wife will too. We were there just three days and felt it was not enough time. We look forward to going back.<BR>Speedo's suggestions are great....I put a small trip report together..."Countdown to Vegas"....take a look for some more suggestions. Have a great time.

David, don't take this the wrong way, but if my husband took me to LV for my 40th I would not be a happy camper. From NY what about Bermuda for a long weekend? That's where my husband took me for my 40th and I was very appreciative! I LOVED it.

I spent my 40th birthday at the Bellagio and we saw "O" and went out shopping in one of the many fabulous malls (upscale shopping and different stores are everywhere) and I had a fabulous time even though I hate gambling. The Bellagio was relaxing and it is nice not to have a rental car with easy taxi service everywhere and I found it to be very romantic at the Bellagio and think your wife is lucky to have this trip. We are going for our anniversary next week.

but David is not married to nina is he?

Hi David, what does your wife enjoy? you have mentioned Spas and food. well I would offer a suggestion of Vail Colorado. Good food, great spas, amazing weather. if you are at all active its perfect! Golf, tennis, hike bike relax. Your wife is lucky that you are even attemping to surpise her with a trip no matter the destination! <BR>Here is a couple of places that are upscale that I think anyone would enjoy. There are certainly other options if it does not fit the budget. <BR><BR>Sonnenalp Resort of Vail <BR>http://www.sonnenalp.com<BR><BR>Lodge and Spa at Cordillera http://www.cordillera-vail.com<BR><BR>

Hi David,<BR>I've been to the Bellagio (though I stayed at the Venetian), but I have heard that many people go and just hang out at the Bellagio pool/gardens etc. Last time I went to LV (I am not a gambler), I had a great time! Booked a massage at the Venetian, worked out in their massive gym. I had dinner at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel), Circo, as well as breakfast at a sidewalk walk cafe in the Paris Hotel. I shopped at The Venetian, Bellagio, and Ceasar's Forum Shops. I layed out by the Ceasar's Palace pool. I had a fantastic and luxurious time in Vegas. <BR><BR>My only regret was not eating at Picasso, but you need to book about two months in advance (last time I checked). Have a great time!

I also agree with GC. You need to surprise her with a wonderful trip that you know she will enjoy. What about a cruise or a trip to the caribbean?<BR><BR>If you know she won't like Vegas, what the heck are you doing?????

I'm the one who mentioned Zion earlier. Apparently there is a wonderful spa/natural hot springs near Zion called La Verkin that other people on this site have talked about. Again, if all she wants is a spa, then just go for a total luxury spa escape. Someone already gave you spafinders.com site, here is another review site http://spas.about.com/ that has all sorts of spa lists. <BR>The Bellagio is a very elegant hotel, but it is a gambling hotel, very high-end gambling, but gambling nonetheless- (though you don't have to participate). O is a great show (as is anything by Cirque du Soleil), Blue Man is also fantastic for a show. Whatever you do, she should appreciate it, but you may want to check with her first... Good luck!

I suppose the time of year would be a crucial factor in if she'll have a good time. Vegas is incredibly hot during the summer months and unbearable to go outside. Therefore, gambling is the major event in the hot summer months. And even the evenings are HOT - not unusual to be 100 at midnight.