Will I hate Vegas?
 

So I am 35, pretty well traveled, have partied a lot, and somehow have never been to Vegas. I have been all over the US and much of the world, yet never to Vegas. Most of my friends have been many many times. So I have got it in my head that I need to go to Vegas. My wife thinks I have just watched the Hangover too many times.

Yet everything I read about Vegas, suggests that I will hate it.

Partying:

10 years ago I was happy going to the lively areas of NYC or Chicago on a friday or saturday night. I was Ok with wating in line and cover charges. Crowds were a positive as there were more girls to go around and more action happening.

Now I am married and could care less what the girls look like. I hate lines. I hate pushing my way to the bar and struggling to order drinks. I hate music so loud I can't hear anything. I hate cover charges and overpriced drinks. I like dive bars where you can meet people and dance with some personal space. I try and go out on wed. or Thursday as there are no crowds and the drinks are 75% off.

Restaurants:

I like to eat but wouldn't call myself a foodie. I also live in Chicago and feel like I have not even come close to exhausting the supply of restaurants here. I used to think that Vegas was full of bargains subsidized by gambling. But from what I read that seems to be no longer the case. I probably wouldn't go that crazy with the dining in vegas.

Gambling:

I like to gamble but only do it if I think I am going to win. After enough visits to Atlantic City and Indian Casinos I gave up on gambling at casinos a long time ago. Now I just play with friends and stuff. I haven't been to a casino in 10 years and I doubt that is going to change.

the scene:

I like to think I am pretty down to earth but suspect I have become more snobby as I have gotten older. Although I think most people in my circle are a lot worse. Still I imagine the strip to be somewhat white trashy jersey shore type seen. Don't know that it bothers me a ton but definitely doesn't improve my impression of Vegas.

The pool:

I like nice resorts and hanging by the pool relaxing in a lounger. I loved doing this in Thailand. But there I practically had the whole resort to myself. We stayed at some top end places in Hawaii which was nice. Though it was a little crowded for my taste. The pictures I have seen of Vegas pools look ridiculous. There are people wall to wall. Nothing at all looks attractive about it.

OVERALL:

Yet even knowing all this I still really want to go to Vegas. I think in large part it stems from having never been. Maybe I just also want to understand what everyone is talking about.

Also there is the architecture. I really like architecture and am fascinated by many buildings. These hotels sound pretty awesome. I am really looking forward to just going from one hotel to the next and checking out each property.

So am I kidding myself that I will enjoy Vegas or do you think I should go check it out. I would be going with my wife who really doesn't have too much interest even though she has never been.

Don't go.

Just go.

For whatever reason I have the same feel about south america. I know I am wrong but I can't quite get myself to book a trip there. :)

If you have to ask on FT ....

I stopped reading after this sentence.

I think you should stay home.

Yeah, I think you will hate it.

But at least you're going in with the right attitude. ^

[QUOTE]
Now I am married and could care less what the girls look like. [QUOTE]

Did your wife cut them off and already have them bronzed?

Are you serious about your statement?

This is the ONLY reason I go to Vegas.

That's a good way to put it. Another is, "Go in with the right attitude and expectations, and you'll like it."

Treat it as a trip to see what all the fuss is about. Try some of the gambling, try a fancy restaurant, and plan your trip around a show you'd like to see. Stay at a reasonably nice hotel and hang out at the pool. Visit a bunch of the casinos to see the sights. Rent a car and drive out to the Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon. You can have a reasonably enjoyable trip without having to make Vegas your religion.

Go but stay at the JW Marriott. It's about a 20 minute drive from the strip on the other side of town. You can drive to the strip and check it out then go back to the JW and chill out. It's quiet, not crowded and is nothing like the rest of vegas.

Sounds like you may be substantially happier staying at an off-Strip property. There really are still bargains, especially catering to locals (see, for example, cheapovegas.com)

JW Marriott was mentioned, and that may gain some wife approval, because it is nice and relatively serene. But you can get closer to the action by going to places like Orleans or even downtown. That way, you can do the standard tour of the big properties, have a few pricey drinks/meals, but don't lock yourself in to a spot with resort-level prices for everything.

And if you hate crowds, get in on a Sunday or at least midweek so you have some breathing room.


(As for casinos, if you want a fighting chance you could try your hand at some poker.)

Maybe you are too sophiticated and/or jaded for Vegas. If your wife doesn't want to go, I don't know that I would foresee a wonderful vacation for you two (or are you considering going alone?). There are alternatives you could try as a compromise, at least for a first trip to a Nevada gambling city, such as Stateline, along Lake Tahoe (cooler temps, much better scenery, far fewer casinos). My parents liked Laughlin, along the Colorado River. Much quieter than Vegas (popular place for retirees). If you want real dive bars, you could consider some of the historic Nevada towns that have at least a few small casinos, such as Ely (and you could ride historic trains, and visit Great Basin National Park).

You only like to gamble if you think you are going to win or if you really are going to win? The odds are in the favor of the house. Always. If you knew you'd want it wouldn't be gambling. And the casinos would go broke.

If you're going to Vegas because your friends go, then that seems a pretty petty reason. I wouldn't based a Vegas experience on any movie I've ever seen. You have to look into the details of where you'd go, what you'd do. Will you go to various hotels and casinos, or, realistically, stay at one, and maybe see a show? By all means, endeavor to go during low season (though not mid-summer). If you're going to see "what it's all about," then the Strip may be for you, since that's probably the quintessential Vegas experience (if you just want a laid back resort experience so you can relax, I think there are better places than Vegas).

We've been to the Strip enough that we greatly enjoyed staying downtown, by the Fremont Street Exprience (at the Golden Nugget) last time. It is definitely Las Vegas (including a waterslide through a shark-filled aquarium nto the pool), but if this is your first, and maybe only, Vegas experience, it might be too far away from the glitz and "glamour" of the Strip (look at hotel Web sites, and reviews on Tripadvisor.com, etc.). You can get deals at some of the older Strip hotels, such as the Sahara and Riviera. As noted, prices are lower mid-week. Also less traffic on the Strip.

I hope you have time to get out of Vegas to see the surrounding area. For some, Hoover Dam is a must, though I personally prefer gorgeous Valley of Fire State Park or even-- a bit further away-- Death Valley.

Don't go.........

You'll be miserable and I can't imagine you'll find anything that you will truly enjoy. If you are going with friends that may be different but if its just you then I'd hold off on a trip until you can go with someone that truly enjoys Vegas.....

Don't go. If you have that many negative thoughts before going, why go and then post what you disliked about it here from your room as opposed to enjoying your time.

You used the word, "hate" numerous times as well as listing all that bothers you. Even with an off-Strip property, you will want to drive or visit the Strip, which is why Las Vegas is Las Vegas and those are the items which you have gone into detail which bother you.

If you like to gamble a little and want more, then just travel to the islands and a all inclusive resort where you already paid for your drinks.

With your attitude, my recommendation is to refrain from visiting Vegas. It is a fun-loving place, plainly not suitable for you, based on your own statements.

Vegas isn't a place you go and analyze every detail and aspect of the trip. You go, enjoy the oversized spectacle of it along with all the unique things and have fun.

They have many great restaurants, both expensive and reasonable.

Great pools but they're crowded.

Great clubs but they're crowded.

Pretty, slutty, crazy and drunk girls but doesn't matter if you've got one.

It can be larger than life but it's not about great architecture.

I don't think OP claimed it was great, just interesting. It is in a kitschy way or as an example of the glass/steel/neon motif; pity some real art deco stuff was demolished to make way for it.

I like the spectacle of Vegas and it certainly has a unique ambience. Just don't take it seriously.

You will hate being a member of the general public in Las Vegas. You would like the VIP treatment that high rollers get. You should go there with a friend who is a high roller.

QL

Or, be willing to pay for the high-roller experience. Wynn Tower Suites, Bellagio villas, Skyloft, MO, Mirage villas, etc. No guarantee you will have fun, but at least you can be miserable in style and comfort.

You might find this column interesting:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-carr

You may want to consider staying out in Lake Las Vegas.

I was at the Loews Resort last weekend and really enjoyed it. Close enough that we could get to the strip for dinner, a little gambling, and watching the parade of over makeuped and underdressed girls, but no problems getting space or service at the pool, or restaurants in either the hotel or the Montelago Village area.

Not to take this OT but how is quality of lodging/service overthere these days?
I haven't been since hyatt/ritz days but now this may become an option if we ever decide to go with kids and babysitter...

Y E P :D

I'd check it out. Lots of stuff to do if you're not into gambling or people watching. Check out the fountains at Bellagio, go to a show, Death Valley, Zion, etc.

One of the purposes of travel is to see "new" sights--I doubt any place in the world has the "glitz" of LAS. You say you've seen AC and Indian casinos--nothing in AC can come close to an MGM or Mandalay Bay in size (from end to end these run nearly a mile)--and most other strip casinos are not too far behind. With the free stuff (Bellagio fountain show, MGM (live) Lions, Mirage Volcano, Caesars sinking of Atlantis), to name a few, should awe even the most jaded traveler. Not too far away is Hoover Dam --worth an excursion. In effect the whole city is a "theme" park. I'd say GO and I'm sure you'll have fun.

I think when you go, you should definitely check out downtown. You might like chill spots like the Griffin. I am not a big night club person but I do enjoy staying at a high end spot and people watching.

It's worth checking out once. Just make it your own experience and don't try to do all the "hot things" that don't interest you. What I love about Vegas is that you can really make it your own journey.

Buying an expensive room doesn't quite get you the high-roller experience, but they sure have some nice rooms for rent these days.

QL

There is at least one FTer that could show him the real "High Roller" experience.

There maybe more, but only one I've seen on television.

I say definitely go, but choose an off weekend. Stay on the strip somewhere nice but not necessarily super-VIP. For example, a nice room at the Four Seasons booked through an FSPP agent, or the Wynn/Encore, or perhaps Bellagio would work. This might run you around $350 per night during a non-peak weekend.

Based on your OP, you and I are similar in many ways, yet I still love Vegas. I don't go to the clubs anymore. I suggest you avoid them, as well. There is plenty more to do. But I think the trip wouldn't be worth it unless you're willing to gamble some, even if poker.

So what did the OP decide? Going, not going, never planned on going?

Was planning on going with my wife and another couple. But that couple bailed. I guess I have decided that I will go when some sort of opportunity arises to go with friends but probably won't make a special trip with only my wife.

Unless I ever get a full week off then I would like to do a trip to Vegas, Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce and Zion. However that trip is probably behind several trips to Europe.

^

It is always best to listen to my advice. Just ask Mrs. 787.

I enjoy the spectacle. It's something that you and your wife could do on a random weekend that isn't busy. If you shoot for the shoulder times (late April into May or Sept/Oct), you can usually find good plane tickets and good hotel rates that make it a much cheaper trip than Europe and it's only a 3.5 hour flight.

unrelated: as a foodie and chicagoan, you should post your favorite places in the chicago forum...

I thought I'd hate Vegas -always planned to see it sometime but only on the way to or from somewhere else. I don't do clubs but I do like shows -and people watching , and seeing crazy buildings and a little bit of gambling and a nice pool (avoid the hotels that advertise a wild pool scene-it just gets annoying ;) ) and I *love* Vegas :)

sorry but admitting you watched a terrible movie more than once lowers the credibility of your rant.

I am not fan of the "strip scene" but Vegas is exactly what you make of it. For people like me who would rather not spend time at a pool party, there are numerous opportunities for shopping, hiking, museums, day-trips (e.g., death valley), etc.

I am planning a trip to USA in 2012 and we want to go to Vegas for the reasons you have stated (apart from the gambling :) ). We want to stay at a hotel that is really nice and a bit "over the top". Price isn't a major issue, we can afford to splurge for a few nights. What would the recommendations be? It would be myself, Mr FM and the youngest (20 year old) Ms FM.

Also would there be restrictions on what a 20 year old can do - I have this vague idea that you can't drink in the USA until you are 21, but would that stop her going to shows etc?

Most shows in Las Vegas are open to all ages. Even those listed as "adult" usually define that as 18+. The sightseeing and restaurants are there for all to enjoy. However, the gambling, drinking, clubbing, etc. will all be off-limits to her, which might be frustrating. Then again, a 20-year-old with her parents will probably be operating a bit differently than a 20-year-old on her own.

I think most FTers choice for nice hotels would be Wynn/Encore. Ms FM cannot drink, gamble or go to clubs, but everything else should be fine.

I'd say the WynnCore is mid-tier. Since FM wants "over the top" and "can afford to splurge for a few nights" there are plenty of choices far superior to the WynnCore. And depending on how old Ms FM looks, not to mention how maturely she acts, she can absolutey drink, gamble, and go to clubs. While technically against the law, PLENTY of things are allowable in Vegas if one has the cash and is willing to behave within certain limits.

Wynncore as mid-tier? Perhaps you should provide your definition and example of "over the top".

Sounds like great advice. :confused: