What is the appeal of Las Vegas for stag/hen dos?

[ANUsernamgh]

A colleague mentioned today that their boyfriend is heading off to Las Vegas for a stag do and it just made me wonder. As someone who lives in the UK, it seems like such a long way to go - and such a lot of money to spend - for a short break, when there are lots of cheaper alternatives much closer to home.

The reputation Las Vegas has also doesn't appeal to me, so I wonder if people do actually want to travel all that way to get drunk, gamble and watch strippers - or if my idea of stag dos in Las Vegas has been shaped too strongly by films like The Hangover and there's something else I'm missing?

(It's possible my difficulty with the idea may actually be financial - I generally dislike the way hen and stag dos have become so expensive and a Las Vegas trip seems to be the epitome. And perhaps if I were more wealthy, rather than wondering why, I'd just think "why not?" Though, even then, it still seems a long way to go)

So, can anyone who has been/planning to go for a stag/hen (or someone else you know well), tell me, why Las Vegas? Did you enjoy it? Would you recommend it?

I went to Las Vegas as it was on my bucket list, there's alot more to it than what you'd think. I was worried it might be seedy, but I didn't find that all all and it actually would be quite a cool place to go with young kids (which I would never have thought before I went). The casinos are amazing, you can walk all around them without any gambling, which I didn't do at all. There are lots of exhibitions and shows (again, many suitable for young children). Fabulous food. I don't think they'd go all that way for strippers which could be found anywhere. If rather my finance went there, than somewhere like Amsterdam, which to me would be for the erm 'entertainment'.

World class shopping
Michelin star restaurants
Sell out shows
Gorgeous hotels and casinos
Swimmings pools with poolside service

Yeah, I can’t see any reason to go to Las Vegas.

@BlueKaftan articulated it better than me!

Interesting - I would have thought the same as you OP.

Is the shopping really expensive?

Sorry my post had so many typos. There's a big range from what I recall, you can buy designer but there are also outlet stores. I didn't do much shopping as I was too busy doing other things. I think you can also get a bus to take you to shopping malls elsewhere.

There are great restaurants but Michelin hasn't rated them since 2008.

The hangover film is part of the appeal, people think they'll get a wild weekend. And there used to be lions and tigers in the casinos.

There are two big outlet centres. There used to be a bus to the nicer north outlet from the strip but it's changed since covid, easy to lyft/uber. But the south outlet is a stop on the deuce. Both are the same company and do have some great deals but not as good as a few years ago. There is also Ross which is like tk maxx but more downmarket.

Shopping on the strip is crazy expensive, it is fabulous window shopping though.

We got married there - absolutely loved it, the food, the shows it was fantastic.

benidorm is sleazier.

Vegas is amazing. I'd go again.

Thanks all, I can understand it more as a bucket list trip or somewhere you're going to get married - the attractions people have listed are in the main expensive- and if you're going there to get married you're probably able to go for a bit longer and up for spending out on expensive meals and shows as a one off, blowout trip, if that's the kind of thing you're into. I suppose I just struggle with the idea of spending, what, >£1000 with flights, hotels, and attractions to go to someone else's stag/hen do - when you've got a group of 8 or 10 people going and you presumably expect some kind of reciprocity in attending the 'dos' of the rest of the group - or indeed of being the one asking others to spend that kind of money. When if it's e.g. fancy restaurants or shows or shopping you're going for, you can do that kind of trip in London or other European capitals (ok yes they're different restaurants and shows, but still) or you can get swim up bars or pool parties and nice hotels in lots of locations around Europe.

I've been twice and can see the appeal, but it's absolutely obscene to fly over for just a few days.