To not want to go to Las Vegas?

[gBean]

H and I are hoping to get away next year, just the two of us. I'm not massively well travelled, he is.

He really wants to go to Vegas and I just don't see the appeal. I don't like casinos. I like beaches and sightseeing and shopping. Would love to visit Venice, Portugal, Copenhagen but nothing about Vegas exites me.

AIBU or a bit daft?

Why do people keep comparing Vegas to blackpool?! Yes there are bright lights but that's about as far as the comparison goes.

It just wasn't what I was expecting at all. Wasn't tacky or dirty like I thought it would be. There's so much to do, and so many lovely shops. Caesars Palace, The Venetian and Paris are just some of the stunning hotels. I walked around for 2 weeks in awe. I'll try and attach a photo of the ceilings in Venetian - beautiful. And you can have a coffee in St Mark's Square while watching the gondolas on the canal - all inside a hotel. I can't explain it really, I was amazed.

My friend went a few years ago and found the poverty in the city very disturbing in view of the shiny lights/ money throwing around at shows and casinos. He was actually quite shaken when he came back.

It's somewhere I would pass through on a tour of America but never knowingly visit on its own. It just does not appeal at all.

Venice on the other hand is I think my most favourite place ever. Go before it sinks'

It's tacky, seedy, hot....but not to be missed. Completely and utterly bonkers. Unforgettable!

I don't understand the point of that though. Why not just go to Venice?

I bloody love Vegas, don't gamble or drink a lot.

But if you really don't want to' don't. Or compromise and do a mix of Vegas and California. How long have you got? If you're happy to do long haul for a week you could do Vegas for two nights.

It's mostly pricey because of the direct flight isn't it?

I'm not comparing it to going to Venice, or Paris at all. But I wasn't expecting it to be so like Venice/Paris IYSWIM. I'd thought it would be some kind of tacky neon replica.

Tequila, your pic of the Venetian...at risk of outing myself, I know someone who is in Venuce a lot because of a relative. She looked at my Venetian pics and was honestly amazed at how much it looks like Venice. I thought she was taking the mick,,but no.

Next time I'm going to Lake Las Vegas though, it looks beautiful.

nastiest place I've set foot in. Buuuuut the only reason I agreed to it was that when we had been we would go to the Grand Canyon. Which was amazing. I could handle 24 hours in Vegas just about, as long as there was somewhere I wanted to see after it.

RJ, the poverty thing is a bit like what Londiners see daily, it didn't strike me as being any different than any other city.

The prostitute cards and ads are a bit annoying.

I don't understand the point of that though. Why not just go to Venice?

Most visitors to vegas are americans, and many don't have the option to just go to Venice. I think I read somewhere that most Americans don't have passports

I'm not sure that explains why some of the hotels have themes like the venetian or Paris but why not? It's a bit of fun.

Actually, I'll be staying in the Venetian tomorrow. Thinking of bringing DD on a gondola ride, I'm sure she'll love it.

We, you're there tomorrow? How fun! Can you send some Cheescake Factory cheesecake please? Think that's still at Caesar's ....along with Matt Goss.

Agree that Lake Las Vegas looks beautiful. In fact I might add a night there on to my ever growing list of things to do this year

I think nearly half Americans don't have passports but in a country like theirs, I don't think I'd bother either. Such a vast and amazing place.

Ah, fair point about Americans and their lack of passports.

I'm here now, I live here! We don't go to the strip that often but going to a show tomorrow night so decided to stay there.

I've been to Cheesecake Factory a couple of times, didn't think it was that great tbh I know everyone seems to love it.

I loved Vegas when I was there. Went to some fantastic shows, ate in fabulous restaurants, partied in some excellent bars/clubs, won money in the casinos and shopped til we dropped.

I dunno lore lei, we both worked in Glasgow at the time so no strangers to poverty but Vegas really got to him.

I think it was the massive juxtaposition within a few streets.

We, how fun! Ive often wondered what it would be like to,live there. I'd love to see J Lo and Penn and Teller and Calvin Harris...I miss the desert too.

RJ, "I think it was the massive juxtaposition within a few streets"

Alas, it's quite common to have that here....even on the same street. I think Vegas makes things appear more flashy though.

We live on the western edge of the city and the mountains and desert landscape are stunning. I haven't seen any of those shows, we don't get out much! I saw Carrot Top doing his shopping in Costco one time if that counts

Btw Ive never been to Blackpool. When I think of Vegas I think of the hotels and shows and desert drives...so if Blackpool is similar I will go ASAP!!

It's one of my favourite destinations. Even if you go just to see the Grand Canyon. That was one of the most staggeringly beautiful things I have ever seen.

We, sorry, who is Carrot Top please?

Blackpool is grim. There was a huge thread on here a few years ago about it. I'll try to find it.