So what do you think of Las Vegas? Should we go?

[BeckAndCall]

We are is serious planning stage for a week in Las Vegas just before Easter. We are me, DH and DDs 21 and 18 - it's kind of a birthday present for them - something memorable. DS 23 who lives in Canada will fly down to meet us .

I had narrowed it down to Caesrars Palace or the Bellagio and now DH has thrown a spanner in the works by saying it'll be too crowded, we'll be harassed by hookers and there'll be no escaping the cigarette smoke ( DD has asthma and is badly affected at times by smoke). Is he right ?

I'm now looking at resorts out of town but that's just not my ideal - I wanted to be in the thick of it ( I know DD at 18 can't do casinos but we love shows!)

Anyone got any experience of the strip that they can share? Thanks

My friend just got a great deal at The Aria by calling them up. It looks gorgeous.

We went, got married there (Caesars Palace - was fab!) and then left a couple of days earlier that we'd planned. It's great for 3 or 4 days/nights - enough to go down the strip and see all of the gimmicks at the big hotels, but, unless you're a gambler it loses it's charm quite quickly. Really worth seeing a Cirque du Soleil show - we saw 'O' at the Bellagio - fantastic!. Took a small planet to the Grand Canyon and spent the day there, be careful, some trips only offer a couple of hours, it's as good as you think it will be. Enjoy :-)

We were travelling round a bit - flew to LA, drove to San Franciso (should've spent more time there), Yosemite, Las Vegas, and back to LA - the above post sounded as if we went home early - we didn't - just moved on earlier than we'd anticipated.

I think a week will seem a looooooooooooong time in LV - esp. if you don't enjoy gambling . And if your DH is not that keen can he come up with any other suggestions of where to go? What about exploring the Deep South? We went to LV for 36 hours - great fun but that was long enough.

New - my favourite place - Yosemite .

Vdara is a smoke free, gaming free hotel. It's a the city centre complex next to the Bellagio. The rooms are little suites and super nice. If you we're interested in doing brekkie in your room have a look at Wholefoods Grocery store at Town Square mall for food.

Town Square is great for shopping - Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew etc. All outdoors with restaurants too. There's a Brazilian BBQ there which used to be yummy - cant remember its name.

Red Rock Canyon is worth a trip - state park with red rocks!

The ziplines at Bootleg Canyon are worth a look if you're after something a bit different. Totally awesome!

I'm very fond of Vegas, and you don't need to do the casino thing.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I too love Yosemite - but much harder for my son to get to from Calgary than LV - the key criteria was it had to be a direct flight for him, too. And we needed it to be a new place for all of us.

So I'm happy to call this thread done from my point of vie - I booked the Palazzo last night :) Not smoke free. Not non casino. But it looks lovely !!

Let the planning commence!

Well, I thought I'd come back and let you know what we found, just in case anyone searches on the same topic at some point in the future.

We got back yesterday - and it was fabulous.

Stayed at the Palazzo/Venetian ( apart from the check in desks they seem to be totally tied together and all facilities available to those staying at either place)

All those worries about smoking and under 18s were unfounded. They must have mighty air scrubbers because the smoke is almost undetectable unless you're standing next to someone smoking. And under 18 s are not at all unwelcome. My youngest was not moved on or hurried through once - in any hotel any where. But the older two - 21 and 23 - had to show their ID every time they played a machine or had a drink ( no problem with that - just showing they are vigilant)

And as for being hassled on the sidewalk - no, not reAlly. Lots of business cards being handed out but nothing in your face.

So we had a fabulous time - it's like an overgrown, very expensive theme park for the most part. There's something there for all age groups and all tastes.

Now, where next?............

We stayed at the Palazzo at Xmas, it was fab, preferred it to Bellagio where we stayed previously. It's worth paying the small increase for the VIP floor as it gets you access to a 24 hour lounge where you get free drinks, snacks and breakfast, this more than paid for itself. Have a great time, I'm jealous as love the place for all it's craziness (and of course the shopping).

Ahh just seen that you've been!

So glad i've seen this thread. We are in the process of looking ar vegas for DH 40th, not till next year but I'm a bit excited about it! can I ask did you book excursions here along with your package or did you wait and do it once you were there?

We're going next summer too with our 2 kids (14 and 22). We're going to fly into San Francisco, have a couple of days there and then drive down through Yosemite and Death Valley for a couple of days and then on to Vegas. Casinos aren't our scene either but its just the spectacle of it.

I would read up on Death Valley in the summer months and be well prepared re water and fuel if you do go there. A tour company that I know of based in Las Vegas does not take people there from June - September because of the sheer daytime temperatures.

Las Vegas summer daytime temps top 100 degrees daily and it is not at all pleasant to walk in.

If you do want to stay in Yosemite itself I would consider booking accommodation for that National park asap.

Been back a day - first and last visit to LV, spent 7 whole days there!!!! Way too many days!
Got cheesed off with hotel hopping, endless walking amongst droves of people dawdling along. Ok for first 3 days but after that each day got tougher!! I did like the venetician and Wynn hotels both had nice restaurants. Smoking wasn't that bad actually and I hate smoke! One area away from the hustle is called The Lin Q (pronounced link) was a blessing and a couple of nice bars - Yard House, if you see the big wheel you will spot the linq! It saved my soul when I needed to escape!
It's like Blackpool/Oxford Street on drugs!