Some of us have friends who live there. |
Whoa whoa, I thought dcum wasn’t spending money in red states? |
I have to go for a conference every year at the Venetian. I hate every minute about it and everything about it. Feels likely a slightly larger version of, like, the mall at aventura in Florida. Like, concrete for miles, none of the buildings have any access on the sidewalks so you walk for the longest blocks of just concrete to get to another douchey hotel. Things are crazy expensive and the same as every chain USA. If I want to eat at an outpost of the Prime steakhouse chain, I can do that anywhere. I hate it. |
I hated it before 35 too! The shows are great so if I have to go there I make it better by seeing a show. But everything else about it is awful and the other things people like, such as the food or the hotels, can all be found in other places without the horrible Vegas-ness. I hate casinos though so I am obviously not the target audience |
For whatever reason, DH and I feel younger and more sexual in Vegas. Maybe it’s the sexy vibe, or how delectable everything is (the food, the drink, even ourselves, dressed up for the evening, or scantly dressed all day by the pool) but we feel like kids in Vegas. |
Shows - We went to see Dead and Company at the Sphere and also saw 2 other shows while there. We hadn’t been in 15 years and were shocked by how much prices have gone up for restaurants. It felt like even mediocre restaurants weee really pricey. DH and I agreed we were good not going back until there is something else that we couldn’t do elsewhere. |
Shows! Or at least that’s the only reason I’ve gone there after 35. It’s also easy to get to from everywhere in the US so it’s a great place to meet friends and go to a show then spend the weekend hanging out. |
Great weather, the concentration of a variety of excellent dining, fun shows, and entertainment. |
Debauchery, gluttony, risk and vice. In whatever flavor and to whatever degree suits you. If you can’t find something to enjoy in all that (even if only as a voyeur), I don’t know what to tell you. |
I love all of these things but I'm from NYC with property in Miami. Plenty of debauchery, gluttony and risk but Vegas leaves me so, so cold. |
Vegas is great…
…to fly into, rent a car and get out to the state and National Parks nearby. |
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I cannot say I find the atmosphere of Vegas happy at all. The food is worse retreads of restaurants in other major cities. And the weather is literally too hot to function often on the strip. The shows and gambling are the most unique things about Vegas. The shows can be very good though. |
This is probably the best, most Bourdain answer. |
Shows, easy to get good restaurant reservations, Area 51 museum, national parks and cheap flights/hotels |