Las Vegas, Sin City or Family Fun Spot
By dragonstar13
@dragonstar13 (1465)
United States
January 3, 2007 4:51pm CST
Twenty years when I decided to move to Vegas, my friends and co-workers were shocked. Where will you live? Can you afford to live in a hotel? What will the children do for entertainment, they can't go into the casinos? Where will you buy groceries, go to church, to school, etc?
They actually believed there was nothing here but the strip and casinos, gambling halls and bars.
Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and has worked hard to change its image from an adults only town to a family friendly town (with benefits i.e. what happens in Vegas....)
So I am wondering what people's perceptions of this town are today. Have you ever been here and if so have you been anywhere but the tourist spots? If you haven't been here, what has shaped your opinion?
7 people like this
37 responses
@mamabulldog60 (351)
• United States
4 Jan 07
5 yesars ago we went for our honeymoon stayed at the mirage, I was not impressed, we were allset for some adult fun and we had to maneuver around toddlers/strollers everywhere, all the casinos and most of the bars were closed because its a week nite. If I had wanted disney land I wouldhave went. This was all day and all nite, including the pool, couldn't enjoy it kids everywhere and apparently no adult supervison. I thru such a fit they offered to comp a full repeat stay including food, I declined, never did like disney world.
2 people like this
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I'm so sorry you had a bad time here, not that I am defending this cess pool. I'm just sorry such a happy event as a honeymoon was ruined.
I think trying to make this town family friendly was a bad idea. And the Powers that Be must have caught on too, hence the "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" campaign aimed at adults seeking adult oriented entertainment.
1 person likes this
@mamabulldog60 (351)
• United States
4 Jan 07
It was nice accomodations and everything, just way too kid geared for what I expected. I would have never taken my kids to Vegas and turned them loose in a casino, OMG people are morons. I hope they are going back to adults geared, maybe I will go back
2 people like this
@red158 (333)
• Canada
4 Jan 07
I agree, when I go to Vegas it's to get away from the kids. I'm not going to take my kids on a vacation where all I want to do is gamble. My family vacation takes place in August at a resort of 7 cabins of which my family has 5. All the Aunts, Uncles, neices, nephews and a few close family friends. Thankfully I have my own cottage for the times when togetherness out wears it's welcome.
2 people like this
@hunnymathur (11)
• India
4 Jan 07
dear drago heart. i have been to las vegas a many times. though what your co workers told you would be correct to some extent. but what i think is you need to be more conscious about your duties and mmind power if you need to live in that city. it i correct that las vegas is rated as one of the adult city, but what you need is to find a locatio suitable for your family and friends. your children should be protected of exposure to the high life of the city at early age. there some places which can be of great interest to your family and you can find a great lot of friends in some locality of the newly built section of the city.
2 people like this
@taj_nijjar2002 (97)
• United States
4 Jan 07
no, i hav not been to las vegas, but it is my dream to come to las vegas n play in one of the most famous casinos n try my luck. plz tell me about some of the good casinos n hotels.
2 people like this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
4 Jan 07
When I think of Las Vegas, my first thought is of big casinos and big money. My second thought is of same-day marriage places. You always hear about things like on the spot marriages in Las Vegas, especially in sitcoms *laugh* Hmm. I also think of big Vegas shows.. live shows that you hear about that take place in Vegas. I've never been there.. in fact, I've only travelled to a couple of other states, and once went across on a ferry into Canada.. but I do seem to have more preconcieved notions about Las Vegas than I do about many other places in the US. Vegas is very glamorized on television, don't you think? ^_^
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
5 Jan 07
On the spot marriages. Never heard it termed that before, but really sums it up. A lot of people do get married on a whim, others actually plan it out, still others are already married get hitched again. On Valentines day, most chapels average one wedding every fifteen minutes around the clock. When I worked downtown, we would see women in beautiful wedding gowns and men in tuxes lined up out the door and down the street for their turn to exchange vows. Not my idea of romantic but to each his or her own.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112983)
• El Paso, Texas
5 Jan 20
Vegas is the last place I'd want to get married in @dragonstar13
I visited in 1977, the food was ok and it was kinda fun but there's nothing else to do there. I'm just not a gambler or nightclub or party person so for me it was boring.
I didn't get to see the lake I've heard about though, that would have been interesting.
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Well, I've never been there. But I do have cousins and relatives who have been there, and they usually just go to the casinos, which is extremely sad, since it's against our religious beliefs. I think that the quote you just put in there, what happens in vegas, stays in vegas, is what gives it it's bad reputation, because a lot of people view it as a place for adult fun only, myself included. It's good that you discussed the fact that it's also a family spot as well because I wasn't aware of that, and maybe if I ever go, I'll keep that in mind when going with my family.
2 people like this
@thatcrazyqbanita (3312)
• United States
4 Jan 07
my parents forced me on a family trip to vegas and i completely hated it. i was bored out of my mind, and the city looked so unclean
@Centregeek (500)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I've never been, but that doesn't mean I might not like to visit someday. I think that Las Vegas has a lot of family friendly attractions including water parks, shows, sea life attractions, the Star Trek adventure, lots of places to eat, etc. You can tour through areas that have been designed to reflect other countries. You can attend church. It may be built in a desert, but once there you can go places that make you forget that. I think that Vegas is making great changes and openning up to a variety of different people. I wouldn't mind going at all just to see the sights.
@blacksun415 (128)
• Philippines
4 Jan 07
i have never been to las vegas, what you say about las vegas as a place of entertainment, stripteasing, casinos and hotels is famous around the globe that is why they call it the "sin city", but i do not believe that it has no groceries, church and school there, but if that is the case, then be it, and because of curiousity's sake, i wish that someday i might visit the place.
@yorb24 (2179)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I've been to Las Vegas many times. I live in southern Calfornia. We have a timeshare there and we go every year. I'm really not a gambling person so I go there for the beautiful scenery that some people outside Vegas are unaware of. Some favorite sposts of mine is Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire.
@soccio97 (39)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I know exactly what you are talking about. Several months ago my son decided to take a "leap of Faith" and move to Vegas. Having traveled extensively myself I had no preconceived notions. Besides I watched CSI. However, whenever I told a family member or friend about his decision their reaction was the same as you stated. After he arrived he called EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and filled us in on what the town was all about. Unfortunatley, after 4 months his money ran out and he couldn't find work so he moved back in with us. His Mom is real happy!!
@cbearun123 (84)
• India
4 Jan 07
I LIVE IN INDIA SO I NEVER VISITED THERE BUT I ALSO THOUGHT THAT IT IS A ADULT CITY ,BUT NOW I HAVE CHANGED MY OPINION
2 people like this
@celestial_fantasia (620)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I have never been there, but have had alot of family who has. Though I know it is more "family friendly" I do not percieve Vegas as a place that I would really want to take my family. All you ever see is skanky dressed girls on t.v., super expensive prices, and the whole "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" is just not right. It is like they are promoting cheating and infedelity. But that is me. I would say it is more of a spot for singles with some $$$ to spend.
@everiedmndae (31)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I love Vegas. I know people who live out there so I am go very often. I don't know if it is because I am always there but I know what you are talking about people don't think that people actually live in Vegas. My friends love it there because it is a good place for families. I think over the years the casinos have tired to make it more family friendly. I remember going there when I was little and there not being much for me to do. But now when I go I see so many things that the whole family can do together. I see so many families there now, more that I did before.
2 people like this
@annieroos (1845)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Well i think it depends what you go to Vegas for.. if you are going to just Gamble..and plus what happends in vegas stays in vegas.. LOL.. But if you are taking your family your kids.. then i think it could be a family spot.. there are alot of things to do there that is family things to do. I like vegas its fun.. ive usually gone there for family.
@micheller (1365)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I haven't been there yet but hopefully one summer I can visit Vegas. It sounds like it would be a fun experiment.
2 people like this
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
4 Jan 07
I think on the purpose alot of people are really get alot of fun in Las Vegas and wants to spend most of their vacation time there.
@suscan (1955)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Vegas is the place I would move to,if I leave Pa. It is what you make of it. The city has a lot to offer,24 hour things to do and a lot of them are family oriented. It can also be sin city if that is what a person wants.
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I love Vegas and try to go at least once a year, but I would never take my kids there on vacation. Have seen too many kids left unwatched wandering, or worse yet sleeping, in hotel lobbies while their parents are off gambling or whatever.
Living there is a completely differen story. I have a friend who has lived there all his life and has raised his family there. Says it's a great place to live, he just stays away from the strip and downtown.
2 people like this
