Apparently I am one of the few people in America who made it to forty-six without ever visiting Las Vegas. This gap in my travel history never fails to cause a small ripple in conversation – upon learning I was a Las Vegas Virgin people would respond with anything from a moderate “really?!” to shocked surprise that I hadn’t yet experienced this marvel of modern something-or-other.
I don’t mean to sound snide. I’ve heard other people really enjoy Las Vegas for a variety of reasons, and I’m happy for you. We spent less than twenty-four hours there on a trip this summer – approximately nine of those out and about – and it was definitely…memorable. We especially enjoyed the dancing waters, although I will say the (ahem) “characters” on the street led to some interesting conversations with Bear and T-man.
With that being said, here are just a few of the reasons I don’t feel the need to return.
- There is no such thing as a 110 degree “dry heat” that doesn’t bother me. Stop trying to convince me that such a thing exists. Yes, a humid 94 degree day back home is miserable, but so is 110 degrees when it’s 9:00 at night. Let’s just say my physical and psychological makeup is incompatible with the Las Vegas environment. Period.
- I’m asthmatic. Or something. I’ve got decreased lung capacity and, even if I didn’t, I hate cigarette smoke. (Nothing personal about smokers, I just don’t want you breathing smoke into the air within 500 yards of me.) God bless Las Vegas for embracing a group of people that have been driven out of basically every other public establishment in the country, but it means I can’t breathe. Anywhere. And that’s sort of problematic.
- I don’t like gambling. It’s not that I have an objection to gambling, y’all go on and have fun, but I personally don’t enjoy the process. I hear people have a good time playing the slot machines or cards, but all it does for me is ratchet up my blood pressure and stress me out.
People typically hit me up at this point about the shows. Apparently Las Vegas has beaucoup opportunities to see “the shows.” But you know what? I haven’t been to New York in a really long time, and they’ve got a lot of shows to offer, too. Plus other stuff I’d enjoy doing while visiting the city.
So I’m sharing my photo of the Bellagio. There you go, Las Vegas fans. I’ve been, I’ve seen, I’ve sweated, I’m out.
Riddle from the Middle 
Gee, I feel like the odd ball here. I love Vegas, and try and go once or twice every year. Often it’s Mister and I, a few trips have been just the son, the daughter and I. We’ve gone with my brother and sister-in-law, and we’ve gone many times as a family. We have been there in the heat but we prefer the cooler months. We’ve been there for two Christmas’s, a New Year’s. The son-in-law proposed to our daughter there on one of the family trips. Mister and I went there this May with the son and his fiance’ for their wedding. We do very little gambling, and I have never been to a show. We love driving and exploring the surrounding area, sand-duning, ride alongs in the drift car on the track. The kids like to drive the extoxic cars on the track. My brother and our son enjoy renting motorcycles and doing day road-trips to The Valley of Fire or along Lake Mead. We never seem to run out of things to do and see there.
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Ah, you are the odd man out, and I’m so glad you chimed in!! We had a very limited time there and were only getting the “Vegas vibe” so to speak. I had no idea all these other things were available — they sound a lot more in our wheelhouse (if I could deal with the heat). You’re pretty lucky to have made such wonderful family memories there. 🙂
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Yes, when we take people there they’re always amazed with the none Vegas things we find to do. 🙂 It was 114 there for the sons wedding. Too hot ! 🙂
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Whoa, Nellie, that is WAY too hot. Don’t know what kind of wedding style your daughter-in-law went with but I can’t think of a dress that wouldn’t suffocate me in that heat…
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She had a long, full gown but strapless. She said she wasn’t too bad, the son was a little hot in his 3 piece tux though. Good thing it didn’t end up with anyone fainting. 🙂
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I went when my cousin lived there. I got an eyeful. You know I hate the heat. Then it’s all ostentatious and brassy, not my thing. No desire to return. Glad other people like it, cause then they’re not where I’m going, which surely helps the crowds.
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An eyeful that’s burned into your retina…
I love the theory that Vegas people have Vegas so it frees up space on other parts of the planet. 😉
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62 and counting and no Vegas for me either. I would have to go in the dead of winter to survive just getting off the plane. I have no desire to gamble (have never been inside a casino) but I would like to see JLo or Sarah Brightman or Bette Midler and the “fake” cities like Paris and NYC that they have there (or so I have been told). But it is not on my super tiny bucket list…..
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We spent our one night there in the Paris hotel and yes, it is mind boggling. We walked in and jaws dropped (then snapped shut 20 seconds later as the tobacco smoke filled them), so I guess if we were rolling through then I’m glad we got to see that.
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I am older than you and have never been. No plans to go either.
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And I’ve no doubt you’re not losing sleep over it…
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My sentiments exactly – “I’ve been, I’ve seen, I’ve sweated, I’m out.”
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Man, just the *memory* of that sweat makes me lightheaded.
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I’m not a huge vegas fan either.
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But it seems there are plenty out there…to each their own!
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I lived in Las Vegas for a year in my 30s and there wasn’t a moment of it that I didn’t find in every way soul-sucking. At the top of my list (with the heat) was the fact that there is no naturally-occurring grass anywhere in Vegas. It’s all been planted and must be watered to be maintained. People drove up to Mount Charleston for a chance to sit and picnic in the real stuff, and there wasn’t a square inch of it that wasn’t covered in people and their detritus on every decent-weathered day I went by. Personally, I don’t believe people need a weekend in a place like that, let alone a year.
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Oh, man, I would miss the grass. Even though I’m fairly sure it’s part of what makes me stuffy I still like having it around.
Funny thing was we met a guy out there who said he much preferred the weather we have (he used to live here). Then the shuttle guy picked us up once we flew home, and HE used to live in Vegas. Started talking about dry heat and all that nonsense, but he was a sweet kid working the overnight shift so I gave him a break. 🙂
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One and done for me too! I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
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I am feeling a satisfying amount of affirmation in these comments… 😉
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Thanks for supporting my cause. The only reason I might ever go would be to your Hoover Dam. 60+ years and counting.
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And you, my friend, have not been missing a thing.
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I’m right behind you. 43 and still no Vegas… 😉
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Solidarity. My standing advice will now be unless you enjoy gambling, don’t mind cigarette smoke, and plan to spend every second inside your air conditioned hotel — there’s a better vacation out there.
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