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Las Vegas is best done as a two day add-on if you're going to do the Zion NP-Bryce Canyon NP-Grand Canyon NP- Hoover Dam Southwestern circle tour then want to have a peak at the excess in the middle of the desert. I'd put the lodges inside those national parks at around four star level. If you're not old enough to drink or actually spend time in the casinos, Las Vegas proper is like going to Orlando and not doing the theme parks.
I lived in Vegas for five years and grew up near Chicago.
If you are too young to gamble, five days in Las Vegas is too long. There are interesting shows to see, Cirque du Soleil has four or five shows there but they are pretty expensive. If you like hiking and being outdoors, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks are within a few hours drive. Keep in mind though it can be very hot, daytime temperatures often greater than 100 degrees F (38 C).
Chicago has many things to do and see from museums, parks, beaches, spectator sports, you name it. You can easily spend five days in Chicago and not see everything.
If it were me, I'd just go to Chicago and skip Las Vegas. Go there when you are 21. I think, you'd enjoy it more.
Off to Wisconisn next summer. Was thinking of going to Chicago and Las Vegas?
What would the two cities be like? Is Chicago a safe city? Is Las Vegas worth going to for 5 days? Any particular 5 star hotels?
I tell people all the time that Chicago is a tale of two cities. Downtown Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods are very safe and cosmopolitan. That's why so many tourists visit Chicago every year, and you never hear anything about safety concerns.
Parts of the South and West sides are really bad (although they are large areas and there are some really nice neighborhoods mixed in). Also, Chicago is a physically large city, and the bad parts in the South or West sides are literally probably a 45 minute drive/ train ride away from downtown or the North side, so it is highly unlikely that you'd ever come across the danger as a tourist or as a resident.
I tell people all the time that Chicago is a tale of two cities. Downtown Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods are very safe and cosmopolitan. That's why so many tourists visit Chicago every year, and you never hear anything about safety concerns.
Parts of the South and West sides are really bad (although they are large areas and there are some really nice neighborhoods mixed in). Also, Chicago is a physically large city, and the bad parts in the South or West sides are literally probably a 45 minute drive/ train ride away from downtown or the North side, so it is highly unlikely that you'd ever come across the danger as a tourist or as a resident.
That's a good description; I live in Chicago and stay in the good areas, which are very large and very far away from the bad ones. Come see our little New York (it's actually quite different, but the only other true mega-city in the U.S.). Las Vegas s*cks.
If you like kitsch, it's a great city. Visually, it's very interesting to go down the strip at night. There's the Eiffel Tower and a big fake balloon in front of the Paris, the giant Coke bottle and Harley in front of some restaurant, many huge buildings, the fountains at the Bellagio, the pirate ships in front of the T.I. and last, but not least, the Brooklyn Bridge and 911 memorial in front of New York, New York. And, of course, there's the incredible people watching at all times, but especially late at night when many are so drunk they tend to trip over the cracks in the sidewalks. Oh, and I almost forgot, the card flippers are still out there, offering anyone over 12 years of age a business card from the many escort services (they get mad if you try to photograph them).
Actually, if you leave the city, there are many really fun things to do around Las Vegas, whether you are 21 or not. In the winter you can go hiking at Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, Red Rock has some of the best rock climbing in the U.S., biking can be done there too, but the loop is more than a 1000 foot increase so be sure to be in good condition if you plan on making the entire 13-mile loop. Also in the winter is good (not great) skiing and snow boarding at Mt. Charleston. In the summer, take a dip in Lake Mead, where the surface temperature of the water can reach 95 degrees, or go for a hike at Mt. Charleston.
There are a few museums, but nothing I can recommend for someone who comes from any major metropolitan area.
Under 21 people will be somewhat confined in what they do as all the casinos are set up for "adult" entertainment. Although, if you look older, you can probably sneak by, after all, unless you look really young, the security people rarely ask for proof of age. Just remember, there are thousands of cameras all over every casino gaming floor.
Personally, if I was under 21, I'd leave Vegas for later and head straight for Chicago.
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