Is Las Vegas a Family Destination?

In a word, maybe. In two words, probably not.

I've been AWOL from the blog in the last few months. Sorry about that, I've been working nights and weekends to get www.greenbuildingadvisor.com (my day job) launched. It's launched, I'm back. GreenBuildingAdvisor was launched at the International Builder's Show in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. It was my second time to Vegas.

In the past twenty or so years, Las Vegas has been trying to re-make itself as less of a 'Family' place and more of a family destination, if you know what I mean. Less La Cosa Nostra, more Ward and June Cleaver. Or something. Many of the casinos are themed: New York, New York, Excalibur Castle, and Treasure Island. But theme is only skin deep.

Beneath the surface is boobs, booze, and broke gamblers
Please don't get me wrong, the FamilyRoadTrippers are not prudes by any means. But there's still something unmistakably 'not-very family-oriented' about the place. While the incessant blinking lights are something that most kids will probably like, and the zillions of pictures of barely-dressed show girls are something that most boys aged 8 - 98 wouldn't object to, the round-the-clock-gambling and prostitution are something I suspect most families would rather avoid. As you walk down the street on the strip, people hand out business cards for prostitutes. Now, this can be a fun game, try to get fifty-two different cards to make a full deck from, it just sort of sends the wrong message to youngsters. And even if the card hander-outers don't hand them to the kids, the streets are littered with them (and kids are closer to the ground than adults, so they tend to pick up on it more readily).

If that's not enough, there are also the driving billboards
The last time I was there I saw one that said something like 'Full Service.' This time it was just 'Hot Babes Direct to You.' I wondered what I would say to Tom if he asked me what 'full service' meant. I suppose I would tell him that they'll change the oil in addition to filling the tank, but more likely I would change the subject.

What did I like best about my trip to Las Vegas?
A great little Italian restaurant outside of town.

Glad to be back in the saddle (so to speak), I'll see if I can get back up to my regular weekly postings.

Anyone have good stuff to say about Vegas?