Poll : 27 February - 11 March 2008

Analysis

Another great response, with Las Vegas' ability to keep reinventing itself and offering something new clearly emerging as the winner. We can't think of another city that comes close -- it's a full-time job keeping our Web site up-to-date with all the new bars, clubs, restaurants, shows, and stores that seem to open on a weekly basis.

While some people wrote in bemoaning the increasing "flesh-factor" and what they see as a shift towards a sleazier Sin City, a lot of people are evidently happy to see Vegas return to being primarily an adult destination. (We'll never forget a quote we read from a former Las Vegas Hilton executive who commented, at the height of the "family-destination" experimental period, that every time he saw a child here, they were crying.)

We wholeheartedly agree with the thumbs-up for Fremont East and the Arts District and hope those initiatives continue to thrive. Hopefully, downtown has finally found its new niche and it's great being able to bar-crawl on foot from one cool joint to another.

And a surprising fourth place for the Monorail. Who knows what lies in its future, but evidently a lot of people are hoping it has one.

Among the plentiful emails we received with your "other" likes were the following:

• "I love that you can still have the option to smoke while drinking and gambling.
• "The thing I like about Vegas the most is that it caters to all budgets and, whether you spend $5,000 a day or just $100, you can still have a great time."
• "We love a lot of things about Las Vegas. The glitter, the glitz, people-watching on the Strip, but especially how friendly everyone is. It's a place for us to come unwind, sleep when we want, eat when we want, be totally selfish to ourselves."
• "I love the weather from October to April. I love our city skyline on a clear day and the lights at night ... I love the buffets when guests come to visit. I love our mountains, especially sunrise. I love our sunsets."
• "I love that properties are getting more aggressive in marketing to low rollers like myself and I am able to get great hotel rates to stay in Vegas. The offers I'm getting are from Boyd, Palace Station, Orleans, Circus Circus, and yes, even some from the Strip -- Excalibur, Luxor, Hooters. And you can still go on a coupon run and win moneny. Heck, that in itself is something to love."
• "What we like best? The buffets. While they're no longer the world's greatest bargains, they are still sumptuous and scrumptious."
• "I love downtown. It's like a big party all the time and you still feel safe. I like the Strip but I love downtown."
• "Every time I visit, it just knocks me out that visitors are willing to be so genuiniely helpful to other tourists."
• "I like the feeling of being a kid in a candy store and not knowing what to do next."
• "I'm probably one of the few Vegas visitors who does not come for the shows, entertainment, or the high-end dining. I come to satisfy my inner gambler, who gets little attention much of the year ... So, I guess what I like about Vegas is the wide choice of casinos and especially what your POV booklet offers me. Keep it up!"
• "I love everything! The "cheesy" part, upscale restaurants, down & dirty bars, the shopping, the variety of gambling, getting away from kids, themes, watching thousands being blown or made at the tables, live bands - the music is sensational. Of course, people-watching. And so much more!"
• "I like that there is an interest in keeping and restoring 'old Las Vegas,' instead of just continuing to do 'out with the old - in with the new.' Granted, the latter is still the case with hotels; I'm talking about other places - historic homes, schools, etc. There are a lot of old-timers (and new-comers) who appreciate what's good and remarkable about historic Las Vegas."
• "I love the grandiose quality