There’s no place quite like Las Vegas for satisfying the senses – the flashing signs, bright costumes, music, traffic and the sound of chips being counted are enough to overwhelm even the hardiest of visitors. It’s not a place for the faint hearted! And of course, a place like Vegas is bound to attract thrill-seekers and risk-takers, looking for a novel and exciting experience. Fortunately, there’s much more to Vegas than gambling your fortunes on the spin of a wheel or the chance to get married on a whim – there’s plenty more for the courageous spirit here! Our picks for the best Vegas adventures include:
- Vegas Strip helicopter tour
- SkyJump from the STRAT
- The Fly LINQ Zipline
- The Big Apple Roller Coaster
- The Blair Witch escape room
- Hiking to hot springs
The Vegas Strip helicopter tour
Feel your adrenaline pumping as you launch upward in the ‘limousine of the sky’. Hear the roar of the propellers as you soar along the famous strip, and see the Luxor Pyramid, Bellagio Fountains and the streets of Downtown Vegas from a whole new, colorful perspective. This Vegas Strip helicopter tour takes you from Las Vegas Boulevard to Fremont Street and back again, over neon signs, searching spotlights and crowds of people all looking tiny from your high vantage point. The ECO-Star helicopter is spacious and comfortable, and you can take as many photos as you like – but don’t forget to pause and take it all in, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
SkyJump from the STRAT
Head up to the top of the STRAT, where you can enjoy 360-degree views from 108 floors above the Strip. Then hop into a jumpsuit, strap yourself to the descender machine and jump! You’ll feel like superman leaping tall buildings in a single bound as you hurtle down the only Sky Jump in North America at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Feel the wind whipping your face and roaring in your ears – if that doesn’t get the adrenaline pumping, nothing will! As you reach the ground the landing will be carefully controlled, and you’ll have a chance to look at photos of your descent while you get your land legs back again. Then you can head to one of the lip-smackingly good restaurants of the STRAT, since all that jumping is bound to have worked up an appetite.
Ride the Fly LINQ Zipline
If jumping from a 108-storey building is just a little too much for you, how about a 1,121-foot zipline? When you ride the Fly LINQ, you’re strapped into a harness and ride in a seated position, and while you can still reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, you’re only launching from 122 feet up, so you travel at a slightly less alarming angle. You’ll have plenty of time to take in the views, which include the open-air LINQ shopping center, the Brooklyn Bowl and the broad, twinkling streets and promenades of Vegas. Then you’ll finish at the High Roller Observation Wheel, which is the tallest observation wheel in the Americas and makes a wonderful backdrop for your souvenir photo!
Ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster
If there’s anything cooler than a roller coaster in the middle of a city, it’s a roller coaster with a New York Subway-inspired platform and cars designed to look like NYC taxi cabs. And sure, the Big Apple Coaster makes a very impressive skyline, but the best way to experience it is to ride it. It’ll take you slowly up to around 80 feet, where you’ll get a brief glimpse over the city before being whisked down again through a series of loops, spirals and inversions at a heart-pumping speed. You’ll believe you’re in New York as replicas of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building whizz by. And if you find it all happened a bit too fast – perhaps you’ll have to go and ride it again!
Escape the Blair Witch Project experience
Escape rooms come in many shapes, sizes and difficulty levels, and themes to suit all tastes and interests. In the Vegas Number One Escape Room, for example, you can choose to escape from a creepy cabin in the woods, Red Riding Hood’s grandmother’s house, foil a jewelry heist or follow up a bigfoot sighting. But the most daring will want to try the Blair Witch Escape Room, based on the terrifying movie franchise. Begin at the Burkittsville Ranger’s Station in the Black Hills Forest and follow the clues to find out exactly what happened to some missing students. Featuring creaky doors, dark, dank rooms and actual props from the movies, fans and thrill-seekers alike will be drawn into this heart-pounding experience. The question is, will you be able to get out again...
Go hiking to hot springs
If you’re looking for a little adventure out of the city, just downstream from Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon is the Gold Strike Canyon, where you’ll find the Gold Strike and Nevada Hot Springs. To get there, it’s an hour or so’s hike from the highway over rocks and other obstacles, some of which require hauling yourself up fixed-place ropes. Anyone of reasonable fitness should be able to manage it, but take note that the hike is not recommended in summer because of the potential presence of rattlesnakes. Once you get there you can have a relaxing soak in the hot springs, enjoying the quiet and isolation of the hills and rocks. Note there are risks associated with the springs as well, so be sure to check for any health warnings before you jump in.
Have more adventures with Go City
With Go City, you can save on dozens of attractions in and around Las Vegas. Whether you’re trying to be a bit braver, or a full adrenaline junkie, bring out your adventurous side with a Las Vegas Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass whenever you find yourself sightseeing in Sin City!
