Yes, a lot of people head to Vegas for kicks in the nightlife and gambling realm, but thrill-seekers flock there, too, for adrenaline-pumping action. Don’t have a car? No problem – almost all of the non-Strip adventures offer shuttle service.
Exotics Racing
Photo Courtesy of Exotics Racing
Take control of your urges for high speed at Exotics Racing, which lets drivers of all levels test-drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches around the 1.2 mile track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Scared to drive? Then you’re up for the toughest challenge – trusting yourself to a pro, who can drive twice as fast as you ever could. The truly dedicated will sign up for both experiences.
(702) 405-RACE exoticsracing.com
Flightlinez Zip-lining
Zip-lining over desert terrain is fun for all ages (kids must weigh 75 lbs), as long as you’re in for a thrilling ride. Four runs in different directions mean that your flight will be affected by the wind patterns, to keep things interesting. Your hilarious—and knowledgeable—guides will help you with flying positions to conquer any heavy gusts. The historic Bootleg Canyon was once a route for delivering moonshine (Boulder City was once dry, to prevent workers on the dam from drinking away their earnings). Early mornings are more likely to see animals (and less hot in summer!), but when you’re flying at 60 miles per hour, you can’t go wrong at any time.
1644 Nevada Hwy, Boulder City, NV 89005 (702) 293-6885 flightlinezbootleg.com
Mini Baja Chase
Hunter S. Thompson put the spotlight on Vegas’s tradition of off-roading through the desert in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Mini Baja Chase delivers its own mini-version of the famous Mint 400 race via expert guides who will lead you and your friends on a two-hour course however slow or fast you’d like. A speed junkie? Expect your buggy to get airborne on the hills and rely on two wheels on the sharpest turns. Fearless drivers only, please.
(702) 644-2855 sunbuggy.com
New York New York’s Rollercoaster
Harkening back to the good ol’ days of Coney Island, the rollercoaster at New York New York is the thrill of a lifetime. Boasting the first 180-degree “twist and dive” move, this ride delivers on the scream factor, starting with the first intense hill with views of the replications of the iconic NYC buildings. There’s even an unlimited day pass for riders who can’t get enough.
3790 S Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 740-6969 newyorknewyork.com
Papillon Helicopter Ride
There are many helicopter options in Vegas – many of which take visitors to the Grand Canyon. But only Papillon caps off the trip with a beautiful motorcycle ride (if you have a license, great; if not, you’ll go with a driver). The biggest trip includes a sunrise private plane from Boulder City (shuttles available from the Strip), a helicopter tour of the canyon, and then a fun two-wheel ride with stops along the way for photos of the stunning National Park. You’ll even don provided leather jackets for the ultimate Grand Canyon photos. The seasonal tours usually begin in March, although there are various tours given year round.
1265 Airport Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005 (702) 736-7243 papillon.com
Pro Gun Club
A growing industry in Vegas, gun ranges offer an increasing number of amateurs a place to shoot (often for the first time) in town. Pro Gun Club is the first to offer outdoor shooting – in some desert land near Boulder City. There, brave souls can pick up a shot gun to shoot at clay pigeons, or work with lighter guns like an Uzi or HK 40. Then, for the ultimate challenge, they offer a Berritt, which boasts a kickback of several feet and requires headphones. To give you an idea, its bullet is more than six times as long as the Uzi’s. Now that’s some muscle.
12801 Old U.S. 95, Boulder City, NV 89005 (702) 293-2108 progunclub.com
Sky Combat Ace
Photo Courtesy of Sky Combat Ace
The mother of all adventure activities, Sky Combat Ace tests the endurance of even the toughest adrenaline junkies. The most popular experience is called “Top Gun,” and it’s not kidding. You jump in the cockpit with a professional, who can take over the controls at anytime, similar to those cars you drove as a teenager in Driver’s Ed. Then you get to play with G force, and do moves such as loops, aileron rolls (spinning 420 degrees per second), tail slides, spins, hammerheads, Cuban 8s, and Lomcevaks (tumbling wingtip to wingtip). It is the ride of a lifetime.
1420 Jet Stream Dr Suite #100, Henderson, NV 89052 (888) 494-5850 skycombatace.com
SlotZilla
The city cousin of the Bootleg Canyon adventure, SlotZilla gives downtown dwellers and visitors two options for flight over the crowds of Fremont Street. The slot machine-themed ride (hence the name) gives braver flyers a starting height of 120 feet, and sends them flying 35 miles per hour towards Golden Gate Casino for an aerial of downtown while laying flat, like Superman. The lower level sits at 70 feet, with the landing near Four Queens Casino.
425 Fremont St #160, (702) 678-5780 vegasexperience.com
Stratosphere Rides
Photo credit: Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
2000 S Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 380-7777 stratospherehotel.com
Desperado at Stateline
Driving in from California? Make sure to stop at Buffalo Bill’s at the California/Nevada Stateline for a unique rollercoaster ride that will make you say “Only in Vegas” – even though you aren’t quite there yet. The ride starts inside the casino before catapulting outside into the sunny desert air – headed straight up. The 209-foot-tall coaster is most famous for its very first drop, from 225 feet, which heads straight into a dark tunnel. Thrill-seekers will go up to 80 miles per hour in total, including racing through the casino lobby at almost 70 miles per hour, giving a jolt to even the guests who don’t make the plunge by hopping on the ride themselves.
Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Primm, NV 702-679-RIDE primmvalleyresorts.com
