Looking for some exciting, action sports or adventure thrills during your Las Vegas visit? Here are things to do in Las Vegas that fit that bill:
Sky-Diving and Jumping Off Towers
If there’s a little bit of a risk-taker in you, here are two possibilities to check out: jumping off the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest structure in the Western US – or indoor sky-diving in a Vertical Wind Tunnel. You’ll receive complete safety lessons before attempting a Stratosphere jump, so there’s nothing to worry about. After you get into your jumpsuit, you’ll be in for a free-fall of over 100 stories, for a cost of about $110. There are about 4 thrill rides on this tower, all located at 100 stories above ground. For the slightly less adventurous, the tower also has several observation decks – at 150 feet high, you’ll get an unforgettable view of The Strip, particularly at night. With indoor sky-diving, at Vegas Indoor Skydiving on the Strip, you get to simulate the free fall you’d experience by jumping out of an airplane. They do it with a parachute, mesh, a trampoline floor and foam padded walls. Get the incredible thrill, without the risk and the higher costs associated with a skydiving program at an airport. Either way, it’s a exciting answer to the search for fun things to do in Las Vegas.
Hiking and Cycling in the Valleys
Just a few miles beyond the Vegas Strip’s neon lights, is incredible desert scenery with bizarre and beautiful rock formations and landscapes, some of which even resemble moonscapes. The best way to experience them is in Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire, only 30-minute and 1-hour drives respectively from the Strip. The Valley of Fire state park is especially suited for early morning and late afternoon hikes where you receive free guide services from park rangers, as you experience the memorable all-natural landscape. The park contains fossils and rocks inscribed with Native American petroglyphs, as well as the incredible red and yellow sandstone cliffs and rock formations, which gave the Valley of Fire its name, all across this vast terrain. It’s a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Vegas, for only $10 per car.
The Red Rock Canyon Park, which may look familiar from the vistas which have appeared in countless Western movies, offers desert hiking trails that are best explored on a bike or on foot. You can explore the miles and miles of desert trails on two wheels for just $3 per bicycle; or you can park your car and hike, or drive through the paved section of the park for $7. Either way, you’ll experience never-ending panoramas featuring scenic buttes, cliffs and unbelievably gorgeous rock formations. The 13-mile scenic drive can also be explored via a shuttle van service from Vegas for about $110 per person. Overnight camping is permitted, with permits costing $25 per night.
Kayaking and Cruising
A 40-minute drive from The Strip will get bring you to the Colorado River spills below Hoover Dam, where several local operators let you explore the massive electricity generators and incredible scenery by boat. Kayak tours within the dam allow you to paddle downstream, exploring the area and admiring the engineering marvel as you travel through the river canyon. There are also spots where you can stop and enjoy the natural hot springs along the way. Most of these trips are guided, but there are do-it-yourself kayak rentals for experienced paddlers as well.
A more sedate way to experience the Dam is a boat cruise on Lake Mead, the man-made oasis in the middle of the desert. These cruises allow you to seemingly travel back in time, on a 19-century Mississippi riverboat, enjoying the breathtaking views on a relaxing trip. The cruises operate all year round, and cost $24 per person, while sunset cruises from April to October will cost closer to $50.
Skiing and Snowboarding
When you think of things to do in Las Vegas, you probably don’t think of snow, skiing or snowboarding. But the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort near Mount Charleston is only a one hour’s drive from the Strip, and is nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. There are four lifts, and 11 trails for beginners to advanced skiers, with a great mix of natural and artificial snow. Not a skier? You can rent snowboard equipment and lift passes for less than $100.
For something very different, check out zip-lining. Near Boulder City, you can take the Bootleg Canyon Flightline tour, riding up Red Mountain and then strapped into a harness – for a zip-line experience of a lifetime. You’ll head downhill on a fantastic series of zip-line rides, travelling as fast as 50 miles per hour as you soar over the mountain tops and valleys. The experience costs $149, and there is complementary pickup at your Vegas hotel.
Bowling and Golfing
Want to get a workout of sorts, but not really up for Las Vegas thrills or action sports? For a calmer sporting experience, bowling in Vegas is both cheap and readily available 24 hours a day. And since it’s Vegas, the lanes are a lot more lavish than the ones back home. From Gold Coast Bowling Center on Flamingo Road, to Red Rock Lanes on Charleston Boulevard, you not only get to bowl, but you get to do it in style with VIP lounges and full service bars and restaurants For many people, Las Vegas is synonomous with golf – and there are dozens of award-winning courses throughout the area, many with vistas and views that are as memorable as anywhere in the world. Just click on our “Las Vegas Golf” link, for rundowns on our top ten courses.
For more exciting things to do in Las Vegas, be sure to check the table of contents for an extensive list of our guides to Las Vegas activities.
