Las Vegas – Thrilling Attractions

Las Vegas is filled with plenty of heart-pounding activities, from high-stakes gambling to intense thrill rides and even skydiving. There’s plenty more for adrenaline junkies to enjoy while visiting the city, and the guide below outlines some of the most popular options.

Stratosphere Tower

The Stratosphere has been an iconic part of the Las Vegas skyline since it was built in 1995. The outstanding building has used its height to its advantage by creating multiple high-adrenaline rides at the very top of its tower. Because of this, the Stratosphere has made a name for itself as a premier destination for those looking for the ultimate thrill.

One of these rides is SkyJump. On this ride, guests take a leap of faith and bungee jump from 855 above the Las Vegas Strip, reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Another is the X-Scream, a short track that juts out 27 feet from the Stratosphere Tower. The X-Scream propels riders forward and then hangs over the side of the building, creating the feeling that you’re dangling in midair. The X-Scream gives riders a huge shock, as well as an incredible view of the city below.

Lastly, Stratosphere’s Insanity ride is one for the ultimate thrill-seeker. Insanity is the third-highest thrill ride in the world. Guests sit in a circle on a claw-like structure, which then moves out over the edge of the building, spinning riders as they face the city below. Any of the Stratosphere’s rides will give adrenaline junkies the heart-pounding action they’ve been searching for.

The Big Apple Coaster

While testing your luck in a casino is exciting, what about riding a roller coaster on top of one? After amping up your adrenaline at the slots, head over to The Big Apple Coaster at New York, New York. The trains on this city-themed roller coaster look like New York taxicabs and take riders on a 67-mile-per-hour journey outside the casino.

You can take a one-off ride or opt for the all-day pass. With an all-day pass, you can take advantage of the short lines during the day, then get the most incredible view of the lights of Las Vegas at night. The roller coaster was built in 1997, so be prepared for a bumpy ride through Las Vegas’ New York, New York.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

You don’t need to be at an oceanfront resort to swim with sharks. At the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, divers can swim alongside more than 30 sharks of varying species. These include sand tiger, sandbars, and white tip reef sharks.

First, participants get a guided tour of the aquarium and an equipment orientation. The diving experience takes place alongside a dive guide, so participants are safe and secure at all times.

This experience is only available for guests of Mandalay Bay who are already certified divers. With this in mind, those interested in diving with sharks while in Las Vegas should consider staying at Mandalay Bay.

Exotics Racing

Many people have the dream of getting behind the wheel of an incredible luxury car. Unless you hit the jackpot at the casino or are already in the position to buy one yourself, it can be hard to make that dream come true.

Until you visit Exotics Racing, that is! There, you pick your bucket-list car and zoom around an enclosed, 1.2-mile track with an instructor by your side. Some of the exotic autos you can choose from include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, and Aston Martins.

Friends and family members are welcome to hang out in the stands and watch you zoom around the professional-grade track, reaching speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. You can even memorialize the experience with a video taken by an in-car camera.

Sky Combat Ace

Those with dreams of being a fighter pilot, barreling through the sky at incredible speeds can make those dreams come true at Sky Combat Ace. This aviation experience has multiple packages that range from simple to extreme.

“Explorer” is a beginner’s package that involves a fun and fast flight over the desert, while “Operation Recon” is a small step up, in which guests do some basic spins. Other, more intense packages include the intense and thrilling “Operation Red Flag,” which recreates an air combat experience, and the “Top Gun” package, where guests get to fly the plane through various maneuvers themselves.

Sky Combat Ace encourages all flyers, no matter how calm or exciting their flight package, to try operating the plane themselves. While this may seem shocking to some who have never flown before, it definitely adds to the experience. The instructor in the plane with you has their own set of controls, so they are able to assist with the flight. No matter which package you choose, your time with Sky Combat Ace is sure to be thrilling.

Paragon Skydive

Skydiving is one of the ultimate experiences for adrenaline junkies. Whether you’re looking to cross it off your bucket list or do it again for the umpteenth time, you can make it happen during your trip to Las Vegas.

One of the best parts about skydiving while in Las Vegas is the fact that you can do it in one of the most world-famous locations: the Grand Canyon. Yep, that’s right, you can skydive over the Grand Canyon.

Paragon Skydive is one of the companies that offers this unforgettable experience. They even pick you up at your Las Vegas hotel before taking the one-hour flight to the Grand Canyon. The main skydiving event takes place at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is right near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is “the widest, deepest, and most colorful part of the Grand Canyon,” making it an incredible backdrop for your skydiving experience.

Previous skydivers comment on how supportive Paragon’s staff was and how they made an effort to ensure everyone was comfortable. For some, it’s not only their first time at the Grand Canyon but their first time skydiving as well. Combining two bucket-list experiences makes for an unforgettable day and an adrenaline-pumping activity for any thrill seeker.