When you think of Las Vegas, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the dazzling lights of the Strip, the countless casinos, the superstar shows, or the seedier side of its founding days that earned it the moniker Sin City. All the glitzy excess aside, Las Vegas is a dynamic city filled with unexpected surprises that go far beyond the slot machines.Venture off the beaten path and explore a side of Las Vegas that you haven’t seen before with these activities.
Amp up the thrill
Opt for the STRAT Skyjump, a controlled, free-fall descent on a vertical zipline, for an adrenaline rush without the risk of losing money on the roulette table. Start by riding an elevator up to the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Tower — the Guinness World Records holder for the highest commercial decelerator descent — perched a whopping 829 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. From there, you’ll free-dive into the air at speeds of up to 40 mph. If you manage to keep your eyes open, you’ll get an unforgettable view of The Strip, and bragging rights for years to come.
Travel back in time
Practically everyone who visits Las Vegas spends time on the Strip, but Fremont Street is an all-too-often overlooked area that is not to be missed. The street itself dates back to 1905 when Las Vegas was first founded, and its rich history can still be discovered today as you stroll past famous casinos, wedding chapels, and themed bars. Make your way from past to present as you marvel at the revitalized pockets of Fremont Street, including Downtown Container Park, an offbeat shopping center built entirely from recycled shipping containers.
Seek out the supernatural
Believe it or not, there are plenty of supernatural sights to be discovered in Las Vegas, and you can chase them all on the Haunted Las Vegas tour. Upon boarding a bus, you’ll be outfitted in professional-grade ghost hunting equipment including EMF meters, temperature guns, and dowsing rods. Visit a handful of haunted sights you might have otherwise missed, including two different paranormal parks and the famous haunted pedestrian bridge, where two young lovers met their fate. Alongside spooky sightings, you’ll learn more about the dark side of Las Vegas, with stories about famous deaths like Elvis Presley’s and Tupac Shakur’s.
Explore an interdimensional grocery store
In Las Vegas, the most seemingly ordinary experiences can transform into something extraordinary, and a visit to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart proves that. What at first seems like a run-of-the-mill grocery store quickly reveals itself to be a mind-bending journey into uncharted territory. Think, cutting-edge immersive art and hidden portals leading to surreal dystopian landscapes, all housed in an interactive playscape filled with slides and surprises. You could easily spend the afternoon getting lost in another dimension at Omega Mart, just be sure to wear sneakers for full access to the store. After a while, you might even forget you’re in Las Vegas at all.
Channel your inner speed demon
For a thrilling break from all the sightseeing, take to the race track for some next-level Go-Kart Racing. The 2,100-feet track was specifically built for professional racecar drivers and it includes 14 heart-pounding turns and access to a pit lane with over 50 supercars, from Ferraris to Lamborghinis. Zoom past the competition while surrounded by the mountains of the Mojave Desert for an afternoon of off-the-Strip thrill.
Writer: Meghan Palmer
