For Americans, a trip to Las Vegas is the ultimate in party destinations.
None of the rules and values of the rest of the country seem to apply in this
sin-filled wonderland. That being said, Vegas still manages to be a great family
destination as well as an adult playground. Part of the trick to enjoying Vegas
every time is knowing where to look for unusual things to do. There are the typical tourist attractions, but Vegas has much more to offer its
visitors than casinos and lively shows. For those wanting to experience the city
beyond its abundance of fat Elvis's and wedding chapels, there are a myriad of
lesser known attractions to explore in Las Vegas. There is a great
attraction for every kind of person on or near this strip that never sleeps.
15) Land Sailing
Ahoy! The desert of the Southwest may not be covered in shimmering bodies of
water but Las Vegas more than makes up for this by offering a truly unique
experience, land sailing. The concept is pretty modern but it works simply
enough. People sit in little buggies with sails attached and they roll around
the Las Vegas desert by catching the wind in their sails. The sailing is
available seasonally when the wind and the weather are the most agreeable. Land sailing a beautiful scenic experience and more importantly, it is fun to do.
The typical voyage offered by Omega Land Sailing is a day trip on a Saturday.
Participants sail around a large dry lakebed outside of Las Vegas, enjoying the
speed and the views. Real adventurers should try out the Area 51 Dreamlands tour,
which takes guests on a three-day journey to the mysterious Area 51 base. This
tour is only available in the spring but it is well worth the time, as guests
are treated much more luxuriously than typical sailors. Have fun rolling across
the desert all day then enjoy top rated cuisine and lodgings at night.
There will be no roughing it during gourmet meals and caring customer service.
Land sailors can choose to explore the perimeter of Area 51 if they wish or
they can spend more time relaxing in the nearby pools and hot springs. This
attraction makes for a highly unique Vegas experience.
14) Garden of the
Gods Pools
These little oases can be found at Caesar's Palace, despite that people are
often too busy touring the strip to lay back and relax by the pool. However, at
the Garden of the Gods pools every
second spent there is more than rewarding. Guests enjoy ample food choices,
great service and cool, crystal-clear water. If you are looking for new things
to do in Vegas then try treating yourself to a completely new pool experience.
Guests can choose from eight pristine pools with heavenly names, such as: The
Apollo Pool, The Jupiter Pool and the Venus Pool. The surroundings include
beautiful fountains, luxurious tanning chairs and an 18-foot waterfall. It is
Vegas after all, so feel free to gamble and play swim-up blackjack all day.
Fully stocked cabanas with food, TVs, seating and wireless Internet are
available for whenever someone needs a break from the sun. Vegas is so
fast-paced, that people often feel like they didn't get to enjoy their
vacation but Garden of the Gods Pools allows you to relax as you are supposed to do on
your vacation.
The name suits this giant beast of an attraction because it's an enormous
slot machine. It was scheduled to open in June 2013 but construction delays
have pushed the public's patience just a little bit further. If anything, it
only helps to build anticipation for a truly unique experience. On the outside,
the building itself will be the world's largest slot machine. On the inside,
adventure-seeking gamblers can experience an exhilarating zipline experience.
The indoor zipline will be called a Zoomline and thankfully enough, this is one
of the few attractions in Vegas expected to cost under $50.
First-timers can test out the waters on the lower level, where a
traditional-style zipline will take them down 70 feet using the force of
gravity. Braver souls can take on the upper level Zoomline and drop 170 feet.
Perhaps "drop" isn't the best word because this zipline, instead of simply
relying on gravity, actually launches people face-downward to the ground. In
true Las Vegas fashion, the giant slot machine lever will pull down each time
someone takes the upper-level plunge and the slots will spin. According to
Vital Vegas, the humongous 37 foot tall showgirl sign on the side of the
building is based on actual showgirl Porsha Revesz. Another equally lofty sign
will soon be erected in the image of Revesz's fellow showgirl, Jennifer Johnson.
The giant structure is hoped to incur a revival of interest in the downtown
Fremont area. If there is one thing we can guarantee, it's that this new Vegas
feature will not stay unknown for long once construction wraps up.
12) Dolphin Fun
The Mirage's Dolphin Trainer for a Day
Courtesy of
www.mirage.com
It's not Sea World but there is plenty of aquatic fun to be had in Las Vegas and wimming with dolphins is one of those special opportunities that will never be
forgotten. Staffed with expert marine specialists, the Mirage offers anyone age
13 and older the opportunity to be a dolphin trainer for a day. Temporary
trainers spend the entire day helping to feed and interact with the dolphins.
They will also get to watch standard medical procedures such as ultrasounds and
pulse checks. This is not something that happens just anywhere; being trainer
for a day at the Mirage means truly getting involved in the lives of these
dolphins.
For a genuine one of a kind experience, the Mirage also offers a chance to
paint with a dolphin. This does not mean simply painting while near a
dolphin but both the dolphin and the painter will spend 20 minutes creating a
watercolor painting together. The artist of the afternoon will get to keep the
masterpiece along with a frame, the staff will even take a picture of the client
and dolphin painting together for an impressive take home gift. Painting with a
dolphin is remarkable for anywhere in the world and a photo of it certainly
beats old playing cards as a souvenir. According to the Mirage, painting also
helps the dolphins by mentally stimulating them through art. It keeps the
dolphins happier and healthier, while bringing joy to anyone who comes to visit
as well as paint.
This is not one of Vegas' cheapest options but it's certainly one of the most
fun ones. Renting a dune buggy here does not mean renting an all terrain
vehicle, it means driving an actual dune buggy. Sun Buggy, the rental company, does rent out ATVs as well but the true thrill is riding
the Vegas dunes on a genuine buggy. According to Sun Buggy Fun Rentals, they
will travel as far as the Amargosa Big Dunes and they hold exclusive
authority to explore cool nonpublic locations like the Valley of Fire but the
typical must try package is the off road buggy tour.
The Vegas Dunes Off Road Buggy Tour sets patrons up in their own dune buggies, regular buggies seat four or five people, where they follow a tour guide for
about half an hour all over the dunes that overlook the Las Vegas Valley. This
buggy ride can be as rough and fast or as gentle and slow as the driver wishes.
Racing and having fun is especially encouraged, guides don't mind at all
watching as guests try in vain to climb some of the tallest dunes. This will
give families looking for unknown things to do in Las Vegas the chance to spend
some quality time together on vacation.
Which force is greater, man or food? Foodies from all over can put themselves to
the test at various places in Las Vegas. The Monte Carlo in particular is one of
the best places to visit in Vegas for a food mission, with its "Death Wing"
20-piece basket and its whopping four-pound burrito. At the BRAND steakhouse
big eaters can try their hands at the 120-ounce steak, meant for six hungry
people, with sides and sauces included. Anyone who manages to finish off this
$250 food extravaganza alone eats for free. The Monte Carlo Pub cooks up an
equally intimidating four-pound burger topped with all the fixings. The total
weight of the burger comes to eight pounds. That, plus a full boot of beer, and
most people can't even summon the appetite to try it. Only about 100 have taken
the challenge on and only a staggering three people have finished this ultimate
American dish.
Food challenges are fantastic for a Vegas trip because not everybody
remembers to go for them, and they can be completed at regular meal times. This
saves more time to try out other unknown attractions in sin city. After a day
full of indoor ziplining and painting with dolphins, nothing could hit the spot
like an eight-pound nacho plate at Planet Hollywood. Las Vegas is a city that offers enough to conquer any
appetite for a challenge.
9) Thrill Rides
One can chase nearly every thrill in this town but people often don't realize
how extensive that list of thrills is. For all roller coaster junkies out there,
Vegas is the home of an indoor roller coaster mecca. Circus Circus is a classic
Las Vegas hotel with a full on amusement park inside. At the Adventuredome, the
roller coaster enthusiast can find treasures like
The Canyon Blaster, which boasts the only double corkscrew, double-loop indoor
roller coaster in the world.
Circus Circus is one of the few remaining casinos that existed when the strip
first opened. While countless casinos have opened and closed their doors over
the decades, Circus Circus and only four other casinos have managed to hold
steady through various economic climates. This place is a museum exhibit in its
own right and the shows are nothing short of spectacular. The atmosphere is all
about having as much fun as possible. For those coming to Vegas with children,
hotels like Circus Circus can make Vegas fun for everybody.
8) Joy Rides in a
Muscle Car
Not everyone has the stomach for roller coasters but most of us can get
comfortable pretty quick in a brand new luxury vehicle. We think a nice ride
in a Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 could cure practically any illness,
paying customers in Las Vegas can drive a brand new one and enjoy the scenic
views of Red Rock Canyon. In fact, clients get to rotate through a few top
muscle car models in case a Mustang on its own doesn't do the trick. In the
American Muscle Car Driving Experience, the Mustang is only the beginning. Then
there is the 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Special Edition, a Corvette
Z06 and finally a 2014 Camaro ZL1. For fatter wallets, the Red Rock Experience
includes trial cars from exotic brands: Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari and
more. Driving through the desert in one of these top quality imports would be an
ultimate auto experience and some people care more about the car than the scenic
drive. These car enthusiasts can check out the Las Vegas Motor speedway, where
they can choose from companies such as Dream Racing and Exotics Racing to take a
Ferrari racecar around the track at any speed they desire.
7) Sports Games
People often overlook the fact that Las Vegas is home to its very own college
basketball team. Forget watching random games in smoky bars; sports lovers can
feel the rush of a live game in sin city. The UNLV, University of Nevada, Las
Vegas, Rebels play quite a good game of ball and hold up well against other
competitive colleges. The school also offers other exciting
college sports, such as: football, soccer, baseball and swimming. The local
favorite still seems to be the basketball games.
In a city as exciting as Las Vegas, it can be easy to forget that there are
still simple places to visit like a basketball arena or a soccer field. A family
or group of friends could have a great time at one of these games to avoid the
crowds and musty atmosphere of casino after casino. Not to mention, it would
help support a local team. Go Rebels!
6) Shooting Safaris
For gun enthusiasts, there is no greater pleasure than going shooting. Well,
they might become even more excited if those guns happen to be valuable historic
pieces of artillery. The Desert Lake Shooting Club offers a unique version of
their Shooting Safari, called "Shooting through History". In this shooting tour,
participants fire 17 different weapons in chronological order from the era they
were used.
The first gun participants fire is a modern replica of the Flintlock Rifle,
which was used in the Revolutionary War. Moving through such classics as the
Colt SAA Revolver, the M-1 Garand Rifle and the Sniper Rifle. The tour ends
with a just for fun round from a Smith & Wesson 460 Magnum. All shooting takes
place outdoors for a more open, authentic experience. This is one of those
things that only a city like Vegas could offer, yet it allows a total escape
from the constant hustle and bustle that makes Vegas what it is.
5) A Classier Way to
Drink
Instead of loading up on booze then acting shamelessly at the casinos and clubs,
try experiencing a classier night in Vegas. The Bellagio is one of those places
to visit that will never disappoint, the luxurious hotel boasts 17 Sommeliers
and 3 Master Sommeliers. According to Forbes, that's a world record for a hotel.
Basically, this is the classiest place in Vegas and certainly the best hotel to
try wine in. On the third Wednesday of each month the hotel holds a seminar for
an hour and a half, analyzing eight different wine varieties as well as the nuances of
their flavors. Everyone leaving these seminars will feel like a born again wine
connoisseur.
Of course wine is an acquired taste, so for those who aren't tempted by musky
scents and oaky overtones a mixology classes at the Monte Carlo are both fun as
well as rewarding. The Monte Carlo's own Director of Beverage will teach four
people how to create the perfect cocktail and the end of class always involves
a thorough sampling. This is a great way to enjoy the finer things in life and
take a small break from the wild party that is Las Vegas.
4) Glow-in-the-Dark
Mini Golf
Part of finding unknown things to do in Vegas is learning to appreciate smaller
attractions and in Vegas even something as simple as mini golf can be thrilling.
We know that most cities offer some kind of indoor mini golfing but it is
pretty tough to beat the set up in Vegas. Monster Mini Golf has a KISS center,
where anything and everything inside pays homage to the iconic band.
There are animated statues and glowing guitars galore but the center still
offers a full 18-hole course to provide a full afternoon of enjoyment. Kids will
love the fun glow in the dark atmosphere, while adults can reminisce about the
glory days of KISS. The rock-and-roll atmosphere makes mini golfing much more
fun and the lack of overhead lights makes the perspective of the game much more
challenging as well as interesting. It's unlikely that any visitors will forget
putting a ball through the mouth of a 12-foot-tall likeness of Gene Simmons'
head.
If mini golf still seems too touristy, regular golf lessons are one of the
surprisingly fun things to do in Vegas but these are no average golfing
lessons. When the word "golf" gets thrown around, usually only one name pops
into our minds: Tiger Woods. Imagine being able to take lessons from the man who
trained this legend. In Vegas, this is totally possible.
Butch Harmon dominated as Golf Digest's top-rated golf instructor in the
United States for 12 consecutive years. He trained Tiger Woods for almost 10
years, spent time with other legends like Fred Couples and he now works with
Phil Mickelson. At the Rio Secco Golf Club, anyone with the right budget can
have access to this invaluable trainer. For a true chance to play a better game
of golf, there is hardly anything better than this to do in America. For a less
expensive lesson, feel free to sign up for instruction from his specialized
staff because they hold classes all day every day. For the true die hard golfers
out there, Harmon hosts multiday clinics.
2) A Chance to Be
Shark Bait
The sharks don't pay that much attention to the swimmers but brave patrons can choose to swim with the sharks in Mandalay Bay.
The area called "Shark Reef" is full of, somehow exciting, rare and dangerous
predators. Certified scuba divers can spend the better part of an hour swimming
with tiger sharks, nurse sharks, zebra sharks, sea turtles and many more marine
species. The 1.3-million-gallon tank sits in plain view of other exotic
predators, such as: golden crocodiles and piranhas. Thankfully, glass separates
the divers from these more aggressive attackers.
The dive, which includes almost 10 species of sharks, is sure to satisfy any
thrill seeker. Safety is a primary concern of the Mandalay Bay staff and they
ensure that all participants are completely covered in light chainmail armor.
The shallow depth of the tank protects divers from any risk of decompression
and an experienced dive master will accompany each group for safety. People
often throw around the phrase, "swimming with the sharks" but the lucky few
guests who try out this attraction can say that they actually have done it.
1) Wacky Museums
When we think of Las Vegas, words like "art" and "culture" don't exactly echo
through our heads but Vegas has developed plenty of attractions that pay homage
to the unique culture as well as history of this crazy city. There is a museum
for every kind of person in Vegas, from the Pinball Hall of Fame to the Mob
Museum. At the Pinball Hall of Fame, people can lose themselves for hours
playing every classic pinball game they could ever want. The Mob Museum only
opened in 2012 but it offers tons of fun information about organized crime.
The museums in Vegas are not like the average, stuffy museums found
throughout the world either. For instance, the Neon museum is an outdoor
collection of out of use neon displays that once helped illuminate the Vegas
strip. One must take steps and ramps to see the entire display of iconic neon
signs.
Most people don't ever bother to check out the National Atomic Testing Museum
because of its mundane name but there is so much going on inside. The
interactive exhibits help explain the infamous nuclear testing that took place
very close to Vegas. Any alien enthusiasts in the group will also love the Area
51 display that covers an entirely different aspect of government
experimentation.
Final Words
When it comes down to it most people try to achieve the sensation that they did
something special while on vacation. It's easy to become desensitized to all of
the typical tourist attractions that Vegas offers but many people never look
beyond the obvious to the new and exciting things going on in this unique
metropolis. From death defying adventures to kooky museums, any person or group
can live to the fullest in Vegas without sticking to the main stops. When people
try out some of the lesser known attractions in Vegas, they won't want to leave
their stories behind.
