Why just watch entertainment when you can be a part of it?
With the drop in revenue from gambling and a huge reduction in the number of production shows in existence, it’s clear that Vegas visitors are seeking new ways to be excited. People want to be immersed in an experience…that’s why the Big Apple Coaster at New York NY now offers a virtual-reality headset option (for a $5 upcharge) to go with the traditional ride.
But in this age of higher/bigger/faster, that 22-year-old thrill ride is still just a new twist on something that’s been around awhile. So let’s take a look at some newer adventures to throw yourself into…and one or two that might actually require you to turn on your mind.
Go Faster
Who doesn’t love the rush of adrenaline? Well you can get your share and a whole lot more at Police Chase LV. Buckle into a real Las Vegas cruiser and take off after skilled “getaway drivers” on a expertly-designed course at the LV Motor Speedway. Your highly-trained instructor will be strapped into the passenger seat and actually encouraging you to drive faster and be more daring. There are no limits except for the ones you put on yourself.
SpeedVegas offers a real racetrack experience for the exotic car enthusiast. Pick your Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche and rip down an extra-long 1.5 mile racetrack designed by a team of international experts. Off-road racing and “drifting experiences” are available, too. The 35-million-dollar SpeedVegas private facility is only ten minutes away from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and near the gorgeous M Resort and Casino.
Soar Higher
Things are looking up for those who long to reach new heights. There are plenty of immersive adventures to lift you to the clouds and return you safely back to earth. Skydiving enthusiasts are especially lucky, as there are a number of services to take you higher.
My personal nod goes to Sin City Skydiving, located south of the Strip on the way to Primm at the California State Line. A scenic 20-minute drive (transportation is offered) takes you to a small airport where you’ll receive instructions prior to a tandem jump with an expert. Click HERE to read about my jump and how you can arrange yours.
If the idea of plunging towards the Earth seems a little severe, perhaps a graceful hot air balloon excursion? On mornings when the air is calm and clear, colorful balloons rise all around my neighborhood and fill the sky. Vegas Balloon Rides offers hour-long weekday morning rides with views of the Strip and Red Rock Mountains for only $169.
Sail like a bird over the Hoover Dam and swoop like an eagle over the river and summits of the Grand Canyon with Serenity Helicopters. A five-star experience that sets it above other helicopter adventures, Serenity boasts a perfect safety record and a personalized experience to make that excursion the one you’ll remember for a lifetime. You can read all about my Sunset Grand Canyon Tour and Dinner with Serenity Helicopters by clicking HERE.
Cook With A Celebrity Chef
Cooking shows and celebrity chefs…two great tastes that taste great together. Why watch them passively from your television set when you can be a part of it? Pampered Chef is a clever concept in which chefs from some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas help you to host a cooking party.
Gather your family and friends into the kitchen of your home, timeshare or hotel suite and join Chef Piero Barbagallo as he and his fellow culinary experts teach you how to create a masterful dish from scratch. With simple ingredients, the right tools and a little flair, you’ll be on your way to bringing world famous dishes to your own table. Read more about Pampered Chef by following this LINK.
Discover Your Inner Wizard
The best way to figure out a mystery is to observe it very closely. So if you want to uncover the secrets of the dark arts (and channel your inner Harry Potter), enter The Magician’s Study. Once inside, you’ll discover a world of mystery and astonishment. An expert magician will sit down with you and a few other invited guests for an intimate evening of up-close illusions.
Is this The Magician’s Study?
Your host must remain a secret, but he or she is an internationally-known and charismatic entertainer. The speakeasy-style events are also shared in a unique way:
I have crafted this to be a unique experience where guests feel special being able to attend something so secretive and highly exclusive that not just anyone can purchase tickets to. Guests pass along their code word like passing along a secret to others, allowing them to experience the evening.
This writer isn’t about to give away what I’ve learned, so if you’d like to peek behind the magic curtain, it’s yours to discover. You can also reach out by calling 702.934.2481 or emailing info@themagiciansstudy.com.
There’s another way to see up-close magic here in Vegas. This one is more of a traditional show….yet you’ll still be mere feet away from the performers. Hollywood Stars of Magic has a rotating roster of top-of-their-game illusionists. Hosted by Vegas prestidigitator Tim Wise at the charming Royal Resort (near Las Vegas Convention Center) Hollywood Stars of Magic will baffle your mind. You’ll be so close that can reach out and touch. Showtimes are every Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and it’s appropriate for all ages.
Escape With Your Life
We know it’s hard to think clearly under pressure. But what if you’re trying to save your skin and the clock is running out? Escape rooms are the latest way to experience the thrill of suspense and mystery movies without actually perishing in a booby trap.
Creator Jason Egan and actor Tobin Bell, the iconic “Jigsaw” himself…
The most cleverly-crafted Las Vegas escape room recreates chilling and gory hazards of a wildly popular horror franchise. Saw Escape Room is brought to life by Jason Egan, the brilliant artist behind Circus Circus Fright Dome. Endorsed by Lionsgate Studio (makers of the SAW films) and star Tobin Bell (Jigsaw), Saw Escape Room was ranked #1 in the nation last year by readers of USA Today.
Search for Aliens
If none of those things strike your fancy, there are plenty of other “out there” options, from a Scavenger Hunt at Area 51 to Stripper 101 classes and even Blackout Dining In the Dark.
So the next time one of your friends says “Let’s do something different in Vegas” you can be the clever one with all the suggestions.
VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak 