Thrill Rides in Las Vegas
The Stratosphere Hotel has possibly the most scary thrill rides in Las Vegas. The rides are on the 109th floor of a 1,149 foot tower. They have three outrageous rides you can choose to ride. One is the High Roller. This is a roller coaster that goes at the fastest speeds possible as it races around the track that seems as if it is suspended in midair. The second is called the Big Shot. Hold onto your stomach, this is a free fall ride that sends you 160 feet up in the air on a 228 foot tower and plummets you back down again. You sit in an open car and it will appear that you are dangling over the strip. The third ride is the X-Scream. This giant seesaw device propels you over the side of the building and lets you dangle there weightlessly before bringing you back to safety.
At the Sahara Hotel, they have a roller coaster that loops around in front of the hotel. They call it Speed: The Ride. It takes off through a hole by the new NASCAR Cafe in the hotel and goes around the loop, under the sidewalk and up a 250 foot tower where you are weightless for a few seconds. Then you ride the coaster backwards through the whole track
The Cyber Speedway boasts a NASCAR vehicle about three quarters of its normal size. You can choose to race around the Las Vegas racetrack or race through the streets of Las Vegas. At the end, you get a computer generated report to tell you how you did.
The Adventure dome at Circus Circus is an amusement park with several rides for the kids. They do have a roller coaster that races through simulated Grand Canyon mountains. They have several other swing rides and a mini-golf game. There is a small arcade where you can play video games as well before you hit the Midway.
Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas
Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity is definitely one of those Las Vegas shows that is not for kids. So leave them with family if you are able. This is a show celebrating human sexuality. The ushers have on t-shirts that make them look as though they are wearing nothing. This is a better show if you sit farther away from the stage. They have some ladies in a large glass container splashing around. Some of the gymnastics and acrobatics are simply amazing. The clowns still the show at times. This one is shown at the New York New York Hotel.
Cirque du Soleil’s O is actually spelled as “eau” and is the French word for water. This production employs a 1.5 million gallon pool where its characters perform amazing acrobatic feats in and around the pool. This show includes much of the sensual music, humor, and stylistic repertoire of the original show. This show is at the Bellagio. There is also a gift shop at the Bellagio with souvenirs from the show. These include masks, pottery and t-shirts.
Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere began in Montreal as a circus show. They show many wondrous feats of human agility and strength. This production showcases one amazing feat after another using contortionists, acrobats, and some aerial tricks. You can bring your children to this one, if for no other reason, to see the giant snail. This one is shown at Treasure Island that is right next door to the Mirage.
The showrooms for all three shows have state of the art music and sound systems. The budget on these shows are astronomical as they have to pay for lighting, costumes, sets, and very high-tech special effects. They are a wonder to watch and you will want to go back again.
