For individuals who are not interested in gambling, there are many thrills to be had in Las Vegas without setting foot on the casino floor. Many hotels offer amusement style rides that offer entertainment for both children and adults. Roller coasters are the most common thrill ride attraction in Vegas, with several hotels offering their own spin on the traditional amusement park ride.
Located on the Strip, New York-New York Hotel and Casino is designed to look like a street in New York City. The exterior of the hotel features several New York landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the New York Harbor. Adding to the lively appearance of the hotel is the New York New York Roller Coaster, whose tracks span the exterior of the hotel so riders are treated to stunning views of the Strip. The coaster's cars are designed to look taxi cabs, and the track features a 144 foot drop, according to Vegas.com. The coaster also has loops, steep hills, corkscrews and a 181 degree heartline spiral, and reaches speeds of up to 67 miles per hour. Riders must be at least 54 inches tall to ride the New York New York Coaster, which is in operation from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Riders may purchase a ticket for a one-time ride or an all-day pass.
New York-New York Hotel and Casino
3790 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89190
702-740-6969
nynyhotelcasino.com
The Sahara Hotel and Casino is the home of Speed The Ride, a 45 second long, NASCAR themed roller coaster. Speed begins by utilizing electromagnetic force to slingshot the coaster from its launch site over its first hill at speeds of 35 miles per hour. According to the Sahara web site, the coaster also features a 25-foot drop through a mist-filled underground tunnel. At its fastest, the ride reaches speeds of 70 miles per hour and takes riders over loops, curves and through the Sahara's marquee. At one point, Speed climbs an incline of 224 feet, only to reverse direction so riders complete the same track backwards. Passengers must be at least 54 inches tall to ride. Single ride tickets and all day passes are both available. Speed is open from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday and noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Sahara Hotel and Casino
2535 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
888-696-2121
saharavegas.com
Circus Circus is also located on the Strip and features an entire amusement park, Adventuredome, on-site. Adventuredome features two rollers coasters: the Rim Runner, a coaster that drops into water, and the Canyon Blaster, a traditional coaster. The Rim Runner features a 60 foot drop into a pool of water that guarantees to soak riders. During the course of the minute and 45 second ride, the Canyon Blaster reaches a height of 90 feet at its highest point and speeds of 55 miles per hour as it travels through many vertical loops and corkscrew turns. While on the Canyon Blaster, passengers have a superb view of all of Adventuredome, including the Rim Runner. For both coasters, the minimum height requirement for passengers is 48 inches. Riders may purchase one-time tickets for either the Rim Runner or Canyon Blaster or a day pass for all of Adventuredome.
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
2880 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-734-0410
circuscircus.com
The Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel and Casino's X-Scream is definitely not for the faint of heart. Perched on the top of the hotel's tower, the X-Scream is approximately 900 feet above ground. The roller coaster is designed to mimic a large teeter-totter and is stationed on a 69 foot long track that circles the base of the Stratosphere's tower. The X-Scream hurls riders forward, leaving them dangling at a 30 degree angle over the edge of the tower. While riders might feel as if they are able to free fall from the top of the Stratosphere, X-Scream hurls them backward, and the ride then travels back and forth on a pivoting track. At its fastest, the ride reaches speeds of 30 miles per hour.If you are feeling particularly brave, try sitting in the front seats where the view of the Strip is the best. The Stratosphere Tower contains several other thrill rides, so riders may purchase a one-time ticket for the X-Scream or combination tickets for with the other rides. The X-Scream is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday, Saturday and holidays. X-Scream riders must be at least 54 inches tall.
Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
2000 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-380-7777
stratospherehotel.com
