Set in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is very much geared to tourism and has a bewildering array of attractions and sites. Although many visitors come for the gambling, the city also has plenty of other leisure activities and cultural experiences. Many of the attractions are concentrated on the Strip with its themed hotels, with another cluster of activities located in the downtown area.
This 5.5 acre adventure theme park is covered by a glass enclosure and located behind Circus Circus Hotel. Rides include the Canyon Blaster, an indoor double-loop roller coaster with speeds of up to 55 mph; the Rim Rider, a water ride including a 60-foot waterfall; and Miner Mike, a junior ride on a runaway coal train.
Adventuredome Theme Park at Circus Circus
2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-734-0410
adventuredome.com
Actually a hotel, as well as America's tallest observation tower, the Stratosphere soars 1,149 feet into the Las Vegas sky. A high-speed lift travels to the observation platform with its panoramic city views. Just above, The Top of the World Restaurant serves gourmet fare and rotates in a full circle every 80 minutes. Rides at the summit include the SkyJump Las Vegas, a controlled 800-foot free fall, and the Big Shot, which catapults passengers 160 feet in the air at 45 mph.
Stratosphere Tower
2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-380-7777
stratospherehotel.com
The largest LED screen in the world, 1,500 feet long with 16.7 million color combinations, is mounted on pillars and runs overhead a pedestrian section of Fremont Street, the heart of old downtown Las Vegas. It screens choreographed sound and vision shows, lasting from five to 10 minutes, every 30 minutes.
Fremont Street Experience
425 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-678-5777
vegasexperience.com
This free attraction on the Las Vegas Strip in front of the Bellagio Hotel features jetting fountains illuminated by colored lighting to a background of classical music and show tunes. The fountains in the 8.5-acre lake gush as high as 460 feet. Shows are every 30 minutes until 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from then until midnight.
Fountains at Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-693-7111
bellagio.com
Set in the grounds of the Flamingo hotel this wildlife park has pathways meandering among streams, lagoons and waterfalls. and is home to a flock of pink flamingos. The park is planted with magnolias, palms and pines and, as well as pink flamingos, features swans, cranes and parrots. Inhabitants of the lakes include turtles and Koi carp.
Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-733-3111
flamingolasvegas.com
