How To: Feel the Fear in Las Vegas

Gambling, neon, getting married, staying up till dawn, shopping, fine dining, not-so-fine dining, mammoth hotels – Las Vegas is known for many things and if you’ve visited once or twice, you’ve probably partaken in more than a few. In recent years, however, Vegas has also become known as an adrenalin-fuelled city, with urban adventure activities to match those of better-known thrill seeker hot-spots – so if you’re a fan of head-spinning, stomach-churning, fear-inducing fun, here’s our pick of sensational Sin City escapades…

Stratosphere Tower Thrill Rides

First up in our list of daredevil activities is the Skyjump, a heart-racing free fall from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Casino and Hotel. Before you experience the world’s highest controlled free fall, you’ll be suited and strapped into the Stratosphere’s special jumpsuits and given a safety course. You’ll then take the short elevator ride to the top of the tower where you’ll be securely connected up and led to the edge of the platform. All that remains is to… jump. The ultimate in urban exhilaration, according to those in the video below…

If you want a thrilling birds-eye view of the Strip but prefer to be strapped into something a bit more sturdy, take a ride on Insanity, an only slightly-less scary experience than the Skyjump. A mammoth mechanical ‘arm’ extends outwards 64 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and then spins you and your fellow passengers in the open air at a height of more than 900 feet. You’ll reach speeds of up to three ‘G’s’ and be tilted to an angle of 70 degrees which will leave you looking straight down onto downtown Las Vegas below… up for it?

Insanity at the Stratosphere © 2012 American Casino & Entertainment Properties

Stratosphere Casino and Hotel, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd Sth

Fremont Street Flightlinez

At heights slightly closer to the ground, Fremont Street Flightlinez offers the opportunity to zip along the entire length of the Fremont Street Experience‘s Viva Vision canopy at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Zip under the Fremont Street canopy of lights © 2011 Flightlinez Las Vegas, Inc

Four lines run for 800 feet under the canopy’s $70 million dollar video screen of glittering lights, and you’ll be cheered from the ground by the crowds below as you skim over their heads. Opens daily at 12 noon, though we recommend doing it at night for the best neon-fuelled buzz.

Fremont Street Flightlinez © 2011 Flightlinez Las Vegas, Inc

Flightlinez is located next to the Walgreens at 425 Fremont St, Las Vegas.

Dive with sharks at Mandalay Bay

Don’t like heights? How about sharks? If you’re a guest at Mandalay Bay and a certified scuba diver, you could opt to dive with seven different species of shark at the resort’s Shark Reef aquarium, including Sandtiger, Sandbar and Nurse sharks, all of whom can grow up to nine feet long, as well as the slightly smaller but no less intimidating Galapagos, Gray Reef, White Tip Reef and Zebra sharks. You’ll also get to hang out with a couple of species of stingrays and plenty of fish. The experience lasts around 45 minutes or one tank of air and up to four guests can watch from a special viewing area.

Dive with sharks at Mandalay Bay © 2012 MGM Resorts International

Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Virgin Atlantic operates a daily flight to Las Vegas from London Gatwick. For a full range of Las Vegas holidays and accommodation options, visit Virgin Holidays.

Header shot: © Las Vegas News Bureau