Wild Ways to Risk Your Life in Las Vegas

By Scott Roeben

As if gambling and drinking a carousing weren’t thrilling enough, many Las Vegas visitors are determined to seek out adventures that push the “fun” to death-defying extremes. Naturally, Las Vegas is up to the challenge.

The Stratosphere has more than its fair share of heart-pounding attractions. Start with SkyJump, a harrowing, controlled free fall from 108 floors up. Yes, people actually do this voluntarily. Atop the Stratosphere’s tower are several other horrifying thrill rides, Insanity (guests dangle 64 feet over the edge of the tower, 900 feet up, and are whipped around at speeds up to 40 miles per hour), X-Scream (a teeter-totter from Hell) and Big Shot (riders are shot 160 feet at 45 miles per hour to a height of 1,081).

What in the world is wrong with people?

Not done with tempting fate yet? Take a ride on the Flightlinez zip lines under the canopy at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. This popular attraction is guaranteed to get your heart pounding, and at night, the dazzling light shows are an eye-popping bonus. Details at Flightlinezfremont.com.

Another white-knuckle offering in Las Vegas gives guests the chance to feel what it’s like to be a fighter pilot. Sky Combat Ace lets visitors take to the sky and experience air-to-air combat firsthand with real fighter pilots. More at Skycombatace.com.

If you prefer your thrill-seeking a little more earthbound, your need for speed will meet its match at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Guests choose a driving experience, then strap into a 600 horsepower NASCAR-style racecar and do laps at up to 165 miles per hour. Find out more at Drivepetty.com.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention Sin City’s fine collection of roller coasters. Some visitors would consider their visit incomplete without riding the Manhattan Express at New York New York or the Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome inside Circus Circus. Oh, and never fear, the roller coaster which resided at the now-closed Sahara, “Speed: The Ride,” is expected to be resurrected at the South end of The Strip soon.

Daredevils definitely have their work cut out for them in Las Vegas. Be safe, although if safety’s your top priority, think about a slot machine and a cocktail. Just saying.