Previously on the HotHolidays.co.uk blog, we’ve talked about how the State of California is somewhere that can rival Florida when it comes to theme parks but if you really do like the idea of ‘riding high’ on a trip to America then there is a destination that can trump them both…
Las Vegas might not be the first place that comes to mind when you are thinking about theme park, with much of the focus instead on the bright lights of the Strip and the many different casinos where you can head during a stay in the city.
However, thrill-seekers would be well advised to add Las Vegas to their ‘to-do’ list if they wish to sample some of the most exciting rides that are to be found on - or at least above - American soil.
Why above?
Well it’s because some of the most exciting rides in the city are located hundreds of metres off the ground, meaning they are certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Located at the heart of the famous Vegas Strip, The Strat Hotel, Casino and SkyPod is home to the tallest observation tower in the USA and a number of attractions are located alongside the tower on the top of the building.
These include two observation decks for looking out across the city as well as the iconic ‘Top of the World’ restaurant, a high-end eatery which rotates 360 degrees every 80 minutes to provide a unique dining experience like no other.
What makes The Strat so different to anywhere else is the fact that alongside the observation deck on the roof of the building are a number of rides that are designed to thrill those who climb aboard.
The first of those is the Big Shot, which opened at the same time as the resort back in the 1990s. Riders are fired up the needle on the top of the tower at a speed of 45mph to a height of more than 1,080 feet above the ground before returning back down to the platform 160 feet below.
Alongside the Big Shot sits X-Scream which, as the name suggests, is designed to be one of the most thrilling rides available for theme park fans. The ride features a single car on a straight piece of track that goes out over the edge of the tower at speed before coming a halt to leave those onboard dangling high above the Strip - an experience that will excite and terrify in equal measure.
It’s a similar story with Insanity, which also carries you out over the side of the building in order to provide the ultimate thrill. A huge arm extends out 64 feet before spinning users round at speed - giving an interesting view over Las Vegas if you’ve been brave enough to keep your eyes open!
Rounding out the options is the SkyJump, where riders jump over the side of the tower from a height of more than 800 feet before a controlled descent back down to the ground below - think along the lines of a bungee jump but where someone is keeping your speed in check.
If you prefer to stay a little closer to the ground for a high thrill experience, then you might be happier on the Big Apple Coaster at the New York-New York Hotel or could make the short trip to nearby Winchester to visit the Adventuredome - which is home to a wide selection of rides including the only double-loop indoor rollercoaster in the world.
Should you be a thrill-seeker looking to book a Las Vegas adventure, then get in touch with our experts today.