14 Best Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas
Outdoor activities in Las Vegas allow you to enjoy desert landscapes, dazzling views, stroll through its main streets and extreme adventures away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.
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Julieta Navarro
Las Vegas is located in a desert area perfect for outdoor activities. There are many ways to get to know its main attractions such as segway, bicycle or convertible bus tours. On the outskirts, don't miss the ATV rides through the dunes, canyons or rock formations. You can also go kayaking, visit nature sanctuaries and visit old mob locations.
Take advantage of the best things to do in Las Vegas and enjoy a food walking tour in Chinatown, the Strip or downtown. The city also boasts countless nightlife plans involving street parties and searches for the best pubs. Although you can always stay up hunting the ghosts that wake up at night and lurk in remote locations.
1. Admire the city from the Stratosphere Tower observation deck.
Venture to the Stratosphere Tower known for being the tallest building in Las Vegas. It houses some of the best outdoor attractions and has two observation decks, one outside and one inside, located at approximately 350 meters high.
The inner part has windows and is ideal for people who suffer from vertigo, or for activities in Las Vegas on rainy days. While the exterior platform has no glass, but is completely safe and a great option for those who enjoy adrenaline. Additionally, it is the ideal place to take advantage of extreme attractions, among which stand out:
- Big Shot: a catapult that will launch you 50 meters high.
- X-Scream: feel the wind in your face while this roller coaster leaves you hanging 300 meters above the ground.
- Insanity: climb to the top of the tower on a carousel that rotates around the structure.
- Skyjump: for the bravest, the tower offers a bungee jumping experience 260 meters above the ground.
2. Organize a tour of The Strip
Strolling along the Las Vegas Strip is an activity not to be missed, as it is one of the most important avenues in the United States. Here are concentrated the best casinos in the city, emblematic attractions and places with gastronomic proposals. A walking tour allows you to discover hidden corners, especially if you do it with a professional.
You can include stops to explore places like the Palazzo Resort, known for being the most elegant lobby in the county. You can also see the simulation of a mini zoo inside the Flamingo Hotel, or breathe fresh air in the Botanical Garden. In addition, it is possible to climb one of the :::link|text=best local observation decks|element=sc-6-5394:::, which you will have access to if you book tickets for the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas.
3. Ride the Las Vegas sightseeing bus
The best Las Vegas sightseeing buses make a comprehensive tour of the main local attractions. Before purchasing your ticket, note that there are daytime and nighttime schedules. The morning bus is open-top and goes deep into the historic downtown area. It offers 9 stops where you can hop off and on at your leisure, or opt for the full tour which takes about two hours.
Stops include the Mafia Museum, Bellagio Fountains and The Strip. Generally, a professional guide is on board who will tell you interesting facts and historical facts about the city. Depending on your itinerary, you can choose between a 1, 2 or 3-day pass so you can get to know Sin City at your own pace.
If you decide to book the night tour bus, you should know that it is a three-hour non-stop tour in a convertible bus. On this tour you can enjoy the night atmosphere, where the lights take center stage.
4. Explore the gastronomy of Las Vegas
The gastronomy of Las Vegas is one of the most surprising in the United States, with dishes out of the ordinary. You can try Italian, Mexican, Asian, Spanish and American food. But if you want a more experimental tour, I recommend you try dishes that are considered typical of the city such as chicken and waffles or shrimp cocktail (the most requested in the casinos).
If you don't know where to eat, I recommend you sign up for the gastronomic tours of Las Vegas. From street food to more exotic proposals, you will be immersed in a tasting full of flavors. There are a variety of options in the most emblematic areas, I recommend you:
- Book a gastronomic tour of Chinatown: try typical dishes from China, Japan, Korea and Malaysia while learning the history of the community. Highlights include Japanese sake, Taiki cake, sweet and sour treats and bubble tea.
- Take a culinary tour of downtown: indulge in the most requested dishes in the casinos and restaurants, as well as the favorites of celebrities who have visited Las Vegas. Don't miss the sprinkled cupcakes, American-style burgers and pizzas and the 24-layer chocolate cake.
- Join a gastronomic tour of the Strip: become a taster and discover dishes in upscale restaurants as well as street food. In addition, learn about the techniques used in Las Vegas cuisine.
5. Enjoy a kayak tour of the Emerald Cave
The outskirts of the city are home to some of the best outdoor activities, among which you can't miss the Las Vegas kayak tours. These experiences show you how multifaceted Nevada can be through its lakes, rivers and caves surrounded by crystal clear waters. You can cruise the Colorado River and discover Emerald Cave, a natural enclave with a greenish coloration that contrasts with the rock formations.
For this activity you'll have to be prepared to paddle hard, but it's totally worth it to escape the local hustle and bustle. While you connect with nature, you can discover the history of the area and, alternatively, you can go kayaking at Willow Beach and Black Canyon.
6. Drive an off-road vehicle through the Nevada dunes.
Taking advantage of off-road tours in Las Vegas is a great way to explore the sand dunes, which border the city limits. You can try different levels of speed to discover the desert at your own pace. These activities also offer the possibility of competitions in groups following some instructions that will ensure everyone's safety.
During these rides it is possible to appreciate mountains, valleys and depressions characteristic of the desert landscape. Depending on the location, it is possible to see the Sierra Nevada or access remote areas in the Nellis Dunes, the Valley of Fire, the Mojave Desert, Red Rock or around Lake Mead.
7. Pedal through Red Rock Canyon
If you want to explore outdoor attractions, you can consider excursions to National Parks. Chief among them is Red Rock Canyon, an area famous for its red sandstone rock formations, desert landscapes and scenic views. It's a nearby getaway with a wide range of wilderness entertainment, such as petroglyphs from ancient civilizations.
You can take advantage of the paved road and take a bike ride to the desert's most spectacular attractions. Pedal through the heart of the canyon and enjoy stops at overlooks to appreciate the Calicos Hills, the Keystone Fault and the animals that roam.
You can do it on your own, as traffic is smooth, but you should always be careful. If it is your first time in town it is preferable to opt for a guided experience and take advantage of the knowledge of a professional. In general, this canyon is an ideal place to enjoy other outdoor activities such as rock climbing and hiking trails in Las Vegas.
8. Dare to go skydiving
If you want to feel the breeze hitting your face and your adrenaline meter to the limit, nothing better than skydiving. In Las Vegas this activity is very special because you will be able to fly over the mountains and enjoy the panoramic views of the desert. The most exciting thing is that you will jump from a plane 4.5 kilometers high and an instructor will explain everything you need to know to float in the clouds without fear.
Without a doubt, this experience offers the best views of Las Vegas and you will love it because it offers an indescribable sensation that mixes peace and euphoria during 60 seconds of free fall.
9. Ride a Segway in Las Vegas
If you want to get out and enjoy a sunny day and breathe fresh air, but don't want to walk long distances, you can opt for a Segway tour. These experiences focus on points of interest and allow you to move effortlessly on an electric vehicle. I recommend spending at least an hour and a half so you can see the Art District, the famous wedding chapels and the hustle and bustle of the Strip.
You can rent a Segway and head out on your own, but it's a crowded city where it's easy to get frustrated or go around in circles. Alternatively, I recommend booking a Segway tour. They usually include a pre-arranged itinerary with a local guide and a training session, ideal for those with no previous experience.
10. Discover the secrets of the mafia in the dark side of Las Vegas
Las Vegas has witnessed countless stories, many of them related to mob crimes and murders from the 1940s and 1980s. Back then it was Sin City and was so named for being a rampant metropolis. The best thing is that on foot you can discover some of the locations where significant events took place.
You can trace an itinerary on your own, but you should do some research beforehand and equip yourself with a map. Also, some spots are hidden in unsafe areas of Las Vegas that you should not visit without a professional. Guided Las Vegas tours, on the other hand, offer additional benefits, such as the company of a guide who will introduce you to gangster culture.
You'll also learn about car bombs and the darker facets of organized crime. You'll likely explore casinos and locations where mob movies like Casino were filmed. And, of course, you'll stop by The Flamingo, a hotel founded by Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, one of the most notorious mobsters of the era.
11. Ride the tallest Ferris wheel and jump on a zip line.
If you want to experience adrenaline from every end of your body, you have to ride the tallest Ferris wheel in Las Vegas. Fly LINQ is an attraction that lifts you 35 meters high so you can appreciate the city in detail. You can reach the top and come back down, or opt for the open-air experience and put on a harness to jump off a zip line at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
The attraction is located on The LINQ Promenade, an area that promises a variety of outdoor activities. Highlights include scenic walks, shopping promenades, art installations and live entertainment.
12. Catch Ghosts in Sin City
Night tours in Las Vegas offer a thrilling panorama full of secrets. On one of them you can discover a new side of the city as you visit the most scandalous places in Sin City. From unsolved crimes to the locations and mysterious stories involving Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, these are the kinds of stories you'll walk through on this tour.
On others you can explore the city's paranormal histories and even book a ghost hunting experience. This usually takes place in Goodsprings, an area known for its haunted locations. Companies offering these experiences usually provide flashlights, EMF detectors and voice recorders so you can capture evidence.
13. Visit Valley of Fire State Park
There are endless things to do in the Valley of Fire, especially for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Its trails take you through rock formations where Native Americans once lived. It is estimated that more than 150 million years have passed since its sedimentation, so it houses testimonies of local history.
Here you have to see the Wave of Fire, which is a reddish formation with lighter veins shaped like a whirlpool. Keep an eye out as you walk through El Valle, as you will find natural water basins that fill up during the rainy season.
14. Spot lions in their sanctuaries in Las Vegas
The wild animals of Las Vegas are part of its heritage, but unfortunately they are sometimes easy prey in their natural habitats. That's why they move to places like Lion Habitat Ranch, where lions and other species including giraffes, parrots, ostriches and emus are preserved.
The zoo is on a ranch typical of the area and as you explore the grounds you'll see them playing, running and sleeping. You can also discover how the kings of the jungle, who have strict dietary requirements, are cared for. You will be able to find out about their breeding and taming, as well as listen to the testimonies of the keepers.