Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary: Adventures

Merely wandering the brightly-lit Las Vegas Strip is a feast for the senses. Flashing lights, music and swarms of people demand your attention. But for the thrill seeker in you, there’s an abundance of adrenaline-inducing activities that will get you out of the hotel and into a state of perpetual excitement.

Friday

When you show up in Las Vegas, bypass the Strip and head downtown to the Fremont Street Experience. Grab lunch at Park on Fremont, a quirky joint with delicious fare. After lunch, take some time to digest by wandering Fremont Street for a bit, and when you’re ready head to the Slotzilla zoomline. Get your heart pumping as you soar like Superman over fiveblocks.

After your adventure, treat yourself to a drink at Atomic Liquors. The oldest free-standing bar in Vegas, this cool spot has an explosive history. Legend has it that patrons used to sit on the roof to watch the atomic bomb testing off in the distant desert. These days it serves up killer craft beers that you can sip while watching the Fremont Street crowd.

Don’t stay too long, it’s time for your next adventure. Return to your hotel just in time to get picked up for a helicopter ride. Sundance Helicopters offers sunset tours of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Red Rocks Canyon. Choose the package that’s perfect for you and sail away over stunning natural features, ending the night with a quick flight over the lights of the Strip.

When you touch back down, head up to Chinatown for a late dinner at Aburiya Raku. Serving up creative Japanese dishes, this restaurant is a hot spot of the late-night Vegas food scene for good reason.

Saturday

Get up early for a hearty brunch at Culinary Dropout in the Hard Rock Hotel (don’t forget to sample the Captain Crunch french toast) before getting picked up for your next adventure.

Today you have two options. First. if you didn’t get enough ziplining, sign up for the Flightlinez zipline tour over Bootleg Canyon. Soar over striking desert landscapes and spot native wildlife in a thrilling journey.

If you’d rather get chills instead of thrills, head in the opposite direction to explore nearby ghost town Rhyolite. Just outside Death Valley National Park, this former mining town left behind only crumbling empty structures, including the Bottle House which was constructed completely with glass bottles. Today you can tour the town and the nearby art installations at the Goldwell Open Air Museum.

After a day of exploring, grab dinner at Harvest, a unique experience in sustainable cooking. Fresh and delicious, these dishes use local ingredients and will more than satisfy your hunger pangs. Following dinner, get tickets to the High Roller Ferris Wheel at the LINQ and watch the Strip come alive in a 30-minute ride.

Tonight’s entertainment includes one of Cirque du Soleil’s adrenaline-inducing shows. Whether you go for The Beatles: LOVE or the enchanting “O” you’ll be on the edge of your seat for these fantastical adventures.

Sunday

Wake up early and head to the Donut Bar to sample the inventive creations (grilled cheese donut, anyone?). Get there early as the line is often out the door.

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Once your sweet tooth is satisfied, head to Dig This, by far the coolest activity in Las Vegas. Founded by a New Zealander, this heavy equipment amusement park fulfills the childhood dream you didn’t know you had. After a quick tutorial and safety lesson, you’ll get to drive bulldozers and excavators through an obstacle course of activities. Dig trenches, move tires and experience the power of those yellow beasts. Make sure you come sober, however, as this activity will require a breathalyzer before you strap in.

Check out some of our other Las Vegas Weekend Itineraries!

Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary: Nature Lovers
Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary: Foodies
Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary: Arts and Culture
Las Vegas Weekend Itinerary: Entertainment