Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but it has much more to offer than just slot machines and blackjack tables. So put down the Martini, step out of the air conditioning and see what else Vegas has in store.
1. Drive/Race A Ferrari
You, a fast car and a race track. Pretty self explanatory really - options include a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi R8 and Aston Martin. You're looking at a cost of $200 and upwards for a 2 hour driving experience. Check out this site for more info.
Alternatively if you'd rather be seen cruising the strip in a Ferrari or Lambo, you can actually rent them on a daily basis - ask your hotel concierge for more info. Bear in mind you'll have to keep to the speed limit...
2. Fire A Gun At The Las Vegas Gun Store
If you've every wanted to see what it's like to shoot a gun, then head down to The Gun Store at 2900 E. Tropicana Avenue. We're not just talking handguns either - weapon choices include shotguns and fully automatic machine guns. The last time we were there we were told we could fire the rocket launcher which they have hanging on the wall, on the condition that we paid to have the range rebuilt.
As well as the more normal looking targets to shoot at, you can also choose a creepy looking Clown or Osama Bin Laden.
Full details at: http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/
3. Go Clubbing
For anyone in their twenties, the word "Vegas" means "Party", and rightly so! Las Vegas has some excellent nightclubs with some weird features - such as man-made beaches and rooftop dance floors perched 50 stories high. The clubs in Vegas do tend to be a bit on the pricey side - you're easily looking at a minimum $30 cover charge and then $10 a beer. Other than stocking up on free drinks in the casino beforehand, your best bet is to pick a club and then purchase an open bar wristband - starting at around $75/$100 (weeknight/weekend) these cover your entry, queue jumping and free drinks (usually beers, wine, spirits & mixers).
See Vegas.com for a list of clubs and ticket offers: http://www.vegas.com
4. Eat At A Buffet
Las Vegas buffets are legendary, and there plenty of excellent options to choose from. If you only have the time (or the stomach) to check out one buffet, then head for the Bellagio. With everything from Alaskan King Crab Legs through to Prime Rib, you'll definitely get your moneys worth. About $35.
5. Ride The Worlds Highest Roller Coaster
Think roller coasters are too tame these days? Head to the Stratosphere for a roller coaster on top of a sky scraper. Currently the worlds highest roller coaster, it actually extends out over the edge of in places - don't look down!
6. Go For A Gourmet Dining Experience
On our last trip to Vegas my wife had one thing in mind - Bobby Flay. Seeing as she is a big Food Network Fan, I had been promising her for months that I would take her to her favourite TV Chefs Vegas restaurant - The Mesa Grill, and luckily, she was not disappointed. Gourmet Dining is pretty big in Vegas, and there are lots of very good restaurants to choose from - most (if not all) of which are located within the various casinos.
7. Play Beer Pong
Want a flashback to your student days? Then head to O'Sheas (sandwiched between Imperial Palace and The Flamingo) for a quick game of Beer Pong. Available 24 hours a day, as long as you can throw ping pong balls and drink beer, you'll be able to play.
Self proclaimed Beer Pong champions can also put their money where their mouth is in the weekly Beer Pong Tournament which takes place every Thursday at 4pm. You might even win your way into the World Series of Beer Pong (it really does exist - http://www.bpong.com/wsobp).
More info: http://www.harrahs.com/osheas/beerpong.html
8. Walk The Strip
In an effort to attract players, the casinos in Las Vegas are constantly trying to outdo each other. For some free entertainment spend some time walking along the Strip taking in all of the over-the-top features - from the classy (Bellagio Fountains) to the tacky (Giant Fairy Tale Castle) and the replicas (Eiffel Tower).
There is also a lot to be seen inside the casinos - from Lions at the MGM and Gondola Rides in the Venetian, through to the just plain weirdness at the Bellagio.
9. Take A Trip To The Grand Canyon
Not technically in Vegas, but close enough by Helicopter. There are plenty of companies that offer tours of the Grand Canyon - most include limo pick up, helicopter ride and then some kind of meal or snack actually inside the Grand Canyon. Around $300 per person, depending on the tour. Tickets can be bought from one of the many sellers on the strip, or ask your hotels concierge.
10. Go To A Show/Concert
Kind of an obvious one, but worth mentioning anyway. Las Vegas has hundreds of shows and concerts from the great to the weird. Highlights include Cirque Du Soleil, The Blue Man Group and my personal favourite the tricksters Penn & Teller. You can even go to the Las Vegas version of The Price Is Right and win some prizes. Ticket prices vary by show from the cheap to the very expensive.
11. Relax At A Spa
If you've done all of the above, it's now time to relax. And to help you, Las Vegas has some world class spas. A full list of Spas and booking information is available here: http://www.vegas.com/spas/
Ok so we lied, there were 11... ;-)
