A Thrillseeker's Guide to Las Vegas

Some of the best thrills in Las Vegas can be found just beyond the city lights, out in the arid Nevada desert. For a particularly action-packed adventure, rent a self-driven utility task vehicle (UTV)—a bigger, faster, and stronger version of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). UTV experiences make it easy to get away from Vegas and out into the desert, where you’ll have miles of rocky terrain and sweeping dunes to tackle. Go it alone or bring along a passenger to double your fun.

You don’t need to head out into the desert to get your thrills. In fact, the ultimate Las Vegas adrenaline experience is only minutes from the Las Vegas Strip at Sky Combat Ace. Here you can feel the thrill of zooming through the air on a fighter jet, without having to enlist in the Air Force. A range of thrilling extreme flight experiences are available, from passenger flights to packages that let you take the controls (with the help of an instructor, of course).

Taking a race car for a spin is among the best things to do in Las Vegas for thrillseekers, especially if you don’t have time to dedicate to a full-day tour. Simply head over to Speed Vegas, a motorsports park a short drive from the Strip, where you can take the car of your choosing out for five or 10 thrilling laps. Reach speeds of up to 130 miles (208 kilometers) per hour as you zoom around the track in a self-driven car, or opt for a passenger package and leave the driving to an expert instructor.

The Grand Canyon has been aweing visitors with its dramatic depths and beautiful colors for generations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to this part of the US or a Grand Canyon visitor, you won’t want to miss the chance to soar over the natural wonder in a helicopter. For an added bit of adventure—and luxury—opt for a helicopter tour that includes both a Champagne toast and a thrilling landing in the middle of the desert.

Another thrilling way to experience the Grand Canyon—and one that can easily be done on a day trip from Las Vegas—is by going on a white-water rafting adventure. Join a guide from the Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs, Arizona (about a 2.5-hour drive from Vegas) and head out onto the Colorado River, taking in beautiful scenery as you rush over wild river rapids that range from class III to class VI.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix has been a destination for Formula 1 fans since the race began in 2023. But if you aren't visiting when the race is held in November—or if simply watching the high-octane event isn't enough for you—you can get behind the wheel of a high-speed kart where the real race is held. Thanks to a combination of immersive engine sounds, steering wheel displays, and a racing track on part of the F1 track.

Insider tip: The attraction is closed from September 29 through the F1 event in late November.

Mountain biking is among the most popular extreme sports in Las Vegas thanks to the area’s abundance of mountain biking trails, many of which zigzag through wild scenic desert. A short drive from Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is among the best (and easiest-to-get-to) spots for mountain biking in the area. The Mustang Trail is a particularly popular option, attracting novice and expert mountain bikers alike. See it for yourself on a guided excursion that includes bicycles, safety gear, and transportation.

If you’re short on time but want to get your blood pumping, you’re in luck: Some of the most adventurous things to do in Las Vegas don’t even involve leaving the Strip. In fact, one of the most exhilarating of Vegas’ thrill rides and attractions—SkyJump—is located right at the STRAT Tower. With this jump experience, you'll don safety gear and jump from the tower—which stands at around 829 feet (253 meters). Just imagine the thrill of soaring over the city with the security of knowing that you’re safely strapped in.

You don’t have to be into extreme sports or heights to get your thrills in Las Vegas. For an unusual, but thrilling, way to add some adrenaline to your day, head to Dig This Las Vegas, a life-size construction playground for grown-ups. Here you can use all sorts of heavy machinery—from bulldozers to excavators—to move earth, dig trenches, and more, all under the guidance of expert instructors.