While many UK visitors might not be fazed by Las Vegas’ “Sin City” reputation—given that gambling is perfectly legal back home, complete with no deposit casino bonuses available at online platforms—the Nevada desert holds far more excitement than just slot machines and poker tables. Beyond the neon-lit casino floors, Las Vegas offers some truly unique experiences that you simply can’t find anywhere else: diving with predatory sharks, soaring through downtown on a giant slot machine zip line, and exploring museums that range from organized crime to atomic testing. Here’s your guide to the wilder side of Vegas.
Sharks
One of the major attractions is the Shark Reef Aquarium, located at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.. It’s North America’s only predatory-based aquarium. There are lots of beasts here, including golden crocodiles, jellyfish, and piranhas – flesh-eating fish. There’s also moray eels, which are quite deadly. The most amazing thing about this aquarium? You get to dive into the water and play with these marine beasts. Oh yes.
This one is definitely not for the faint of heart. The dive lasts about 40 to 45 minutes, and the largest tank at Shark Reef contains 30 Sand Tigers, White Tip Reef, Gray Tip Reef, Zebra, Sandbar, Nurse, and Galapagos sharks. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also moray eels, sea turtles, stingrays, and lots and lots of fish.
You never dive below 22 feet, so there’s no decompression to worry about. You’re also protected by a chain mail, anti-shark suit. Of course, if one of those sharks gets a hold of you it’s still scary, but you’ll be accompanied by a certified diver and led by a master diver. Oh, and the sharks have already been fed before you jump in with them. Good times.
Museums
Most people who come to Las Vegas chastise it for not being very culturally diverse. It’s true. Most of what you see here are casinos – well, downtown anyway. But, all that’s changing and, like everything else in Las Vegas, it’s changing quickly.
In 2012, the Mob Museum opened up. Officially, it’s called the National Museum of Organised Crime and Law Enforcement, and it’s all about the organised crime culture. There’s also the Discovery Children’s Museum and the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Finally, make sure you check out the national Atomic Testing Museum. It’s a museum based on the Nevada Test site, which is actually located 65 miles away from the museum. Inside, you’ll learn all about the weird and freaky experiments done in the name of science. There’s also a special exhibit on another fascinating Nevada desert mystery: Area 51.
Slotzilla
This $11 million project is open for business, and it’s the only place in Nevada where you can ride a 120-foot slot-machine-themed zip line. Get on on the lower level and take off 70-feet above the ground. Your top speed? 35 MPH. Distance? 1,700 feet. In true Las Vegas fashion, every time a rider starts his journey back toward the ground, a beacon lights up and the giant slot machine’s arm pulls down. It’s funny. It’s exhilarating. It’s Vegas, baby.
The LINQ’s High Roller Observation Wheel
The LINQ’s High Roller Observation Wheel stands as a towering testament to Las Vegas’ ability to reinvent itself beyond the casino floor. At 550 feet high, this massive observation wheel offers spectacular 360-degree views of Las Vegas that you simply can’t get anywhere else. It’s one of the world’s tallest observation wheels and provides a completely different perspective of the city, allowing you to see the sprawling desert landscape that surrounds the neon oasis.
Each air-conditioned cabin accommodates up to 40 people and takes about 30 minutes to complete one full rotation, giving you plenty of time to snap photos and take in the breathtaking views. Whether you visit during the day to see the desert mountains in the distance or at night to watch the Strip light up like a glowing ribbon, the High Roller offers an unforgettable experience that puts Las Vegas’ grand scale into perspective.
Neon Museum
The Neon Museum serves as Las Vegas’ glowing graveyard, where iconic signs from the city’s golden age come to rest and tell their stories. This outdoor museum preserves the neon history that made Vegas famous, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through decades of changing typography, design trends, and the evolution of Sin City itself. From classic casino signs to vintage motel markers, each piece represents a chapter in Las Vegas’ colorful past.
The museum’s “Neon Boneyard” contains over 200 signs, and guided tours reveal the fascinating stories behind these luminous artifacts. The real magic happens during evening tours when many of the restored signs are illuminated, creating an almost surreal atmosphere where visitors can walk among the ghosts of old Vegas. It’s a surprisingly moving experience that shows how Las Vegas has always been about creating dreams and spectacle, long before the mega-resorts took over the skyline.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
