14 Best Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is located in a desert area perfect for outdoor activities. There are many ways to explore the main attractions such as segway, bike or open-top bus tours. Outside, don't miss the off-road rides through the dunes, canyons or rock formations. You can also go kayaking, visit nature sanctuaries and visit former mob locations.

Make the most of the best things to do in Las Vegas and enjoy a foodie walking tour of Chinatown, the Strip or downtown. The city also boasts countless nightlife options involving street parties and pub crawls. But you can always stay up hunting the ghosts that wake up at night and lurk in remote locations.

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 approximately 350 metres above the ground.

The inner part has windows and is ideal for people who suffer from vertigo, or for Las Vegas activities on rainy days. While the outer platform has no glass, it is completely safe and a great option for adrenaline junkies. 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 metres high.
• X-Scream: feel the wind in your face as this roller coaster leaves you dangling 300 metres 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 metres above the ground.

A stroll 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. It's home to the city's best casinos, iconic attractions and dining venues. 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 in the fresh air at the Botanical Gardens. It's also possible to climb one of the :::link|text=best local observation decks|element=sc-6-5394:::, which you'll have access to if you book tickets for the Eiffel Tower Las Vegas.

The best Las Vegas sightseeing buses take you on a comprehensive tour of the main local attractions. Before you buy 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 on and off at your leisure, or opt for the full tour which takes about two hours.

Stops include the Mafia Museum, Bellagio Fountains and The Strip. There is usually a professional guide on board who will tell you interesting 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 will be able to enjoy the night-time atmosphere, where the lights take centre stage.

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 Las Vegas food tours. From street food to more exotic offerings, you'll be immersed in a tasting experience full of flavours. 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 about the history of the community. Highlights include Japanese sake, Taiki cake, sweet and sour treats and bubble tea.
• Take a food tour of downtown: indulge in the most sought-after dishes in the casinos and restaurants, as well as the favourites 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 food tour of the Strip: become a food taster and discover dishes in fine dining restaurants as well as street food. Plus, learn about the techniques used in Las Vegas cuisine.

The outskirts of the city are home to some of the best outdoor activities, including kayaking in Las Vegas. These experiences show you just how multifaceted Nevada can be through its lakes, rivers and caves surrounded by crystal-clear waters. You can cruise down the Colorado River and discover Emerald Cave, a natural enclave with a greenish hue that contrasts with the rock formations.

For this activity you'll need 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.

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, Valley of Fire, Mojave Desert, Red Rock or around Lake Mead.

If you want to explore the outdoors, you might consider trips to the National Parks. Chief among them is Red Rock Canyon, an area famous for its red sandstone rock formations, desert landscapes and panoramic views. It's a nearby getaway with plenty of wild entertainment on offer, such as petroglyphs from ancient civilisations.

You can take advantage of the paved road and take a bike ride to the desert's most spectacular attractions. Cycle through the heart of the canyon and enjoy stops at viewpoints to appreciate the Calicos Hills, the Keystone Fault and the prowling animals.

You can do this on your own, as traffic is light, but always use caution. If it's your first time in town, it's best to opt for a guided experience and benefit from the knowledge of a professional. Overall, this canyon is a great place to enjoy other outdoor activities such as rock climbing and hiking in Las Vegas.

If you want to feel the breeze hitting your face and your adrenaline meter on edge, there's nothing better than skydiving. In Las Vegas this activity is very special because you can 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 kilometres 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.

If you want to get out for a sunny day and a breath of 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 to 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 spin around in circles. Alternatively, I recommend booking a Segway tour. These usually include a pre-arranged itinerary with a local guide and a training session, ideal for those with no previous experience.

Las Vegas has seen countless stories, many of them involving mob crimes and murders from the 1940s and 1980s. Back then it was Sin City and was so named because it was a city on the rampage. The best thing is that you can discover some of the locations where significant events took place on foot.

You can plot 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 tours of Las Vegas, 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 organised crime. You're likely to 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.

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 takes you 35 metres up in the air so you can see the city in detail. You can reach the top and come back down, or opt for the open-air experience and strap 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.

Night tours in Las Vegas offer an exciting and secret-filled panorama. On one of them you can discover a whole 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 explore on this tour.

On others you can explore the city's paranormal history and even book a ghost hunting experience. This usually takes place in Goodsprings, an area known for its haunted locations. Companies offering these experiences often provide torches, EMF detectors and voice recorders so you can capture evidence.

There are plenty of 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 over 150 million years have passed since its sedimentation, so it holds evidence of local history.

Here you must see the Wave of Fire, which is a reddish formation with lighter veins in the shape of a swirl. Keep an eye out as you walk through El Valle, as you'll find natural water basins that fill up during the rainy season.

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 can find out about their breeding and taming, as well as listen to testimonials from the keepers.