I have been to Las Vegas four times in my life. Before you immediately curse me for just flaunting my travelling ways, let me explain to you why this is important to the context of my tale. Every single trip has been the same. Drinking, clubbing, day long general debauchery. Except the time when I was 11 – I merely drank and went clubbing. Debauchery among minors is highly frowned upon. This past week in Vegas though I was shown what happens when you ditch the strip (just for awhile) and explore all the many exciting and fun things the city has to offer. Behold are my top five:
1. Zip lining in Boulder City:
One of the first things the staff at Flightlinez asked us was “who likes puns?” Naturally, I responded with yes because I mean who in their right mind doesn’t like puns? What happened next was a windy drive up a mountain road with a comedy show attached. We arrived on top of the mountain and the jokes kept going the entire 3 hour-long adventure. We did 4 zip lines in total and each one offered a spectacular view to rival the next. There is nothing like traveling 60 mph with Lake Mead at your side. It was definitely worth the 30 min drive away from the strip. My only advice – pack your chapstick and if you don’t think your instructors jokes are funny (you are crazy) but just laugh along anyway – these people do have your life in their hands.
2. Taking a Pink Jeep Tour:
Pink Jeep tours is the perfect way to remind yourself that whoa – Nevada is ridiculously beautiful. I myself have fallen in the strip trap and never left to explore the surrounding area, and I am so happy that this time I escaped for a couple hours. The drive alone to Eldorado Canyon was awe worthy. Once we were there we got to tour Techatticup Mine, one of the oldest and most famous gold mines in Southern Nevada with a hilarious tour guide that rivaled the pun-filled tour from the previous day. It was cool, informative and made for some epic pictures. On the way home we got to stop near the banks of Lake Mojave and I continued to be in shock at how amazing nature is.
3. Eating Outside the Hotels:
Buffets are cool. The hundreds of people that wait in line for them everyday can definitely vouch for them. This trip though, I wanted to try the other dining experiences that I had never really associated immediately with Las Vegas. Giving myself food challenges is always a pleasure, as frankly any excuse to eat all day long is good enough for me. If you’re in the mood for Mexican check out Chayo at The Linq. I consider myself a Mexican food connoisseur and I was impressed by this place. The tacos were delicious and their specialty tequila based cocktails were addictive. There is also a mechanical bull on hand, but I would recommend riding and then eating, not the other way around. If you have pasta on the brain, well then check out Ferraro’s. A family owned establishment close to the action, it was truly some of the richest flavored food I have ever tasted. My salmon was mouth watering, and occasionally I still have dreams about it. And lastly, if you
want a quick eat, I would highly recommend you have a burger at Strip Burger. A friend introduced me to this place and burgers will never be the same to me again. With an entire menu to choose from, I went with the basic, but it was anything but that.
4. A tour of Sheri’s Ranch Brothel:
Yes, you did read that right. I said Brothel. Nevada is the only state that has legalized prostitution so Sheri’s Ranch Brothel is quite the unique site. About an hour drive outside the strip, it is definitely worth the mini road trip to visit. Whether you just want to grab a drink in the bar, or get a tour of the many themed client rooms, the whole experience is something that I can claim a first to. I would strongly urge you to choose the latter and get that tour, as you will be equally intrigued as you will be just plain surprised. When I walked out the doors at the end of the tour I was still reeling with questions and thoughts, but for the most part, my entire perception of what a brothel would be like was blown out of the water (or perhaps, blown out of the bubble room?)
5. Racing Exotic Cars:
Last but certainly not least, my real life ‘need for speed’ moment at Exotics Racing. This was by far my favorite thing to do and I am not ashamed to admit this. You don’t have to be a dude on a bachelor party to appreciate driving a ludicrously expensive car as fast as you want. I was matched with a Mercedes SLS AMG that can reach 197 mph and I was planning on getting as close to that as possible. My instructor (yes there is someone with you the entire time) gave me the run down of the car and we set out with the intent of having as much fun as humanly possible. From the beginning he made it clear that he was there to of course, make sure I was safe, 
but to push my limits and make sure that I get everything I can out of the car. My first lap was cautionary, but by the second and then third, I was driving like a pro, passing every car in sight. There is nothing that can match the exhilaration that you feel turning those corners and pushing the pedal literally to the metal. It goes by in a flash, and when I pulled back into my spot, I just wanted to steal the car and go at it again. I didn’t of course, but now I have become addicted and will definitely be returning.
I am not delusional enough to think that most people have the time and money to do all five of these activities on their next Vegas trip. But instead of spending all your days drinking by the pool, spend a couple doing that, and set aside one to do something outside of the strip. If you’re an adventure junkie, check out the ziplining, if you’re into sightseeing and picturesque views, look into all the tours Pink Jeep has to offer. If you have incurable curiosity like myself, take the drive up to Sheri’s Ranch Brothel and if you like to feel like you’re on top of the world, drive a really fast car around a track. And most importantly just have the greatest time of your life; you’re in Las Vegas after all.
Cheers from 30,000 feet
@elzzster
Disclosure: Nevada Tourism provided for my travel and accommodation in exchange for writing about my experience. Regardless, everything I have said in this post reflects my honest observations and opinions.