ML - Vegas Magazine

Got Thrills? AdrenAline junkies hAve A friend in lAs vegAs. by david landsel If feeding the slots doesn't thrill you, try feeding the sharks at Mandalay Bay. Frequent Flyer Bob Engelbrecht, CEO of Sundance Helicopters, talks us up. What's your favorite thing about fying the Grand Canyon? Flying in a helicopter over and into the Grand Canyon provides a per- spective unlike anything you can imagine. The views are amazing, and the sensation of gently landing 3,500 feet below the rim puts you in another world that is virtually inaccessible, except to the heartiest adventurers. If you could hop aboard one of your tours right now, which one would it be? I would choose the Grand Canyon Sunset Picnic. It's the best time of the day to fy. I love to take pictures, and the sunlight is perfect. When you land down in the canyon, the walls light up as the sun is starting to set. On the fight back, the colors are amazing across the desert landscape and Lake Mead. You arrive back in Las Vegas just in time for the city lights of the Las Vegas Strip to start glowing against a desert sunset. It's a perfect trip. pilot, of course) to duke it out with fellow f lyers in this re-creation of an air combat. You'll loop, you'll roll, you (hopefully) won't hurl. $5,999 for up to three participants. 888-494-5850; skycombatace.com Red Rock Scenic Loop: Escape Adventures Driving through Red Rock Canyon is for tourists. To really get a sense of the beauty of this National Conservation Area sitting right on the city's doorstep, take a 10 -mile guided cycling tour offering just the right amount of adventure, along with eyefuls of the canyon's terrific scenery. Half-day tours (8 am – noon or 1 – 5 pm) from $119. 702-596-2953; escapeadventures.com SkyJump Stratosphere Hate waiting for elevators? There's another way to get down from the Stratosphere Tower: just jump—in a harness, of course. Suit up, step out on the ledge, and go for it, all 800 -something feet (that's more than 100 stories) down. Scared? You should be. $119.99. Stratosphere, 702-380-7777; skyjumplasvegas.com US Tour Driving Experience: World Class Driving Get behind the wheels— that's right, wheels—of five different exotic cars (Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, oh my!) for an unforgettable morning of adventure along a 60 -mile street course. $999. 4055 Dean Martin Dr., 877-597-6403; worldclassdriving.com V A nimal Encounters: Shark Reef Aquarium Looking for a career change? A new program at this popular Mandalay Bay attraction offers visitors the chance to get their feet wet (literally) and assist with the care and feeding of the resident stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks. Careful, you might get hooked. (Hopefully not snagged, though.) From $50. Mandalay Bay, 702-632- 4555; mandalaybay.com Grand Canyon Picnic Tour: Sundance Helicopters Flying over one of the world's most impressive natural wonders just isn't going to cut it, and neither will peering over the rim. To really get the full experience, go deep—more than 3,000 feet deep, that is—for a Champagne lunch. Helicopters take off from McCarran, with limo pickup and drop-off from most Las Vegas hotels included. $478. 702-736-0606; sundancehelicopters.com K ayaking: Evolution Expeditions Think Hoover Dam looks big from the top? Try paddling up close in a kayak. The seven-hour tour starts with some serious face time with one of the largest dams ever built, before you turn your attention to the many features of this section of the Colorado River, including hot springs, wildlife, and some good old-fashioned swimming holes. $182. 10300 Charleston Blvd., 702-259-5292; evolutionexpeditions.com Mini Baja Chase: Sun Bugg y Fun Rentals The setting? The desert. The vehicle? A dune buggy. Your mission? To recreate the thrill of a desert chase, led by an expert "dunie," along a course of sand dunes, hills, valleys, dry creek beds, and rugged trails. You'll be suited up and inside a steel roll cage, so, hey, go nuts. From $89 f o r a 1 5-minute run. 6925 Speedway Blvd., 866-728-4443; sunbuggy.com/lasvegas Operation Red Flag: Sky Combat Ace Grab hold of the controls of an Extra 300 stunt plane and don't let go—you're headed up to 6,000 feet (with a trained instructor 128  vegasmagazine.com Guide excite

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