Life certainly is a thrill ride. But when you want to bring out a bit of kid, head over to one of the roller coasters in Las Vegas to get the thrill of your life. Today marks National Roller Coaster Day, just the excuse you need to bail out of work and check out the scream machines of Las Vegas for yourself. Here’s a look at four roller coasters that will get your heart racing.
Canyon Blaster
Looking for double loops and double corkscrews? Head over to Circus Circus to check out the Canyon Blaster at the Adventuredome. Although indoors, you’ll top out at 90 feet in the air at speeds of 55 miles per hour. While you’re on your one minute and 45 second thrill ride, you’ll get a complete tour of the park and even fly through the Rim Runner flume ride. It’s the only double loop, double corkscrew indoor roller coaster in the country.
Canyon Blaster is located at Adventuredome at Circus Circus, 702.794.3939, www.adventuredome.com/rides_and_attractions.aspx.
Speed — The Ride
Forty-five seconds is all you need to go from standing still to flying at 70 miles per hour. This roller coaster at the Sahara features diving corkscrews into mist-filled tunnels. You’ll climb 224 feet in the air before you do the whole thing in reverse.
Speed — The Ride is located at the Sahara, 702.737.2111, www.saharavegas.com/NASCAR/SPEED-facts/Default.asp.
Roller Coaster at New York-New York
You’d think a thrill ride would have a better name, but alas, it’s the Roller Coaster at New York-New York. But don’t let the name fool you. This coaster lifts you 203 feet in the air only to drop you down 144 feet at 67 miles per hour. Simulating a jet fighter’s barrel roll, you’ll turn 180 degrees, hang 86 feet in the air and then take the famous heartline twist and dive all during this 2 minute and 45 second ride. Along the way you’ll see the New York harbor, a replica of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge while riding in a train resembling New York’s taxi cabs.
Roller Coaster at New York-New York, 702.740.6969, www.nynyhotelcasino.com/entertainment/entertainment_therollercoaster.aspx.
Desperado
Now this is a roller coaster with teeth. You’ll have to drive down to Primm to check out this monster, dubbed one of the highest roller coasters in North America. Desperado, pictured at the top of this page, gives you a view of the valley from 209 feet in the air before plunging at 80 miles per hours down a 55-degree incline. And that’s just the first hill. Then you’ll climb 155 feet to do it all over again. The 2 minute and 43 second ride ends with an upward spiral through a man-made tunnel. In honor of National Roller Coaster Day, Nevada residents can ride Desperado for free on Monday by showing their Nevada ID.
Desperado is located at Buffalo Bill’s Resort in Primm, 702.679.RIDE, www.primmvalleyresorts.com/family.php.
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