8 things you never knew you could do in Las Vegas
From dining with lions to escaping a haunted mansion, Las Vegas isn't short on invigorating and offbeat adventures, you just have to know where to look.
When you're trying to check off some bucket list items or you're feeling stuck in a rut and need to break out of the same ol' routine, give one of these unexpected experiences a try.
Train dolphins or swim with sharks
According to the age-old myth, one day, Las Vegas will have beach front property and plenty of access to the ocean. Until then, for a completely off-the-beaten path experience, head over to The Mirage or Mandalay Bay.
Going beyond the traditional school field trips, Siegfried & Roy's Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure for fun-seekers. All those dreams you may have had as a kid of becoming a dolphin trainer, you finally live them out.
Dubbed "Trainer for a Day," the activity allows you to actually get into the water and get up close and personal with the dolphins.
If you're more of a thrill-seeker — and are a certified diver — the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay offers daring souls the chance to swim with the ocean's top predators. According to the "Dive with the Sharks," program, the exhibit is home to more than 30 sharks. Ready to jump in?
Take a gondola dinner cruise through a picturesque waterfront village
In case you didn't know, the Venetian isn't the only place you can take a ride on a gondola in Las Vegas.
Only a short distance away at Lake Las Vegas, you can board a private gondola and sail around the sprawling luxurious village as your gondolier serenades you with sweet melodies.
As you take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of Lake Las Vegas, you will also dine on a delectable three-course meal.
Travel around the world without leaving the city
Experiencing a case of wanderlust? Head to the World of Coke.
Without leaving the city —and without breaking the bank — you can take a tour of the world by sampling Coca-Cola products sold across the globe.
According to Coke, you can globetrot through five tasting stations which take you on a carbonated journey across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America.
Traveling the world can be exhausting, but make sure you aren't too tired to sample "Beverly," Italy's unique beverage. Due to it's "distinctive taste," it's one of Coke's most-popular, must-try drinks.
Experience a real-life 'Walking Dead' scenario
Have you ever wondered how well you would do if an actual zombie apocalypse were to break out, you can put your survival skills to the test at Combat Zone Paintball's "Zombie Apocalypse Experience".
Armed with a loaded paintball gun and becoming an "official" member of a "zombie assault team," your mission —if you choose to accept— is to clear an infected area of all zombies without getting eaten.
Just a warning, the zombies move fast and your mission isn't complete until you've "killed" as many zombies as possible, so prepare for a lively and exhilarating time.
Have a "Feast with the Beasts"
Are you tired of eating at the same restaurants over and over? Head to the jungle and dine with a beast.
Animal lovers and adrenaline junkies can eat their heart out by dining with the "king of the jungle" at the Lion Habitat.
Touted as "Feast with the Beast," this definitely isn't your traditional candlelight dinner.
Whether you choose to eat lunch or dinner with these gentle giants is completely up to you, but it's likely you'll be the highlight of the evening.
As the description warns, "you'll be surrounded by lions watching your every move, waiting on their dinner."
Stomp your heart out and drink wine
Held annually, Pahrump Valley Winery's Grape Stomp offers a heart-pumping and fun experience even for non-wine drinkers.
However, this juicy winery tradition isn't just a walk in the grapes. Pairs of two join forces to compete against other teams in hopes of stomping out the greatest amount of juice from the grapes.
Because the competition lasts for two minutes — and since trophies are awarded to the team that produces the most juice — make sure your partner isn't afraid to get their feet wet.
Organizers warn, "it all sounds easy but [it's] a long 2 minutes [with] lots of 'huffing and puffing' going on."
Even if your team doesn't stomp out the most juice, just remember, you're at a winery, so at least there will be plenty of wine to go around.
Escape a haunted mansion
One of latest crazes in entertainment, room escapes give fearless (and witty) guests a chance to race against the clock to see if they can escape "imprisonment."
At Live Game Escape, teams become participants in a live-action game —think Michael Douglas' thriller "The Game" — where their fate is truly in their own hands. One themed room in particular is "White Lie," which offers would-be house hunters a chance to feel the pressure of escaping a "haunted mansion."
In order to beat the clock and ultimately escape the "locked" room, you have to use the elements of the room to solve challenging riddles and puzzles that will provide you with clues on how to escape.
Due to fire codes, you're not really locked inside the room and won't actually become a prisoner if you can't solve all the perplexing puzzles. However, this probably isn't the best option for the faint of heart.
Become a circus performer
For most of us, quitting our day jobs to run away and join the circus probably isn't the wisest idea. However, dubbed the "circus performer's playground," Trapeze Las Vegas helps cure the hankering to do so with their high-flying trapeze school.
Taking part in the stomach-dropping experience gives enthusiasts the thrill of hanging by your knees.
Not to mention, if you're not afraid of heights, you can also feel the rush of free-falling by participating in an actual catch and release act.
Miss something? Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitiesmith
