Apr 19, 2017 Home » Las Vegas » 20 Weird, Wonderful. “Casino” is a funny, violent, eye-opening glimpse into the colorful history and culture of Las Vegas casinos, and the film has helped shape how many perceive Sin City, for better or worse. Here, then, are some weird, little-known and arguably useless facts about the movie “Casino.”.
Been to Las Vegas a bunch of times already? Done the casino & stripper thing a hundred times? That was me several years ago when I used to make the Los Angeles to Vegas run about once a month. So, I started looking for some new things to do, things that most people wouldn’t even know exist.
Las Vegas has definitely earned its reputation as a city of excess. If you’re looking for weird and strange things to do, you’ll find plenty of that in Las Vegas. The following activities might not appeal to everyone, but hey, that’s why these are called “weird” things to do in Vegas.
Here are my favorite odd things to do when I’m in Vegas. Bring a friend, they’ll love it too.
1. Off-roading with wild horses & burros
One trip I took about 12 years ago in my new truck led me into the ‘mountains’ in Vegas looking for some fun. My sister used to live in Vegas, and she told me about an area to go off-roading where she once saw Andre Agassi hauling ass down a dirt road in his Hummer. She told me there were wild donkeys & horses out there. “BS” I said. “There are no wild donkeys in America anymore, let alone in Vegas.” Sounded like a pile of donkey poop to me.
To see for myself, I headed up Charleston Blvd, then onto Red Rock Canyon Road where my sister had told me to go. I went past the Red Rock National Conservation area, and started seeing signs to watch for wild burros & horses. “BS,” I said again.
A few miles later I found a dirt road going to the left, and it looked like an off-road area – so I took it, excited to put my new truck to a test.
No more than 100 yards off of the main road and poof – a real donkey was standing in front of me! I went a little further and saw a few more. Around a bend or two and I felt like I was back in time 200 years – 3 wild horses! I don’t mean ‘wild’ as in nicely groomed, someone set them free kind of wild. I mean these were some straggly beasts that clearly had lived their entire lives here – real wild horses!
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I couldn’t help but think about the old cowboys, wrangling up ponies and traveling across the country to sell them at auction. That’s some true American history folks, still alive today. Cool stuff, definitely worth checking out some time.
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2. Don Yeyo Hand Rolled Cigars
Sure, you can get a good cigar at any casino or lounge in Las Vegas, but can you watch a Cuban roll it fresh for you? Try that at the Wynn, it won’t happen. At Don Yeyo Cigars, located just a couple blocks off the strip, this is what they do. Not only can you take your pick of some of the best cigars in town, but master cigar makers will roll yours right in front of you.
If you’re just there to party and look cool, grab yourself a Macanudo and light that puppy. But, if you’d like to see what goes into making one of these bad boys, check this place out. Don Yeyo makes a complete line of cigars to fit any taste, and customers can pick their choice of wrappers. Prices are extremely fair, actually much cheaper than cigars out of a hotel humidor. Typical prices range from just $3.15 for the Nino, and they top at at just $7.30 for the giant Torpedo. My personal favorite is the Monterrey, at just $5.15 each. For that price you’ll get a top quality cigar at about 1/3rd the price.
Visit DonYeyo.com for more information, or stop by the shop located at:
328 W. Sahara Blvd. Las Vegas, NV. 89102
(702) 384-9262
Open Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm. Saturday from 10am – 4pm.
3. Get Your Scarface On and Shoot An Uzi
Ever wondered what it would feel like to be a made man? At The Gun Store in Las Vegas, a drivers license and $50 will get you a date with an AK47 assault rifle or Thompson M1A1 submachine gun.
Packages with a combination of machine guns, war rifles and handguns that would make Rambo blush can be had for as little as $$99.95. If Rambo has a kid, the toddlers will love shooting a semi-automatic 22 rifle at Bambi. No, I’m not kidding. Kids age 12 and under can shoot the rifle and a Ruger Mark III for little more than their lunch money. Nothing better than to get the kids started early, I always say.
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For chicks that like to kill stuff, there is even a bachelorette deal where the bride to be can come in on Friday or Saturday nights between 7-8pm to shoot one free rental of her choice. I can’t think of any better way to cure any pre-wedding jitters.
The Gun Store is located at:
2900 E. Tropicana. Las Vegas, NV. 89121
(702) 454-1110
4. Hang From A Crane and Eat Dinner
Dinner in the Sky Las Vegas is a unique experience in which you and your dinner mates will be strapped to a seat, hooked up to a crane and hoisted 180 feet in the air to have dinner. This is much more than just some gimmicky thrill ride, though. Professional chefs prepare the food right there for you and waiters are there to take care of your every need.
You’ll get the red carpet treatment the whole way through. The Dinner in the Sky team will pick you up at your hotel, take you to dinner and then take you back home again. At $289 per person, this is no cheap dinner. At the same time, this isn’t too bad for a meal you will never forget as long as you live. Weddings in the sky are also available.
2800 W Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
1-877-4-SKY-DINE
702-257-0350
5. Vomit On Top of the Stratosphere
Just about everybody has heard of this classic Las Vegas activity, but it’s still worth a mention. If you have a stomach of steel and want to get a real rush, check out the rides at the top of the Stratosphere. The Stratosphere itself rises more than a thousand feet into the air, and on the very top of that is where you’ll find these thrill rides.
For our first exhibit, we have “The Bigshot.” This is the highest ride in the world and it basically shoots you straight up into the air at a high velocity. This kind of ride is freaky enough at ground level, so imagine how this one feels from on top of the Stratosphere.
Second up is the ride simply known as “Insanity.” This one is very freaky because it suspends you off the side of the building with your feet dangling over nothing but thin air. After you and the other passengers get situated out in the middle of nothingness, the seats tilt downwards as the entire machine starts spinning you all in circles. You’ll just have to watch the video to get a feel for this one.
Third is the “X-Scream.” In this ridiculous thrill ride, the passengers hop onto what looks like a normal roller coaster. The only problem is that the track leads right off the side of the Stratosphere. After you and your friends get strapped in, the track tilts out and downwards and you go shooting straight to infinity. At the last second, the machine stops the roller coaster and pulls you back into safety.
And last but not least is the “SkyJump.” In this ride, a Stratosphere employees strap you into a special suit and walks you to the edge of a platform. Walk up to the edge, take a step and hear yourself scream as you plummet 108 stories straight to your death (almost). This is the ultimate Las Vegas thrill ride and let me tell you: it is no joke.
Prices for the rides aren’t too terrible by Las Vegas standards. You can get an all day pass with unlimited rides for just $34. Individual rides cost less than $15 a pop, except for the SkyJump. That one will run you a minimum of $99.
2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
702-380-7777
6. Keep Your Cool at Dick’s Last Resort
Hungry after all your crazy Las Vegas adventures? In a bad mood after your wife dragged you to the top of the Stratosphere earlier? Dick’s Last Resort will take care of all that. Stop in here for some greasy food, cold beer and more insults than you ever though you’d hear at a restaurant. See, the gimmick at Dick’s is that the waiters and staff are all trained to be dicks!
Be ready to handle a few jokes, because you’re going to be insulted and prodded around like you would never expect at a restaurant. It’s all in good fun, though. Come in with a smile, be able to laugh at yourself and you’ll have a great time. The witty, wise-cracking servers will keep you laughing and catch you off guard all day long. You’re also welcome to sing on stage and dance anywhere you want. Good times abound at Dick’s Last Resort.
Dick’s Last Resort
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Weird Places In Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
7. Visit the Atomic Testing Museum
The Atomic Testing Museum is an awesome and terrifying testament to human engineering. In just a few short years, the United States started a nuclear weapons program from scratch and produced the first working atomic bombs in the world. The accomplishment ended one major war while simultaneously raising the stakes for all future conflicts.
The museum features more than 12,000 pieces of history and all kinds of exhibitions. Inside the museum, you’ll see how the bomb was developed, how it was tested underground, how it was tested in the atmosphere, how radiation is monitored and much more. All in all, the Atomic Testing Museum is just a damn interesting, mind-blowing great time. Check it out.
Atomic Testing Museum Website
755 E Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
1-702-794-5151
8. See the Artificial Volcano at the Mirage
The artificial volcano at the Mirage is a nice little free attraction that’s worth a look. The volcano is located just a few feet off the walkway and erupts every hour from 6PM to 11PM every night. You’ll see splashing water, crazy lights and lots of fire as the volcano blasts to its own soundtrack.
I wouldn’t pay to see this, but I would definitely go out of my way to see it. This kind of thing is what Vegas is known for. Here’s a clip from YouTube:
9. Get Prepared at the Zombie Apocalypse Store
I’m not going to lie, I was sold as soon as I saw the name. Seriously, I can’t think of a better place to shop than the Zombie Apocalypse Store. Like the name suggests, the Zombie Apocalypse Store in Vegas has everything you need to survive the gravest shit-has-hit-the-fan scenarios.
Visit the Zombie Apocalypse Store for bugout bags, first aid kids, knives, stun guns, gas masks, survival books and everything else you might need to survive the end of the world. The Zombie Apocalypse Store doesn’t sell guns, but it has everything else you need to be prepared. Even if you’re not a certified Prepper, it’s still a cool place to check out.
3420 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
1-702-320-0703
10. Hang Loose at a Topless Pool
There are a few pools in Las Vegas where tops are optional for guys and girls. Girls get in cheap (or free) while guys will have to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 to get in. It might sound expensive, but you get great scenery, sun, swimming and drinks all in one place.
Leave the camera at home and keep your hands to yourself. If you can manage that, you’ll have a great time at these topless pools. If you’re interested, check out VegasChatter’s guide to topless pools here.
Planning a trip to Vegas soon? Get in the mood now with the best casino movies of all time.