Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve Details

• Hours of operation:
  Open daily,10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days). Gardens and trails close at 4 p.m. Visitors may also check out the Springs Café.
• Cost:
  $18.95 for adults, $17.05 for seniors 65 and older and $10.95 for children 5-17 years old. Children 4 and younger are free. Nevada residents receive discounted rates. Admission to the Nevada State Museum is included with paid admission to the Springs Preserve.
• Payment options:
  Cash, credit cards.
• Reservations:
  Reservations not necessary.
• Location:
  About a 10-15 minute drive from the Vegas Strip on S. Valley View Boulevard, between U.S. 95 and Alta Drive.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  No restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special events

Desert Survivors: Discover the toughest Mojave animal around during this live animal show, featuring a desert night snake, desert tortoise, kangaroo rat, California kingsnake, desert tarantula, gopher snake, chuckwalla, desert iguana, Western banded gecko, pocket gopher, banded Gila monster, desert hairy scorpion, vinegaroon and desert banded centipede. Shows take place twice daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. through September 2 in the Big Springs Theater.  
Rainforest Adventure: Experience a multi-sensory expedition of the world's tropical rainforests daily June 2 through September 8, 2013 with hands-on exhibits such as a 9-foot kapok tree, a gorilla's nest and even a weaving loom.
Bet on the Farm: Every Thursday, shop a sustainable farmer's market from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m inside the Desert Living Center. The market includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, fresh eggs, honey, nuts, dates and locally roasted coffee, to name a few. Access is free.
Animals behind-the-scenes: Every Saturday and Sunday at noon inside the Origen museum, visitors can get up-close and personal with lizards, bugs and snakes with zoologists in the animal care area. Cost is $5 with paid general admission.

Springs Preserve Description

With the glittering lights and 24-hour action on the Las Vegas Strip, it’s easy to forget that the city is actually a hotbed of historical significance. It's also hard to imagine that the dry desert was once home to natural springs and abundant water.

Welcome to the Springs Preserve, the birthplace of fabulous Las Vegas. The 180-acre cultural and historic attraction sits on the site of those former springs, offering state-of-the-art exhibits, galleries, hiking trails, live animal shows and botanical gardens that teach visitors about the city’s rich heritage -- while also getting them to think about its future. The 70,000-square-foot Nevada State Museum is also located on the property.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Springs Preserve is run by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the agency that manages the city's water and promotes conservation. From recreation to education, the entire family will enjoy this respite from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.

Origen Experience

Education about the past is a key component of the Springs Preserve and visitors can expand their knowledge at the Origen Experience. The museum teaches visitors about the springs' early inhabitants with three galleries, a traveling exhibit, theater, live animals, art projects and much more.

The Natural Mojave Gallery features interactive exhibits that explore the geological history of the Mojave Desert and the formation of the valley and springs. Kids can play with fossils, see how desert animals adapted and learn about erosion. A live-action flash flood demonstrates the danger of flooding in the valley as 5,000 gallons of recycled water comes crashing down every 20 minutes. 

Guests will encounter a myriad of wildlife that calls the desert home with an exhibit of live animals including Gila monsters, lizards, bats, snakes, leopard frogs, desert cottontail rabbits, desert tortoises, spiders, a gray fox and more. All the animals are native to the Mojave and many are bred on site at the Springs Preserve.

The People of the Springs Gallery includes 33 exhibits focusing on the city's cultural history and development. Visitors can tour reconstructions of Native American dwellings complete with native plants, walk through a multimedia recreation of the 1905 Las Vegas land auction and view actual news footage from the construction of Hoover Dam. The arrival of the railroad, which put Las Vegas on the map, is marked with an explorable train car. 

With today's challenge to find more water, several exhibits focus on water conservation, including one which shows the efficiency of local water conservation efforts. Despite a growth in population over the past 10 years, the city's water usage has decreased significantly.

Desert Living Center

The Desert Living Center is a complex of five buildings and 43 exhibits including a sustainability gallery, classroom and conference space. Exhibits, events and activities at the center demonstrate the benefits of recycling, conservation and alternative energy.

Here, visitors can see a model that shows the path water travels to reach residences and businesses, a "tower of trash" represents the amount of trash an average family accumulates in one month and a theater inside a real garbage truck wallpapered with recycled materials shows a film about trash and recycling. Guests can also play sustainable video games and view the exposed engine of a hybrid car to see how it works.

A model kitchen, bathroom, living room and laundry room demonstrates how you can save energy, water and money while keeping your home functional and attractive. The sustainable home utilizes energy-efficient appliances and features like bamboo flooring, cork tiles and low VOC paint. In the backyard, there is a cutaway of a drip irrigation system to help demonstrate sustainable landscaping.

Botanical Gardens

The award-winning Gardens at the Springs Preserve is a great place to take a relaxing, outdoor stroll while learning about desert vegetation. The 8-acre garden area -- which is particularly vibrant in the spring -- features a wide range of desert landscapes and showcases native and non-native plant life with interpretive stations and hands-on activities.

The garden contains more than 1,200 species of native and desert-adapted plants and more than 400 trees and plants, including herbs, vegetables, roses, cactus, palms and more. The garden also includes spaces for instruction on irrigation, gardening and landscaping.

The Trails

For those who enjoy hiking or biking, 3.65 miles of trails wind through the picturesque Springs Preserve and take visitors through both a cultural and environmental history of the Las Vegas valley. The trails lead to the Preserve's cienega, a desert wetland that serves as a home for hundreds of native plants, birds and animal species including peregrine falcons, snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons. A reconstructed cauldron pool depicts the natural springs that once existed beneath the valley. You will also see the original spring mound, which provided the city's main water source.

A historical, narrated train can carry up to 48 people on a 20-minute journey along the 2.2-mile Exploration Loop Trail. Rides are $5 for visitors who purchase admission. Railroad cottages representing the early settlement of Las Vegas are being restored on site and will eventually be part of the train route. Bike rentals are available on weekends and school holidays for $8 per hour.

Time to eat

The Springs Café isn't your ordinary dining experience. Operated by the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the restaurant offers healthy and delicious food choices, including a variety of vegetarian options. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy expansive views of the Strip and the Las Vegas valley from the patio.

Time to play

While the Springs Preserve offers numerous chances for kids to learn, it also offers them a place to play. A playground built to resemble a desert canyon with oversized wildlife replicas of a peregrine falcon, a wooly mammoth skeleton and a 50-foot snake are a favorite among the younger set.

Another area for children, dubbed the Nature Exchange, allows kids to find natural items and trade them in to learn more about them. Collectors gain points that can be used for trading for other items.

Other highlights at the Springs Preserve include an 1,800-seat outdoor amphitheater, a research library and a gift shop that offers unique books, toys and collectibles. Regular educational programming at the Springs Preserve includes classes on arts and crafts, cooking, cultural studies and sustainable living.

-- Review by Aleza Freeman & Kristine McKenzie

The Sling Shot

The Sling Shot at Circus Circus Details

• Hours of operation:
  Hours vary. Please call for updated times.
• Cost:
  $5-8 per ride. All-day passes to the Adventuredome are $26.95 for adults and $16.95 for children 33-47 inches tall (free for toddlers under 33 inches with a paying adult).
• Payment options:
  Cash, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover.
• Reservations:
  For birthdays, private parties and groups.
• Location:
  Located at the Circus Circus hotel-casino, at the intersection of the Vegas Strip and Circus Circus Drive.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  You must be 48 inches tall to ride.

The Sling Shot at Circus Circus Description

A lot can happen in a few seconds. Riding the Sling Shot proves that these few seconds are life-changing. 

This ride inside the Adventuredome may be a short one, but trust us when we say each second goes a long way. The Sling Shot gives you an idea of what its feels like to shoot off in a rocket into outer space. The car features 12 seats in a circle. You might have to jump onto your seat since it's set high. 

After you're strapped in (with your feet hanging loose), you'll sit in suspense for a few seconds. Right when you least expect it, the car shoots up a 100-foot tower at a shocking force of 4 Gs. Even if you prep yourself and know that the launch is coming, you're still in for the surprise of your life. 

Once you're up high, the car pauses then shoots back down for the ultimate free fall. Talk about a crazy head rush! 

After climbing out of the car, you'll scratch your head wondering how all that happened in such a short amount of time. You're more than welcome to test it out again -- if you dare. 

Shark Reef

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Details

• Hours of operation:
  Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Last admission to the exhibit is sold one  hour prior to closing.
• Cost:
  $18 for adults, $12 for children 5-12. Children age 4 and under are admitted free. Nevada residents with proper identification get a discount on the price of admission. For group rates are also available for parties of 20 or more, please call (702) 632-4555.
• Payment options:
  Cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and traveler's checks.
• Reservations:
  The attraction may be rented out for private functions.
• Location:
  Located at Mandalay Bay hotel-casino near the intersection of the Vegas Strip and Hacienda Avenue.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  Not applicable.

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Description

The ocean is probably the last thing people think of when they visit the dry desert of Las Vegas, but the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is changing that.

Housing more than 1,200 species of marine life including sharks, exotic fresh and saltwater fish, a 300-pound sea turtle and much more, Shark Reef offers the aquatic experience of a lifetime.

Shark Reef is reminiscent of an ancient temple slowly sinking into the ocean. The tunnel, which houses five species of sharks and the aquarium's largest animals, is designed to look like a sunken shipwreck and contains an astounding 1.3 million gallons of water. Here, visitors can witness a scuba diver's view of these mesmerizing creatures.

Shark Reef opened in Las Vegas in 2000 and is the only accredited aquarium by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in Nevada. Popular with tourists and marine experts alike, Shark Reef is considered one of the most prestigious facilities of its kind, along with the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

"We're on that same level as far as animal care, education and public outreach," said Adrienne Rowland, director of the Shark Reef. "Only 10 percent of aquariums are accredited in the whole country."

In addition to the shark tunnel, guests can experience exhibits featuring crocodiles, freshwater fish, piranhas and much more.

Sharks, piranhas and touchable fish

Some of the sharks here can appear quite frightening. For instance, the nurse shark and tiger-striped shark both measure up to nine feet long, while others have so many teeth that they can barely close their mouths. This attraction also houses two tiger sharks. These tiger sharks measure more than six feet in length, but some measure up to 14 feet in length. Tiger sharks are also known to consume unusual objects such as license plates, tires and baseballs. 

But are sharks really as scary as we perceive them to be? "We're not an intended food item for the sharks," Rowland explained. "Sharks, like most predators, are actually opportunistic, meaning they want an easy catch. They want to find an animal that is sick or injured…they're more likely to hunt something like that."

Since the sharks at the Shark Reef are fed on a daily basis, the surrounding animals are in no danger. In fact, the half-inch Blue Damsel, the tiniest fish at the Shark Reef, shares the same tank with these gigantic creatures.

"Some of these fish have been in here since the day we opened!" she exclaimed. "We aren't constantly having to restock. Because of the way we manage the feeding process, it's never an issue. Sharks are fed three times a week, which is more than they would probably eat in the wild."

When divers swim in to clean these tanks, they wear a stainless steel mesh, similar to what knights wore long ago. The metal helps keep the animals away so the humans don't look like food.

Surprisingly enough, the sharks here get along with everyone quite "swimmingly." The aquarium also houses piranhas. But contrary to popular belief, they also are not as intimidating as others perceive them to be.

Hello, Komodo!

At the Shark Reef come see an eight-foot-long Komodo dragon, the largest species in the lizard family. The Komodo dragon is known to carry unique hunting skills.

"They rely on that perception of smell in order to find their prey," explained Rowland. "When they walk, they actually move their head side to side. They can tell if the scent is coming from the left or from the right."

Once the Komodo dragon seizes its prey, it makes sure to leave as little leftover as possible: "The Komodo dragon would eat bones, hooves, fur - everything," Rowland noted. "They leave 12 percent of the carcass."

The Komodo's original habitat is in Indonesia. However, many perish from extreme weather conditions. Classified as an endangered species, there are only 3,000 to 5,000 that live in the wild. At Shark Reef, this particular Komodo lives within an environment similar to its habitat, complete with sand, boulders and a pool.

Shark Reef makes history fun

"They can be dangerous," Rowland pointed out. "You'll be more likely to be bit if you just flick the surface of the water as opposed to sticking your whole hand in."

In fact, piranhas are actually more afraid of us than we are of them: "They're a little bigger than your hand," Rowland said. "People swim and bathe in the Amazon without incidents. Just like anything, piranhas are careful. They're actually pretty skittish."

While their teeth look treacherous, piranhas mainly use their chompers for eating purposes.

"Basically, their teeth are meant to shear flesh off," Rowland noted. "They take one or two bites and swallow the food whole, so they're pretty much full. It takes literally, hundreds - sometimes more - when you see those videos of them going after a large animal."

Since many of us aren't planning to pet a piranha anytime soon, visitors can enjoy getting a "hands-on" experience with various stingrays, eels and crabs at the touch pool.

"This is actually one of our most popular exhibits because of the interaction," Rowland said. "What's really cool is when you get a kid who's afraid and you get them to touch it…then you can't get rid of them!"

If the stingrays are not in the mood for petting, the animals make it pretty clear: "If they don't want to be touched, they go in the center, or come out and swim along or rest on the edge," Rowland said.

The Shark Reef is also home to a handful of unique looking sea creatures. These include huge, colorful catfish, saw fish (Its nose looks like an actual chainsaw!), beautifully patterned black-and-white potato cod fish and spiky mine urchins (which look a lot like baby porcupines). The mine urchins do not move much, but visitors may catch a group of them munching on a "cookie," a nutritious wafer created specifically for their diet.

Joining the family July 2010, visitors can now see a live female bowmouth guitarfish. Better known as a shark ray, this animal is considered a vulnerable species and very little is known about it. The 5-foot, 90-pound shark ray is one of only a dozen featured in aquariums throughout the United States. 

For those who want an in-depth, personal enrichment about the animals, audio wands are available in Spanish, English and Japanese. In addition, Shark Reef's naturalists are available to answer any questions visitors may have.

Guests can also take part of the sea with them long after they leave Shark Reef.

Located at the end of the exhibit, Shark Reef's gift shop features an assortment of figurines, picture frames, trinkets and souvenir photos for those who took one right before the tour.

Shark Reef Facts

The Shark Reef is home to more than 1,200 different species of sharks, tropical and fresh water fish, reptiles, marine invertebrates and rays.
Sharks: Includes blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, bonnethead sharks, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, zebra sharks, white spotted bamboo sharks, port jackson sharks and lemon sharks. Some species of sharks at Shark Reef will grow to be more than 18 feet long.
Tropical and Fresh Water Fish: Include several species of angelfish, puffer fish and tang fish. Venomous tropical fishes include such species as lionfish and foxface.
Reptiles: Golden crocodiles, green sea turtles and ravenous water monitors are among the reptile species displayed at Shark Reef.
Eels, Marine Invertebrates, Rays: Eels, invertebrates and rays each have exhibits to showcase their species at Shark Reef. Moray eels, southern stingrays and hundreds of moon jellyfish are among these creatures.
Total Number of Animals:Approx. 2,000
Largest Animal:Nurse shark at 9 feet long
Smallest Animal: Blue damsel fish at 1/2 to 1 inch long
Shark Diet: Younger sharks are fed daily, while adult sharks are fed three times per week. A 200-pound sand tiger shark will eat about four pounds of food every week, mostly capelin, squid, mackerel, prawn and scallops.
Total size: More than 105,000 square feet
In all, Shark Reef exhibits and the Animal Husbandry Building facilities hold almost 2 million gallons of seawater.

Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Details

• Hours of operation:
  Daily, 10 a.m. - 6:30  p.m. Last admission is 5:30 p.m.
• Cost:
  Admission to both exhibits is $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for children (ages 4-12) and free for children under 3. Annual passes are available. Discounted rates are available for Nevada residents, military personnel and and Mirage hotel guests.
• Payment options:
  Cash, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover.
• Reservations:
  Not required.
• Location:
  At the Mirage Hotel and Casino.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  Guests under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Description

The wildest part of Las Vegas isn't necessarily the nightlife.

Right on the Las Vegas Strip is an attraction that defines wild in Vegas in a whole new way. Welcome to Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino where white tigers and lions, leopards and dolphins enjoy the Vegas sun and a posh resort like the millions of human tourists who visit the city each year.

The facility, which opened in 1990, is the dream of legendary magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, better known to millions as Siegfried & Roy. For years the duo has worked to help save endangered animals, primarily white tigers and lions.

The Secret Garden

If you loved collecting those big, cuddly stuffed animals as a kid, then visiting the Secret Garden at the Mirage is a dream come true. Here you can see your furry friends come to life within the lush surroundings of the habitat.

The beautiful attraction displays six different showcases of white tigers and lions, as well as leopards. But the majority of these cats aren't like the typical wild animals you see.

"These are some of the most impressive cats I've ever seen," said Dave Blasko, director of animal care at The Secret Garden. "People come from all over the world to see them."

The Secret Garden stands out from other animal habitats because it features white striped tigers as well as snow white ones. With their distinctive fur color and crystal blue eyes, the cats almost seem unreal.

For more than 20 years, Siegfried and Roy dedicated their time in preserving these rare and exotic breeds. Not only does the Secret Garden preserve these animals from extinction, but visitors also have the opportunity to gain a better understanding and awareness about them.

As you meander through the habitat, you'll notice all the lush greenery, fun, jungle-themed music and even a towering lion figure made from plants. Some of the cats even have built-in waterfalls in their resting areas. You'll also discover fun facts about the animals written on plaques spread throughout the facility. For instance, female lions do most of the hunting while the male lion watches over the pride. Also, tigers actually enjoy swimming.

"Tigers are one of the few cats who like water," said Blasko.

If you want to take some of the wildlife back home with you, the gift shop at the Secret Garden offers souvenirs.

Together with its lush foliage and gorgeous waterfalls, the Secret Garden is the ideal place to visit any time of the year. With all its trees and tropical surroundings, you'll literally feel like you're in another country.

The Dolphin Habitat

Surrounded by palm trees, lush foliage and 2.1 million gallons of water, the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage is truly an oasis on the Las Vegas Strip. Whether the bottlenose dolphins who call the habitat home are swimming, "tail walking" across water, catching fish or bonding with each other, you'll get an up-close and personal look at their fun, intriguing lifestyle.

While many people think of Sea World when they think of dolphins, many don't realize that they can see the creatures right in the midst of the Las Vegas desert. The Dolphin Habitat is a research facility and is also designed to educate people about these amazing animals. And while the dolphins don't perform on a regular schedule, visitors can still be surprised by their natural playfulness.

Exercising is also very vital to the dolphins' health. When the trainers aren't exercising or having fun with the dolphins, they conduct regular check-ups to ensure that they're healthy.

The Dolphin Habitat offers an underwater viewing area. But if you're trying to take a picture of the dolphins, it can get a little tricky. Since these dolphins are so swift and playful, you may find yourself running back and forth to capture the perfect photo.

The habitat also features shaded seating, a café and a gift shop filled with memorabilia including plush dolphin toys and even dolphin-shaped water guns.

Dolphin Habitat visitors who wish to get a little more involved with the animals can choose from a couple different programs. Painting With the Dolphins allows you to create a mammal masterpiece. Available from noon to 3:30 p.m. daily, you will get up close and personal with a dolphin as you collaborate on creating an original piece of art. Cost of $199 includes price of admission, your unique masterpiece, a certificate and a photograph of the experience.

The Trainer for a Day program, meanwhile, is an all-day activity allowing guests slip into a wetsuit and get up close to the dolphins. From 9:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. you will interact with and feed the dolphins while accompanied by habitat staff. A staff member will snap photos of your experience throughout this this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At the end of the day, your photos will be put on a CD for you to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Price varies between $495 and $595 depending on the season, with a four person maximum. Call (702) 792-7889 for more information or to make reservations.

Whether you come to see the dolphins or some of the rarest white tigers and lions in the world, The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat may prove to be the wildest moment on your Vegas trip.

Score

Score Details

• Hours of operation:
  Open daily, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Cost:
  $28 general admission; $35 MVP Package; $50 season tickets; $15 for children 12 and younger. Locals get discounted rates.
• Payment options:
  Cash, credit cards.
• Location:
  Located inside the Luxor.  
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  Not applicable.
  Fun facts

  Score! offers the Strip's only fully-enabled television and radio station. 
  Score! will host more than 100 athlete appearances annually, as well as sports-themed special events.
  The attraction features the largest collection of Hall of Fame game-worn baseball uniforms ranging from Babe Ruth and Joe D. to Jackie Robinson and Derek Jeter. 
  Every item on display is an actual artifact worn or owned by the Hall of Fame athlete. Score! showcases more than 200 artifacts including the 1999 Team USA World Cup championship trophy, the 1981 Heisman Trophy awarded to  Marcus Allen, championship rings and World Series trophies.
  Interactive stations include a football broad jump test, hockey puck drills, basketball vertical jump and a NASCAR pit stop, to name a few.

Score Description

Sports enthusiasts, rejoice! Located at the Luxor, Score! Sports Fan Attraction is the first of its kind that offers fans the ultimate interactive sports experience. 

Even if you're not an athlete, everyone can appreciate this all-around sports tribute. Score!, a 10,000-square-foot exhibit, combines authentic sports memorabilia, pro athlete appearances and a live broadcasting station at the entrance. The broadcasting station is also where athletes meet with fans and sign autographs. Score! is expected to have at least 100 athletes visit per year. 

Since the attraction houses more than 200 artifacts and features special guests, Score! teamed up with high-profile sports properties including Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, NASCAR, National Hockey League and U.S. Soccer Federation, to name a few.  

“I like to call it an adult Disneyland,” said Warren Moon, Pro Football Hall of Famer. “It doesn’t matter what sport you like, it’s all in here.”

The interactive attraction begins as soon as you enter. You'll fill out your fantasy contract, select the team you want to play for and the salary you’d like to earn. Throughout the exhibit, you'll receive texts consisting of multiple choices -- situations that professional athletes face in real life. Your choices determine the fate of your sports career. In the end, you'll find out if you’re inducted into the Hall of Fame or cut. You'll also have a fantasy press release posted to your Facebook page. 

As you explore the exhibit, try various physical and mental exercises such as the broad jump, a stick handling exercise in a hockey rink, changing the tire on a NASCAR vehicle, comparing your fastball to the pros, as well as how your vertical jump measures against NBA Hall of Famers. The music playing overhead is sure to get you in an upbeat mood. 

"Everything is very high energy,” said Jim Beckmann, CEO of Score! “You can do as much or as little, or everything. It’s the choice of the guest."

Aside from the interactive element, Score! partnered with several Hall of Fame sports federations, making this museum the first of its kind: "This is the first time in history that all of these sports properties agreed to participate in a shared environment,” he said. ”It’s a big deal. The credibility and prestige of these institutions elevate the cultural aspect of the city’s sports fans [who] want something more than watching on TV and placing a $10 bet."

With so many artifacts and history material, Score! is every sports fanatic’s dream. Score! showcases the entire career span of football Hall of Famer, Marcus Allen. Allen's artifacts dates as far back to his high school football days to Super Bowl. The attraction also features rare artifacts and memorabilia including game-worn uniforms from Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Kobe Bryant and more. The attraction also gives an inside  look at contract negotiations through a series of never-before-seen letters from sports agents. Score! has access to the entire boxing film library from ESPN. Watch footage of different boxing matches, including Mike Tyson’s knockouts through the years  Learn about legendary fighters, including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Baseball fans can see uniforms worn by Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter and Jackie Robinson. NASCAR artifacts include driving gear from the Busch brothers, as well as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. You’ll also get to see NASCAR clips and the importance of a pit stop. Basketball fans can read about the Lakers and Celtics rivalry, the Dream Team and much more. One of the neat things on display is the last chair Michael Jordan sat on at the United Center in Chicago.

The locker room section inside Score! is unlike any you have seen. Learn about the importance of hydration, the negative effects of steroids, sports medicine, the healing process and much more.

You can also shop for merchandise in the retail area. Score! carries everything from apparel to hats, lanyards and football helmets from almost every team imaginable.

The Roller Coaster

The Roller Coaster at New York-New York Details

• Hours of operation:
  Sunday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - midnight.
• Cost:
  $14 per person. Second-time riders can purchase an additional ticket for $7. Both tickets should be purchased at the same time. The All-Day Scream Pass is $25. The "Flight-for-Four" package is available for $60 and includes admission for four as well as two souvenir photos Please call for special group rates.
• Payment options:
  Cash, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa.
• Reservations:
  N/A.
• Location:
  Located on the second level inside the New York-New York hotel-casino at the south end of the Strip where Las Vegas Boulevard meets Tropicana Avenue.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  You must be 54 inches tall to ride, and no loose articles are allowed on the ride.

Ride facts

Length: 4,777 feet
Max Height: 203 feet
Biggest Drop: 144 feet
Max Speed: 67 mph
Ride Duration: 2 minutes, 45 seconds
Capacity: More than 1,000 people per hour on three 16-passenger trains
Designer: Togo Amusements
Special Features: High-speed dives and two inversions, including a unique heartline twist and dive, right on the Las Vegas Strip

The Roller Coaster at New York-New York Description

Where can you experience towering drops, multiple loops and stunning views of the Strip?

Located on the popular intersection of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd., The Roller Coaster at New York-New York is hard to miss. Set in a perfect postcard shot, its surroundings include a replica of the New York harbor, a 150-foot model of the Statue of Liberty as well as several of Manhattan's popular buildings. And to make things even more fun, the roller coaster trains are designed like New York taxicabs. 

The ride begins with a steep hill, building great suspense and anticipation. Enjoy the aerial view of the south end of the Strip while you can, because before you know it, you're plummeting down a 144-foot drop. The intensity continues with loops, corkscrews and hills, speeding up to 67 miles per hour.

This isn't your average upside-down roller coaster. The loops on this ride are insane -- you'll twist and turn in ways you never imagined. The combinations of corkscrews, hills and the exhilarating, 180-degree heart line spiral will keep you gripping your harnesses.   

After the ride, you'll feel surprisingly energized. Don't forget to stop and see your photo, which is available for sale.

Formerly called The Manhattan Express, The Roller Coaster made its debut on the Strip in January 1997. More than one million visitors experience the ride each year.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Details

• Hours of operation:
  Open daily at 6 a.m. Closing time varies by season. The visitors center is open daily, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Cost:
  $7 per car, $5 for commercial vehicles (tour buses and limousines, for example), $3 for motorcyclists and tour bus riders, free for bicyclist and hikers who park at the loop entrance; an annual pass is available for $30.
• Payment options:
  Cash or check (out of state checks are accepted).
• Reservations:
  Not applicable.
• Location:
  About 20 miles from the Vegas Strip.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  Not applicable.
   
  Additional information

  A visitors center at the park's entrance displays trail maps, plant and wildlife information and a history of the area. Restrooms are available here.
  Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area does not have a street address. If you are using GPS software to get there, type in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area instead of the physical address. Or you can use the GPS coordinates shown above or the map listed below. Red Rock Canyon is located about 30 minutes west of the Las Vegas Strip off of Charleston Boulevard.
  A few miles south of Red Rock Canyon is Bonnie Springs -- Old Nevada, an 1880s Western mining town reproduction and Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

   

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Description

ed Rock Canyon National Conservation Area presents awe-inspiring views most wouldn't expect to see near a major metropolitan city. In contrast to the bright lights and hype of the Strip, Red Rock offers desert beauty, towering red cliffs and abundant wildlife.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area receives 1.2 million visitors a year.

The mountains in the Red Rock area were formed by a number of geological forces including fractured faults where the earth's crust collided over millions of years and fossilized sand dunes. Some cliffs reach up an astounding 3,000 feet.

The sandstone rocks in the conservation area get their color from iron oxide. Over centuries the iron oxide built up, producing the vibrant, crimson color the canyon illustrates today.

One of the more scenic parts of Red Rock Canyon is the Keystone Thrust Fault. Here, millions of years ago, two of the earth's plates collided with such force that part of one plate was shoved up and over the other. This created a magnificent contrast between grey limestone and red sandstone.

This amazing conservation area is also home to about 200 different mammals which include burros, rabbits, coyotes, bighorn sheep, red tailed hawks, golden eagles, hummingbirds and even a few wild horses, bobcats and mountain lions.

The 13-mile scenic loop drive exposes visitors to the geological history and splendor of the canyon. There are chances for photo opportunities at various locations including Calico Hills' colorful sandstone, limestone Indian roasting pits, Indian "handprints" and pictographs at Willow Springs.

Since Red Rock Canyon is so isolated and quiet, many like this recreational area as a temporary getaway from the craziness of the Las Vegas Strip. It's also a popular location for weddings.

On certain trails, hikers can even witness waterfalls cascading into the canyon.

Red Rock is open year-round and a favorite among many tourists, sightseers, joggers, hikers and rock climbers. Visitors can also go horseback riding.

Red Rock Canyon is part of the Mojave Desert, which stretches out to the corners of California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

Make sure to check out the Red Rock Visitor Center, which is is bigger than you can ever imagine. The massive outdoor exhibit may be hot during the summer months, but there are plenty of areas in the shade as well as water fountains at every corner.

The area is divided into four large sections: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Within these four sections, you'll get a chance to read about history, geography and animal and plant life. One of the fascinating facts about Red Rock is that it has 10,000 years of human history. You'll see artwork (petroglyphs) as well as fire pits, giving you an idea how native people lived.

If you're lucky, you might get a peek at Mojave Max, the center's desert "spokes" tortoise. There are also seven female tortoises outside, so if Max is hiding you might see one of them. On certain days of the week, the workers give them ground-up plants with water, packed with plenty of nutrients.

The exhibit also features enlarged maps of the 19 different hiking trails, complete with highlights of each one.You can have a picnic at Willow Springs, or even see springs and waterfalls at Ice Box Canyon and Lost Creek. There is also a list of hiking tips just outside the gift shop. 

You'll learn that this area is a lot more colorful than ever. The interactive stations also include information on several different animals including deer, sheep, squirrels, burros, kangaroo rats, kit foxes, rabbits, roadrunners and much more. You'll also read a slew of fun animal facts. For instance, did you know that the ground squirrel uses its white fluffy tail like an umbrella to cool off his back? There is also information about creatures you may not have heard of, like the ring tail cat. This unique animal looks like a small fox with a raccoon tail. You'll even learn more about all the vibrant-colored birds (like hummingbirds and partridges) that dwell in the desert. 

In addition to all the creatures, there is more to Red Rock than just cactus trees and sage bushes. The visitor center also provides information about all the types of flora, from the desert wildflowers to the purple mats and desert marigolds. Other desert plant life includes coyote tobacco, buckhorn cholla and the famous Joshua tree, home to birds, lizards, mice and more. 

The gift shop sells hiking sticks (complete with bells), Southwest-inspired artwork, a variety of stuffed animals and much more. Make sure to stop by the front desk before you leave to grab free pamphlets and more information about the different hikes.