Las Vegas: A Teenager's Dream Vacation?

Las Vegas attractions offer something for everyone. It is a city that parents and their teenage kids can certainly enjoy together. Yet, there are also plenty of fun and entertainment for teenagers to enjoy on their own.

Circus Circus
One of the most popular attractions is the circus acts which include jugglers, unicyclists, trapeze artists and acrobats. Acts run every 1/2 hour from 11 AM to midnight and are absolutely free. Also located here is the Midway which has over 200 games of skill and chance. Games cost from a quarter to a dollar, but you can win tickets that can be exchanged for some nice prizes.

Fremont Street Experience
The second most popular attraction is the light show down on Fremont Street which is also free of charge. It is a one-of-a-kind light and sound show called Viva Vision, with more than 12 million lights and 550K watts of sound. It's projection surface is currently the largest screen in the world, spanning 1,500 feet in length. Light and sound shows begin at dusk daily and end at midnight and include such shows as American Pie, Queen Tribute, Fahrenheit, and Speed, Smoke and Spinning Wheels plus many more.

Mystic Falls Park
Don't miss Mystic Falls Park located inside the Sam's Town. It is a temperature-controlled indoor park featuring "Sunset Stampede," a dancing water, laser and light show. There is even a bear and a wolf. It also features restaurants and a logo shop. Shows are 2, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily.

Stratosphere
The Stratosphere offers three out-of-this world rides to get you screaming. These rides include the Big Shot, the world's highest (112 stories high) thrill ride. Next is Insanity, which makes riders feel like they're floating 900 feet above the ground. And the X Scream is basically a teeter totter suspended over the edge of the building with nothing below! Tickets to ride the Big Shot, Insanity and X Scream are $13 each or you can ride all 3 for $27.95. If you really love these thrilling rides, then get an all-day ride pass for $33.95.

Showcase Mall
GameWorks offers something for everyone. This mega-arcade has everything, featuring 200-plus interactive games, including racing, old-school games like PacMan, shooting games, virtual dance stations and sports-oriented games. All activities operate off a debit card that can be purchased at the entrance. You may purchase cards for the following prices: $20 for one hour; $25 for two hours; $30 for three hours; an all-day pass for $35.

FastKart Speedway
Located at Sport Center Las Vegas, the 1,150 foot long course provides endless entertainment with its numerous curves and hairpin curves. The go-carts have been designed to look like NASCAR race cars and you can race side-by-side with as many as nine other people. You can buy 18-22 laps for $20 or 30-35 laps for $25.

The Roller Coaster at New York-New York
Enjoy the stunning views of the Strip while enjoying this thrilling ride! The ride begins with a steep climb uphill, building anticipation and before you know it, you're plummeting down a 144-foot drop. The thrills continue with loops, towering drops, corkscrews and inclines while speeding up to 67 miles per hour. You can enjoy this roller coaster ride of a lifetime for only $14 or if you are really brave, get the All Day Scream pass for $25.

Star Trek: Klingon Encounter
Experience warp time on the USS Enterprise while fighting off the Klingons! As you are preparing for a tour aboard the USS Enterprise, things go terribly wrong. Suddenly, the entire group has been "accidentally" beamed onto the ship through a gap in the time/space continuum. And as you are ushered onto the ship's deck, the Enterprise comes under attack by several Klingon warships. $42.99 for each encounter.

Bally's
Check out the Jubilee! All Access Backstage Walking Tour for only $15. The backstage tour reveals the secrets of this long-running show and is guided by a Jubilee! showgirl. The one-hour tour begins on the gigantic stage and ends in the basement viewing the actual costumes worn by the showgirls. At the end of the tour, you can ask questions and take pictures with the showgirl who conducted the tour.

Gondola Ride
There are several gondolas on the canal and in the lagoon at all times at the Venetian. The indoor gondolas passes beneath bridges and below the shops and cafés that line the canal. The half-mile ride lasts about 14 minutes. Outdoor gondolas lasts two minutes shorter but the views afforded on the outdoor version more than make up for the shorter ride. The rides only costs $16 per person.

Las Vegas is certainly a great vacation spot for teenage tourist !!