The Most Thrilling Roller Coasters in Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas is known for its ability to set new trends at all times. So, it should be no different when it comes to roller coasters. Las Vegas has many roller coasters, all which are part of hotels and casinos. Prepare to be "amused" by these intense, speed demon coasters.

Canyon Blaster at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino: The Canyon Blaster can be located right in the middle of the Circus Circus Casino. Just from a first glance of the Canyon Blaster you may be fooled into thinking it's a tame ride, you're sorely mistaken! Although it has a short track of about 2,423 feet, it's 94 feet in height. This ride can reach speeds up to 45 mph or more and it's the only roller coaster that does 2 full loops with a double corkscrew. It starts off slow with a sharp 90 degree turn, and climbs the entire 94 feet inch by inch. After you've reached the tip top, the ride does a gut wrenching drop taking you underground at the top speed. This is only the beginning of this short thrill as it pops up above ground and does 2 loops combined with a double corkscrew. As the ride ends it slows down to go thru the mini-golf course before coming to an end. While this is a short and quick ride, it's very intense! The coaster cars use overhead restrains to protect passengers. A 1 minute ride will cost you $5 but you can purchase a day pass for $24.95.

Location: 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-794-3939 Price: ($5 per ride or day pass $24.95 for adults or $14.95 for kids) Height Limit: '46 inches Intense Rating=7

Speed, The Ride at Sahara Casino and Hotel: The Speed ride at Sahara Casino and Hotel is not your average roller coaster. The ride is designed to run forward to the end of a 1400 feet track and then reverse to do the ride backwards. By the end of this ride you will know why they call it "Speed". You start off by being blasted out at 55 mph and head up a giant hill. This is the only ride in Vegas that starts off at this fast of a speed. After climbing the hill you then take a 90 degree turn and head down Las Vegas Blvd. Once you almost reach the end of the casino the ride takes a drop dive 25 feet below street level. While accelerating speed, the coaster pops back up about street level at 70 mph only to go into a furious loop and pop out above the sidewalk. The coaster then passes over the entrance roadway and goes thru the HUGE Sahara casino sign and onto the parking ramp. After that, prepare yourself, the ride climbs 224 feet straight in the air and leaves you hanging there for a minute before it bolts back down, only to do the whole ride again backwards. With a total of 22 seconds going forward and 22 seconds going backwards, you can get the picture of how the coaster gets its name. You can get on the ride for $10 per ride. (Note: Adults may want to have a sip of "courage" at the Nascar Café before getting on this ride)

Location: 2535 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-737-2111 Price: ($10 per ride or day passes $21.95) Height Limit: '54 Intense Rating=8

The Manhattan Express at New York New York Casino and Hotel: Surrounded by the classic New York New York background, The Manhattan Express is hard to miss. The coaster cars are designed like New York taxi cabs to give you that full "Manhattan" feel. The ride starts off with a steep hill, enjoy the bright lights of the strip while you're able to because in a matter of seconds, the ride sends you thru a 144 foot drop. The intensity only increases as you go thru loops, corkscrews and hills at speeds of over 65 mph. The constant twist and sharp 180 degree turns will keep you gripping your harness like your life depends on it!

Location: 3790 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-740-6969 Price: ($12 per ride or day passes $25) Height Limit: '54 Intense Rating=8

X-Scream at Stratosphere Casino and Hotel: The X-Scream ride is just one of many rides that The Stratosphere Tower has to offer. The balance beam of a ride, opened in late 2003 for ride goers. It involves single passenger cars sustained on a 69 foot beam. The X-Scream dangerously tilts back and forth at speeds up to 30 mph. Trust and believes that those that sit in the front cars are guaranteed to get more intense of a ride than those in back. The beam tilts 29 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower. As the beam tilts farther and farther down the passenger cars slide back and forth from front to back. Once the beam tilts all the way forward there is nothing but air to block front riders from plunging 800 feet down below. While this is a great ride to get on at night, so you may enjoy the Vegas strip, the view has potential of being too terrifying to enjoy.

Location: 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-380-7777 Price: ($8 to enter Stratosphere Tower, $8 for X-Scream ride, $25 day passes) Height Limit: '54 inches

Intense Rating=9

Big Shot at Stratosphere Casino and Hotel: The Big Shot appears to be your standard tower ride, only it has a twist! The ride starts with you getting buckled into place. As soon as everything is safe, the air compressors of the ride jolt u up 160 feet in the air to the top of the tower in less than 2 seconds, making you over 1000 feet above the Vegas strip. Yes, I said 1000 feet in 2 seconds! After postponing for a couple of seconds, the ride then takes a freefall drop before slowing down at numerous spots till it reaches the ground. This ride has a lot of psychological factors. It can play with your fear of heights if you have one, I mean after all, your feet and arms are dangling the whole time and you're merely glued to the chair by just a safety harness. Be prepared before you think you're a "Big Shot"!

Location: 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-380-7777 Price: ($8 to enter Stratosphere Tower, $13 for Big Shot ride, $33.95 day passes) Height Limit: '54 inches

Intense Rating=9

Insanity at Stratosphere Casino and Hotel: The ride titled "Insanity" may possibly be the most terrifying ride in all of Las Vegas. Truly one should question their sanity before jumping on this ride, it's not for the weak at heart! Insanity is a spinning ride that dangles you over the edge of the Stratosphere tower. While you're placed in a seat with just a harness on, your feet are left dangling in the air. As the ride starts it begins to move in a circular motion causing the seats to rise and tilt downwards. If you begin to feel like you're the only one scared, take a look at the complete terror on everyone else's face. You are really one of the "brave" ones if you can manage to keep your eyes open during this insane ride! The ride suspends you over 1000 feet above the strip and is promised to leave u breathless. There are 100 different ride variation schemes so every time you board this ride; you're more or likely getting a new experience.

Location: 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd Phone: 702-380-7777 Price: ($8 to enter Stratosphere Tower, $13 for Insanity ride, $33.95 day passes) Height Limit: '54 Intense Rating=10

P.S. (All rides are subject to be closed during bad weather such as rain or high winds)