Have you ever been reading a book and found yourself completely lost in the story? Or watching a movie or show that makes you completely shut out the world around you? Las Vegas has all but perfected that feeling at a variety of attractions, some interactive, others immersive—some both. These experiences transport you to another reality, shift your perception, alter your attitude—all in the best way possible.
Dino Safari: A Walk Thru Adventure (Horseshoe Las Vegas, dinosafari.com) is a family-friendly adventure that transports you back to prehistoric times, complete with animatronic dinosaurs, interactive games, virtual reality and real fossils; in a nice touch, you’ll get to see a Nevada find, the recently discovered Nevadadromeus. Created by Atlanta-based Imagine Exhibitions in collaboration with world-renowned Ph.D. Dinosaur Paleontologist Gregory M. Erickson, it’s a real-life Jurassic Park—but without all that nasty people-eating business.
Art-lovers will be blown away by TRANSFIX (Resorts World Las Vegas, transfixart.com), a 200,000-square-foot, multilevel venue with more than 50 interactive artworks from some of the world’s most innovative artists—everything from monolithic, shape-shifting kinetics and mesmerizing tunnels to video installations and fire-breathing sculptures. It’s a two-acre labyrinth you won’t mind getting lost in, especially with its inclusion of 10 artist-designed bars and speakeasies.
Speaking of art, one of history’s most original and beloved artists, Vincent Van Gogh, is being featured in a way you never expected. Immersive Van Gogh (The Shops at Crystals, vangoghvegas.com) features works like The Starry Night, Wheatfield with Crows and The Yellow House, all projected in a way that envelops you as music puts you in a contemplative mood. It’s relaxing; it’s emotional; it’s cutting-edge; but most of all, it’s art.
What’s your favorite Disney movie? Hard to pick, right? But whatever it is, imagine yourself right in the middle of that movie, and at Disney Animation: Immersive Experience (The Shops at Crystals, disneyimmersive.com), you’ll become immersed in films like The Lion King, Frozen, Zootopia, The Little Mermaid and so many more, as floor-to-ceiling projections flood your senses while the unforgettable music gives you goosebumps. Don’t forget to bring the kids!
For the opportunity to walk through a dream when wide awake, head to Fantasy Lab: Time to Dream (FSLV—Fashion Show Las Vegas, fantasylablv.com), where a tour guide takes you through a series of rooms that encapsulate various aspects of dreaming—drifting off, childlike wonder, nightmares, psychedelic experiences, inspirational moments and more. The further you go, the deeper you get, and it all ends with a message of positivity and hope (and a bar for the adults).
If you love to travel but don’t have the time (or budget), experience the next-best thing at FlyOver Las Vegas (3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 866.498.2023 or flyoverlasvegas.com), where you’re buckled into what feels like an amusement park ride and shown an exhilarating film on a 53-foot-wide screen. The interactive elements include tiny sprays of mist when you head into clouds and subtle scents. Explorations include the Grand Canyon and the Canadian Rockies.
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
