Summerlin South, NV Indoor Activities

Not content with the disappointing, dizzying carnival coasters of their youth, the Sahara entertainmentologists and the NASCAR speed shamans formed a holy alliance to create Speed–The Ride, a coaster that races along 1,364 feet of track. Your adventures in the Speedpocolypse begin when you are catapulted by a burst of electromagnetic energy, only to be plummeted 25 feet below the earth's surface through a misty sewer labyrinth. Because the only thing more attractive to speed addicts than riding a NASCAR-approved machine is riding that speed demon through a busy casino, passengers will hit up to 70 mph as they speed through the nearly 200-foot Sahara marquee. Utterly relentless, the ride's cheek-smashing climax features a stunning twist ending where you'll stop 224 feet in the air only to realize the whole ride is starting again in reverse, like favorite palindromes such as mom , racecar, and Drew Barrymore.

The finale of Campus MovieFest features screenings of more than 250 student films; industry workshops; guest appearances by directors, actors, and screenwriters such as Mark Boal and John Ortiz; and the national grand finale of the College Battle of the Bands. All student movies were made in just one week and span the entire country, drawing around 75,000 participants. Bus explosions and spontaneous implosions are left for hubris-heaped Hollywood as these low-to-no-budget films explore the full spectrum of film, from comedy to drama to llama. The $29 ticket avails you of the final 16 films, beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, featuring door prizes, guest presenters, and awards for the winners.

In 1976, Joan Barnes—a California mom frustrated with the lack of spaces where she could take her kids for safe and age-appropriate play time—took matters into her own hands and founded Gymboree Play and Music. In the decades since Gymboree’s founding, Joan’s vision of a safe place where youngsters could build confidence and creativity has come to fruition and spread to 30 countries around the globe. Staffed by attentive and expertly trained instructors, each Gymboree outpost adheres to a curriculum of activities designed by experts to foster the development of children's cognitive, physical, and social skills through structured play and close readings of Goodnight Moon. The staffers also conduct entertaining classes for parents, newborns, and children under 1 year that cover subjects ranging from music to sports, imparting valuable lessons of imagination and physical activity to developing minds. To further set apart her business, Barnes employed nationally renowned playground designer Jay Beckwith to design the proprietary play equipment at her centers.

Preaching the importance of variety in fitness, The Pilates Studio contours and controls physiques through an array of group classes appropriate for any fitness level. Novice yogis can partake in a Hatha yoga session to learn the basics of breathing, poses, and meditation. Vinyasa flow takes a more active approach by incorporating a variety of yoga positions that build on one another, improving alignment and overall fitness. High temperatures and more than 30% humidity sends toxins on a Class VI rafting expedition down rivulets of sweat during a 95+ Pilates class, while TRX Suspension Training bolsters strength through bodyweight exercises instead of using traditional weight-training techniques. During Intimate Chair Expressions, learn a sensual, choreographed chair dance while sculpting your body, and put your new skills to practice when the next company meeting starts to drag.

Kids can’t be expected to care about their health when video games, cartoons, and outdoor adventures are vying for their attention. That’s why the adult leaders of the Memorial Health Foundation devised a plan to get kids excited about health: HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum. Born of the founders’ desire to foster a healthier current and future community, the museum appeals to youngsters through educational forms of entertainment. Its exhibits incorporate amplified versions of many of kids’ favorite pastimes, including a life-sized rendition of Operation and numerous computer games. A rock-climbing wall and tree house with a slide encourage kids to learn through movement, which is exactly how adults learn how to escape charging bulls. Youngsters can explore the space with their families or partake in programs such as children's camps.

In 2008, a former Lady Rebel All-American returned to her alma mater in a new role: as head coach of the UNLV women's basketball team. Prior to that, coach Kathy Olivier spent 15 years at the helm of the UCLA team. The wisdom she’s accumulated from her years spent guiding young ladies toward their goals on the hardwood are transferred to the next generation of female athletes in youth summer programs. Led by coach Olivier, her staff, and current UNLV players, sessions fill the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center with the sound of whistles, bouncing balls, squeaking shoes, and the cheers of an imaginary crowd of fans and cool dragons. During each energetic workout, staff share their love of the game as they teach passing, dribbling, shooting, and rebounding with group and individual instruction, daily games, and contests.