Las Vegas has a reputation. Big hotels. Big shows. Big spending. For backpackers, it can feel like a place where budgets disappear fast.
But some of the best things to do in Las Vegas are not about luxury. They're about stories. And few stories travel better than saying you drove a supercar in the Nevada desert.
SPEED VEGAS is a motorsports park in Las Vegas where visitors can drive real supercars on a purpose-built racetrack about 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
For travelers who usually take buses, trains, or shared rides, this is a different kind of stop.
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The SPEED VEGAS Experience
Leaving the Strip Behind
Picture this. You wake up in a hostel near the Las Vegas Strip. You walk past Bellagio, maybe spin once on the High Roller, and watch the crowds flow between casinos. By mid-morning, you order a rideshare south.
Within minutes, the skyline fades. The road opens. The desert stretches wide. On the way, you pass Seven Magic Mountains rising from the sand. A little further down South Las Vegas Boulevard, you arrive at SPEED VEGAS.
Instead of neon signs, there is open sky. Instead of slot machines, there is a racetrack carved into the desert.
Under a shaded carport, a lineup of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, Corvettes, and other performance cars waits. The terrace overlooks the track, where drivers are already taking laps.
It feels far from the Strip, even though it is close.
The Supercar Moment
Backpacking is about choosing your splurges carefully. This is one of those moments.
After check-in, there is a clear safety briefing. The instructors explain the track layout, braking points, and what to expect on each lap. It is structured and welcoming, even if you have never driven anything more powerful than a rental car.
Then you choose your ride. Some travelers save specifically to drive a Ferrari. Others go for a Lamborghini or Porsche. Even the more entry-level options feel worlds away from everyday driving.
You slide into the seat. The engine starts. The instructor sits beside you, calm and focused.
Learning Fast, Lap by Lap
The first lap is about nerves and discovery. The steering feels sharper than expected. The braking zone comes up quickly. Corners demand attention.
Your instructor talks you through it. Brake here. Keep your head up. Smooth on the throttle.
By the second lap, you feel more in control. By the third, you begin to understand how the car responds to you. You are not just along for the ride. You are driving.
Among all the things to do in Vegas, this is one of the most hands-on. It is active, focused, and surprisingly accessible. For backpackers used to watching from the sidelines, it is empowering.
Cheaper Ways To Feel the Speed
If a full supercar session seems like too much of a stretch, SPEED VEGAS offers other options that still deliver.
Outdoor Go Kart Racing
The outdoor kart track on site is fast and competitive. Sessions are short, which makes them easier on the budget. You race friends head-to-head, chasing lap times and relaying stories afterward.
It is one of those simple, overlooked things to do in Las Vegas that works well for groups traveling together.
Off-Road in the Desert
There is also an off-road track where you can climb into Baja-style race trucks and tackle jumps and banked dirt corners in a controlled setting.
If you have spent days crossing deserts by bus on a Southwest road trip, this flips the script. Instead of watching the landscape roll by, you interact with it.
Dust kicks up behind you. The suspension absorbs the bumps. Instructors guide every session to keep it organized and safe.
Why It's Worth the Splurge
Backpacking is about balance. You cook in hostel kitchens, walk instead of taking taxis, and skip overpriced cocktails. Then once in a while, you choose one experience that feels bigger than the rest.
SPEED VEGAS often becomes that moment.
Compared with a night of casual gambling or another ticketed show, a session on a real racetrack leaves a stronger memory. It's physical, skill-based, and something you can describe years later.
For travelers building a list of the best things to do in Las Vegas, it stands comfortably alongside the Strip, Hoover Dam, and even the start of a drive toward the Grand Canyon.
It is a different side of the city. Less about chance. More about control.
Explore your options at SPEED VEGAS and see how it fits into your route.
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This story is brought to you in partnership with SPEED VEGAS.
