When you’re in Las Vegas there’s no rush quite like winning a big hand or a giant bet that finally comes in. All that will change this April when the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino opens its next thrill ride, The SkyJump Las Vegas.

Adrenaline junkies, and daring tourists, can experience the rush of an 855 foot “controlled freefall” off the Stratosphere Tower. This 40 mph fall will provide guests an experience similar to base jumping or skydiving. Plus there’s the added benefit of the amazing panoramic view from the Stratosphere. That is if you can dare keep your eyes open.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring SkyJump Las Vegas to the Stratosphere,” said Frank Riolo, CEO of American Casino & Entertainment Properties. “This will not only be North America’s only skyjump, but also the highest skyjump in the world.”

Riders of SkyJump Las Vegas will be given a short safety lesson and then they will be suited up in Stratosphere’s custom “jump suits.” The rider is then connected to a patented high-speed “descender” machine and led to the edge of a small platform where they will leap out and descend the 100+ story height of Stratosphere. Guide wires keep riders from straying off course in what is an incredibly safe, yet audacious adventure. Just prior to reaching the rapidly approaching ground, the machine slows the rider down, bringing them to a controlled and safe landing.

“While the entire experience – from preparation to landing – takes just 30 minutes, the thrill will last a lifetime,” Riolo continued. “Stratosphere has made a commitment to reinvesting in our property at all levels and this will be an outstanding addition for everyone – whether you’re making the leap yourself or watching those daring enough to do it.”

SkyJump is expected to open April of 2010, and will join three thrill rides already atop the tower: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity.

Book now and you can stay in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip in Five Star Luxury for as low as $64 a night. Only LastMinuteTravel.com’s exclusive Best Value! partnership makes this extremely low rate possible.

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2010 is shaping up to be a New Year’s Eve like no other! It’s not too late to book a trip and get in on the fun. To help you decide, LastMinuteTravel.com presents North America’s most-popular destinations for ringing in the New Year!

Using our proprietary technology, we’ve collected destination data from our website to find out where North Americans are going to celebrate this New Year’s Eve. The top 5 are:

Orlando
Nobody parties like Mickey and Minnie – and recently Shamu and Spiderman have been getting in on the act too! The Orlando parks go all out for the important night with special fireworks spectaculars and great food and dancing. If crowding into the theme parks will thousands of your closest friends isn’t your thing, there are plenty of fabulous New Year’s parties all across central Florida. Right now flights to Orlando are very affordable, so why not experience some of Disney’s magic for yourself.

Las Vegas
One of the most exciting and colorful places to celebrate New Year’s, Las Vegas attracts the wildest people to their growing number of clubs. There are so many options for the New Year in Vegas; toast the “nouvelle année” from the top of the replica Eiffel Tower, party with thousands of others on the Strip as midnight approaches, or watch the festivities from a private suite in your favorite resort. Any are great locations to watch the massive fireworks show that will launch from the rooftops of seven hotels along the Strip.

New York City
The traditional place to ring in the New Year is Times Square. The Big Apple is the center of attention if you want to experience the festive throng and the famed “ball drop”. If being outside in NYC’s winter weather isn’t your thing, there are thousands of great parties to join after you take in a Broadway show or catch the Radio City Rockettes.

Chicago
New Year’s revelers flock to Chicago for the great food and the fun parties. Whether its luxury you want or a party in a penthouse club, you’ll find it in the windy city. Just bundle up as it can get a bit chilly out there. Other popular parties include a river cruise or a concert at Grant’s park. Both provide you with a front-row view of the fireworks.

Los Angeles
Westcoasters in the know flock to the city of fun and sun for one last fling before the New Year begins. Popular places to party include Disneyland in Anaheim, the Together As One festival to dance into the next decade, and any of the hundreds of trendy clubs in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills where you can see or be seen. My favorite LA parties let you ring in the New Year twice, once at 9pm when NYC drops the ball and again at Midnight west coast time.

Other hot party cities include Miami, San Diego, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, and San Francisco.

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In a recent article published by TravelMole Atlantic City was said to be rated higher by consumers than Las Vegas. Here are the highlights:

• Market Metrix’s latest hospitality study reported that Atlantic City was rated higher by consumers for price, sophistication and pampering.
• A recent survey published in Hotel & Motel Management magazine said that Atlantic City beat out Las Vegas when it came to the hotel and casino experience.
• San Rafael from Market Metrix conducted a survey asking guests if they would recommend the resort they stayed at to others; 78% of Atlantic City guests said that they were very likely to recommend the resort while only 59% of Las Vegas guests said that they were very likely to recommend the resort.

Here are the top 10 attractions in Atlantic City:

1. Harrah’s Atlantic City Casino

2. The Pier at Caesars

3. Central Pier

4. Wild Wild West Casino

5. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum

6. Casino at the Tropicana Resort

7. Atlantic City Historical Museum

8. Garden Pier

9. The Quarter at Tropicana

10. Caesars Atlantic City Casino

For the best value on a vacation to Atlantic City, check out LastMinuteTravel.com’s Package Deals.

Erica Fischer Destinations, News, Tips, Travel, Travel Guide atlantic city, atlantic city package deals, las vegas