Las Vegas: The final frontier

Singing the praises of (and mourning the loss of) Star Trek: The Experience

Before I get to the attraction review, I have something for your consideration. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year: joining Mike and EB on their wonderful CoasterRadio podcast to preview the year’s new attractions and developments. Check out the episode to hear us talk about Top Thrill 2, Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Sea, Mine Cart Madness, Voltron Nevera, and a whole host of other coasters and rides. We also take a brief dive into the recent Epic Universe reveal. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts or at CoasterRadio.

---

4.75 (out of 5)

Usually “Rode It! Loved It!” (which is exclusively for paid subscribers) celebrates long-established rides and attractions that are still operating. For this month’s edition, however, I am writing about a defunct attraction that positively blew me away: Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Not only is the attraction gone, but the Las Vegas Hilton is kaput as well. In its day, I considered this to be among the very best attractions on the planet (and throughout the galaxy).

Not a paid subscriber? Come on! Paid subscriptions are my only source of income here at the ad-free About Theme Parks, so your support of quality journalism–and me!–would be greatly appreciated.

One of the world’s most detailed and engaging theme park attractions wasn’t in a theme park. Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, which opened in 1998 and closed in 2008, transported guests into the 24th century for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure. Wait a sec, you might be thinking. Star Trek meets Las Vegas? You bet! As if the famous gaming capital wasn’t otherworldly enough, the ambitious Experience blasted guests to a future alterna-universe that was utterly convincing. You would have sworn that you were beamed into a real-life Trek episode.

The lobby of Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (Marcin Wichary)