(Photo) Images relevant to the Sphere in Las Vegas NV.

Piece 1: The Sphere. The Las Vegas Sphere opened in September of 2023. This multipurpose facility cost $2.3 billion to construct, and is located on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Venetian Resort. A pedestrian bridge actually connects the venue to the Venetian.

The Sphere has quickly become a distinctive part of the Las Vegas skyline. Its illuminated exterior creates a dynamic visual spectacle visible from miles away. With an seating capacity of 17,600 (up to 20,000 can be accommodated by including the floor space), this unique performance environment has a high resolution 360-degree screen and advanced technology that creates an immersive sensory experience for guests.

Since its opening, the Sphere has hosted residencies for many popular musical groups (including the Eagles), and began screening a four-dimensional or 4D version of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” that engages audiences audibly, visually, and physically. We attended two presentations of the 4D “Wizard of Oz,” seated in different levels to get different perspectives. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. At the end of each showing, there was an interactive live-action vignette on the main level featuring the large and ominous head of the Wizard.

The Sphere features traditional theater concessions (e.g., popcorn and soda), a variety of hot foods (e.g., burgers and pizza), and alcoholic beverages for those of appropriate age. After our second show ended, we decided to take the pedestrian walkway over to the Venetian to find our supper. We were excited to find a Las Vegas location of “Turkey and the Wolf,” chef Mason Hereford’s acclaimed New Orleans sandwich shop. We particularly enjoyed the restaurant’s Collard Green Melt sandwich (featuring slow-cooked collards, Swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, and coleslaw on toasted rye).

Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum-Las Vegas

PIECE 2: Zac Bagans’ Haunted House. Zac Bagans is the host of “Ghost Adventures,” a popular and long-running television series that focuses on investigations of purported haunted locations. A related television show entitled “Deadly Possessions” premiered in 2016, which followed Bagans as he searched for items to display in a museum he planned to establish.

Bagans acquired a historic 11,000-square-foot Tudor Revival style mansion at in Las Vegas NV and converted the old residence into his Haunted Museum. Originally built in 1938 for Nevada banker Cyril Wengert and his wife Lottie, the house has a gothic ambiance and is reportedly “inhabited” by the spirits of deceased individuals who once lived there.

Officially opened in October 2017, the Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum has over 30 rooms featuring exhibits composed from the founder’s extensive collection of artifacts. Visitors are offered two types of guided tours; a general tour and a more extensive R.I.P. (a play on VIP) tour. We opted for the R.I.P. version, which took about 2.5 hours to complete. Many of the rooms included a pre-recorded message from Bagans about the items on display. Museum highlights for us included:

The Dybbuk Box: It is believed that this old Jewish wine box houses a malevolent entity.

Bela Lugosi’s Cursed Mirror: According to legend, the mirror captured the dark energy of a murder, and those who come into contact with it experience disturbing phenomena.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s Death Van: The rusty 1968 Volkswagen camper van that Dr. Jack Kevorkian used to facilitate some of his first assisted suicides.

The Devil’s Rocking Chair: The chair was part of an exorcism ritual, and famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren said it is possessed.

Peggy the Doll: It is believed that a demon has attached itself to the doll, which empowers it to cause physical and emotional distress.

Murderabilia: The collection features items from infamous serial killers like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Richard Ramirez.

The Clown Room: This maze-like exhibit is designed to be a more traditional haunted house experience, complete with jump scares and unsettling effects.

Museum visitors must be at least 14 years old, and those under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Additionally, all visitors must sign a waiver acknowledging the potential risks of entering a haunted space. Finally, photography inside the museum in not allowed; we were instructed to power down our smart phones before the tour began.

This place is an intense (but enjoyable) experience for those who think scary stuff is kinda fun. We do!

Allegiant Stadium-Las Vegas NV

Piece 3: Allegiant Stadium.Allegiant Stadium is a $1.9 billion state-of-the-art entertainment and sports venue located along the Las Vegas (NV) Strip in the southern part of the city. It has a core seating capacity of about 65,000 (expandable to 72,000 for major events).

Officially opened in July 2020, Allegiant serves as the home field for the National Football League’s (NFL) Las Vegas Raiders and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels football team. The stadium’s exterior is a sleek dome design clad in striking black and silver, paying homage to the Raiders’ iconic colors.

One of Allegiant’s most notable features is its ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) roof. This modern architectural covering is made from a strong and transparent plastic film which allows natural light to flood the interior of the venue while protecting attendees from the desert heat. Another distinctive feature is a large 85-foot-tall torch, located above the playing field’s north end zone area, that honors longtime Raiders owner Al Davis. The torch is reportedly one of the largest 3D printed objects in the world.

Allegiant has a roll-in Bermuda grass field, which is primarily used for NFL games. The main advantage of this configuration is that the grass playing surface can be exposed to natural sunlight when not in use. An ever-present artificial turf at the stadium is primarily used for college football games.

We attended an NFL Monday Night Football game at Allegiant between the hometown Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys. The fanbase of the Cowboys is large and obviously doesn’t mind traveling to road games; there were a lot of Dallas supporters in the crowd. We found the stadium to be a comfortable and engaging environment, filled with high tech video and audio. Finally, a shoutout to the facility staff for creating such a welcoming atmosphere.

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