Where better to build a water park than in the middle of the desert? Plus, if they can bring New York, ancient Egypt, and ancient Rome to Las Vegas, what's a few water slides? Wet N' Wild is perhaps not the best buy in town, but it can definitely serve as a refreshing all-day getaway both from the casinos and the heat.

The 26-acre water park is located just south of Sahara Avenue at the north end of the Strip. It has some innovative rides along with water park classics. Some of the featured rides are: Der Stuka, the world's fastest and highest water chute, Royal Flush, a ride that washes you down a chute into a pool at 45 mph, and Blue Niagara, a six-story slide that has intertwined chutes. There's also a 500,000-gallon wave pool and Raging Rapids, a white-water adventure on a 500-foot long river. One of our favorite rides is Banzai Banzai, a ride where you sit on a plastic sled, shoot down a 150-foot slide and then skip across a pool like a stone.

There's also a smaller water playground for children, a sunbathing area, and a video arcade. There are numerous snack opportunities in addition to the Pepsi Pavilion, a nice picnic area under a tent. If you forgot your swimsuit, you can go to the Beach Trends Shop to pick up a suit especially priced for you.

Admission is free for kids under 3. Call for specific hours and days of operation as they vary through the season.