If you like big toys, this is for you. In Las Vegas, Dig This turns the dream of running heavy equipment into a small-group, hands-on session where you dig, push, lift, and play in a giant sandbox. I really like that you get step-by-step cab training plus headset guidance, so you are not guessing your way through levers and buttons. The one drawback to know upfront is the breathalyzer test before you start, and failing it means you cannot get a refund.

The setup feels purpose-built for first-timers. You get safety gear, a quick orientation, time to practice basic moves in the yard, then games that make the controls feel like a skill instead of a stunt. It is also max 9 people, which helps keep your instruction personal.

Just be realistic about the physical side. This is not a casual walk-around activity, and it is not recommended for people with back problems or pregnancy. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, because the desert dust is part of the experience.

Key Things You Should Know Before You Dig

• You drive the action yourself: one person per machine (with exceptions on the 1-ton setup for younger kids with a guardian)
• Breathalyzer comes before any operating: if you fail, it is non-refundable
• Small group helps coaching stick: max 9 travelers with radio headsets for coordination
• You get games, not just practice: bucket basketball, tire stacking, and more
• Your “wins” get documented: photo time plus an official completion certificate

Real Heavy Equipment Fun, Not a Side-Quest

Dig This Las Vegas is one of those rare Vegas ideas that actually changes your day. Instead of watching machinery from a safe distance, you get a turn in a climate-controlled cab and learn how to control real work-style equipment. It is loud, physical, and oddly satisfying in the way only big-engine work can be.

What makes it special is the mix of structure and play. You start with a safety briefing and guided basics, then you get to try bucket movements for real tasks like digging trenches, building mounds, and stacking heavy tires. The goal is not perfection, it is control, confidence, and fun.

Safety Briefing, Breathalyzer, and the Gear You Must Wear

Your session starts with a safety briefing from the staff, then you get outfitted with a high-vis vest and a hard hat. They also use a 2-way radio headset so instruction and timing make sense during the activity. Everyone must sign a waiver, so come prepared for the rules to be taken seriously.

Then comes the breathalyzer test. It is administered before the dig, and it is described as non-refundable if you fail. That is a big deal, so plan your day accordingly. If you are thinking, I will just have one drink earlier, do not. Build in sober time, hydrate, and take the test when they give it.

Dress for dust and feet protection. Closed-toed shoes are required, and sturdy is the smart choice. The site is outdoors, and you should expect dirt on your shoes unless you are extremely determined not to scrape anything.

Training in the Cab: How You Learn the Levers Without Panicking

Before you go full speed, you get a hands-on training segment. The instructors walk you through the machine basics so you understand what you are pushing and pulling before you move anything heavy. This is where the experience separates from gimmick activities.

You communicate during the session using the headset, and the instructor on the ground gives directions while you operate. Many sessions are guided by instructors like Brian, Mark, Phil, Erika, Patrick, Tiny, Dakota, Dave, and Alex, and the common thread is patient coaching for first-timers. People often worry they will not handle buttons and levers, but the training is designed for learning, not testing.

Also note the equipment is climate-controlled. That matters in Vegas, because the outdoors can be brutally hot or chilly while the machines keep the cab comfortable.

Your Machine Options, Ages, and the One-Seat Rule

Not everyone drives the same equipment, because you choose options when booking and then operate based on that selection. The fleet includes:

• Four 315C or 313FL excavators (20-ton)
• Two D5K bulldozers (10-ton)
• Two 279D track type skid steer loaders (5-ton)
• Two 305.5E excavators (6-ton)
• Four 301.7DCR excavators (1-ton)

Age rules also vary by machine. The general minimum age to participate is 14 with parental consent. For operating:

• Bulldozer: 14+
• 20-ton excavator: 12+
• 6-ton excavator: 8+
• Skid steer loaders: 8+
• 1-ton excavators: younger options with guardian help, and independent operation is allowed for certain heights

One person per machine is required. That means no riding in the cab with you, and no kids in the adult cab. There is only one seat. The exception mentioned is for kids using the 1-ton excavators, where guardians can assist if needed based on height.

This is also why I think it is smart to book with a “who wants the controls” mindset. If two people want to drive, the setup does not work like a shared turn for the same cab. The program keeps each operating seat focused.

The Dirt Yard Games: Tires, Trenches, and Bucket Basketball

Once you learn the basics, you start riding and practicing moves around the lot. Expect warm-up exercises like digging, trenching, pushing, and dragging a haul. This is a good ramp-up, because you get a chance to feel how the machine responds before you tackle the fun challenges.

Then you get the game part. This is where most people stop thinking like tourists and start thinking like operators. Typical activities include:

• Excavator basketball or bucket basketball, where you pick up balls with the bucket and drop them into a target, often tied to tire hoops
• Bulldozer teeter-totter style challenges
• Stacking giant tires, including very heavy tires that have been described as 2,000-pound tires
• Building mounds and shaping dug soil into practical-looking piles

The coolest moments tend to be the ones that combine control with showmanship. Cab spinning and even wheelie-like moves show up in the stories people share after, and that kind of motion comes from learning the controls well enough to steer intentionally.

You can also tear, dig, rip, claw, grind, and drive around as much as the session allows, within safety limits. The “play” part is real here. You are not just doing one skill and leaving.

How Your 1.5 Hours Actually Flows On Site

You should plan for about 1 hour 30 minutes total, and that includes check-in, orientation, training, plus moving between the terminal and the site. That total time matters because you are not just on the machine the whole time.

Here is what your time typically feels like:

1) Check-in at Dig This, then a safety briefing and orientation (about 15 minutes)

2) Getting your safety gear and headset setup

3) Hands-on cab training so you understand controls

4) Warm-ups in the yard, practicing digging and pushing moves

5) Guided games and operator challenges like tire stacking and bucket basketball

6) Wrap-up, including an official completion certificate and a photo

At the end, there is also a retail store where you can grab a memento. It is a small touch, but it helps make the memory feel “official,” not just a quick Vegas stop.

Getting There From the Strip: Ride Share, Parking, and Timing

Dig This is located about a 10 to 15 minute ride from Strip hotels. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you are on your own for transport. For many people staying on the Strip, ride share is the simplest way.

There is plenty of free parking on-site if you are driving. And because the meeting point is specific, you will save stress by arriving a little early. The session includes check-in, so being late can shrink your real time operating.

Also, public transportation is near enough if you prefer that route, though ride share or taxi tends to be easiest with a time-based activity.

Who This Is Perfect For, and Who Might Want to Skip

This is an excellent fit for grown-up kids, people who love machines, and anyone who wants a hands-on bucket list moment in Vegas. It is also a fun couples or friend activity, mainly because you can watch from spectator areas while you rotate into the one-seat experience.

It is not a fit for everyone. This activity is not recommended for pregnant women or participants with back problems. You also need a strong physical fitness level, not because you are doing heavy labor, but because operating and moving around the site is active.

If you are hard of hearing or deaf, the info says you need someone who can help facilitate through sign language. If you do not speak English fluently, instruction is in English, but you may bring an interpreter and should note it at checkout.

If you have a disability, most experiences can accommodate, but the requirement of good vision and good use of your upper body is specifically mentioned. So this is not a “assume it will work out” situation. Confirm ahead if you are unsure.

Price and Value: Why $27.50 Can Feel Like a Steal in Vegas

At $27.50 per person, this experience is priced like a Vegas add-on, not like a full-day tour. And the value is not just the cost. You get:

• An instructor-led safety and orientation start
• Real machine time with coached control
• 2-way radio headset communication during operating
• An official certificate plus a photo

You also get a small group size, max 9 travelers, which changes the feel from “line up and wait” to “you are actually learning.” Even people who found it a tad expensive still said no regrets, which tells me the real product is the skill shift. You go in uncertain and come out feeling capable, grinning, and ready to explain what you did.

Yes, you pay for transport yourself since there is no hotel pickup. And yes, the breathalyzer test is a serious gate. But if you show up sober, wear the right shoes, and want to play with heavy equipment like you mean it, the price can feel surprisingly fair for what you take home as a memory.

Should You Book the Dig This Heavy Equipment Playground?

I think you should book it if your idea of a great Vegas day is hands-on, slightly muddy, and way more memorable than another show. It is also a strong pick for birthdays and anniversary surprises, especially if the person loves machines or just likes feeling in control.

If you are easily intimidated by physical activities, have back concerns, or are not sure about the breathalyzer requirement, you might want to choose a different kind of Vegas activity. And if you are expecting a shared cab experience, know that the one-seat rule is strict, with specific exceptions for the 1-ton setup.

For the right person, this is one of those rare tours where you leave with a story that sounds unbelievable until you tell it. And the certificate and photo make sure you do not forget you really did run the big controls.

FAQ

Where is the Dig This Heavy Equipment Playground located?

The meeting point is 800 W Roban Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89044, USA.

How long is the experience?

The total session duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it includes check-in, orientation, training, and traveling between the terminal and the site.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you make your own way to the playground.

What is included in the session?

You get a 15-minute orientation and safety briefing, all necessary safety equipment, a 2-way radio headset, a certificate of completion, and the session is based on your selection at booking.

Do I need a driver’s license or any operating experience?

No. No driving experience is required, and a driver’s license is not mentioned as needed.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Comfortable clothing is fine, but you might get dust on your shoes.

Are breathalyzer tests required?

Yes. Breathalyzer tests are administered prior to your dig, and the information says it is non-refundable if you fail.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14 with consent from a parent or guardian. There are also different age thresholds depending on the specific equipment.

What if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

How does cancellation work for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.