The Hot List: Vegas by land (bus), air (show) or ‘see’ (an axe throwing)

Desert skies: Nellis Air Force Base will present Nevada’s largest free outdoor event,Aviation Nation 2017,on Nov.11and 12from 10:30 a.m. to 5p.m. Families can enjoy an open house featuring an array of both static displays and aerial acts, including an flight by U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at their home base. The Thunderbirds team museum is located inside their hangar.This event will be the Air Combat Command’s closing celebration for the United States Air Force’s70th birthday. Admission, security lines and free public parking with round-trip shuttle bus transportation will be located at the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway. nellis.af.mil/air-show/.

Get (on) the Loop: The city of Las Vegas launched a free shuttle service this summer dubbed the Downtown Loop. It runs daily and stops every 20 minutes at seven downtown spots: Bonneville Transit Center; The Arts District; Pawn Plaza; Fremont East Entertainment District; Mob Museum; Fremont Street Experience; and Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. Two shuttles each hold 19 passengers and can spare visitors from very hot or very cold walks. The pilot program was launched in June with a six-month contract through the end of the year. The Loop runs 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. If it proves popular, the program will extend into 2018, so get out and ride. lasvegasnevada.gov.

Newest “axe-perience”: Sometimes you just need to hurl something deadly. Las Vegas’ newest recreational import, all the way from British Columbia, is axe throwing at Axe Monkeys. Located in an industrial neighborhood off-Strip, the warehouse-like facility has 23 indoor lanes with two side-by-side targets each where you can learn from professional trainers how to throw a1.5-pound axe and sink it cleanly in a bullseye on a thick disc of pine wood about 15 feet away.It’s fun for the whole family, as kids seven and up are welcome! Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 2a.m. One-hour rates are $25 for adults and $20 for ages 17 and younger. axemonkeys.com

--Jackie Brett, Custom Publishing Writer